3rd Gen Mnandi is dropping.

I am not so sure about the hole and the damascus blade. I just pull the trigger on a box elder raindrop. I love my generation 1 which is easy to open one handed. I heard the damascus is easier to open than the plain ss blade.
 
kidcongo said:
I may be wrong, but we are dealing with CRK, not the Kremlin. I’m pretty sure they just wanted to change the design to refresh an old product. They have no problem at all reverting to a previous design, as they did when they discontinued the Regular and brought out the same Sebenza they were selling before the Regular was supposed to take over as the the flagship.

I swear every single time CRK makes any change at all, this forum explodes with these opinions:

“they are cutting costs”
“this is a change for the worse”
“this is a cover up!”
“this is to simplify production”

However, these things don’t seem to hold water in the long run. I sympathize with the people at CRK. Their fans say “we want new stuff” and then when they change anything the fans say “we hate these changes!”

It’s a funny crowd here, but I like it all the same. The important thing is to be self-aware. When CRK announced any changes, just take a few deep breaths and say “it is my duty to hate this, as I am a CRK fan”.

All the best everyone. Personally I love the new Mnandi, but won’t be buying one until the Large Mnandi arrives.
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It amazing isn't it? It is one of the reasons I rarely come around this forum anymore. Conspiracy theories everywhere ;)
 
NCHunter78 said:
It amazing isn't it? It is one of the reasons I rarely come around this forum anymore. Conspiracy theories everywhere ;)
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At least Zuckerberg isn’t listening in! (Or is he).

Post some more pics of that gorgeous knife when you got a chance. Would love to see more.
 
kidcongo said:
I may be wrong, but we are dealing with CRK, not the Kremlin. I’m pretty sure they just wanted to change the design to refresh an old product. They have no problem at all reverting to a previous design, as they did when they discontinued the Regular and brought out the same Sebenza they were selling before the Regular was supposed to take over as the the flagship.

I swear every single time CRK makes any change at all, this forum explodes with these opinions:

“they are cutting costs”
“this is a change for the worse”
“this is a cover up!”
“this is to simplify production”

However, these things don’t seem to hold water in the long run. I sympathize with the people at CRK. Their fans say “we want new stuff” and then when they change anything the fans say “we hate these changes!”

It’s a funny crowd here, but I like it all the same. The important thing is to be self-aware. When CRK announced any changes, just take a few deep breaths and say “it is my duty to hate this, as I am a CRK fan”.

All the best everyone. Personally I love the new Mnandi, but won’t be buying one until the Large Mnandi arrives.
Click to expand...
I agree with your basic point, that people tend to overreact and interpret CRK's changes in a negative light. Maybe I've done that here, but I do wonder why CRK would have gone from a nail nick to a hole. The idea that it's easier to machine makes sense to me.

But maybe that's not correct. I'm definitely not an expert on machining or on CRK knives. For example, I didn't know that they reverted to previous design before. If there's a different reason the hole is better than the original nail nick, I'd love to know what it is.
 
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emptym said:
I agree with your basic point, that people tend to overreact and interpret CRK's changes in a negative light. Maybe I've done that here, but I do wonder why CRK would have gone from a nail nick to a hole. The idea that it's easier to machine makes sense to me.

But maybe that's not correct. I'm definitely not an expert on machining or on CRK knives. For example, I didn't know that they reverted to previous design before. If there's a different reason the hole is better than the original nail nick, I'd love to know what it is.
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I’d like to know as well. CRK, to their benefit or detriment, never says anything, which is why we all speculate so much. I will admit the speculation keeps the forum interesting.
 
Yeah, and part of it is I think part of it comes from peoples love and respect for CRK. Their knives often top "best of" lists, and they and their customers tend to be motivated by "the relentless pursuit of excellence." When I first got that Mnandi, I thought it was otherworldly: so light, so solid, so well made.
 
In response to a question on the Facebook CRK Fanpage, Tim said:

"We aren't touting this as an innovation rather trying a new design at a feature that was the single most complained about thing on the Mnandi. And how would this be a move to up our bottom line? I'm at risk of many people canceling orders. Plus Chris has never been happy with the various nail nicks, nor have most of us that have worked on it. Chris suggested this back in 2016 and is very happy with how it turned out. Ive got no problem if you don't like it, that's your opinion and that feedback is valuable to me. Accusations that this is purely a money grab is just unfounded. I am terribly sorry to disappoint you."

Overall, it sounds like to me that this is something that the CRK team (even Chris for all you "I wish Chris still was still there people") decided to try. I think they understand that not everyone is going to like it but it might actually bring some new buyers to the Mnandi (there's one in my pocket now). And if it doesn't work out, they can always go back to the 1st gen or 2nd gen...or maybe something new altogether.
 
kidcongo said:
I may be wrong, but we are dealing with CRK, not the Kremlin. I’m pretty sure they just wanted to change the design to refresh an old product. They have no problem at all reverting to a previous design, as they did when they discontinued the Regular and brought out the same Sebenza they were selling before the Regular was supposed to take over as the the flagship.

I swear every single time CRK makes any change at all, this forum explodes with these opinions:

“they are cutting costs”
“this is a change for the worse”
“this is a cover up!”
“this is to simplify production”

However, these things don’t seem to hold water in the long run. I sympathize with the people at CRK. Their fans say “we want new stuff” and then when they change anything the fans say “we hate these changes!”

It’s a funny crowd here, but I like it all the same. The important thing is to be self-aware. When CRK announced any changes, just take a few deep breaths and say “it is my duty to hate this, as I am a CRK fan”.

