The Spyderco Manix is one of the most talked about, highly suggested and recommended, and beloved knives being sold today. And with a street price of around $130, it is an absolute steal.

The Manix has an S30V blade (of around 4 inches), and G-10 scales over full stainless steel liners. While it makes use of a lockback (technically a mid lock) instead of a fancy/trendy/new type of lock (not that I do not love framelocks and Axis locks), the backlock is very strong and is befitting of Spydercos mostr heavy duty knife (since Spyderco is known for their backlocks). Spyderco reports that the Manix (along with related knives such as the Chinook) have the strongest rated lock they make.

But the Spyderco is not a sharpened prybar. It has a full flat grind and excellent cutting performance. Do not get me wrong, I love sharpened prybars. My Strider EB is a total sharpened prybar (it is outcut by the Manix by a HUGE margin), but I love it for heavy duty work. It is stronger than the Manix, no doubt. But many people want a knife that is very tough, and does have a somewhat thick blade, but not *TOO* thick. It is also nice to see a beefy knife with a full flat grind rather than a saber grind that reaches full thickness halfway up the grind. This is important because the wider the grind (given the same ending thickness), the more acute the angle it creates. Saber grinds make for strong spines and super tough knives, but they do not cut as well as full flat grinds.

The Manix also has a very ergonomic handle that is comfortable and very secure. Security is a huge issue when it comes to heavy duty knives, and the Manix is almost as secure in the hand as a Strider (which costs far more and is generally less “comfortable”).

A Manix will tend to have some bladeplay, as this is normal for backlock designs, but the knife still feels very solid and confidence inspiring overall.

There are many Sebenza vs. Strider vs. Manix threads on many knife forums, and I think it is kind of silly (though I understand the interest in comparing great deals to more expensive ones). The Sebenza and SNG/SMG are in a totally different league than the Manix. They are much more solidly built (less play, closer tolerances, and in the case of the Striders, MUCH tougher/bigger parts) and also far more expensive. They are also very different knives. The Striders are much bigger, stronger knives that do not cut as well. The Sebenza is designed to be an elegant and simple tool that will last lifetimes (and it will). The Manix is an inexpensive (reletively) workhorse that is tough enough and cuts great. Depending on your needs, the Manix might be a better knife for you than the Sebenzas and SNGs of the world, despite their higher prices. However, those knives do have their merit as well. In the end, Strider and Sebenza buyers should not feel ripped off for spending more (than a Manix costs), but Manix owners should never feel like they got a knife that cannot compeat with a Sebenza, or an SNG, because it can. It is like comparing a Corvette Z06 to a Ferrari (such as an F430). The Corvette is faster, handles better, brakes better, gets better gas mileage, and is more reliable (not a lot of people know that, but it is true). However, the Ferrari has a look and feel that the Corvette does not. It has better handling dynamics, and a higher quality look and feel in the cabin. The Manix is like the Corvette (it performs better than the Sebenza and SNG in cutting), but that doesn’t mean the more expensive options do not have their place or their advantages.