KnifeWorks Exclusive Manix 2 Gray G-10 Handle in 52100 Carbon Steel [images fixed]

[TkoK83Spy]

Incredible, but this knife has FINALLY sold out. I'm honestly shocked that it took this long. For any of you that have overlooked this model, I'm just curious...why did you pass on it?

It's constantly said to be one of the best looking knives out there... is it the Manix 2 in general, not fond of DLC, no real interest in the 52100 steel? I just can't believe this relatively low priced exclusive took this long to sell out.

[ihped1]

Incredible, but this knife has FINALLY sold out. I'm honestly shocked that it took this long. For any of you that have overlooked this model, I'm just curious...why did you pass on it?

It's constantly said to be one of the best looking knives out there... is it the Manix 2 in general, not fond of DLC, no real interest in the 52100 steel? I just can't believe relatively low priced exclusive took this long to sell out.

I was just talking about this knife with my fiancée to explain what an exclusive is and comparing to how the red DLT sold out in half an hour and the 20CV DLC sold out in 4 minutes and this one was still available, but I guess it's not now, haha.

[Skywalker]

Incredible, but this knife has FINALLY sold out. I'm honestly shocked that it took this long. For any of you that have overlooked this model, I'm just curious...why did you pass on it?

It's constantly said to be one of the best looking knives out there... is it the Manix 2 in general, not fond of DLC, no real interest in the 52100 steel? I just can't believe this relatively low priced exclusive took this long to sell out.

For me - not interested in 52100. If I'm going to put up with something that's not stainless in a pocket knife it'd better have great edge retention. M4, Hap40, CruWear, K390, I have at least one folder in each. Looking at 52100's composition I just don't see it having the wear resistance to stand up to those.

I did buy one of the CruWear Manix 2s as soon as they dropped.

[Pelagic]

Incredible, but this knife has FINALLY sold out. I'm honestly shocked that it took this long. For any of you that have overlooked this model, I'm just curious...why did you pass on it?

It's constantly said to be one of the best looking knives out there... is it the Manix 2 in general, not fond of DLC, no real interest in the 52100 steel? I just can't believe this relatively low priced exclusive took this long to sell out.

For me - not interested in 52100. If I'm going to put up with something that's not stainless in a pocket knife it'd better have great edge retention. M4, Hap40, CruWear, K390, I have at least one folder in each. Looking at 52100's composition I just don't see it having the wear resistance to stand up to those.

I did buy one of the CruWear Manix 2s as soon as they dropped.

Actually 52100 isn't so bad heat treated properly. It can be high hardness and have a fine grain structure. And the sharpenability is unreal. But I understand your concern. It's certainly not a super steel. But the edge retention may surprise you.

[JonLeBlanc]

52100 may not have the caché of the more recent particle steels, but it's very easy to give it an ultra ultra fine edge, and it is quite tough. People like TkoK83Spy, Woodpuppy, myself and others seem to appreciate it's somewhat idiosyncratic properties because, I presume, it works for us. The 52100 models DO sell out, if more slowly than other steels; the Military and PM2 variants are almost entirely secondary market at this time (there's only one retailer that I'm aware of with any stock of either, and it's the "controversial" retailer). Hopefully retailers will continue to commission new 52100 exclusives! *cough Knifeworks DLC/gray G-10 PM2 cough* ahem sorry lol

[Woodpuppy]

Overall the aesthetics aren’t there for me, and I’ve not held the manix; but it’s one that locks your hand into position and I’d need to hold it before buying.

[Cscottsss]

I bought one the day they released and now I wish I would have bought a backup.

The grey G10 combined with the DLC is in my humble opinion one of the best looking Manix 2's ever produced.

I didn't care what the steel was as I just liked how it looked.

[Notsurewhy]

Incredible, but this knife has FINALLY sold out. I'm honestly shocked that it took this long. For any of you that have overlooked this model, I'm just curious...why did you pass on it?

It's constantly said to be one of the best looking knives out there... is it the Manix 2 in general, not fond of DLC, no real interest in the 52100 steel? I just can't believe this relatively low priced exclusive took this long to sell out.

