There is no doubt, the Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight, is a very popular knife. There are good reasons why it’s a favorite among a lot of people. However, is it right for you? Maybe I can help you figure that out. Let’s take a few minutes and discuss the specs, what the manufacturer says, the good, the bad, and anything else I can think of as it pertains to this knife.
Before I get into all the opinion-based stuff, let’s take a look at the specs.
Specifications
- Overall Length: 8.03″
- Closed Length: 4.66″
- Blade Length: 3.37″
- Cutting Edge: 2.88″
- Blade Thickness: 0.125″
- Blade Steel: CPM-S110V
- Blade Style: Drop point
- Blade Grind: Full flat
- Finish: Satin
- Edge Type: Plain
- Lock Type: Ball bearing
- Handle: FRCP
- Tip Carry: Tip up
- Clip Position: Ambidextrous
- Weight: 2.9 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
- MSRP: $205
- Street Price: $143.50
In the Field
What can I say? I’ve carried this knife for over 6 years and have used it for pretty much anything. I can’t say that I pick it up to perform a certain task because that’s not the case. I don’t have a particular purpose for it other than it has been carried more than any of my other blades since the time I’ve purchased it.
Previous to this model, I had been carrying a G-10 Manix that was weighing in at almost 5 ounces. I picked up this lightweight model and was shocked by how much lighter it was in the weight category, dropping down to 2.9 ounces. That is a significant difference and you really feel it in the pocket. Anyways, let’s get into it
Pros
Steel
Crucible’s CPM-S110V is one of my favorite blade steel options. It is a super high alloy stainless steel that is extremely tough and has really good wear resistance. It may not be the easiest to sharpen, but even for a novice like myself, I can put a very nice edge on it with a little effort. Once I get an edge on it, it really maintains sharpness for a long time with regular use.
Blade Shape
The Manix 2 LW has a Drop Point blade shape, which I’ve really grown to be a fan of. It’s a pretty common style that features a spine that curves down towards the point. I like the big belly and how easy it is to control this style. While a drop point, may not be the best at one particular task, I find it works really well for me across the board.
Edge Type
I have been all over the place over the years. I spent a good amount of time in the half-serrated world, before settling back on plain edge blades about 6 years ago. I rarely ever venture out beyond a plain edge and pretty much carry one every day. In a nutshell, plain edge blades have a continuous sharpened edge with no disruptions. I like the cutting ability a plain edge offers and it fits how I mostly use my knives.
Finger Choil and Thumb Ramp
The Manix 2 LW has a textured finger choil at the bottom base of the blade and a textured thumb ramp at the base of the spine. These two features allow me to choke down on the blade to increase control depending on what I’m doing. These also pair extremely well with the cutting style of a plain edge.
Weight
A knife that weighs a minuscule 2.9 oz., should not be this size and perform this well. However, it does! The weight, or lack thereof, is one of my favorite features of this knife. I especially like it for warmer weather when I typically find myself wearing lighter weight clothing.
Country of Origin
USA, USA, USA…!
Cons
Okay, I have to admit, I don’t really have anything bad to say about this knife. I have heard some gripes from others, mainly around the “leaf-shaped” blade and the FRCP handle.
Some folks don’t like a blade shaped like the Manix 2 LW offers. If not, don’t buy it. It’s an easy fix.
Also, the gripes I’ve heard around the fiberglass reinforced co-polymer (FRCP) is due to its feel. Some folks say it feels plastic like and they don’t think they will be able to maintain a good grip in wet conditions. I don’t find this to be true as I use mine in wet conditions all the time. However, your mileage may vary.
Conclusion
All in all, this knife is a winner for me. If you take the blade steel, blade shape, and edge type, and mix in the minimal weight, what’s not to love.
I carry this knife most of the time nowadays and literally use it for everything. I use it for cutting, prying (save the hate mail), fishing, hunting, and as of yesterday, for cutting EPDM roofing material off of a travel trailer. The blade holds an edge extremely well, and if I stay on top of it, it doesn’t take much to maintain an edge.
Give the Manix 2 LW a shot…I don’t think you will regret it. Also, if you want to save a little money, find a model with CPM S30V steel.
