Manix CBBL or Mid Back Lock?

[Doc Dan]

What do you folks prefer? I like the CBBL on the Manix. I think it is a good lock. However, I would prefer a deep mid back lock with a stop pin. I like the intuitiveness of the back lock and how easy it is to close one handed with a Spyderhole. I have one Manix XL and the lock is a bear to use. This is true even though my hands cannot be in any sense called dainty or weak. I have large strong hands with a strong grip and the lock on my Manix XL is useable but not agreeable. I wish Spyderco would bring back that mid back lock version with an added stop pin and deeper connections between the lock bar and the blade tang. Plus, a smaller Manix would be nice, too, with a back lock.

Any thoughts?

[SG89]

Having owned 2 manix and countless back locks I prefer the back locks. Easier to unlock for me.

[SG89]

A manix lw with back lock would be nice

[The Deacon]

IMHO, the CBBL versions of the Manix are but pale reflections of the original midlock version.

[abbazaba]

I guess I like the CBBL because it offers variety compared to most of my other knives and flicks so easily. Its definitely not as easy to close and has a learning curve compared to the very intuitive back lock. It seems like a lot of people don't like back locks, maybe because they've never had a good knife with a Spyderhole :)

[Doc Dan]

The Manix series fits my hand better than any other large Spyderco. But an improved back lock would make it a lot better, I think.

And yes, the LW with a back lock would be great.

[gunmike1]

I carry my original Manix more than my Manix 2's. I've used my original Manix so much I had to have Tom Krein regrind it because it was getting really thick behind the edge. It's a great user, and I really like the back lock on it. It has a tremendous sound when it locks open, you can tell it is built to be worked. I know the CBBL is strong, but I prefer operating the back lock. While adding in a stop pin to the back lock would be nice, I'm not sure how they could do that without violating the patent on the triad lock.

[akaAK]

+1 on the original manix back lock.

[Sharp Guy]

At this point my thoughts are opposite of most of the responses here. I have 3 Spyderco knives with back locks and, while there are aspects of the lock I like, I find them awkward to close with one hand. Maybe I just haven't learned the secret yet. While the spring in the CBBL on the Manix 2 is very strong/tight I find that all I have to do to open and close is disengage the lock and the blade swings freely. The Manix 2 is also much easier for me to flick open than my back locks.

I certainly don't want to derail this thread but has anybody ever tried to swap out the factory spring on the Manix 2 for one that's a little bit lighter. I'm not really interested in trying this myself for various reasons but I am curious if others have tried this and what the result was.

[Evil D]

I love the CBBL. I've had one version that was tough to operate, but 4 others that were pretty easy, one of them being able to unlock with just my thumb. Seems there's a lot of tolerance variance in this lock.

[SpyderNut]

I love the CBBL. I've had one version that was tough to operate, but 4 others that were pretty easy, one of them being able to unlock with just my thumb. Seems there's a lot of tolerance variance in this lock.

I've noticed that too (in terms of tolerance varience) on the CBBL's. In fact, I rarely carry several of my CBBL's because it generally requires me to use both hands to unlock them safely. Mid back-locks are more familiar to my hands and are consequently easier for me to manipulate open and closed.

[Surfingringo]

I like the idea of the BBL but in practice I much prefer a back lock.

[Wanimator]

I love the CBBL. It certainly would be interesting to see one with a Powerlock though... or a Military 4 way position clip with a powerlock.

[bpahk]

I love the cbbl and strongly prefer it to a back lock. I've personally never experienced any difficulty opening or closing. I think it's just a matter of finding the right grip.

[Doc Dan]

It is not simply finding the right grip. Some of these knives have an excessively strong spring. I think this may be due to some lock failures early on. I have seen older ones that were fairly easy. And I am certain the spring on my XL is tough because of the heavy blade. This is no Axis or Bolt Action lock, that is for sure. I still prefer the back lock with a Spydie Hole to any of these locks.

A back lock with the Spydie Hole is as easy to close one handed as a liner lock, if the right technique is used. There are several ways, but I have two ways that are almost the same move as when closing a liner lock that I use. So simple.

[Johnnie1801]

I have to say I don't really have a preference of one over the other, I like them both equally. I think the biggest draw for me is that they are ambidextrous, so I can open and close the knives with either hand without thinking. On a side note I'd love to see Spyderco make a few new knives with the bolt lock :)

[bearfacedkiller]

It may have a lot to do with familiarity for me but I certainly prefer the compression lock and then the backlock over all of the rest. I like the CBBL, BBL and bolt action lock all more than liner and frame locks though. I wish the CBBL on my Manix2 was as smooth and easy to operate as the bolt action lock on my Sage3.

I will take an updated Manix2 in either lock if it removes all the unnecessary jimping all over it. I am not a big Manix2 fan and the lock has little to do with it. If it had a backlock and didn't have all the jimping I may own more than one.

[Skywalker]

Kind of surprised to see so many choosing the backlock. I like the CBBL on the Manix 2 a lot.

Backlocks... Native5, Caly3CF/3.5CF, Delicas, Enduras - I think of all those I've had one Delica and one Endura that didn't have up-down play. Some are better than others, but most of them, wedge it into an apple to cut it in half (or anything else that binds the blade a bit) and yep, there's the wiggle. Doesn't really bother me too much; most are so nice and thin and cut so well (and cost under $100) that it's no big deal.

But on a knife that's big/thick enough to put a CBBL in - yeah, that's my preference.

[Doc Dan]

I have not had any blade wiggle, though I have a knife from BM that does. I love Spydie backlocks. They are tight, strong, and awesome. With the Spydie hole I can close the knife with one hand like I can a liner lock, with nearly the same action. Plus, in test after test, the back lock is very strong compared to other lock types. But, I think, for me, the biggest reason is that it is easy to use.

I wonder how the backlock design in the Chaparral would do in a Manix? Hmmmm?!.

[v8r]

I like both, but prefer the back lock version. If they did a update on the back lock like on the N5 we would have a winner that would probably be as strong or stronger than the lock on a Tatanka.
I like the Manix 2, and have many of them, but the plastic ball cage is kind of hokey, not that I have ever had a problem with it. Just don't care for it.