Great Score or Just a Convincing Fake Mnandi?

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crowmagnon

crowmagnon

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Oct 29, 2010
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Hi guys,

I've been trying to figure out if this is a counterfeit or an older Mnandi I got on eBay...
The seller said he thought it was a fake, but the description led me to believe he wasn't much of a knife expert and may be mistaken.

Having owned multiple CRKs, I thought I would know right away, but I'm stumped lol.

Here are my observations:

+blasted lockbar and cutouts like the real deal
+centered, smooth, and solid with a nice detent
+The wood doesn't look like the cheapo variety
+It weighs 45g with the clip, which is what I've seen on several dealers' sites

-It just doesn't scream "$400 knife"
-The pivot screw is a larger bit size than standard CRK
-One inlay popped out when I took it apart, but it's used so who knows...


Please let me know what you think!
Mnandi2_zps34288c4c.jpg
Mnandi1_zps91a37c2f.jpg
Mnandi5_zps0069c172.jpg
Mnandi4_zpsc8c776f8.jpg
Mnandi3_zpsa98603cf.jpg
 
Definitely a fake- The inlays are shaped by hand judging by the inconsistency of the contours. (3rd pic down)
CRK mills their inlays. Perfect fit as you would expect. (look how the light is reflected off of the different surfaces)
Is that a crack on the logo side to the right of the logo?
 
The clip is messed up too.
The "C" in CRK logo isn't perfect.
For whatever reason, I thought the clip on a mnandi was Ti...This appears to be a carbon steel judging by the pitting.

Finish on the Ti slab of the clip side is also not up to snuff..Looks pitted or has scale on it. It's texture isn't consistent.
 
I saw this on the bay a short while ago. It even said in the listing that it was a fake. Makes me sick to see this.
 
delkhouri said:
I am curious as to why you say that? I don't disagree, I am just looking for an explanation for my own education.
Click to expand...

Most of the main and obvious points whave been covered by Bhyde already..... The knife has a rather low level of finish that you don't see on CRKs, you can see clear machine marks, uneven chamfers/bevels and it's generally covered in surface working marks of some sort. The inlays, as mentioned, are finished by hand or at least finished crudely but they are also thicker than the orginal Mnandis's inlays and the liners are also thicker than the original. The overall clip shape is off, as is the placing and execution of the logo. The blade finish and grind are also not right along with the nail nick and jimping..........it just aint' a CRK. :)
 
I just found a listing for this exact counterfeit on a site for $65, so now I'm convinced.
 
When the inlay came out that was all the evidence you needed. You need a real one to see what all the fuss is about.
 
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