Arno Bernard iMamba praise

And just like that I was one of the cool kids!!!!

Plain iMamba non-flipper on bearings. Superb ergos and build quality, and the action on this is just insane!!!

This thing is the PERFECT fidget toy!

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Welcome to the tribe!!
 
I just received the above (RBB2), except with flipper. I tend to prefer solid Ti, but occasionally with flush CF inlay, around the inlay circumference at least. All nice and exacting inlay work clearly evident. In spite of that I'm pondering ordering the Elforyn model. Flipper delete option for sure.
Does anyone have experience with the PB washer option, good or bad, especially in regard to flipping?
 
Does anyone have experience with the PB washer option, good or bad, especially in regard to flipping?
I have one on washers, although I also asked for it to be a flipper delete model so I have no experience with trying to flip it. I really like the washers - they are smooth and the knife is easy to open one-handed. Very CRK-like. I do think it’s too tight to try to flip on washers though - they seem best suited for a slow thumb roll.
 
Been thinking about a thumbstub on my iMamba (bearings), I just wanna slow roll it open, not flip it.

Got a BM Griptillian and the smaller Bugout thumbstubs which both thread into each other so no press fit, etc. Got carbide drills and endmills to make the hole.

My worry is placement on the blade, should I put it where it 'looks' good when the knife is closed? Or try and figure out where it would 'feel' best when opening?

Any input or criticism is appreciated.
 
Been thinking about a thumbstub on my iMamba (bearings), I just wanna slow roll it open, not flip it.

Got a BM Griptillian and the smaller Bugout thumbstubs which both thread into each other so no press fit, etc. Got carbide drills and endmills to make the hole.

My worry is placement on the blade, should I put it where it 'looks' good when the knife is closed? Or try and figure out where it would 'feel' best when opening?

Any input or criticism is appreciated.
If it were me I would pick up one of those Kwik screw on thumb studs so you can experiment with position before you commit. Thumb stud position can be a very personal thing to have it where it looks good and still lets you open the blade easily. Those Kwik studs screw on and off without damaging anything so you can get the position just where you like it before drilling.

-M
 
I am just over a week in to my personal journey with the iMamba, and so far I am quite impressed. I have posted elsewhere my initial impressions, but I think I have used it enough now to expand on that a bit.

The iMamba is often compared to a CRK, and I suppose for some good reason; but they aren't all that similar in reality. Sure they are both South African to an extent, both are titanium frame locks, and have a somewhat similar profile - but that is a bit of a stretch really. I think that the iMamba should be taken with it's own merits in mind, the more I carry mine, the less I find it much like a CRK at all.

The action has remained very consistent, I haven't had anything even close to a reason to disassemble the knife (and honestly am not really looking forward to doing so); I have blown it out with a can of compressed air; but everything has remained gunk free and the knife continues to flip fantastically.

I haven't abused the knife, but it has been used fairly extensively to cut cardboard (thin and heavy duty/3 ply), lunch, rope, and plastic and the edge is still shaving sharp. I haven't even needed to strop it just yet, so I can't say that the RWL34 hasn't impressed me. I know that it is essentially CPM 154/Damasteel - which I don't have any analogues to compare that with (I have plenty of 154 CM).

The titanium does seem to be a little more likely to pick up snail trails than my CRK knives, but that could all be subjective - it has been awhile since I had a new plain jane to compare that with.

Either way, this knife is a winner so far in my book!


 
Been thinking about a thumbstub on my iMamba (bearings), I just wanna slow roll it open, not flip it.

Got a BM Griptillian and the smaller Bugout thumbstubs which both thread into each other so no press fit, etc. Got carbide drills and endmills to make the hole.

My worry is placement on the blade, should I put it where it 'looks' good when the knife is closed? Or try and figure out where it would 'feel' best when opening?

Any input or criticism is appreciated.
I can open mine (rollers) with my thumb and an opposing finger. It's easy, once you work out the coordination.
 
I have the desert iron wood version. Love the aesthetics and fit and finish is first rate. On the other hand, the pocket clip is a little pokey. In my opinion it would be better if it was 1/2" - 3/4" shorter. And please ditch the loose bearings. There's just no reason for that when high quality caged bearings are readily available.
 
I have the desert iron wood version. Love the aesthetics and fit and finish is first rate. On the other hand, the pocket clip is a little pokey. In my opinion it would be better if it was 1/2" - 3/4" shorter. And please ditch the loose bearings. There's just no reason for that when high quality caged bearings are readily available.
I believe they are already implementing this (not the pocket clip). Their site now shows the iMambas are available with PB washers or caged ceramic bearings.
 
If it were me I would pick up one of those Kwik screw on thumb studs so you can experiment with position before you commit. Thumb stud position can be a very personal thing to have it where it looks good and still lets you open the blade easily. Those Kwik studs screw on and off without damaging anything so you can get the position just where you like it before drilling.
Great idea!

Got one coming.
 
So, question. Does anyone have an Elforyn variant or any other knife in Elorfyn (CRK comes to mind). How does the material hold up? Isn’t it supposed to be man made synthetic replacement for ivory? I’m strongly considering a non flipper with caged bearings.
 
Those bolt on thumb studs look goofy as heck but they function nicely. Gave me a good idea of what it would feel like and where I want to put it.

Thanks again for the idea celticrogues.
"
Picture of the bolt on thumb stud and the position of the BM Bugout thumb stud I'm gonna put on (when my 4mm carbide endmill arrives, thought the BM would be 3/16).

After looking into this little project, I've realized very few thumb studs protrude beyond the scale thickness. Just a thought.
 

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Got my thumb stud in my iMamba, I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Center drill, then 1/8" twist drill, then 4mm (.157") endmill. All carbide.

Bugout thumbstud works very well, now I can thumb slow roll or thumb flick 🤟


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bermo bermo that placement looks great!
Thanks! I used that Kwik stud you mentioned and the first time I opened it just felt right. Knew I was on the right path.

Placement was part function / part looks because it had to look like it was supposed to be there, and it had to feel right.

To be honest, I was a bit nervy drilling into a relatively brand new knife. :oops:
 
Haha, ya know I'm not sure why Arno Bernard did the whole lowercase "i" thing. I thought it was pretty weird too. But... That's the only thing I think is weird about it and usually there's atleast two or more things per knife that I think is weird, so that's a good sign.
Thanks man, yea she sure is a beaut and I think I got lucky with a really nice looking inlay. The way they were sold you can see each one individually, so I was lucky to be able to choose between about 10 of them. I highly recommend it!
I speak the African clicking language isiZulu. In the language many nouns have an i prefix. (e.g. coffee = ikhofi). It doesn't necessarily have to be lower-higher case. The South African black mamba is the most dangerous snake in the world. In English we call it a mamba, and correctly in isiZulu we say imamba. Oh, for the Americans, it's pronounced ee-mum-buh! [/i 'məm ,bə/] and definitely not eye-mam-ba!
 
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