Recently visited the Spyderco headquarters in Golden, CO and was told that the ball bearing lock was the strongest lock that they have made and tested.
I was 99% sure that I was going to buy a Paramilitary 2 as my first Spyderco, but after comparing the two in the store I went home with the Manix 2. The Manix felt more comfortable in my hand and had more appeal to me aesthetically. Both are top notch designs in form and function, but the Manix won me over. Now I am the proud owner of two Manixes, I have the dark blue FRN with S110V and the newer version black G10 with S30V FFG. Great video and great knives! Keep up the good work.
I do like the G10 better. It maybe heavier with full steel liners, but that translates to higher durability in the long run. I carry it far more, but the lightweight is perfect for sweatpants or sports shorts carry.
Got my very first syderco a manix 2 lightweight with bd1 black on black I liked it so much I just had to get another one a manix 2 g10 blurplre sv110 wow both are awsome I would like to have a para 2 with carbon fiber
As long as my knife can handle my EDC uses and some moderate wood carving and whittling then I'm happy. I have the manix 2 light weight and it does great. I am planning on getting a PM2. Can't wait to see how great it actually is
A sales rep at the Spyderco store in Golden said the Manix 2 is 1,200lbs per square inch and the Paramilitary 2 is 900lbs for the breaking point on the lock. Manix got the stronger lock.
You don't. But if you're going to make that argument, I don't think it's unreasonable to branch off into the argument that you don’t need a lock at all. Go ahead and only carry slip joints if this is a discussion of "need".
@@OreoBambino the cage is not essential for locking, just ergonomics, and is only loaded when you unlock the knife. Spyderco has release several ball bearing lock knives w/o the cage. I do agree tho that they SERIOUSLY need to upgrade it and not use that stupid plastic.
@@Fluoride556 you never know? I'm sure if you were putting all your weight on the knife while cutting into something you'd be able to create more than 200 lbs of force. I do agree though that situations to cause more force than 200lbs extremely rare...... I'm a lefty so the ball bearing lock & other locks that are similar like the axis is usually the deciding factor when I go to buy a EDC knife.
Not again!I just cant understand how a knife guy can say a compression lock is similar to a liner lock.Between the PM and the Manix,i choose the Manix lightweight.Amazing knife!
I've been hearing about Spyderco Paramilitary knives since I got back into knives last year. I thought it was just a fad until I bought a Para 3 last month. Initially, I saw nothing special so I just kept it in my closet. I took it out occasionally but kept it after a little while until I realized one day the knife was growing on me. I spent more time fidgeting it and I found myself falling in love with the knife. There was only one thing keeping me from being a total convert. I feel the Para 3 is too small. I ordered a Paramilitary 2 in S110 and that was it. The PM2 is my favorite knife of all time. The Para 3, although small, is probably my second favorite. 🙂
compression lock slips on the impact like a liner lock, ball bearing lock breaks that back spacer instead, but it needs some force to do that, anyway, both are stronger than carburised titanium frame lock
I ground the jimping on my Manix flush with the liners and not only does it feel much better it changes the look of the jimping in relation to the handles and I think it looks much cooler as well. I was surprised how much different it looks and gives it a sort of custom touch. I think you would like it.
Both are awesome blades. Now, if you could get a Manix blade to fit onto Para 2 frame, then you got the perfect knife. Love the semi wharncliffe blade of the Manix.
For my taste, all the Manix 2 needs to be the winner is to get rid of the rough jimping popping out from under the G10. It really digs into my fingers if I use the knife for any extended period of time. The Manix feels better in my hand than the Para 2 with the exception of that detail.
I've owned the Para 2 and have a Paramilitary and military. The only down side of the compression lock is the lock stick that some of them get. And the hot spot you get in your palm when in a tight hammer grip doing hard cutting. That being said, my next Spydie will likely be a Manix 2 once they sell one in Magnacut. I had the original Manix which I gifted to a friend, and it was really good in hand too.
I'm 7 years late to the party so maybe you mentioned this in a later video but the ball bearing lock is significantly stronger than the compression lock. BladeHQ did a comparison video of lock strengths and the CBBL was monster tough compared to nearly everything else. That being said, the compression lock is still a beast and I enjoy the fidgety action and simplicity of it a lot. And either way, to push either of these two locks to failure would beg the question...what the f are you doing with your knives!? Anyways, for general use I truly do love my PM2 but I can see the Manix being more rugged against the hardest abuse. Both are great designs from a great company. I hope to snag a Manix someday but right now my PM2 makes me happy. Thanks for the vid even almost 10 years later haha.
