If you like to “go big” with your folding knives, the Spyderco Manix 2 XL should be in your sights
by Dexter Ewing; photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
The Spyderco Manix 2 XL is a big knife. There is no way around it. With a blade length close to four inches, this is a formidable tool with plenty of horsepower to cut big jobs down to size. The XL version came about from the regular Manix 2 folder, which is perhaps one of Spyderco’s most ergonomic folding knife designs to date.
The Manix 2 incorporates several handle features that enhance ergonomics and safety. Meanwhile, the signature Spyderco blade design — the leaf blade — offers high utility with its full flat grind, making this blade a highly efficient slicer. The blade is secured by Spyderco’s own Ball Lock blade lock mechanism, which has a steel ball bearing that is under spring tension. It wedges itself between a steel anvil and the blade tang, preventing accidental blade closure. The Ball Bearing Lock can be released ambidextrously, making the Manix 2 as friendly to lefties as it is to righties. So, when you take the Manix 2 design and upsize it a bit, you now have the Manix 2 XL joining the highly successful Manix 2 family.
The Manix 2 XL has a blade length of 3.8 inches. Overall length is 8.9 inches. Yeah, this is a large folder. It may not be for everyone though, due to its size, and that’s fine. You can always drop back to the regular Manix 2 or Manix 2 Lightweight. The latter uses lightweight molded Zytel handles for a reduction in weight and overall cost of the knife. But if you have bigger hands and/or bigger cutting tasks to slay, the Manix 2 XL is just what you are looking for.
Spyderco sent us their newest version of the Manix 2 XL, which is the model C95GCBL2. This version features a blade with CPM SPY27 particle metallurgy blade steel made exclusively for Spyderco by Crucible Industries. Crucible has pioneered the CPM particle metallurgy blade steel used widely in the knife industry. The exclusive SPY27 steel has cobalt-enriched properties that yield a blade steel that has a great balance of toughness, edge holding, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening.
As with the other CPM SPY27 models in the Spyderco line, this Manix 2 XL comes with cobalt blue G-10 handles. Spyderco reserves this shade of blue only for the SPY27 knives. When you grasp the handle, you will discover that it fits your hand like a glove. The finger recess at the front of the handle accommodates the index finger, with the rest of the fingers being seated in place at the curved section that terminates in a bird’s beak shape. This prevents rearward sliding of your hand. At the front of the handle, the opened knife forms a forward finger choil, giving you the option to use a more forward grip position to allow you to choke up on the blade for more precise cutting maneuvers.
The Ball Bearing Lock holds the blade securely open. It engages with an audible “CLICK!” to let you know that it has deployed. To release, pull back on either of the exposed lock release buttons at the blade pivot. This will cause the ball to move out of the way, freeing the blade for rotation to the closed position. With some practice, the Ball Bearing Lock can be released and the blade closed with just one hand. It is a safe and convenient lock to employ.
Just above the pivot you will notice a solid piece of steel that acts as a handle spacer. This also is what the Ball Bearing Lock relies on to lock the blade in the open position. When it is locked in the open position, this folder is practically a fixed blade. The Ball Bearing Lock holds the blade open with authority. There are no issues with this lock accidentally unlocking. Unlocking must be a deliberate action.
As mentioned, the CPM SPY27 steel is an exclusive to Spyderco and cannot be found anywhere else. Working in conjunction with Crucible, Spyderco wanted to create a new high-performance blade steel that would be easy to care for with resharpening as well as exhibit a good balance of hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Manufactured with the same technology as the other well-known CPM particle metallurgy steels that everyone knows (S30V, S35VN, S45VN, and such), SPY27 has gained fast acceptance by hardcore Spyderco fans the world over. SPY27 is quite manageable with manual sharpening equipment. Diamond sharpeners give the best results, just as they do with other CPM steels.
I was pleased with the edge holding characteristics of the steel, but I don’t think it lasts as long as S30V. Yet there is a tradeoff. I think SPY27 is a good viable alternative to the other CPM steels, especially if you eschew the sharpening difficulty normally associated with these types of blades.
The Spyderco Manix 2 XL is most definitely a handful. It’s not your typical EDC folding knife but rather a capable working folder built for the big jobs. Whether it’s food prep at the campsite, knocking out big cutting jobs at the homestead or ranch, or potential use as a backup self-defense tool, the Spyderco Manix 2 XL C95GCBL2 is an impressive folding knife that’s well equipped with a super sturdy blade lock, premium blade and handle materials, and enhanced ergonomics. MSRP is $274.00, which is a great price as far as high end folding knives go.
