Spyderco Manbug

scorpion008 · **on:** January 21, 2013, 01:47:33 AM

Just a quick question, does this knife fit easily in that little pocket inside the main right hand pocket of an average pair of jeans? I don't have keys and it doesn't have a clip to this is where I would carry this knife if I got it. Also, is it redundant to get a bug ss as well? I really like its size.

jekostas · **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:51:02 AM

Yeah, it'll fit easily in a watch/coin/5th pocket. Just for comparison, the Spyderco Leaf Storm was designed to fit a watch pocket and it's substantially larger.

As for redundant... depends what you like. I think the premium for the Manbug is a little silly, especially when the same price could get you a Ladybug in ZDP-189. 1mm longer blade and .5mm thicker stock doesn't really make that much of a difference to me.

enki_ck · **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:59:44 AM

Quote from: jekostas on January 21, 2013, 03:51:02 AM

...I think the premium for the Manbug is a little silly, especially when the same price could get you a Ladybug in ZDP-189. 1mm longer blade and .5mm thicker stock doesn't really make that much of a difference to me.

Yea, but a Man can't carry a knife called Ladybug, can he?

I'll snap a few pics of the Ladybug next to the bug for size reference tomorrow.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:14:58 AM

Could you throw a Vic 58mm into the shot as well? I need a standard of reference, and would greatly appreciate it.

enki_ck · **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:17:48 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 21, 2013, 05:14:58 AM

Could you throw a Vic 58mm into the shot as well? I need a standard of reference, and would greatly appreciate it.

Sure, classic or rambler?

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:24:00 AM

Doesn't matter. I just need something I have at hand as a scale reference. I have both, so whatever works for you.

I LOVE the ladybug size, double love the Salt. Want one badly, but have absolutely no use for it. Sad, really. Every single cutting need I've had in the past 10 years could be handled by the blade on a Crosscut/ Micra/ Rambler etc.

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2013, 11:20:19 AM

It would depends on the pocket size of your jeans. My Levi jeans have tiny coin pocket that barely fit a ladybug, but my costco jeans' coin pocket is large enough to stick a 3"+ blade inside.

condcup · **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2013, 11:21:21 AM

Pictures from www.spydercollector.nl

scorpion008 · **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2013, 12:15:25 PM

If I'm not mistaken aren't those ladybugs and jesters?

enki_ck · **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2013, 12:27:19 PM

scorpion008 · **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2013, 01:54:51 PM

First off, I prefer the manbug to the ladybug on the basis of the full flat grind. I personally do not like the ladybug's hollow grind. I know the zpd189 has a ffg but I do not like the green handle. I have heard rumors that the blade geometry is different as well, is this a non-issue?

Do you find the bug worth $10 (cheapest ebay price)? Especially considering that you have a ladybug salt. Would you ever opt to use it instead of you Lb? I figured that since they are both so small they both fit the niche of knives nonthreatening to knife haters. I would not keychain carry either btw. However it might be nice to have to try out ss handles, which must look and feel better than frn.

All thoughts appreciated!

jekostas · **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:28:45 PM

Quote from: scorpion008 on January 21, 2013, 01:54:51 PM

First off, I prefer the manbug to the ladybug on the basis of the full flat grind. I personally do not like the ladybug's hollow grind. I know the zpd189 has a ffg but I do not like the green handle. I have heard rumors that the blade geometry is different as well, is this a non-issue?
All thoughts appreciated!

Grind and geometry aren't really going to make much of a difference when we're talking about a knife the size of the Ladybug or Manbag. Besides, even though the Ladybug has a sabre grind (not hollow!) it uses thinner stock than the Manbug.

As for handle color, well, I guess that's highly personal. You can dye FRN scales black pretty easily, though.

enki_ck · **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:42:24 PM

You might also want to consider other SS options from the Bug series like the HoneyBee or GrassHopper. None of them are locking though.

jekostas · **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:53:40 PM

The steel is substantially worse, though. I think a better cheaper option would be the Finch or Starling.

scorpion008 · **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:56:00 PM

I was pretty much set on the frn manbug. Black, light, vg-10, locking, small, full flat grind. All I really wanted. The slipit line is only really tempting with the bug.

scorpion008 · **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:25:02 PM

Quote from: scorpion008 on January 21, 2013, 01:54:51 PM

Do you find the bug worth $10 (cheapest ebay price)? Especially considering that you have a ladybug salt. Would you ever opt to use it instead of you Lb? I figured that since they are both so small they both fit the niche of knives nonthreatening to knife haters. I would not keychain carry either btw. However it might be nice to have to try out ss handles, which must look and feel better than frn.