Thanks for sharing such a detailed video and demonstrating the benefits of both knives. I have my first Spyderco on its way, a Para 3 and I'm certain it wont be my last. Subbed. All the best from Scotland. Garry
Both of these locks are plenty strong, you´d have to use exessive force to get them to collapse. I just like the handling of the ball bearing lock more.
Great video, thanks! Love the internal comparison of the locks. I am that first-time Spyderco buyer, got a Delica 4 VG-10 FRN and a Manix 2 BD-1 FRCP on the way. To be honest, the main reason I got the Manix is that it was half the price of the PM2 (and let me buy the Delica). Otherwise, it seems like a toss-up to me, both seem awesome.
This is what I needed to know! I have the feeling that the ball lock just looks more difficult to deploy over the compression lock, and I suspect that the Axis lock from Benchmade might be easier to deploy than the ball lock. I have not handled a ball lock, so I so not know from experience, but I so sense that the ball lock seems like it requires more dexterity and seems less smooth somehow to my eye. Would that be a fair statement?
Yeah you're right about that assumption. The ball lock has a stronger spring than the Axis locks, which means that it will last longer, but it's harder to close. I have a hard time closing the Manix 2 with one hand, because I can't pull the lock back without losing my grip. Some people with larger hands can plant the back of the handle in their palm, and then pinch the lock button between their thumb and index finger and pull back. My hands are just a little too small to do that. If you have big hands, you'll probably be fine, but nothing is easier than the compression lock IMO.
The ball bearing lock didn't fail when they tested it for strength. The handle material of the knife couldn't take all pressure the ball bearing lock was enduring & it blew apart causing catastrophic damage.
Also, I know you've had that DLC coated one Para 2 for a while and I am amazed that the casting is still on where the compression lock interfaces with it. That coating is tough!
Everyone has an opinion. May be a moot point. The amount of abuse needed to make either of these locks fail, is, most likely, going to destroy the knife.
Given enough pulling pressure out of some grippy material such as rubber and a quick push into it could cause a lock failure. That's what I would be concerned about. Also, which lock release could be inadvertently engaged during heavy use?
+snkbros You probably know by now, but that's not the standard version. It's a sprint run, with skeletonized liners, different blade steel, and different colored G10...... and cost at least double the standard version.
I've had a manix 2xl for a while and like it quite a bit, although it is a large knife. Recently picked up a sprint run manix 2 with s90v and burl g10 scales. Wow, was I impressed. Melts into my hand. Jimping is done just right, the size is perfect. I call it a goldilocks knife. I like it so much that I'm going to order the s30v g10 version since I don't want to mess up the sprint version. Personally I prefer it over the para 2 which is saying a lot. My favorite spyderco is the Shaman but the manix 2 is a very close 2nd.
Don't have a Manix yet but so far my Para 2 ends up as my EDC more often than not (especially when I want to travel light)...however that Manix 2 could be a future addition to my collection --
Great Video! You picked two knives which IMHO are the strongest of Spyderco and covered everything in this video. There were lingering questions I had about each model and now I feel much more adept to making a decision. Thanks for uploading this.
Well since I'm waiting for my manix in the mail on the way here.I will say my pm2 all blacked out was about 140bucks and i just paid 100 for the manix2.This is what i will say love the compression lock so no matter how good the manix lock is.I'm going have to wait in see when it arrives at my door to spec out the rest.So right now i love my pm2 for my big hands and how it feels so we will have to see that's going to be tough.
Great overview of both knives... really enjoyed seeing the breakdown of the locks. Excellent. If I could have just one I'd take the Para2 as well. That said... as far as pure "in hand" feel--ergo-wise... to me the Manix2 is just the slightest bit better. It basically comes down to the hump on the Para2 handle where the middle finger goes... that causes an ever so slight (and I mean slight) hotspot that the Manix2 doesn't have because of the cutout for the middle finger. But that is nitpicking in the extreme on my part and only perceivable when I have both knives at hand and can go back and forth to take note. But like I said... I'd still take a Para2 over the Manix2 if I could only have one because both are extremely ergonomic and both have great locks (I like the comp lock better too though). And as nice as a well made pivot bushing system is... I kinda wish Spyderco would just go to a regular bushing on the Para2. They just don't seem to be able to consistently make a pivot bushing system (like CRK does) that works as its supposed to. I've owned many Para2s (8 or 9 IIRC) and only one was truly 100% free of blade play. It just doesn't seem they have the QC necessary to consistently build a pivot bushing (which requires very tight tolerances). Oh well... maybe the Para3. :) BTW, does the Manix2 LW also have the pivot bushing system? Seems to me it's just regular by feel. But I haven't had it apart. Anyway great video! Thx! :)
Outstanding video sir. Im in the market for these exact same knives. One of them will be my first spyderco. Youve convinced me to make it a para 2. Thanks. Great video.
