Spyderco Manix 2 - CPM S110V - Review

April 29, 2017

The Spyderco Manix 2 is a robust, highly ergonomic EDC knife designed by Eric Glesser. It is made in Golden, Colorado and is available in a range of steel, handle, and lock variants. This specific variant is the G-10 model in CPM S110V steel. CPM S110V is a highly corrosion resistant and wear resistant steel produced by Crucible in the U.S. Spyderco’s standard production S110V knives come with dark blue handle scales, which brings some additional variety to the company’s U.S. made product line.

This Manix 2 uses Spyderco’s own caged ball bearing lock. The lock is made up of a few components. The steel ball bearing sits in a cage, which provides traction to unlock it. The cage also enables it to be pushed forward by a small coil spring to lock the blade open. As the knife opens, the ball rolls along the tang of the blade and is pushed into a shelf formed by the blade and the steel backspacer. The result is a smooth action and a sturdy lock up. Releasing the lock can be accomplished with one or two hands and is best accomplished by gripping the cage on both sides.

Once the lock is released, a small flick of the wrist easily swings the blade shut. This also keeps the hand safely away from the path of the edge. The lock also provides a strong, crisp detent that keeps the blade stored in the handle. Our Manix 2 locks up perfectly and while the spring was stiff out of the box, it has broken in nicely without the need for any adjustments. Those with smaller hands might have to revert to closing this knife with two hands as the size can make one handed closing a challenge in some cases.

The 3.37" (86 mm) blade of the Manix 2 is leaf shaped and tapers to a fine point. It arrived sharp out of the box and the shape performs well in a range of EDC tasks. It easily pierces thick tape, cardboard, and other materials. The full flat grind takes the 3.2mm thick blade stock down to a fine edge for slicing. The blade features only a few markings. On the front side is Spyderco’s bug, the company’s name, and the steel type. The back of the blade features Eric Glesser’s maker’s mark and the place of origin, which in this case is Golden, Colorado. CPM S110V is known for its wear and corrosion resistance and it is living up to those expectations so far. We will update this review with our thoughts as we continue to test CPM S110V.

Jimping is present both on the spine and the finger choil providing sufficient traction and control. It is aggressive enough to prevent slipping without excessively wearing on the hand. Slightly softer and rounded jimping is present on the steel liners next to the backspacer as well as on the bottom, rear portion of the handle. This lends some visual appeal and a bit more traction. Some may find this excessive, but we never found it to be uncomfortable in our testing.

The G-10 used seems to be the standard texture found on many of Spyderco’s other U.S. knives. It prevents slipping even with sweaty hands and the dark blue color looks great. The edges of the handle subtly glow in the light, which further enhances the look. Unlike the other standard G-10 versions of the Manix 2, the S110V variant features skeletonized liners, which help to reduce the weight while retaining strength. It is a wide knife and it carries fairly large, but it is well suited for anyone looking for a knife that looks and feels solid.

The clip is a standard Spyderco hourglass design with a polished finish. It is certainly not as low profile as some of the company’s wire clips, but the design easily accommodates a range of pocket materials without concern of stressing it. It can be set for either left or right side, tip up carry as the cage of the ball bearing lock would interfere with a tip down position. Its positioned right at the rear tip of the handle which helps to sink the knife down into the pocket. This leaves only a small portion of the knife sticking above the pocket, which we find to be acceptable as it makes it easy to retrieve the knife from the pocket without being excessive.

Overall, we continue to enjoy using the Manix 2 and it has earned a place as one of our EDC favorites. With that said, the size/weight and the color of the scales on this variant might not appeal to everyone. Those looking for something compact and lightweight may not end up liking this particular model. However, we tend to prefer the robust build style of this knife and find that the dark blue G-10 offers something a bit different from the usual black.

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Spyderco Techno – First Impressions

March 12, 2017

The Spyderco Techno is a small, titanium frame lock folding knife with a 2.55″ (65 mm) blade made out of CTS-XHP. Designed in collaboration with Polish knifemaker Marcin Slysz, the Techno offers a compact and dense build that excels in certain areas and falls behind in others.

