How durable is a Mnandi?

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
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I am asking cause I am looking at purchasing one which will get lots of EDC type use. Boxes, plastic, maby a seatbelt or 2 here and there. I had, and traded (stupid me:mad: ) a lefty Sebbie classic. I noticed the Mnandi is very lefty friendly. I'm curious whether or not this knife is sturdy enough for lots of use. Not abuse. If it was only made for envelopes and candy wrappers, then I will stay away from that one. Any input:)
 
I have one that cut through a battle mistress :D Actually I have used my umfaan for such uses minus the seatbelt cutting and it has been fine. The mnandi seems to be no more fragile and a little bigger. I would not want to pry with the tip, but for edc and normal use it seems like it will be fine. I really don't think crk makes a knife that is not meant to be used for normal stuff.
 
Tallpaul is right. Chris Reeve makes his folders to be used. The Mnandi is a great EDC knife and can handle most daily cutting tasks. But it sounds like you want a knife that can handle just a bit more abuse. In that case yes, you may have wanted to hold on to that small Classic. :rolleyes: But think of it this way...Now you have the opportunity to get that customized version you always wanted!:D
 
I agree the Mnandi would be a great EDC knife. There is no doubt it would handle most daily cutting tasks but.....It really sounds like you should be getting a small Sebenza ;)
 
Mnandis are available in dedicated left hand models. Frogstickers has the left hand small classic for $265.00. Very tempting.:D
 
What about an Umfaan.
Isn't that the smallest of the workhorses?
Prices went up at Froggies
 
I have had both and for my hand prefer the Umfaan, but both are equally strong IMO. I would say they are strong enough for anything you would thrrow at a knife that size short of prying. The type of leverage it would take to damage one would probably rip the small knife from your hand first.

If I were going to buy a Mnandi and use it for any strenuous activity I would carry it in my pocket or in a sheath not with the clip. The clip on the Mnandi is a work of art and perfect for an office environment or casual carry but I would not trust it if I were running, rolling etc.. It just doesn't have the tension of a traditional clip.

YMMV... :)
 
I still reckon the small Seb is your best choice,Mnandi is very slim and I find the Umfaan just too small. Plaza Cutlery have a Small L/H NICA Tanto Seb listed, a great looking little knife.I have a large NICA Tanto, it really is an elegant blade .
Paul .
 
Stylistically speaking, the Mnandi's got it all over the small Seb. in my humble opinion. You're getting wood inlay at a non-wood inlay price. The Mnandi, even moreso than the small Seb., is gentile and innocuous in appearance.

The small Seb. on the other hand, can take more in the way of hard use, no doubt about it. It also affords me a much better "working" grip than my Mnandi. The clip on the small Seb. is more effective (again, based on my experience), and the wider, flatter grind of the small Seb. has served me excellently thus far as a utility blade, despite what Steve Harvey may say about the wide blade (you listenting Steve? ;)).

So, it's a matter of preference for flair or for ruggedness. The Mnandi's integral-locking format makes for an incredibly strong "gent's folder," but I wouldn't do the things I've done with my small Seb. with it to be sure.

Professor.
 
Although the Mnandi is slimmer than other CRK folders, it is still a ruggedly build knife. After all, it is still a Reeve! The handle is still milled from solid titanium slabs approximately .080" thick. The blade bushings are still bronze with a large bearing surface. My guess is that it would stand up to any "appropriate" use that called for a blade of its size. As long as it was not being abused, like for prying, I would not be afraid of using the Mnandi for even heavy duty cutting. What is going to fail? The yield strength of the titanium slabs and the strength in the pivot area are more than adequate for a 2.5" blade IMO. I think we are just accustomed to the level of OVERDESIGN built in to our Sebbies.
 
USAFSP, sorry don't have a Mnandi but I do have a couple of Sebenzas. Just wanted to say hey to a fellow Air Force man. 24 years for me now and still going strong. Stay safe and thanks for what you do! Regards, chieftd
 
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