I bought the pm2 LH just because they make a left hand version and have developed a taste for g10 which is also has the lightest version of the two knives. Was going to buy a manix 2 LW until I discovered the LH version 🐱
I have a para 2 and the m4 manix sprint. M4 steel is awesome but I prefer the pm2 design. Slightly longer blade, easier lock, and its more comfortable in my hand. I do really like the manix blade shape though
Great video...I opted for the Para 3 for my first Spyderco, fits great just like the Para 2. I just wanted a slightly smaller blade! Now I got the Manix 2 (in black) coming, he’ll buddy up with my Manix 2 xl.
For me I like the Manix better, the ambi lock (though I do like the axis lock more, maybe my manix isn't broken in yet, but I can unlock the axis with one finger easy wile the manix takes a finger on each side). The ergos fit my hand better as well. I agree you can't go wrong with either though!
To me, the compression is the perfect lock. I would take it over the frame lock (even Chris Reeves), because in my mind, in order to make the compression lock fail, you would need to exert so much force as to actually crush the liner on its strongest possible cross section. It is like trying to crush an I beam, literally. The frame lock will ned at the weakest point, which is where it is milled out to allow the bar to shift over. All locks are much more than adequate for all people in 99% of the situations that people will likely find themselves using a locking folder for, nut I go for the compression for its simple elegance and lightweight massive strength and ease of deployment.
I'd agree with that. The compression lock is stronger, and easier for me to use. It also is safer, because it keeps your fingers out of the path of the blade when you close the knife. All around, a fantastic design. Now if only it was implemented on more knives! Please, Spyderco, more compression locks!
Manix 2XL ALL DAY ! The ball bearing lock is way stronger than the pm2 frame lock. The only lock system out there stronger than the ball bearing lock is the back lock.
Good comparison on the locks ,I also agree about the Para 2 having a stronger lock for hard use and would take alot to make the comp lock fold under pressure, the manix has a strong lock also I trust it but I'm just more trustworthy on the Para 2. I really think that both knives are really good but it's hard to say what one holds better in the hand I have both of them in front of me now as we speak and I think that the ergonomic of the manix holds good and comfortable in the choil position,holding it without the choil is also ok ,now holding the Para 2 in the choil is ok but without the choil there is a slight hot spot very slightly I think it would be more noticed if I was cutting all day with it ,but other than that the knife is a dream yeah there both awesome knives for sure and the price is really decent for what you get good g10 s30v steel and very good locks. So all said there both title holders and I love them both, I like the Para 2 so much I ordered another one, same goes for the manix 2 I got one with the g10 and one that's lightweight frn handle the blue one ,now this is one thing I noticed about the manix 2 with g10 the button is harder to pull back compared to the lightweight blue one that I did notice, also the blue lightweight is so much smoother than the g10 one this is all I seen so far .anyway I just wanted to tell you that I started my own channel too its flyguy 78 I would appreciate it if you would subscribe or watch some of my videos thank you. I also subbed to you so check out my channel there alot of spydercos and benchmades also fixed blades too thanks.
No dude..paramilitary does not have the better lock up. The balll bearing is the strongest...cold steel even exposed the paramilitary compression lock system as a failed system
To be honest pm2 has it beat in looks and even though ball bearing lock is a little stronger i don't think any wants to lose fingers finding out.But all said i love the military and think the design is timeless so pm2 is a smaller military so it is going to take it in the end.Compression lock is faster for me to open and manix is fast but pm2 is got it beat.
I couldn't disagree with you more ! The ball bearing lock is faster You just have to practice & learn how to use it. Once mastered there's nothing out there that can beat it. Not to mention that it's A LOT stronger lock than the frame or liner lock. The only lock system stronger than the ball bearing is the back lock.
+michael meredith Yes, but it's also difficult for 1 hand closing. I have Code 4, but I just ordered Manix 2 because it combines ergos, good steel and ease of 1 hand use.
+michael meredith Up to a point. As long as the lock is reasonably strong, it's not an issue if you know how to use a knife safely. I don't personally go around batoning or hanging off the end of my folders.
+michael meredith if your are putting that much pressure on the spine of the blade, your not using it properly. Lots of people still use slipjoints. How many of those people do you see cutting their fingers off?