Judging by the length of time to sell out, most people just don't want 52100. There are still ppcf/52100 pm2 and pm3s out there on clearance that came out two years ago, so it's not just this model.

[Skywalker]

Yeah, I don't doubt it's good stuff...tough and taking a very fine edge at the cost of stainlessness and wear resistance sounds like it makes a fantastic kitchen knife to me. :)

I was carrying my GB1 last week some, and cleaning it up over the weekend I noticed I had a (red) rust spot on the edge that had gotten far enough to where I could actually barely feel it sharpening on the corner of a sharpmaker rod. M4's toughness and wear resistance on that fantastic hollow grind makes it worth carrying to me despite not being stainless. Losing the wear resistance on something lower alloy doesn't make as much sense to me for a pocketknife regardless of how nice of a fine edge it initially takes.

But keep 'em coming by all means, I love that Spyderco works with such a variety. And maybe one day I'll move to AZ or NM, and when I sweat it'll evaporate before it can rust things in my pocket and trying some 52100 makes more sense.

[TomAiello]

It's an older steel, so it doesn't have the "splash" factor of the latest super steel.

I find it interesting that people seem so excited by CruWear, but 52100, which has very similar performance, seems to languish.

[steelcity16]

I find it interesting that people seem so excited by CruWear, but 52100, which has very similar performance, seems to languish.

While I have the Manix is question, the biggest difference for me is that Cruwear is very stain resistant for me if not neglected, while 52100 is quite the opposite. The DLC 52100 helps in that regard though, which is why I own the Manix. I would definitely buy a G10 Native or Military in this configuration. Any of the LW models in this Gray / DLC 52100 combo would be must buys for me as well.

[TkoK83Spy]

I'm loving both my Cruwear and 52100 model Manix's...maybe their similarities are the reason why haha!

[TomAiello]

Now that it's sold out, I'm having some remorse at not buying a back up. :)

[TkoK83Spy]

I find it interesting that people seem so excited by CruWear, but 52100, which has very similar performance, seems to languish.

While I have the Manix is question, the biggest difference for me is that Cruwear is very stain resistant for me if not neglected, while 52100 is quite the opposite. The DLC 52100 helps in that regard though, which is why I own the Manix. I would definitely buy a G10 Native or Military in this configuration. Any of the LW models in this Gray / DLC 52100 combo would be must buys for me as well.

Imagine if this model were DLC coated Cruwear instead of 52100...probably would have sold out in minutes!

[jdw]

It's all about hype. My 52100 Millie is a staple for me. It takes an edge quickly and holds it longer than most seem to believe. Other folks may have different experiences but I also have a Cruwear Millie and the only difference that I can tell is more stain resistance with the Cruwear.

[TomAiello]

I live in the desert, so the functional difference between CruWear and 52100 for me is very small.

I wish I had a 52100 millie. I think it would be a great steel for that model.

[bearfacedkiller]

I hate coated blades. I made an exception for this one though. This is a sharp looking knife.

[steelcity16]

Imagine if this model were DLC coated Cruwear instead of 52100...probably would have sold out in minutes!

For sure. Some definitely has to do with hype. A DLC Cruwear knife in pretty much any model would probably sell out in minutes at DLT or BHQ , but might languish for days, weeks, months at KW. FOMO is a big part of it for sure.

But to your point, DLC Cruwear is a dream configuration of mine. Paired with pretty much any color of PEEL PLY (no more smooth G10 please) G10 and I'm buying every model the second it drops, and multiples of my favorite models. LW FRN with DLC Cruwear and i'm buying multiples of each as well.

[TkoK83Spy]

I needed to see the hype for myself, so I couldn't pass up the smooth scales for my favorite model, especially for only $130. Their not too bad, but also not the greatest. I've got some carbon fiber scales coming for this knife with the 52100 and then I'm going to put the gray scales on the Cruwear knife.

[JonLeBlanc]

My 52100 Millie is a staple for me.

Yesssss

I wish I had a 52100 millie. I think it would be a great steel for that model.

If you ever get the chance to snag one, DO IT!!! It's one of those steel/model pairings that just makes total sense :cool: