The "Hobbit" Manix 2 LW: Disassembly, AWT Scales, Flytanium Ball Cage, & LynchNW Clip - K.U.S. Ep. 7
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ค. 2024
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I recently Frankensteined a Manix 2 LW in magnacut with a set of AWT Charcoal Green aluminum scales plus an aluminum Flytanium Ball Cage upgrade kit from OCD4EDC which includes a lighter weight spring which makes a HUGE difference in the action. However, the Flytanium Ball Cage did not fit properly in either the AWT scales or the factory plastic scales. The action was bound up in either set. The factory Ball Cage worked fine with the lighter weight spring in both sets of scales so the Flytanium Ball Cage was apparently out of spec. Ended up sending the knife with the aftermarket parts installed to OCD4EDC and he determined that the stem on the Flytanium Ball Cage was too long so he shortened it and it seemed to function just fine. In fact , he was so enamored with it that he built his own using the AWT Tequila Sunrise scales and had the same problem with the Flytanium Ball Cage. He shortened the stem and after a bit of breaking in, his worked fine. He also received two Manix 2 LW's from viewers in the factory scales with the Flytanium Ball Cages that had the same binding up problem.
After getting my Manix 2 back, it functioned well for a brief spell. Soon, however, it developed what I'll call free play in the blade where when the blade was closed, it wasn't locked closed and the tip of the blade would easily move enough to let the tip clear the scales. Took it apart myself then reassembled and I was right back to the original problem of the action being bound up. Disassembled again, looked st the wear marks on the ball cage and started filing with my old Leatherman and after several test fits and more filing, the action on my Manix 2 LW is perfect.
So, in effect, I'd say the Flytanium Ball Cages are the problem and not the factory scales nor the AWT aluminum scales. I'm currently awaiting a set of AWT Aztec Teal aluminum scales to mate with a Blade HQ exclusive Manix 2 LW with DLC coated M4 blade and a Flytanium Ball Cage upgrade kit. Wish me luck...You can check out OCD4EDC's live videos dated 4/7/24...4/24/24...4/28/24 If you do watch them, be aware that OCD4EDC's lives ARE NOT child friendly nor are they suitable for sensitive ears.
Sorry for the lengthy comment. Hope I've made some sense here.
Thank you for sharing! That actually makes ton of sense. I suspected the stem length of these Flytanium ball cages at one point because it looked a millimeter or two longer than one of the OEM ball cages that I was replacing. It's surprising that such a small variance in machining can seize the whole knife up. Best of luck with that M4 Manix 2 LW, that's going to look great! Thanks again for the comment, you will probably save a few headaches of others trying to accomplish the same thing.
@@FunWithKnives I think the problem is more than just a slightly longer stem on the Flytanium Ball Cage. I noticed that with the cage, ball and spring installed in just one of the scales, the action would be just fine. Smooth as silk with full lockup open and closed. The binding problem arose when the second scale was installed which means to me that the Ball Cage itself was perhaps oversized or somehow bent. I just know that filing a bit on the cage itself, in line with the stem, finally allowed the cage to fit and then work properly...and I HIGHLY recommend the lighter weight spring as it does indeed make a world of difference in how sweet and smooth the action is.
I was like cool a related comment - holy TLDR Batman… but it was full of so much great information I couldn’t stop reading. Thanks for all that iinfo. I’m sure it’s going to help a lot of people as it sure helped me. I just snagged a LW Rex45 satin to be installed in some AWT scales. Now I have to figure out if I want to play games with the Flytanium ball cage. I have every intention in rocking a lighter spring, as you’re correct it makes the Manix2 even more epic. Thanks again.
Dude hell yeah, thank you for the comment. I bought a flytanium aluminum ballcage for the BHQ M4 LW and had the same lockup issues. I ended up sanding down the holes of the G10 scales (I know, probably not the best idea but whatever). It worked fine for a bit, but wasn't great. Ended up putting the stock plastic one back in. I have some AWT scales on the way, gonna try the aluminum one again on that and see if it fits any better. From what I observed, it seems like the aluminum ball cage angles too far forward (ie the bit that's touching backspacer isn't angled properly so it grinds against the top corner of the lock hole in the scales). Sanding down that bit seems like it might help.
