Head-to-Head: Mnandi vs. Small Sebenza

T

TCRooster

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I am wondering what everyone, especially those who own and use both, thinks of this comparison.

The Mnandi is a hair smaller with a shorter blade, but functionally, is there that much difference? Has anyone who owns both ever been caught with only the Mnandi and thought, "If I only had my Small Sebbie with me, I'd be better off?"

I get that the Mnandi also has wood inlays, and might be deemed too fancy for EDC duty, but the Sebenza can be had with wood inlays as well.

I own an Umnumzaan, and have a Mnandi on the way for "dress" carry, but I am curious to see if the Mnandi can serve as my EDC "small" carry when the Umnumzaan might be too large. Or if the collective wisdom/experience of the forum would steer me towards a Small Sebenza to fill the gap.
 
The Mnandi is my favorite knife. I live in a big city and there's never been a occassion when I needed anything bigger for any cutting task. It's got a much thinner blade and is a better cutter/slicer. It weighs about half of what the small sebenza does. I don't think it's too fancy for EDC and I've never had any problems. One of the things I love about it is I can use it in public places and noone gives me a second look. Frankly my sebenzas don't even get carried anymore. It's very inconspicuous in the pocket due to the clip and does everything I need a knife to do and does it well.
 
A friend of mine is an avid hunter, and all he carries is a Mnandi for all of his field dressing chores, and it is his only EDC as well. Tough little knife. As for me, I like using a large Sebenza for 90% of my cutting tasks because of the way it fills my hand, and any Sebenza because of the security of the modest finger guard. I would say, however, that I carry an Mnandi as well for those times when I'm around sheeple in the office, and for really fine work.
 
I also live and work in a city/office environment. The Mnandi seems a lot more gentler on your clothes (using the clips) and seems easier to get out of the pocket than the Sebenza if that matters at all to you.
 
small sebenza feels like it can handle more. Size wise there is not really that much difference, but the mnandi just looks less threatening and is a very good slicer. It's more suited for an office/city environment if you ask me.

If I had to choose between throwing away a small sebenza or a mnandi... Hard choice, but I guess it would be the sebenza.

Never had the 'what if' scenario, but when in doubt, choose the bigger knife
 
any knife can be a edc, it's all about personal preference and what works for you. the wood inlays are pretty rugged
 
zyhano said:
small Sebenza feels like it can handle more. Size wise there is not really that much difference, but the Mnandi just looks less threatening and is a very good slicer. It's more suited for an office/city environment if you ask me...
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+1 :thumbup:

I favor the Mnandi for the same reasons - office friendy, handles all the ordinary tasks for which I need a knife every day, etc. The Sebenza is probably more rugged and is the one I carry when I'm around the house, running errands, or hiking. Hey, you can't lose either way, right?

- Mark
 
I own both and think very highly of the Mnandi and carry it at work for light duty tasks. If you frequently have to do heavy cutting or larger tasks, the Small Sebenza is definitely more sturdy and substantial. If your "dress" carry knife will only be used to open boxes, mail, trim loose strings, cut paper, etc., I think the Mnandi is more than enough for those duties.
 
This thread interests me since I hope to be in the market for either a small Sebenza or Mnandi soon.

Can the Mnandi be opened one handed? I don't see a thumb stud in photos and I like the option to open a knife one handed.
 
Easyrider said:
This thread interests me since I hope to be in the market for either a small Sebenza or Mnandi soon.

Can the Mnandi be opened one handed? I don't see a thumb stud in photos and I like the option to open a knife one handed.
Click to expand...

For me, it open as easily if not easier than the Small Sebenza. There is a nail nick that works quite well.
 
Very interesting feedback in this thread. Since my main uses M-F are office-related, and I don't mind carrying a larger knife off the clock and on weekends, it seems like the Mnandi will do for me!
 
TCRooster said:
I am wondering what everyone, especially those who own and use both, thinks of this comparison.

The Mnandi is a hair smaller with a shorter blade, but functionally, is there that much difference? Has anyone who owns both ever been caught with only the Mnandi and thought, "If I only had my Small Sebbie with me, I'd be better off?"

I get that the Mnandi also has wood inlays, and might be deemed too fancy for EDC duty, but the Sebenza can be had with wood inlays as well.

I own an Umnumzaan, and have a Mnandi on the way for "dress" carry, but I am curious to see if the Mnandi can serve as my EDC "small" carry when the Umnumzaan might be too large. Or if the collective wisdom/experience of the forum would steer me towards a Small Sebenza to fill the gap.
Click to expand...

