Manix question

[dogrunner]

Now that I have stopped thinking about small suit knives, I have started to kick around larger, outdoors/survival-type folder questions.

I have a Paramilitary. Great knife. When I think I need something "heavier-duty" my first thought is a fixed blade. I know many here love their Manixes so maybe you have some thoughts on why you would prefer (or not) a manix if you could only bring one folder with you for an +extended wilderness camping/hiking trip (I'm not talking the Appalachian Trail or anything with civilization within easy walking distance, although that is a fun thread too).
Specifically, if you had a paramilitary, why you would rather have a manix for this purpose, or in other words, what would you use a manix for that you would rather *not* use a para for ?
Also, if you have a para and want something heavier duty, why a manix vs a fixed blade of similar size (no blade length constraints out here in the wilderness).
thanks.

[Zac]

A Manix is stronger than most fixed blades at the same price. There is not a better survival knife that is practial to carry in or outdoors. Buy one and you will love it. While the Military and Para are nice, their strength is nothing compared to the Manix or Chinook. The flat grind also gives it amazing cutting power with pleasing edge retention. There is not a better folder on the market and compared to a good fixed blade, it is lightweight at about 6 ounces. Depending how much you tend to hike, this can be an important factor.

[Michael Cook]

Manix is bigger, that's about it. Add a six dollar machete or a hatchet/hawk to your kit and any size spyder will do fine for whatever chores are left over. Unless you're Shecky the monkee king deep in the jungle a good knife shouldn't need to "do it all."

[redhawk44p]

A Manix is stronger than most fixed blades at the same price. There is not a better survival knife that is practial to carry in or outdoors. Buy one and you will love it. While the Military and Para are nice, their strength is nothing compared to the Manix or Chinook. The flat grind also gives it amazing cutting power with pleasing edge retention. There is not a better folder on the market and compared to a good fixed blade, it is lightweight at about 6 ounces. Depending how much you tend to hike, this can be an important factor.

I couldn't agree more. The Manix is a beast.

[JD Spydo]

My camping blade attire is the Combo Edged Manix and a Cold Steel 15 inch HTC GURKHA KUKRI. NO!! they are not the only cutlery I would take to the timber. A good Hawkbill of some sort will always accompany my journeys and outdoor endeavors.

You won't go wrong with the Manix. The reason I like combo edges is because I use and cut a lot of rope most of the time. Now my CS Gurkha Kukri is a nice machete but there are a lot of good machetes out there. Just make sure you get one with quality. Martindale makes some good ones. Ka-bar has a wicked Gurkha Kukri as well.

But do please take outdoor tools seriously. Don't go the cheap route. Believe me I've been there and I found out the hard way that the timber requires good cutlery.

[Zac]

Really for a survival knife, as much as a like the Manix, I would reccomend the Chinook II/III combo edged, a good machette (what he calls it that I cant spell or pronounce^), Spyderco's foldable saw, a Leatherman and a Harpy if you are going to be around a lot of water or rope/vines. The Chinook is a great skinner.

[HoB]

I think for real outdoor work (I don't like the term survival because it is kind of survival on your own terms: You can pick what you bring) you really need two knives. One for heavy wood work: Shelter building, maybe digging etc. I think there is no folder that can provide that, not only strength-wise but mostly size-wise. I am thinking of a blade 7" and up. Then you need a second all around tool that will prepare food remove spinters: general "outdoor EDC" and is more of a cutting instrument than a big chopper because a large blade CAN NOT do everything a small blade can (which is just my personal opinion of course). I think the Manix would be a terrific choice for that, mainly because of the bladeshape and the incredible ergonomics. But to be completely honest, I wouldn't be unhappy with the Para either. Personally, I would still prefer a fixed blade for that simply because outdoors open (sheath) carry is not an issue and a fixed blade is easier to clean. But aside from the cleaning issue I don't see why a fix blade would perform any better than a folder. And for that reason, I would consider simply going with a Pacific Salt. In that regard the Military and Para are actually slightly better choices than the Manix because their open backs are easier to clean and dry out better.

[peacefuljeffrey]

I am sure that most of us would tend to want to "overpack" for such a trip. We'll find excuses or reasons why we'll need about 7 different knives.

I am not a survival/camping expert. I have common sense, i guess, and that's about it. I don't have tremendous experience in the field.

I myself would want to have a small or medium folder (Military, Paramilitary, even a Mini Griptilian), a large, rugged fixed blade (BKT CU-7), a hatchet or machete (of those I'd favor my Ontario Knives machete with sawback) and either a multi-tool (Leatherman Wave) or a decent Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.

I'd also take a good amount of paracord for utility, emergencies, and having fun tying knots and lanyards.

-Jeffrey

[Spydieopath]

Manix is bigger, that's about it. Add a six dollar machete or a hatchet/hawk to your kit and any size spyder will do fine for whatever chores are left over. Unless you're Shecky the monkee king deep in the jungle a good knife shouldn't need to "do it all."

As far as I'm concerned Michael is exactly right. A folder is for food and cutting rope/cord and stuff. The next thing you want if you are going to be out for a very long time is a hatchet or what interest me are those Graham Razels. Although I don't know if a Razel could actualy chop wood.

All that said I have a close friend that has pretty much climbed every Mt. in Alaska and been out there for many weeks, and all he has ever needed is a small Swiss Army knife.