@@J0nnyTheJ3w I can pretty much guarantee you that you'll have the same ill fitting issue with the AWT aluminum scales. It's not the fault of the scales but rather with the Flytanium aluminum ball cage. Instead of sanding/filing/modifying the scales, I'd recommend modding the ball cage since it's cheaper to replace than the scales if the mod work goes south. I modded my Flytanium Ball Cage for my first build using a Manix 2 LW in magnacut and it works like a champ. My second build using the Blade HQ exclusive with the DLC coated M4 blade, I had the same issue with the Flytanium Ball Cage and instead of modding the cage, I simply used the original plastic Spyderco ball cage. I do HIGHLY RECOMMEND using the lighter weight spring that's available in a kit from OCD4EDC for around $15 (I think). It makes A HUGE difference in the action of the Manix 2 LW whether in factory plastic scales or aftermarket AWT aluminum scales.
Like the green
Today I also changed the scales and installed a ceramic bearing. And my mechanics changed, I thought I was so “lucky”, but it turns out worse can happen.)) I hope the mechanics will get better during operation.
How is it now?
@@chrishynes6091 Much better.
Really like AWT scales. 👍🏻
Great build video! I quite like all of your Manix mods with your Hobbit themed one my favourite. Working around the camera is always finicky so it was nice to see that you got things to fit together more nicely the second go around.
Beautiful! Yeah I just got the rex 45 manix from GP and been seeing all these different scales and options cuz I'm not to thrilled with lw scales! But thanks for breaking it all down! Was curious how the lock came apart!
Have you tried the Flytanium ball cage in the LW scales? Just to see? I’ve got the ball cages in a set of AWT scales (not LW) and a normal manix2 that fits, but I don’t have a LW to test fit.
I haven't yet honestly, I have been replacing the FRCP lightweight scales at the same time with each build. I am curious to know now though.
@@FunWithKnives I’m wondering if there is something different about the mechanism or something that makes the ball cage not exactly compatible with the lightweight models. - same I’ve not tried one in a FRCP scale cuz the only one I have is a CS exclusive Orange-S90V which is pinned and not screwed together. 😢 (I hate the scales but they are orange at least- I love orange lol)
Hey guys. I had this same problem with both manix LW’s I modded as well. I has the same problem with the flytanium cages as well as the stock cages upon reassembly. It’s still racking my brain why they do that. The one I put AWT scales on I eventually got to feel pretty decent just by tightening the screws in different orders and tuning the torque. It was just as bad with the stock cage. The other i put the stock scales back on (and still had this issue with both cages) and filed some of the material off the bottom side of the cut out that the cage slides inside of. Every time I’ve taken one apart the cage was very tight and didn’t move freely. No matter which cage or scales I put it back together with …???
I think i read it from Meton Boss. but the Ball Cages need filing on the stem and the thumb pads themselves to fit LW
Thanks for sharing. Mine are on the way.
I want to do this and have the same blue manix 2 LW in s110v but have the rivets holding the scales in the middle. Is there still a way to do this? Thanks! NVM you answered my question with your black manix 2. Im surprised you haven’t found a work around! Guess I’ll have to buy another to mod! LOL
Hey man! Theses AWT videos are great! I have a similar situation. I have the REx 45 LW and trying upgrade the cage. I saw you tried with a slotted cage and it didn't work. Do you think the TI cage you used for this s110v blade build and the m4 build would work. So just a normal Ti ball cage with the REXs AWT? Maybe If i avoid the slotted it would be compatible like your m4 and s110v build were.
I had the same problem with the Lynch ball cage. I was told their aftermarket parts are not compatible with Manix 2 lightweight models. Have you since found any that work?
I just bought a gpknives manix 2 so I could do a scale swap but now I can't decide between the awt and og scales
Same issue. I just got the Manix2 ltw salt in MagnaCut, and I think I’m gonna go with the AWT scales. I’m scouring TH-cam now just watching builds to help make up my mind. I wanted a flytanium ball cage as well, but this video/comments are making me rethink changing it out.
Nice mod bro ❤
Does anybody know of a knife modder that can do a dlc coting?
Way of the knife?
@@SonoranKnifeNut Thanks.
You made a MasterChief Manix! 😂 I have my first Spyderco on the way not and I choose the Manix 2 LW I’ll definitely be using this video as a guide. What’s your thoughts on the Glow Rino Ball cage? Worth it or trash?