Spyderco Manbug FRN Plain Edge Knife, Black

Just a Little Less "Delicate" Lady Bug
Saul Glesser, the owner/designer at Spyderco, must be a perfectionist, because to me it is a toss-up between the Ladybug (Spyderco Labybug 3 Plain Edge Knife, Foliage Green) and the Manbug. No, neither knife has any obvious gender orientation and one does not look more "manly" or "ladylike" than the other (setting aside handle color, of course). But I guess since Glesser gave his original "key chain knife" a "cutesy-pie" name it gave him an opportunity to riff on that name with the "Manbug." If you think "Manbug" is going to transform the key chain Ladybug into a Ramboesque, but still key chain, knife ... well, you take advertising copy way too seriously.

True, the blade is wider on the Manbug than on the Ladybug, and so is the handle, but the only important issue is whether the Spydie hole is sufficiently large enough to open the blade one-handed. Yes, it is; but it's also large enough on the current...
A nice small knife.
I really wanted to like this knife more than I do and perhaps I would had I not purchased a Ladybug 3 FRN H1 Hawkbill for my wife at the same time. First, the pros: The knife is small and discreet while still maintaining a decent blade length, it is sharp (as are all Spyderco knives) and it comes in a standard color, unlike the Ladybug mentioned above. Now the cons: The Manbug simply does not perform as well as the Ladybug for many of the cutting tasks knives this small are used for. This is almost certainly due to the blade geometry and the standard uses for a sub-2" blade. Ultimately, unless you are using the knife for food prep or something requiring a plain edge, the hawkbill provides a better cutting surface for zipping through boxes, cables, rope, fabric and seat belts (ok, I have not had the opportunity to try it on seat belts).

Nonetheless, the knife is sharp, well-built and useful for any small task where a plan edge, standard geometry blade is useful; so,...
Fantastic EDC
This has been my new favorite EDC ever since I got it. It's large enough to perform most tasks with ease and small enough to keep on a key ring or front pocket.

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