How do we like the Bog Oak Mnandi?

Macchina

Macchina

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Apr 7, 2006
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The last time I checked, the most common Mnandi was Ebony I believe, but it looks like they are all Bog Oak now. This seems to be a relatively new development.

Are these a new offering or did I just miss them before? Any reports? I heard it's pretty hard stuff, is it durable in your experience? I think I like the look of solid color wood (like Ebony) a bit better or would wood (like snakewood) than the slight pattern that Bog has. Does it have more personality in person?

I have many Sebbies, an Inkosi, and an Umnumzaan. Looking to add my first Mnandi and it'll be a user.
 
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I haven't handled one but almost purchased one recently. It was originally ebony but the owner damaged the inlays. He sent it back to CRK and they replaced the Ebony inlays with Bog Wood. He said he liked the Bog Wood better because it had a bit more visible grain I couldn't see a lot of visible grain in the photos. I cant speak to the durability but according to this knifes owner, if you have your mnandi in a travel bag and your toiletry bag opens and soaks your inlays, a trip back to CRK will be required :)
 
CRK discontinued most of the wood inlays and are offering several new wood inlays not offered in the past like Bog Oak and Spalted Beech among others.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! I guess I'll have to get mine to see how they are in person... If anyone wants to share pictures, please do!
 
I have one. it seems to be holding up perfectly. On a side note, I appreciate the inlay being bog oak, reportedly 3,000 to 5,000 years old from a bog in Germany. It is my first mnandi.
 
rozzi said:
I have one. it seems to be holding up perfectly. On a side note, I appreciate the inlay being bog oak, reportedly 3,000 to 5,000 years old from a bog in Germany. It is my first mnandi.
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Glad you like it Rozzi. Where did you find that information on the big oak?

Thanks!

Andrew
 
Bog-wood, also known as abonos and morta, especially amongst pipesmokers is a material from trees that have been buried in peat bogs and preserved from decay by the acidic and anaerobic bog conditions, sometimes for hundreds or even thousands of years. The wood is usually stained brown by tannins dissolved in the acidic water. Bog-wood represents the early stages in the fossilisation of wood, with further stages ultimately forming jet, lignite and coal over a period of many millions of years. Bog-wood may come from any tree species naturally growing near or in bogs, including oak (Quercus – "bog oak"), pine (Pinus), yew (Taxus), swamp cypress (Taxodium) and kauri (Agathis). Bog-wood is often removed from fields and placed in clearance cairns. It is a rare form of timber that is claimed to be "comparable to some of the world's most expensive tropical hardwoods".
 
peterbright said:
Bog-wood, also known as abonos and morta, especially amongst pipesmokers is a material from trees that have been buried in peat bogs and preserved from decay by the acidic and anaerobic bog conditions, sometimes for hundreds or even thousands of years. The wood is usually stained brown by tannins dissolved in the acidic water. Bog-wood represents the early stages in the fossilisation of wood, with further stages ultimately forming jet, lignite and coal over a period of many millions of years. Bog-wood may come from any tree species naturally growing near or in bogs, including oak (Quercus – "bog oak"), pine (Pinus), yew (Taxus), swamp cypress (Taxodium) and kauri (Agathis). Bog-wood is often removed from fields and placed in clearance cairns. It is a rare form of timber that is claimed to be "comparable to some of the world's most expensive tropical hardwoods".
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Nicely done peterbright (Bogwoodious Expertious)

I've always been a fan of stainless blades and black handles. To me it seems a simple and classic combination that especially works with the elegant shape of the mnandi. I may have to join the OP and add one to the collection.
 
these aren't from a CRK, obviously-- these are on my Spyderco bushcraft uk...

but they are bog oak and give you a larger field of view to judge than just small overlays or inserts...

smells a lot like charcoal when you sand it...

very dense...

hard to make out much grain figure...

looks almost like light mineral deposits in the grain of mine:

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Pics. Estimated 5,000 years old from the North of Germany. It has a very hard and nearly fossilized feel to it. Only a small amount of alternate/knot grain on clip side- more would be nicer. Seems as tough as it gets but I don't beat it or let it soak in liquids. Carried as shown for a few months before another CRK took it's place (think that was a Macassar Ebony Mnandi).

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I can't speak for the Mnandi but I gush about my small 21 Bog Oak all the time.
Can't wait to see the pics tank sniper.
Beautiful knife Wavicle!
 
Left to right: Thuya Burl, Snakewood, BHQ Carbon Fiber, Spalted Beech & Ladder, Macassar Ebony & Raindrop, Bog Oak & Basket Weave.
 
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