Last month I bought a Spyderco Manix from member WJR. After we conversed through PM a few times, he mentioned he was saving for another knife, and might be selling some other Spydercos. I ended up also buying 2 Caly, Jrs, one in the standard VG-10, and the other a ZDP-189 version.
The Spyderco Manix was something of a cult favorite. It had a reputation for being incredibly tough, but was also too large and heavy for most people to use it for EDC. The Caly, JR is another cult favorite. It's known for being extremely light and slicing exceptionally well.
The Manix was discontinued because it was just too much knife for most people. It eventually came back in a smaller, lighter form as the Manix 2. The Manix 2 is about half an inch shorter than the Manix was, and Spyderco has done a good job of managing to sell them at an attractive price point. Many custom runs of the Manix 2 have been made, and it was eventually made in lightweight FRCP versions and in a larger version, the Manix 2 XL.
How does the Manix 2 XL compare to the original Manix? If you look at the photos, the most obvious difference is that 4-way clip on the original, and the back lock. The outlines of the two are almost identical, but the 2 XL is significantly lighter. The Manix definitely locks up sturdily, but I prefer the Caged Ball Bearing Lock on the 2 XL.
So far, I prefer the 2 XL, but the Manix is definitely a tank. I can both see why it was discontinued, and also understand why some people loved it.
The Spyderco Manix was something of a cult favorite. It had a reputation for being incredibly tough, but was also too large and heavy for most people to use it for EDC. The Caly, JR is another cult favorite. It's known for being extremely light and slicing exceptionally well.
The Manix was discontinued because it was just too much knife for most people. It eventually came back in a smaller, lighter form as the Manix 2. The Manix 2 is about half an inch shorter than the Manix was, and Spyderco has done a good job of managing to sell them at an attractive price point. Many custom runs of the Manix 2 have been made, and it was eventually made in lightweight FRCP versions and in a larger version, the Manix 2 XL.
How does the Manix 2 XL compare to the original Manix? If you look at the photos, the most obvious difference is that 4-way clip on the original, and the back lock. The outlines of the two are almost identical, but the 2 XL is significantly lighter. The Manix definitely locks up sturdily, but I prefer the Caged Ball Bearing Lock on the 2 XL.
So far, I prefer the 2 XL, but the Manix is definitely a tank. I can both see why it was discontinued, and also understand why some people loved it.