One of the first things that is noticed when handling the Techno is that it is stout. While it is generally a small knife, it is a hearty 3.6 oz. Compare this with something like the similarly sized Spyderco Dragonfly 2, which is only 1.2 oz. Although, it should be noted that these knives are clearly built in very different ways. The Dragonfly 2 is a lightweight slicer, while this is an overbuilt, small folder with a 4.5mm thick blade. In general, this works to the Techno’s benefit as it provides a definite sense of its high-quality build, which accompanies its equally sizable price. The MSRP is $329, but it can be found at various knife dealers for around ‎$197.97.

Like each of the Slysz collaborations with Spyderco, the Techno comes out of the box at a top-notch level of fit and finish for a production knife. The titanium scales have a nice stonewash texture, which provides some detail that varies in the light and manages wear quite well. In addition, the titanium offers a decent level of grip for a smooth surface, which when combined with the overall design lends to a generally comfortable knife to hold.

One of the neat things about the Techno is the way it manages to merge round and angular design while still maintaining comfort. The edges of the handle are nicely chamfered which reduces hotspots and generally adds some additional detail. Little details like that reflect care in the design and the excellent execution of them in a production knife is great to see.

One of the more polarizing aspects of the Techno is the inclusion of the blue G-10 backspacer that partially fills the back of the knife. While it may not be for everyone, we feel that the blue complements the gray titanium and steel nicely. The texturing also fits into the palm nicely without being too aggressive.

Also present on the handle is Spyderco’s wire clip. The clip is finished to match the handle scales and is fairly low profile. Retention seems to be a weak point though as the combination of the clip’s finish with the titanium makes it slide easily. While it is easy to retrieve and lessens wear on the pocket, it can be a bit concerning particularly if the clip were to get caught on something.

Like the handle scales, the blade of the Techno is also nicely stonewashed, but this time with an almost mirror-like appearance. This treatment blends with the handle quite well and keeps visible wear minimal. It also softens the spine, jimping, and edges of the hole on the blade. The result is a blade with a sharp edge only where it matters and feels good to the hand. Although, it should be said that the traction provided by the softened jimping does not rival sharper patterns like those found on the Para Military 2, Manix 2, or Dragonfly 2. However, given the role of this knife and the value of bringing something different to the table, we see this as a strength rather than a weakness.

Blade Length - 2.55″ (65 mm)

Overall Length - 5.98″ (152 mm)

Blade Thickness - .177″ (4.5 mm)

Weight - 3.6 oz (102 g)

As our time with the Techno continues, our impressions will evolve into a full review and we will update this article with both positive and negative points as we encounter them. For now though, the Spyderco Techno brings excellent build quality and a beautiful design to the company’s little big knife line.

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Opinel No 8 - Review

March 11, 2017

When you handle an Opinel knife, there is some beauty to its simplicity and its price is also an attractive factor. Opinels typically sell for $12-$30 depending on the style, size, blade steel, and other attributes. This makes it an excellent choice for starting a knife collection. They are cheap to buy, nice to use, and easy to replace if lost or damaged.

For the purposes of this review, we will be looking at the Opinel No 8, which is probably the most common size. The handles are made out of beech wood and it has a Stainless Steel (Inox) blade. The blade steel is Swedish made Sandvik 12c27-MOD, which is a great steel for the price. It has great corrosion resistance, is easy to sharpen, and takes an excellent edge.

The No 8 weighs 1.6 oz and has a blade length of 3.25 inches. The No 8 was reasonably sharp out of the box, slicing through paper and other materials with relative ease. While initially not as sharp as some of the higher priced competition, it did well for its respective price.

Another key point to note about the knife is the wood used for the handles. Beech wood is a nice departure from the cheap plastic feel found on some other low priced knives and most people would probably guess that they are more expensive than they really are. Opinel produces the No 8 in a variety of woods, which further increases the collectability of it. Oak, Walnut, Bubinga, and Olive are among those offered. The company is also working with L.L. Bean on a limited edition run that uses reclaimed Maple that is over a century old.

One thing to keep in mind though is the way in which the handle responds to moisture. Opinel often refers to the handles as a living material and it does so for a good reason. Increases in humidity or exposure to water can cause the handle to swell. This can make it difficult to open and close the knife. In addition, overly dry conditions may lead to it loosening. If they are treated with care, the changes do not seem to be permanent or damaging. It is a simple consequence of the material used and it is just something to be aware of.

Out of the box, the No 8 was pretty much as perfect as one could expect a knife under $15 to be. There is something kind of neat about holding a knife with a basic design that is over 100 years old. The handle is nicely contoured and is smooth to the touch. Opinel’s branding is present both on the blade and on the handle and it looks clean. In a market full of thin metal or plastic handles, the beechwood is a warm and welcoming departure from other options, especially in this price range.