In comparison with the small Sebenza, there is hardy anything in it. It has been mentioned already but the Sebbie does fill your hand better and that's about it. But, having said that, you can still get a fantastic grip on the Mnandi. The two blades have more or less the exact same cutting ability although it is a lot shallower on the Mnandi. To be fair, and in direct answer to your question I never though the Mnandi any lesser a knife in use than a small Sebenza so I couldn't see a situation where anyone could truthfully say that they wished they had a small Sebenza for an improved performance. To it's credit, it certainly carries lighter both in deep pocket or clipped with the pen like appearance. The main beauty is that it is built to the exact same quality as the Sebenza and even has the pivot bushing.

I'm not trying to blow my own trumpet, but if it helps you decide, I have a thread here where you can see the knives in hand and disassembled,

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484936

In fact, I fancy another small knife myself as I've been mainly gathering larger ones recently so I'm selling a large Sebenza to fund this new purchase and that sale should hopefully be sorted out by next week. If it all works out OK, I think I'll be buying a Mnandi :thumbup:

Mark
 
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Easyrider said:
This thread interests me since I hope to be in the market for either a small Sebenza or Mnandi soon.

Can the Mnandi be opened one handed? I don't see a thumb stud in photos and I like the option to open a knife one handed.
Click to expand...

I wondered the same thing before I bought one. You can. For me it's not as easy as a studded knife but it's not hard either.

The nail indentation acts like a mini stud as that's where you put your thumb to open it.

If you have time watch youtube video. Search on mnandi and watch the cajunblaze one, he opens it one handed.

not sure this link will work but you can try:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t4PG1GFzOc
 
Fooj said:
A friend of mine is an avid hunter, and all he carries is a Mnandi for all of his field dressing chores, and it is his only EDC as well. Tough little knife. As for me, I like using a large Sebenza for 90% of my cutting tasks because of the way it fills my hand, and any Sebenza because of the security of the modest finger guard. I would say, however, that I carry an Mnandi as well for those times when I'm around sheeple in the office, and for really fine work.
Click to expand...

Please please please take photos of that Mnandi and post them? I love to see knives that have been used well and hard!
 
Bucky said:
I own both and think very highly of the Mnandi and carry it at work for light duty tasks. If you frequently have to do heavy cutting or larger tasks, the Small Sebenza is definitely more sturdy and substantial. If your "dress" carry knife will only be used to open boxes, mail, trim loose strings, cut paper, etc., I think the Mnandi is more than enough for those duties.
Click to expand...

I think an opinel would fit the bill for those tasks also xD! I'm only looking for a field knife and the small sebenza would be capable of everything the mnandi can tackle and more in my opinion.
 
I'd always go with my small sebenza. I like my mnandi, but I always feel underwhelmed when I carry it, even if I don't use it.

Maybe it's sebbie poisoning from all the times I've cut myself with it :-P
 
Head-to-head is a bit apples-to-oranges, as a comparison. I own multiples of each folder and they have different strengths and weaknesses.

For most purposes, the Mnandi is the knife of choice for me because of its ease of carry and ultra light weight. It does most cutting chores that I need it for. Fits in a shirt pocket, carries effortlessly in a pants pocket. The small sebbie is stronger, but a bit bulkier. An easy carry too.

The Mnandi opens very easily with one hand for me. Not much different than a small sypderco model.

I wear an XL or at least L glove, and the Mnandi is not too small for me.
 
@ the OP - how have you been finding the Mnandi as EDC? Have you gone small sebbie yet?

I have been carrying both (Mnandi and small Insingo Seb) for a few months now and have yet to encounter a time when I thought jeez I wish I had my seb or the other way around.

They both can handle probably 90% of what you need a knife to do....

I think it more comes down to personal style - if I'm wearing a dressier outfit I may be more likely to carry the Mnandi...

Edit: just took this pic for another thread - hope it can help w size... middle is a spyderco delica:

photo-20.jpg
 
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As they said.

The Mnandi is a beautiful, small, compact knife that will fit easily into many social and workplace situations, but I would never take one on the trail or use it for medium/heavy tasks.

The small Sebenza is a genuine tool, but if you go with a decorated or inlay version, it can usually make the transition from social/workplace situations to working/outdoor situations.
 
I have owned both the Mnandi and the Small Sebenza. I still have the Small Sebenza. The Mnandi is nice, but I could never get over what it costs for such a tiny knife.
 
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