FOG HORN 2017

Twobirds Flying Publication

Spyderco MANIX 2 GRAY MAXAMET

Copyright 2017, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

 Spyderco MANIX 2 GRAY MAXAMET
Spyderco MANIX 2 GRAY MAXAMET
By: Sal Palma
The Manix 2 family of folding knives is a classic
design with a form factor suitable to a number
of applications. Im a blade profile guy, but
blade alone does not an excellent knife make.
Handle, axis, locking mechanism and even
pocket clips all integrate to deliver a truly
magnificent tool. In my review, Ill touch on all
those, but the big news for this new 2017
design is the MAXAMET blade steel, which Ill
introduce below in some detail because youll
undoubtedly see it used in an increasing
number of high performance fixed blade and
folding knives.
Its rare to encounter a folding knife that fills
the role of a tactical folder and EDC equally
well; however, since its introduction the Manix
folder has done just that. In 2017, the Manix 2
MAXAMET raises the performance bar
considerably. A little background follows.
High Speed Steels are high-performance special
steels offering high hardness at temperatures
up to 500C. They achieve high wear resistance,
Copyright 2017, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
2017
through the use of alloying elements like
tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and
chromium which are able to form carbides. To
improve hot hardness, cobalt may also be
added. Spyderco could have used any number
of high speed steels but instead chose
MAXAMET for their blade material. Heres why.
Tools manufactured from these alloys generally
fail due to a lack of sufficient wear resistance,
room temperature hardness or hot hardness.
Cutting tools of current high speed steels
cannot withstand the significantly increased
temperatures and have lower room
temperature HRC. To overcome these
limitations, Carpenter developed Micro-Melt
Maxamet alloy. Their goal was to create a tool
steel that is better performing than the
common high speed steels
CarTech Micro-Melt Maxamet alloy has a room
temperature hardness capability of up to HRC
71.0 when using typical high speed steel heat
treating practice and equipment. All samples
tested for heat treated hardness below were
preheated at 843C (1550F), equalized,
austenitized for 3 minutes at the indicated
temperature and tempered at the temperatures
shown.
 Spyderco MANIX 2 GRAY MAXAMET
2017
As you can see from the table, HRC values meet
and in almost all cases exceed the harness of
steels used in the finer fixed blades and folders
on the market.

In addition to an impressive HRC rating, the

Manix 2 MAXAMET with its .125 thick blade is
a real lightweight. The entire enchilada weighs
in at a mere 3.0 oz. and buyers get a tool steel +
strength, full flat ground leaf blade, that will
stand up to anything you can throw at it in a
In this rendition of the MANIX 2 Spyderco
featherweight folder. You cant beat that with a
retained the FRCP handle with Spyderco's
stick!
distinctive Bi-Directional Texturing pattern.
This impressive blade attaches to Spydercos The handled is brilliantly sculpted allowing the
fiberglass-reinforced co-polymer (FRCP) at a knife to sit comfortably in the hand even in
rock solid axis which Spyderco elected to lock the authors chunky hands.
with its patented Ball Bearing Lock.

The ball bearing lock is a simple concept that

Another feature to highlight is Spydercos use of
Spyderco details as consisting of a ball bearing
a steel insert to reinforce the handle along the
nested within a durable textured polymer
locking mechanism accounting for the MANIX 2
'cage.' When the blade is opened, a spring-
rock solid lockup.
loaded steel plunger drives the ball bearing
forward to wedge between a ramp on the blade
and an 'anvil' in the handle's steel insert.
Drawing the caged ball bearing to the rear
releases the lock and allows the blade to close
smoothly. The point to take home is just how
smooth this locking mechanism operates and
how securely it locks the knifes blade. Theres
absolutely no side to side or up and down blade The MANIX 2 is fully ambidextrous and designed
movement. to be carried tip up so it also includes a

Copyright 2017, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

 Spyderco MANIX 2 GRAY MAXAMET
2017
reversible wire clip for right-side or left-side
carry.

In closing, the MANIX 2 MAXAMET folder is

another magnificent creation from one of the
worlds leading edged tool manufacturers;
everything from the high tech MAXAMET blade
steel to its thoughtfully designed wire clip that
wont rip your trousers pockets projects
excellence. At an M.S.R.P. of $279.95 this is not
a whimsical decision but its one that you will
never regret. The Spyder strikes again!

-SP

Manufacturer Specifications

Overall Length: 8.03" (204 mm)

Blade Length: 3.37" (86 mm)
Steel: MAXAMET
Closed Length: 4.66" (118 mm)
Edge Length: 2.88" (73 mm)
Weight: 3.0 oz. (85 g)
Blade Thickness: 0.125" (3.2 mm)
Handle: FRCP
Clip Position: Ambi
Tip Carry Position: Tip-Up
Lock Type: Ball Bearing
Grind: Full-Flat
Sheath: None
Origin: United States

Copyright 2017, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved