Spyderco byte August 2023 - MBKLF / MBK / MBKW / MBKWBK / MFK390 / MYL - MANBUG®

Spyderco byte August 2023 - MBKLF / MBK / MBKW / MBKWBK / MFK390 / MYL - MANBUG®​

• MSRP: $83.00 - $111.50
• ORIGIN: Japan

Over the years, Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser has carried and used virtually every knife Spyderco has ever manufactured, as well as many prototypes and special models that never made it into production. Despite the wide array of knives available to him, truth be told, the one he carries most often is the Spyderco Ladybug®. First introduced in 1990 and designed by Sal himself, the Ladybug is our smallest locking folder design and, even after 30-plus years, one of our most popular models.

Anyone who has ever used a Ladybug knows that it cuts with authority far beyond its size. In addition to being a shining example of our “Little Big Knife™” concept, it is also a prominent exception to our genre-defining CLIPIT® knives, as it does not include our signature pocket clip. Instead, it is intended for in-the-pocket carry like a traditional pocketknife or, even better, attachment to a keychain.

Despite its many qualities, however, the Ladybug has two drawbacks. First, for users with larger hands, its handle can be challenging to grip firmly. And, for those with strong male egos, carrying a knife called a “Ladybug” might be an issue. To address both of those concerns, Sal, in his infinite wisdom, went back to the drawing board. The result of his efforts is the Manbug—an amazingly handy cutting tool that is more at home in larger hands while still fitting inconspicuously in a pocket or on a keychain.

The Manbug is exactly the same length as a Ladybug but boasts a wider blade that is also 25 percent thicker for increased strength and superior edge geometry. To house the more masculine blade, its handle dimensions were increased proportionally to a wider, easier-to-grip format. Introduced in 2012, the original version of the Manbug was a blend of traditional styling and modern materials. It featured stainless steel liners and bolsters and textured gray G-10 laminate scales. The full-flat-ground, modified clip point blade was meticulously crafted from VG-10 stainless steel to offer a balance of cutting performance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Although later discontinued, this version of the Manbug quickly validated the concept of the design and earned legions of loyal followers.

That same year, Spyderco also introduced a lightweight version of the Manbug that featured an injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle and Spyderco’s trademark Bi-Directional Texture™ pattern for a non-slip grip. Like its counterpart, it also had a VG-10 stainless steel blade, a full-flat grind, and a sturdy back lock mechanism with a Boye Dent. Although the Trademark Round Hole™ in the blade could be used for one-handed opening if you’re deft enough, for most people it provides a purchase for two-handed opening that is much more user friendly than a traditional nail nick.

Manbug Variations​

As the original Manbug Lightweight steadily gained popularity, it also inspired a number of unique variations. The first was a version optimized for steel aficionados that featured an ultra-high-carbon ZDP-189 blade and a British Racing Green handle. When this was later discontinued, we filled its void with a Manbug Lightweight that showcased high-performance K390 tool steel and the distinctive blue handle color of our K390 family. For knife users who appreciate the extreme versatility of a Wharncliffe blade, we added that blade profile in both a satin finish and a black titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coated finish.

More recently, we introduced both PlainEdge™ and SpyderEdge™ versions in VG-10 stainless steel with Spyderco’s ionic leaf-shaped profile. Last, but certainly not least, we created the Manbug Salt, which pairs a high-visibility yellow FRN handle with a hollow-ground sheepfoot blade and a fully serrated SpyderEdge cutting edge. Initially crafted from ultra-corrosion-resistant H-1 steel, it is now made with that material’s equally worthy successor, H-2.

Sprint Run™ Versions​

The Manbug Lightweight’s extreme popularity has also made it a natural canvas for limited-edition expressions of the design. To date, these have included three elite Sprint Runs with three-layer laminate blades: An Aogami Super Blue core with 402J1 outer layers and a gray FRN handle, a HAP40 core with SUS 410 outer layers and a burnt orange handle, and a V-Toku2 core with SUS310 cladding and a blue-gray handle. Produced in limited quantities, all three are now coveted collector’s items.

The Manbug redefines the concept of the pocketknife, offering an extremely capable, full-service cutting tool in an incredibly compact package. Based on its continued popularity, it is sure to be a mainstay of the Spyderco product line for many years to come.