All thoughts appreciated!

I guess what I'm saying here is, if you already have a ladybug/manbug, would you spend $10 on a bug and feel that you really got your money's worth? Does it add $10 of value to your setup, pretending for a moment that you have no other knives except from saks and multis?

If I seem anxious over the sake of $10, perhaps this conveys the size of my budget quite clearly.

enki_ck · **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:48:11 PM

Depends on your use and intended carry. I have two, received as gifts and I don't carry neither as it doesn't fit into my setup at the moment, but that could change.

I know some members carry them every day. Some on a necklace, some in the wallet, some on the keychain, ... You have to decide that for yourself.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:53:51 PM

I'm going to be honest in saying that for the size of the blade on a bug, and the weight (.6oz), I'd rather bump up to .72oz and carry a Vic Classic. Edit... The Vic Classic is VASTLY more useful, IMO.

I mean, I DO think the bug looks super cool. It just doesn't seem worth it.

cbl51 · **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2013, 09:22:37 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 22, 2013, 07:53:51 PM

I'm going to be honest in saying that for the size of the blade on a bug, and the weight (.6oz), I'd rather bump up to .72oz and carry a Vic Classic. Edit... The Vic Classic is VASTLY more useful, IMO.

I mean, I DO think the bug looks super cool. It just doesn't seem worth it.

I gotta give that three thumbs up. I've been edc'ing a classic now for several years, and it's seen service from NYC to Naples Florida, and it's always been one of the handiest little items in my travel kit. Add either a Vic bantam for larger cutting jobs and screw driver, or put a P-38 in your wallet, and your about ready for anything. The Spyderco is a one dimensional tool with a single purpose, but the classic can handle small phillips and regular screws, scissor jobs, bottle opening if you don't know the house key or Bic lighter trick, plus tweezers that really work.

scorpion008 · **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2013, 09:30:55 PM

Last question. For those that have the Manbug, does the blade geometry (up swept tip) ever pose a problem, or ever cause inconvenience? I have heard several complaints, but I really like this knife and its ffg and hope that this isn't a big deal. If anyone thinks the swept up tip (compared to the ladybug) is an advantage, please tell me why, aside from the fact that it makes a better skinning knife.

condcup · **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2013, 09:55:47 PM

I'd go for the ladybug zdp-189 ffg but if you perfer the manbug, go with the g10 version.

scorpion008 · **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2013, 10:08:15 PM

Quote from: condcup on January 22, 2013, 09:55:47 PM

I'd go for the ladybug zdp-189 ffg but if you perfer the manbug, go with the g10 version.

Do you have either Manbug? If so could you answer the questions in my last post?

Edit: Is the Manbug's belly flat or slightly rounded? The pics are confusing.

condcup · **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2013, 10:21:44 PM

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2013, 03:45:28 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on January 22, 2013, 07:53:51 PM

I'm going to be honest in saying that for the size of the blade on a bug, and the weight (.6oz), I'd rather bump up to .72oz and carry a Vic Classic. Edit... The Vic Classic is VASTLY more useful, IMO.

I mean, I DO think the bug looks super cool. It just doesn't seem worth it.

This is exactly why I gave my Dragonfly 2 to my wife. For the kinds of small cutting jobs I encounter day to day, a small Vic like my Executive does the job just as well, and provides a lot more utility than a small dedicated folder.

I can see how there would be some situations where something like a Ladybug would be better, but I can't remember the last time my Exec or the small blade in my Squirt S4 was the only thing I had on hand and it wasn't sufficient.

That said, I like the blade profile of the Manbug more because of the extra belly it has, but in a knife that small, I doubt it's going to make a lot of difference. If I were to get another knife that small, I'd go for a Jester. I think the blade profile and the jimping it has for precision work is really well designed. The next time I have $60 - $70 to blow (yeah, riiiiiiight....) I'll think of picking one up!

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