All the best everyone. Personally I love the new Mnandi, but won’t be buying one until the Large Mnandi arrives.
Click to expand...

Yep, this. :thumbsup:

The CRK Uncle Randys are a pretty striking bunch. Frankly, all the changes, updates, and minor alterations to the CRK lineup over the last few years have all been improvements. Better heat treatment and steel upgrades, better clip placement, pivot systems, you name it. And yes, I have had the older 21s, the 25s, etc. They weren't better. CRK is doing its best work yet and is continually working to improve. They definitely deserve better than the sour grapes that a lot of folks love to dish out.
 
halden.doerge said:
Yep, this. :thumbsup:

The CRK Uncle Randys are a pretty striking bunch. Frankly, all the changes, updates, and minor alterations to the CRK lineup over the last few years have all been improvements. Better heat treatment and steel upgrades, better clip placement, pivot systems, you name it. And yes, I have had the older 21s, the 25s, etc. They weren't better. CRK is doing its best work yet and is continually working to improve. They definitely deserve better than the sour grapes that a lot of folks love to dish out.
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I also recognize CRK (post Chris :eek:) has specifically targeted long-standing complaints and addressed many of them.

-Higher heat treat
-One-handed Mnandi
-Clip hotspot on Sebenza 25 (now inkosi with angled clip)
-CRK slip joint added to line up
-New steel coming for fixed blades (3V)
-Better packaging after a few bad packaging ideas
-New steel on the way for folders (s45VN)
-Better sharpness outta the box
-Revised website that works great
-Parts available without sending the knife in
-More Micarta colours
-Janky late-period DT raindrop replaced with CN raindrop
-Pacific and GB with NO Serrations
-Redesign of 21 to 31 with one-piece inlays and no locating hole

People asked for all of these things for years. Now we got ‘em and we still unhappy o_O:rolleyes:.

The only thing they owe me is that Large Mnandi!!!

Then I’ll be happy I promise.
 
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kidcongo said:
I also recognize CRK (post Chris :eek:) has specifically targeted long-standing complaints and addressed many of them.

Higher heat treat
One-handed Mnandi
Clip hotspot on Sebenza 25 (now inkosi with angled clip)
CRK slip joint added to line up
New steel coming
Better packaging after a few bad packaging ideas
New steel on the way (s45VN)
Better sharpness outta the box
Revised website that works great
Part available without sending the knife in
More Micarta colours
Janky late-period DT raindrop replaced with CN raindrop
Pacific and GB with NO Serrations
Redesign of 21 to 31 with one-piece inlays and no locating hole

People asked for all of these things for years. Now we got ‘em and we still unhappy o_O:rolleyes:.

The only thing they owe me is that Large Mnandi!!!

Then I’ll be happy I promise.
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That and the Medium Sebenza. :D
 
kidcongo said:
I’d be interested to see the end result of a Mnandi knife attack. “Inspector......we have located the weapon.......it was left inside the victim.....we didn’t find it until the autopsy”
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I'll be damned if I'm leaving my $400+ knife inside some stiff!! :o :D
 
loon#r said:
Camel Thorne looks great. Remember the giraffe bone mnandis of years ago? Those were stunning as well.

Thanks kidcongo kidcongo for beginning this thread.
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I do remember the Giraffe bone. Had a chance to buy one twice but never did. Kinda falls into the same realm as the regulars did. Nobody thought anything would change or get discontinued. Then all of a sudden... Bam. And even when discontinued it took a couple years for them to dry up. Now you rarely see a 1st gen mnandi for sale. Used to be $300 any day of the week. Same as Large annuals being available for $400 literally everyday of the week. Now 2st gen mnandi are easily triple that and annuals are around $2k now. I will say it’s been amazing to see first hand over these many years as CRK has changed before my eyes
 
kidcongo said:
I also recognize CRK (post Chris :eek:) has specifically targeted long-standing complaints and addressed many of them.

-Higher heat treat
-One-handed Mnandi
-Clip hotspot on Sebenza 25 (now inkosi with angled clip)
-CRK slip joint added to line up
-New steel coming
-Better packaging after a few bad packaging ideas
-New steel on the way (s45VN)
-Better sharpness outta the box
-Revised website that works great
-Parts available without sending the knife in
-More Micarta colours
-Janky late-period DT raindrop replaced with CN raindrop
-Pacific and GB with NO Serrations
-Redesign of 21 to 31 with one-piece inlays and no locating hole

People asked for all of these things for years. Now we got ‘em and we still unhappy o_O:rolleyes:.

The only thing they owe me is that Large Mnandi!!!

Then I’ll be happy I promise.
Click to expand...

Best comment. Also, people that talk about how great some of the older limited runs were are right. They are great. But they should look at some of the current special editions. The top 2 knives in this pic are very recent, and are both highly sought after.

58380956_2875117612528416_320252973705854976_o.jpg
 
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Lone_Wolfe said:
Best comment. Also, people that talk about how great some of the older limited runs were are right. They are great. But they should look at some of the current special editions. The top 2 knives in this pic are very resent, and are both highly sought after.

View attachment 1490028
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That umnumzaan is nothing short of insane.

Did anyone here pick up one of them meteorite inkosis? Can’t remember......some sort of crystalline handle material or something.
 
kidcongo said:
That umnumzaan is nothing short of insane.

Did anyone here pick up one of them meteorite inkosis? Can’t remember......some sort of crystalline handle material or something.
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Carboquartz. One of the guys on facebook has one, not sure if he's here. I got to handle it, it's really cool.
 
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