Manix, Chinook 2, Milli, What do I do?

[BlackNinja]

Sad to say, this will be my first Spyderco knife. I normally go with Benchmade. (Last purchase was a BM Skirmish, Limited Ed. Blue titanium handle, Black s30v 4.30" blade.$165 no shipping.) Anyway, I want a Spyderco. I like the looks of the Chinook & the lock, Manix looks pretty mean too. I like the weight of the Mili. They all have s30v blades, the question is, which one first. It's not going to be used as a hard utility regularly. But I still want a big, strong folder. I am leaning towards the Chinook. Any info would be great. Thanks

[Chucula]

Manix was my first spyderco knife. i have not handled a chinook or mili, but i can say the manix has great ergonomics and feels very balanced. because you do not plan on using it for heavy everyday use, perhaps a chinook is the way to go. if i had a skirmish, i would go for a chinook over mili /manix becuase the latter are similar to the skirmish in my opinion (especially the manix--just about same size, heft, thickness). if you want a functional blade tho, the manix has my vote.

i was going to get a skirmish but then got a manix. i dont regret it :D

[BlackNinja]

Thanks chucula, is the chinooks blade really not that functional? Which cuts better, manix or chinook?

[Senate]

Welcome here man.

you got 2 choices here:
-light weight: go for the Military, you'll be surprised of the weight of the knife for its size. open back and liner lock, minimum maintenance and easy to clean... comes in 3 blade edge types; SE, CE; PE.

-heavy weight: if you're not afraid of the weight, the Manix or the Chinook... both lockbacks with integral dual liners and PE, CE edge type. great ergo on the handle, the bigger one being on the Manix. I have a preference for the Chinook in terms of great looking design but the Manix should be better in everyday use and esaier to sharpen (straighter blade).

you won't be disappointed by any of them... :)

[HoB]

The Manix cuts probably better due to the full flat grind. All in all it is a very functional knife. The Chinook II isn't bad at all, but due to the very upswept tip and the minimum negative rake angle tip work is somewhat limited. It is a pretty good cutter, only slighly limited by its blade geometry (hollow ground to 4 mm blade thickness) which on the other hand makes probably for a stronger blade. MBC wise the nod should go to the Chinook, utility wise to the Manix. Personally I prefer the ergos of the Manix aswell.

Functionally they are similar enough, I would say, that if you are stongly biased in your purchasing decision by the looks of the knife, go with which ever appeals to you more.

[Gerard Breuker]

I you like the looks of the Chinook best you could also consider the Persian which looks somewhat similar in shape.
Manix is the one I carry however for heavy duty.

[BlackNinja]

Thanks 4 the welcome. I like the Manix, but will probably go with the Chinook. On the other hand, you never know. Great, now I am even more screwed up then before. One more question, could the tip of the chinooks blade break off easily, or would I have 2 try 2 break it?

[BlackNinja]

I do like the looks of the Persian but I don't think u have the option of s30v steel. Key word, THINK.

[Gerard Breuker]

I would suggest you try not to break it but the tip looks pretty strong to me. I doubt it would break in more or less normal heavy duty use and I don't think their is a real difference between the Chinook and the Manix in that department.

[BlackNinja]

Thanks, Gerard. I was hoping someone would say that. OK the Chinook it is. Or maybe the Manix. AAAUUGGHHH. I need some serious :eek: medical attention

[Gerard Breuker]

BlackNinja,

Alway a pleasure to take some knives out of their boxes to look at them again. You'll probably end up with both in the future and both are well worth it too. Persian is VG-10 only but in many ways a gentle Chinook with more general EDC potential.

[BlackNinja]

Gerard, I just sent u an e-mail reguarding prices I found the Chinook for 103$ & Manix $104. Are these good prices.

[Gerard Breuker]

BlackNinja,

They go for just under $100 on Ebay without shipping so these prices seem fair to me. In the Netherlands they will cost you $250 - $300 in shops which is a bit less fair.

[skcusloa]

those are around normal prices, I'm guessing that includes shipping?

[smcfalls13]

Thats about average pricing for them. You can get them cheaper if you're lucky on Ebay, and you can find online dealers who sell them for more. In my opinion, thats a "fair" price.

Have you made the decision yet, or are you still undecided ;)

Both are solid knives, and both are knives I want, so the only advice I can give you is to get both. :D

[BlackNinja]

Thanks alot guys, I really appreciate the help. :D

[BlackNinja]

I think it's going 2 go like this: Chinook 2 then a Manix then a Spyker for x-mas. I know it's limited 2 3000 pcs but, HOPEFULLY my wife will buy the Spyker soon. FINALY a decision that is ummm uhhh I think final. Sound good.