Spyderco Manix 2 XL Crucarta vs Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto Orange!

el gigantor

el gigantor

Joined
Oct 5, 2015
Messages
1,892
I've handled both. I love the ergos and materials on both. I am well and truly at an impasse. When I actually have the funds I'm going to buy one of these. Help nudge me one way or the other please folks. I want to hear about your preferences and personal biases. I'm looking for longevity and reliability. The exact variants are seen below:

eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL3NweWRlcmNvLWtuaXZlcy9pbWFnZXMvU1A5NU1QQ1cyXzEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA3NjAsImhlaWdodCI6IDQxNSwiZml0IjogImNvbnRhaW4iLCJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kIjogeyJyIjogMjU1LCJnIjogMjU1LCJiIjogMjU1LCJhbHBoYSI6IDF9fX19

eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL2NvbGRzdGVlbC9pbWFnZXMvQ1MyN0JUT1JCS18xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjogeyJyZXNpemUiOiB7IndpZHRoIjogNzYwLCJoZWlnaHQiOiA0MTUsImZpdCI6ICJjb250YWluIiwiYmFja2dyb3VuZCI6IHsiciI6IDI1NSwiZyI6IDI1NSwiYiI6IDI1NSwiYWxwaGEiOiAxfX19fQ==

(PS: The Spydie is a fair bit more expensive but not enough to disqualify it)

EDIT: Spelling mistakes corrected!
 
Last edited:
Manix 2 XL is a great slicer and the ergonomics as you'e said yourself are outstanding. I haven't handled a Cold Steel product yet so I can't compare, but I have a Manix 2 XL and it's great! Only thing that maybe is a bit bothersome about it is that for such a big knife you really don't get that much cutting length ... Still great though :D
 
Arathol said:
Two different knives for two different purposes.....What are your intended uses for this knife?
Click to expand...
Every day carry for the next decade. Opening packages. Cutting back blackberry bushes. Camping and hiking. Food prep. Anything and everything. This will be my dedicated go-to knife when I leave the house every damn day..
 
Spyderco FTW, unless you’re really going to be doing dumb things with it. Cold steel is going to be a little stronger all around, but the Spydie is t the more luxurious option. The materials and the action justify the price in my opinion, go for it!
ETA I haven’t handled that particular Spydie, but I own/have owned a handful of PM2s, Yojumbo, YoJimbo….they’re plenty reliable for EDC use.
 
Easy choice for me Spyderco Manix Crucarta. Better cutter, better ergos, and personal preferences ... although I like S35VN I prefer Cruwear, an uncoated blade, not a not a tanto, and micarta > G10.
 
Spyderco will cut longer, age better and have more upgrade potential ( scales, hardware etc ). Both knives can be found for far less than msrp or dealer prices. The cold steel recon really does take an absolute beating without developing problems though ( l have Battoned one through a wrist thick branch and thrown it - no issues ). Only nit picks I have with the recon - the ricasso / plunge line is not able to be choked up on as comfortably for close up cuts, thick edge geometry also. The spyderco will allow more precise cuts.
 
I have several Spydercos that have been purchased over the years, never particularly liked them enough to carry on a long term basis.
Had a Snap-It, but the clip sort of dominated the blade and interfered with cutting stuff'.
Got an Endura, was OK but seemed kind of flimsy
FEHBP0Y.jpg

Carried a Military for a bit but the clip was not right.
MPY9lZG.jpg

The only one I have actually carried for an extended time is a C44 Dyad. Carried it for 16 years, only because the blades were exactly what I needed.
lxwMYgk.jpg


The Recon 1 is solid as a rock and is a really good choice, but I'd take the spear point. That tanto blade actually slices pretty well, excels at opening bags and boxes, and cuts cardboard like a lightsaber, but making a peanut butter sandwich can get pretty ugly.
oVvrQVw.jpg
 
el gigantor said:
Every day carry for the next decade. Opening packages. Cutting back blackberry bushes. Camping and hiking. Food prep. Anything and everything. This will be my dedicated go-to knife when I leave the house every DARN day..
Click to expand...
Please keep the language family friendly.

The Manix is thinner and will be less noticeable in your pocket.
The Recon 1 has better ergos for heavy cutting because of its thicker handle.
Cruwear is not stainless. Holds an edge longer. Takes more effort to sharpen
CPM S35VN is stainless, holds an edge very nicely and is easier to sharpen

I tend to prefer stainless, but for daily carry I tend to like a thinner package to carry all day, every day.
 
Arathol said:
Two different knives for two different purposes.....What are your intended uses for this knife?
Click to expand...

True.

el gigantor said:
This will be my dedicated go-to knife when I leave the house every day..
Click to expand...

Spyderco.

I agree with Frank about the ergos, for the stated reasons and also because Cold Steel does a better job chamfering their G10 handles than Spyderco does in my experience. However it doesn’t matter which knife I’d end up with, I’d still refine the ergos further.

If you have not experienced the caged ball bearing lock from Spyderco give it a whirl. It’s great. I’d still own a manix or two if they had tip down carry. If you get it and decide you don’t like the lock spring stiffness, I can walk you through dialling it down without compromising lock strength.
 
norcalAF said:
Neither, you're a big guy, get the crucarta military 2 when they release it. I love my SPY27 version!
Click to expand...

Yep, I have one on the way, a trade with a gent who found it too big and has a few knives ordered with me and accepted shop credit. Super excited for it as I already love my modded crucarta PM2 and only wish it were bigger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top