Damascus - is this normal?

All new Mnandis are like this. Oddly enough, they don't do it on Sebenzas.

This particular one comes out a little too much. Normally it is visible when the blade is half open but not when it is locked. Either way, I am not buying new damascus Mnandis anymore because of this.
 
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I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. There's no way I could live with that...contact CRK or ask for your money back. I'm also disappointed to hear this is standard practice now. Especially since I was thinking about picking up my first Mnandi and Damascus was a consideration of mine.
 
jvo300 said:
CRK service reiterates that this is normal. Upon closer inspection of knives online it appears that this is somewhat normal. They don't etch the part around the pivot. Unfortunately, it appears on some knives that it's much more obvious and/or cleanly done than others. This is not what I expect in a premium item either in terms of product build or service. Spent over 500 clams and the blade isn't even centered. Thus ends my interest in CRK.
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Send it back. There's no reason to spend that amount of money on a production knife and be unhappy with what you get.
 
As one of CRK's newest enthusiasts, and one who has posted many times about how much I love their products... I have to agree with my fellow members!! Especially since I also have never heard or read of a complaint about the "gritty" sound or feel when opening a Mnandi or any other model for that matter with one of these beautiful Damascus blades!!! As we all know these knifes are not inexpensive! Especially if you opt for the Damascus blade!! Sometimes the old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" really applies. And in this case it really ring's true. As for the few comments about having someone etch the area in question I think that although that could be an option, it would be ridiculous to have to have this done to a new knife! (IMHO)
So, in closing another long post. If it were my knife I would be very unhappy!! Lets face it.. that is butt ugly and I am sorry to say not what I would expect from CRK!! My vote which I am sure doesn't matter is to return to the old "gritty" design! :thumbup:
All the best, Dave
 
Yes this is normal on several of the damascus CRK that I have owned. The blades are acid etched thus bringing out the layers of steel. The top layer is etched just like the rest of it of course. Since its completely flat, it does not take long for the etching to wear in the area where the blade is constantly rubbed. I never found it to be an issue and never contacted CRK about it because to me, it was obvious as to what caused it and why. Some seem to do it more than others, I always figured due to different lots of steel or the fact that every blade is indeed different. I have noticed this more on the mnandi than I have with the sebenza. All were SS Damascus.........For those asking freaking out reading this and wondering if the rest of the blade will do that, I will say I have used several CRK damascus blades for edc and have used them to cut some pretty tough stuff and the blades never ever lightened or rubbed in the cutting areas. I am sure many others have used their damascus blades far more than I and can elaborate on some more extensive experience. I do plan on getting a large 21 with a damascus blade and using it for full blown edc so I can use and experiment with it. Just kinda in a fun lately due to losing a large 21 dog paws.
 
Wow, I would in no way be pleased with that knife.

I understand the reasoning behind it, but dang!

I would email CRK a picture of the knife and ask that they make it right.
 
nyefmaker said:
Yes this is normal on several of the damascus CRK that I have owned. The blades are acid etched thus bringing out the layers of steel. The top layer is etched just like the rest of it of course. Since its completely flat, it does not take long for the etching to wear in the area where the blade is constantly rubbed. I never found it to be an issue and never contacted CRK about it because to me, it was obvious as to what caused it and why.
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No .... not in the case of the new Mnandis. As I and a few other indicated .... this is a new practice of CRK (which began last year) where they intentionally do not etch the area around the pivot on the Mnandi. Because of the shape of the handle, the non-etched area is visible (in some cases, much more than in others) with the blade is in certain positions (and usually quite visible on the lock side of the blade). It's not caused by wear.
 
gastonian said:
Wow, I would in no way be pleased with that knife.

I understand the reasoning behind it, but dang!

I would email CRK a picture of the knife and ask that they make it right.
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Herein lies the problem ... there is nothing to make right. That's the way they do it now.
 
masterserg said:
Herein lies the problem ... there is nothing to make right. That's the way they do it now.
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I haven't seen other new damascus mnandis but, if this is the norm for CRK I think they are in need of a serious process improvement. For a knife of this quality and price sloppiness such as this should be a problem and should be fixed. I can think of more than couple ways to polish the area without much added labor.
 
I was in the market for a damascus mnandi, but not after seeing this. This is a strange omission for such a detailed orientated company, and I'm too OC to accept this visible area of missing etching. My large seb damascus has the washer area unetched also, but in no way it's visible in normal operation.
 
Bingo. Serg hit the nail on the head ..... nothing to make right. Only recourse is for OP to return to dealer (if from a dealer) and hope a return is allowed. The degree of the "problem" (my term) seems to vary among Mnandis. The only constant is that the non-etched portion is almost always (or most) visible on the lockbar side. Here are some pics of my only Damascus Mnandi made after the procedure change. This one was made in August 2013.

MnandiGEBWeave9.jpg


As you can see in this next pic, the non-etched portion is visible. Not as much as in the OP's, but that is because the pic is taken more from a back to front orientation. It is actually a little more visible than the picture depicts.

MnandiGEBWeave10.jpg


Different views showing the same thing:

Front side:

MnandiGEBWeave6.jpg


Lockbar side:

MnandiGEBWeave5.jpg


Frankly, I would have returned the knife to the dealer and accepted the restocking fee .... but I liked the darn Ebony inlays too much! But, as I said, I will not purchase another Damascus Mnandi as long as this procedure continues.
 
Not nice! I agree! I wouldn't like too.
But someone can explain me the way they do?
Damascus is a "simple" process, you spoke of "etched". Sorry but this time my knowledge of the English language does not help me.
 
Wow.. that is a beautiful Ebony inlay!! And the Basket Damascus is eye popping!! But I'm with you on this one Dennis!! For a knife that cost as much as I am sure yours did.. there is no excuse or reason for this "flaw". IMHO.
All the best, Dave
 
I had an full immersion lesson on Etching :D
Awful decision to mask that area.
I am going to check my damascus mnandi and wouldn't buy one in this way

Checked all my damascus is before 2013 :D
I beg your pardon for the OT
 
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I wonder if they are overrun with orders and cannot take the time anymore. I always predict this with well made products, they eventually get noticed, get too many orders and then get swamped with work and this is where quality slips.
 
I'll have to take my Mnandi down tonight and see what it looks like but . . . I find it hard to imagine CRK releases knives that look like that. If they were going to mask off the pivot area I'd expect them to use circular masking tape punches of the correct diameter, not what looks like poorly done handwork. I know 3M makes tapes explicitly for this purpose. The un-etched portion should be just large enough for the washer, not run out into the blade area.
 
I want to give a update on the knife. First, thanks to everyone who commented here. It makes me feel better knowing that others share the same concerns. At the very least, we are shedding more light on this issue which certainly appears contentious.

The dealer was kind enough to offer a refund. Big props due here and I would recommend these folks without hesitation. As to CRK, I'm still at a loss for how they approached this issue. I received two emails that effectively stated the reason why this is normal. Nevermind the glaring ugliness of my particular example -- the worst I've seen anywhere. They should have chalked this up to poor QC and offered to remedy the situation. They did not. Hence, they offered neither a premium product nor premium service.
 
It's not only for the washers. I guess they do not want the detent ball to run over the pattern.
 
Ok , everyone with an ugly, can't live with it Manandi , send me an" I hate it, I want it gone price" and I'll try to take it off your hands, Please, Thanks, Bart
 
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