Deciding on a Mnandi..

Django606

Django606

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I've decided to buy a Mnandi, and with no real way of seeing one in person before I buy it, I've been looking for various online dealers that take pictures of each actual knife for sale, unlike New Graham (which is a great site nonetheless) which just has the same old pictures for each knife.

So far I've found Plaza Cutlery and True North Knives, does anyone know of any others? They don't seem to get new ones in very often.

I'm also having trouble deciding on which wood to get. I know this is more personal opinion, but does anyone have any reccomendations? I don't really like the very very light woods like box elder, or the very dark woods like ebony. Do all Mnandis come with the leather slipcase, or only the premium wood ones? The premium woods are box elder, snakewood, (camelthorn?), right?

Any help is appreciated.
 
There are lots of online shops selling Mnandi's. As you've already mentioned them, I'd just like to add that I have had good trades with the folk at New Graham, Plaza, TNK and knifeart.

Another couple of shops with a good range of knives to give you an idea are,

http://onlyfineknives.com/

http://www.myknifedealer.com/cgi-bin/webstore/shop.cgi?c=start.htm&t=main.htm&storeid=1

As for woods, if you're looking for a medium shade, I would recommend the Snakewood. Here's an example of one :)

Snakewood.jpg


Mark
 
Django, sorry we do not take pics of every individual knife for sale. With over 3700 items offered, my webmaster would kill me if I asked him to shoot each individual knife (that would take the web site picture count to over 20,000 easily). I recognize there are differences in wood grains and colors, bone coloration, jigging patterns and even differences in G-10 and CF.....we will gladly work with the customer if there is a specific pattern or coloration they desire.
Regards, Mike
 
Thanks for the responses everyone.

Michael Dye said:
Django, sorry we do not take pics of every individual knife for sale. With over 3700 items offered, my webmaster would kill me if I asked him to shoot each individual knife (that would take the web site picture count to over 20,000 easily). I recognize there are differences in wood grains and colors, bone coloration, jigging patterns and even differences in G-10 and CF.....we will gladly work with the customer if there is a specific pattern or coloration they desire.
Regards, Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike, I understand that you can't take a picture of each individual knife with such a large stock. I've made four or five purchases at NGK and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I'll take a look again and see what/how many of each knife you have in stock and maybe send an email with my preferences.

Could anyone list the various 'premium' woods?

Thanks.
 
What does everyone think of Lignum Vitae? I read on Plaza Cutlery that it turns green with time? Sounds like they could develop a lot of character. Has anyone had this experience?
 
I've had a Bark River with Lignum Vitae for a few years and it is still the original colour--although it is not exposed to the sun much. The grain is nice although fairly subtle.
I went for the African Blackwood Mnandi, also a subtle grain but I liked the contrast between the dark brown wood and the polished titanium and blade.
I bought it from NewGraham and it arrived in Australia in about 8 days.
I do like the look of the Mesquite Burl too.
Greg
 
I bought a box elder Mnandi and I love it. Light wood with lots of character. The Mnandi is actually quite small and although it is in the EDC rotation, got to admit I use the small sebenza(s) most of all.

The Mnandi I bought did not come with a small leather pouch; you can buy them directly from CR for $16 or get a small leather case from that auction site.

I see 82nd Airborne weighed in on this thread; buy from him, John has fair prices and great service. Just don't try and haggle ;)
 
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