As with some of my previous Spyderco reviews, I would like to begin with a brief disclaimer. Spyderco kindly provided this knife for evaluation at my request as part of the Spyderco Ambassador Program. As always, receiving a sample does not influence my opinions. Every review published on Nemo Knives Review reflects my own experience after carrying and using the knife.

Goose: “You can shut the gate on this one, Maxie… it’s the duck’s guts!”
Barry (MFP mechanic): “Yeah, she’s the last of the V8s! She sucks nitro… with Phase 4 heads, twin overhead cams, 600 horsepower through the wheels! She’s meanness put to music and the bitch is born to run!”
Goose: “He’s in a coma, man!”

— From the screenplay of Mad Max (1979), written by George Miller and James McCausland.

The very first thing that struck me wasn’t the impeccable fit and finish—those are exactly what I’ve come to expect from Spyderco. It was the weight. Those days I mainly review Lightweight FRN folders but there is something about that Manix 2…

This MagnaMax version weighs 136 grams on my kitchen scale, roughly 20 grams heavier than both of my previous Manix 2 models. The additional mass is noticeable in hand, but rather than feeling cumbersome, it reinforces the impression that this is an exceptionally robust working knife. It feels dense and built to withstand years of hard use.
Thanks to a hint from Robin, the mystery behind the extra weight turned out to be quite simple: this Manix 2 features full stainless steel liners. Unlike some previous versions that use skeletonized liners to reduce weight, these are solid throughout, adding approximately 20 grams to the knife. The difference is immediately noticeable in hand, giving the MagnaMax version an exceptionally robust, confidence-inspiring feel.

Oh, I love the extra heft and the bottom-heavy balance of this MagnaMax Manix. It anchors the knife securely in my palm, making it feel incredibly stable and controlled during use. Rather than feeling bulky, the additional weight inspires confidence.

Screenshot from Nick Shabazz video published eight years ago. Nick himself noted, on the release date “This video is an antique, one of the oldest in my backlog,” suggesting that the knife shown was filmed well before the video’s release.

Anyway, the Manix 2 shown in the video features full stainless steel liners, whereas my 2009 CPM S90V Sprint Run has already skeletonized liners. This suggests that Nick’s knife may have been an earlier production model, before Spyderco switched to skeletonized liners on the S90V Sprint Run.
Spyderco has used both full and skeletonized liners over the years, depending on the specific version. Unlike several Sprint Runs that featured skeletonized liners to reduce weight, the MagnaMax returns to full stainless steel liners, embracing strength and durability over weight savings.

With the MagnaMax, Spyderco has come full circle by bringing back full stainless steel liners. Beyond adding rigidity and giving the knife its heft, they offer a few practical advantages. Because there are fewer hidden cavities beneath the scales, there are fewer places where moisture and debris can accumulate, reducing the potential for corrosion over time.
Since the liners are left uncoated, they are easy to inspect, clean, and apply a light coat of oil whenever needed.
It all reinforces the impression that this Manix 2 MagnaMax was designed first and foremost as a dependable workhorse.

Looking more closely, I noticed that the blade tapers more aggressively toward the tip than my original S90V Manix 2, and is even thinner than the MagnaCut version. That finer tip should provide greater precision for detailed cutting tasks while preserving the strength expected from the Manix platform. More importantly, this refined blade geometry reflects the confidence that Eric Glesser, Sal Glesser, and the Spyderco team have placed in the remarkable capabilities of this new steel.

(The S90V is in the middle of the picture, MagnaMax on the right)

Like all my Manix 2s, everything feels perfectly assembled, with the precise action and rock-solid lock-up that have made the Manix 2 one of Spyderco’s most respected designs. There is no blade play whatsoever, yet the blade remains perfectly drop-shut. The only difference I immediately noticed is that the Ball Bearing Lock feels slightly stiffer than on my older Manix 2s, most likely due to a stronger spring. Since the knife is brand new, I’ll reserve my final judgment until it has been properly broken in.
One interesting difference concerns the action. I can easily flick open all of my other Manix 2s, but this MagnaMax version requires noticeably more effort. The stronger Ball Bearing Lock spring makes the action feel more resistant and virtually eliminates any gravity-assisted opening. A wrist flick is still possible, but it takes significantly more commitment than with my other Manix 2s. Whether this is intentional or simply the result of a brand-new spring remains to be seen, but it certainly contributes to the knife’s reassuringly solid, confidence-inspiring feel.

Another pleasant surprise was the jimping. I immediately noticed that the edges of the thumb ramp and choil jimping have been subtly beveled. It’s a small detail, but one that makes a noticeable difference in comfort without sacrificing grip. Ironically, this is one of the first modifications I usually make myself with a diamond rod. This time, Spyderco has already done it for me.

So, what do we have? A slightly heavier Manix 2, a stronger Ball Bearing Lock spring, flawless action, and impeccable fit and finish and great attention to details. So far, what’s not to like?
But this knife isn’t just about that.
The real story begins with the steel itself.

As of July 2026, if we set aside Spyderco’s Mule Team test platform, the Manix 2 MagnaMax stands as the first true production folder to introduce this remarkable steel to the broader knife community.
MagnaMax is one of the newest high-performance stainless steels developed by metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas. Building upon the innovations introduced with MagnaCut, its goal is to push the balance between toughness, wear resistance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance even further. Rather than maximizing a single property, MagnaMax aims to deliver exceptional overall performance, making it particularly attractive for hard-use folding knives. It represents the latest step in the evolution of modern powder metallurgy steels designed specifically for real-world cutting performance.