On our No 8, Opinel’s Virobloc locking ring rotates smoothly with just enough resistance to provide a reassuring lock up for a knife of this type. It may not be the strongest one out there, but remember this is a small wooden folding knife. It is not intended for tough tasks that would fully put its lock strength to the test. Instead, it does exactly what it needs to do to stop the blade from closing on your fingers during basic everyday tasks.

The Opinel No 8 is a decent performer when it comes to functionality and ergonomics. The handle fits the hand nicely and provides a good grip. Now, that comfort does come at a cost since this knife is quite a bit thicker than many other knives that share its characteristics. It is surprisingly light though, which helps to offset the size.

Overall, the Opinel No 8 is a great knife for anyone to buy. While it might not be the best performer or as robust as a titanium handled knife that costs 10 times as much, it is highly affordable and it is an item with an interesting past. There is not much to lose from purchasing one and it may end up surprising you as it likely has for many over the years. The design has been around for a long time and there clearly is a reason for it.

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Victorinox Pioneer & Pioneer X - Review

March 10, 2017

The Victorinox Pioneer is one of the nicest looking knives that Victorinox has ever produced. It is comprised of two layers of tools sandwiched in between two slabs of textured aluminum and then riveted together. The design is simple and effective and therefore it may come as no surprise that this is the civilian version of the Victorinox Soldier knife that was used from the 1960s to 2008 when its larger successor replaced it. Its base tool set is a blade, awl, can opener/ small flat screwdriver, and the bottle opener/large flat screwdriver. The notch at the base of the bottle opener can be used to strip wires according to Victorinox. It can be found online for around $30.

Out of the box, the knife is pretty much perfect. Each tool is almost mirror polished and the alox handle scales are nicely textured. Every one of the tools is held in place by its backspring which provides a reassuring snap when opened or closed. It is important to note that this knife is a traditional slip joint Swiss Army Knife. While the blade and tools are held open by the springs there is really no locking mechanism. Therefore, care needs to be taken to avoid inadvertent closing of them. One of the nice things about the Pioneer is the heft of the tool. It feels dense for its size which provides a sense of quality without being heavy at all. It is precisely made and it is one of those pocket tools that feels like it will never let you down.

In terms of functionality, this tool does exactly what you would think it should do. It slices well, opens cans and bottles, turns screws, and can punch or drill holes. The blade was nice and sharp out of the box. Victorinox steel does tend to be a bit soft so one can expect the blade to dull fairly quickly over time depending on use. Now, the benefit is that it can be honed or sharpened back to that original edge easily without much skill or trouble. Another upside to that steel though is that it is remarkably corrosion resistant. Rust does not seem to be a major problem at all and that makes it a fairly maintenance free knife. The can opener manages to open cans quite well. Obviously, it does not compete with a regular household can opener in terms of speed but that is not its intended competition anyway. It is there for when it is needed and does its job. The same exact thing applies to the Pioneer’s ability to open bottles. In terms of turning screws, the 3mm can opener screw driver can handle small flat head screws and can even take care of Philips screws in a pinch. The larger one on the bottle opener feels more robust and can handle larger flat head screws. It can also snap into position at 90 degrees for more leverage.

While this knife is compact, it is quite easy to hold on to. The textured alox scales provide a nice grip without being harsh or uncomfortable. They also wear much better than the traditional red plastic scales found on other models. This is also a strength of the plain silver model over the color anodized ones. On top of all of that, the scales look really nice and the red Victorinox shield is a nice accent. It feels special and reliable and those traits will probably want to make you carry it often.

The Victorinox Pioneer is among one of our personal favorites. It is simple, compact, robust, and effective. There is not much more to look for, if you want a basic Victorinox that is easy to carry in the pocket every day. The price is also reasonable at about $30. In addition to serving well on its own, it also makes a great companion to a larger knife like a Spyderco Para Military 2. As such, it earns high praise and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a compact knife with a few capable tools.

