Blackjack Mamba ii

M

mbkingshane

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Messages
1,152
Anybody know anything about these Blackjack Mamba ii knives. I'm looking for a new heavy chopper and stumbled across these at DLT trading. They certainly look the part of a great whacker. I have a bk9 and a Esse Junglas and am in search of a bigger, beastlier, meaner chopper. Not looking to get into the Busse price range though. Just not real familiar with this knife wondering if anybody knows anything bout them. Thanks!
 
All I know is I was in love with that model when I was younger. I even saw one that was styled with ivory of some kind and scrimshawed at a beautiful knife shop in Boston years ago. (90-91' maybe?)
 
ron_m80 said:
All I know is I was in love with that model when I was younger. I even saw one that was styled with ivory of some kind and scrimshawed at a beautiful knife shop in Boston years ago. (90-91' maybe?)
Click to expand...

Wow didn't know they where around that long. Thanks for the info!
 
I have a Simba that I got back in 1993 and the mamba has the exact same handle, no lanyard hole. The grips are thin and while it is a spectacular chopping knife it is a challenge holding on to it for a longer period of time. I would highly recommend using before buying if you could.
 
Boris74 said:
I have a Simba that I got back in 1993 and the mamba has the exact same handle, no lanyard hole. The grips are thin and while it is a spectacular chopping knife it is a challenge holding on to it for a longer period of time. I would highly recommend using before buying if you could.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
mbkingshane said:
Wow didn't know they where around that long. Thanks for the info!
Click to expand...

Just so you know, the Mamba II and the original Mamba are not the same blade profile. The II has a wider blade with a more pronounced belly. That's not to say that the II is not a good knife....I like mine. But I prefer the profile of the I.

Quick model list run through:

Original Mamba, Blackjack Knives
http://blackjack.0catch.com/pages/mamba.htm

Remade Mamba, called Evolution I, Bark River (mentioned in above link)

New Mamba, Mamba II, Bark River

The Mamba and Evo I, basically same design. Mamba II, different blade profile.

Be advised two things: a lot of the original Mambas were stainless, all made in Japan. Also, per Mike Stewart, the Japanese factory apparently continued to put out stainless Mambas after the model was discontinued by Blackjack....not fakes so much as "unauthorized". Essentially same knife, but don't pay any kind of collector price. Pull the scales; if the tang says "Japan", you have a stainless....probably won't be able to tell if it's "official" unless you have the box it came in.

Very few "black Mambas", officially all CS-51 and all made in U.S. However, I have one that says "Japan" on the tang. Always pull the scales. Caveat emptor.

Just my opinion, but if you want a chopper, you want either the CS-51 original (US made) or the A2 Evo I.....if you want the earlier design.

The A2 Mamba II will serve you just fine as a chopper.
 
BlackKnight86 said:
Just so you know, the Mamba II and the original Mamba are not the same blade profile. The II has a wider blade with a more pronounced belly. That's not to say that the II is not a good knife....I like mine. But I prefer the profile of the I.

Quick model list run through:

Original Mamba, Blackjack Knives
http://blackjack.0catch.com/pages/mamba.htm

Remade Mamba, called Evolution I, Bark River (mentioned in above link)

New Mamba, Mamba II, Bark River

The Mamba and Evo I, basically same design. Mamba II, different blade profile.

Be advised two things: a lot of the original Mambas were stainless, all made in Japan. Also, per Mike Stewart, the Japanese factory apparently continued to put out stainless Mambas after the model was discontinued by Blackjack....not fakes so much as "unauthorized". Essentially same knife, but don't pay any kind of collector price. Pull the scales; if the tang says "Japan", you have a stainless....probably won't be able to tell if it's "official" unless you have the box it came in.

Very few "black Mambas", officially all CS-51 and all made in U.S. However, I have one that says "Japan" on the tang. Always pull the scales. Caveat emptor.

Just my opinion, but if you want a chopper, you want either the CS-51 original (US made) or the A2 Evo I.....if you want the earlier design.

The A2 Mamba II will serve you just fine as a chopper.
Click to expand...

Wow lots of info, thanks!
 
You're welcome!

The Mamba is a gorgeous knife....one of my favorites ever since the originals came out. I failed to buy when they were first in my beloved Brigade Quartermaster catalog, ages ago. Acquired 3 stainless ones while I was learning both about Mambas and knives in general. I didn't hesitate when Mike Stewart brought back the Mamba in the form of the Evo I.....wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. Then, I lucked out and got an original first run CS-51. Buying a Mamba II made my family complete!

It's a big camp knife; and there are plenty less expensive ones that will serve you just as well. But if you like the look/design, Bark River's A2 Mamba II will do you justice. If you want to go original, look for an Evo I (although you may start to get into Busse territory with the price of those). If you want an original original, then make sure the tang does not say "Japan" (unless you want stainless). That will almost definitely be Busse territory, price-wise.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top