		Chromium (Cr)	Vanadium (V)	Molybdenum (Mo)	Tungsten	Cobalt (Co)	Niobium (Nb)	Nitrogen (N)
MagnaMax	~1.15%	~10.5%	~3.5%	~2.0%	~1.0%	~7.5%	~1.5%	–
MagnaCut	1.15%	10.7%	4.0%	2.0%	–	–	2.0%	0.20%
CPM S90V	2.30%	14.0%	9.0%	1.0%	–	–	–	–
K390	2.47%	4.2%	9.0%	–	2.0%	2.0%	–	–

• MagnaMax – Designed to deliver an exceptional balance of toughness, wear resistance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. The addition of cobalt and tungsten further enhances its overall performance.
• MagnaCut – One of the most balanced stainless knife steels ever developed, combining excellent toughness with outstanding corrosion resistance.
• CPM S90V – Famous for its exceptional edge retention thanks to its very high vanadium content, though it is less tough and more difficult to sharpen.
• K390 – An outstanding non-stainless tool steel with phenomenal edge retention and wear resistance, intended for demanding cutting tasks but requiring regular maintenance to prevent corrosion.

As you may have noticed, the “CPM” marking has disappeared from the blade. That’s no coincidence. Following the closure of Crucible Industries, Spyderco has dropped the CPM designation from its blade markings. While the steel itself remains the focus, this small detail quietly marks the end of an era in the history of modern knife steels. 😦

In many ways, MagnaMax feels like the offspring of MagnaCut and K390. It aims to combine MagnaCut’s outstanding balance of toughness and corrosion resistance with the exceptional wear resistance and edge retention that have made K390 legendary among knife enthusiasts. While it is not literally derived from either steel, its design philosophy seems to bridge the gap between these two outstanding performers.

The ergonomics of the Manix 2 platform have already been covered extensively in my previous review of the Manix 2 Salt G10. The outstanding handle design, aggressive jimping, Ball Bearing Lock, and exceptional grip remain unchanged here. MagnaMax does not alter what has always been one of the strongest aspects of this design.

The familiar combination of textured G10 scales, full stainless steel liners, and Spyderco’s proven hardware gives this knife an unmistakable feeling of strength. Combined with its additional weight, the knife inspires confidence the moment it is picked up. This is a tool that feels engineered for demanding work rather than simply everyday pocket carry.

Out of the box, the edge is razor sharp. The factory sharpening is excellent, producing a clean, aggressive cutting edge that easily meets Spyderco’s reputation for outstanding factory grinds. The accompanying photographs speak for themselves.

Yes, the factory edge is absolutely razor sharp. After just a few light passes on a leather strop, the edge became even keener. Hair-whittling? Not quite—but hairs were flying effortlessly with the slightest touch. An excellent factory edge !

Eric’s Manix 2 MagnaMax appears to be one of the most versatile folding knives Spyderco currently offers. Its combination of toughness, ergonomic comfort, and strong lock makes it equally at home as an everyday carry knife, an outdoor companion, a workshop tool, or even a capable kitchen slicer. It is the kind of knife that encourages you to use it without constantly worrying about damaging it.

As this knife has just arrived, I want to evaluate it exactly as Spyderco intended before making any personal modifications, such as totally rounding the spine or applying one of my convex edges.

That said, I couldn’t resist giving the factory edge a quick test. Right out of the box, it sliced cleanly through the butt of a Coke plastic bottle like a hot knife through salted butter. If that’s any indication, Spyderco has absolutely nailed the factory edge on this MagnaMax Manix 2.
(Notice in the photo the smoothly chamfered blade spine and softened jimping, just like those found on the CPM 15V Sprint Runs.)

Direct comparisons with my Manix 2 CPM-S90V, the Manix 2 Salt CPM MagnaCut, the Paramilitary 2, and the Military 2 Salt would deserve an article of their own. Each represents a different philosophy, and MagnaMax may well redefine where the Manix 2 sits within Spyderco’s lineup.
After only a short time in hand, the Manix 2 MagnaMax already feels like one of the most compelling versions Spyderco has ever produced. It combines the legendary ergonomics of the Manix platform with one of the most advanced stainless steels currently available, while everything else has been subtly reinforced to create an uncompromising workhorse. Full stainless steel liners, a stronger Ball Bearing Lock spring, reassuring heft, and flawless fit and finish all contribute to a knife that feels built for a lifetime of hard use.

If long-term testing confirms these first impressions, this could become one of the finest all-around production folding knives in Spyderco’s catalog—a knife designed not to excel in only one area, but to perform exceptionally well in almost every situation.

One interesting clue to Spyderco’s confidence in MagnaMax came from Eric Glesser during the Amsterdam Meet, where he suggested that MagnaMax could eventually replace CPM S30V/CPM S45VN in Golden, Colorado-made folders. If that transition takes place, it would position MagnaMax as Spyderco’s new premium all-around stainless steel for many production models—not because it outperforms every other steel in every category, but because it offers an exceptional balance of toughness, edge retention, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.

MagnaMax may be the first stainless steel that genuinely challenges K390’s real-world cutting performance while retaining near-MagnaCut levels of toughness and corrosion resistance—but the jury is still out.

This Manix 2 MagnaMax feels like one of the last great V8 interceptors—a machine with real character and a touch of history. Black G10 scales, full stainless steel liners, a stout Ball Bearing Lock spring… everything about it conveys strength and purpose.
For its very first production folder in MagnaMax, Spyderco clearly didn’t hold back.
They went full throttle!

(Every knife I truly bond with eventually earns a name. This one was obvious: I’ll call this Manix MagnaMax “V8.”
Like the legendary Pursuit Special from Mad Max, this knife feels unapologetically overbuilt and engineered with character. Black G10 scales, full stainless steel liners, a stout Ball Bearing Lock spring —it has the soul of a machine built to survive the Wasteland, cutting deep and steady long after lesser blades have given up.)