The Pioneer X

The Pioneer X builds on Victorinox’s excellent 93mm Alox platform with the addition of scissors. A long desired option and popular choice for modified Swiss Army Knives, Victorinox’s scissors are a worthy and useful addition to this tool. While the scissors do add additional thickness and weight, they do bring some additional versatility. They’re well suited for making delicate cuts such as removing tags from new clothing, cutting paper, trimming stray threads, taking care of hangnails, and pretty much any other application where more control is desired. This added capability does come at a price increase of as much as $10-$15 in some cases. We tend to carry a Victorinox alongside a larger knife like the Spyderco Manix 2, so the Pioneer X is our favorite of the two models due to the extra versatility it adds without being overly bulky.

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Spyderco Ladybug 3 Hawkbill Salt – First Impressions

March 10, 2017

Spyderco has a reputation for providing a range of knives of all different shapes and sizes. In fact, one of their preferred terms is the “little big knife”, one that is physically small but handles and cuts like one that is much larger. This brings us to one of the smallest of the locking knives offered by the Golden, Colorado company. The Ladybug 3 comes in a variety of different configurations. The standard blade shape is offered in both plain and serrated edge models with VG-10 or H-1 steel. This particular model is the non-sprint Hawkbill Salt variation which is currently only available in serrated H-1 Steel with Yellow FRN handle scales.

As expected, the Hawkbill Ladybug came out of the box with a sharp factory edge. One of the things that surprised us the most was the ease in which it can be opened and closed with one hand. Even at this scale, Spyderco’s trademark round hole works well. Going further, the knife’s overall design provides for a secure grip. The thumb rests naturally and securely on the thumb ramp which is covered in jimping that provides sufficient traction without creating a hotspot. Three fingers then fall naturally into the indentations on the handle. The result is a surprisingly secure grip on a very small knife which can be further augmented via a lanyard.

Initial impressions of the blade shape and serrations are positive. The blade can easily pierce and cut through materials like tape, cardboard, and thicker plastic/paper materials like those used in dogfood bags and other heavy packaging. The serrations are sharp enough to push cut through paper but also offer extra aggressiveness when cutting through material like paracord and rope. As we continue our testing, we will expand upon any additional strengths and weaknesses discovered. In general, we are impressed with the cutting power provided by the Hawkbill given that its 1.875 inch (48 mm) blade length might seem so small that it would lack usefulness. After all, the blade is not all that much longer than the one found on a Victorinox Classic SD. However, the combination of the blade shape, robust lock, and ergonomic handle make all of the difference.

Spyderco’s FRN continues to provide a quality feel with great traction which benefits a knife as small as this one. While the ultra-light weight of only 0.6 oz. (18 g) might feel cheap to some, we feel that the overall build conveys a sense of quality that makes it worth the price. We have not noticed any major flexing, rattling, gaps, or any other element that would indicate a cheap or poor build. In addition, we like how FRN holds up to wear as it does not seem to scratch easily or lose traction significantly over time.

Lockup is as solid as can be reasonably expected on a knife of this size. Should tuning or deep cleaning be necessary, the pivot and lockbar can be adjusted via small torx (T5) screws. Although, those who seek to disassemble this knife should be aware that it would likely void the knife’s warranty.

Of course, no examination of a knife would be complete without a brief discussion of its steel. This is especially the case with many of the knives in Spyderco’s Salt line which use H-1 steel. In many ways, H-1 is an interesting metal. It uses nitrogen to mostly replace the carbon present in many steels. This change provides it with extreme corrosion resistance that makes it well suited for any use case that exposes it to moisture or salt. H-1 is also interesting for its work hardening qualities which means that grinding, rolling, and other work done over the course of production increases the hardness of the metal. This is a reason why Spyderco and others familiar with Salt knives believe that the serrated H-1 models hold their edge longer than plain edge variants. The increased work done to serrated blades seems to result in a much harder edge. Another potential strength of H-1 is its response to use. While it may be a softer steel that may need to be sharpened more often, it tends to roll and bend as opposed to chip or break. This might make general maintenance easier over time and may make it easier to recover from mishaps or damage from hard use.

Blade Length - 1.875 ” (48 mm)

Overall Length - 4.313 ” (110 mm)

Blade Thickness - .078 ” (2 mm)

Weight - 0.6 oz. (18 g)

Overall, we are impressed with the Ladybug 3 Hawkbill Salt. It fills a role as a compact, ultralight knife with major cutting performance. As such, we look forward to preparing a full review as we complete our thoughts and observations on this model. In general, we feel that this is an excellent companion knife especially to a larger, plain edge blade knife like a Manix 2 or a Para Military 2.

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