I can only have one: sm Sebenza or Mnandi?

TrailWolf

TrailWolf

Joined
Apr 13, 2009
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Hi all - well you guys helped me decide that a small Chris Reeve is what I want over a larger one :thumbup:

Now I'm really stuck between ordering the small Sebenza or Mnandi...

I can only afford one and I intend to make it my primary edc.

So what are your thoughts? If you had to choose one to keep for edc, which would it be?

Does it really come down to if I want a dressier knife or not?

What a great predicament, eh? :D

Thanks for any advice!
 
Yes, you could be faced with harder decisions. :D

And while I'm certain there are others who can offer more input, I'll attempt to help.

First off, what do you do for work? I only ask because I know that the Mnandi is a bit more conducive to an office environment.

I work in an office and carry a small Sebenza but I wouldn't if I had to wear office attire. I'm fortunate enough to not have a dress code in my office, so a small Sebenza in my jeans isn't really going to be noticed. And even if it was it wouldn't matter much as I do work in the field as well as office duties.
 
The Mnandi has an inlay of some sort, usually wood. The Small Sebenza can be ordered without one, and without one is the standard configuration. If this is to be an EDC, I'd recommend the Small Sebenza.
 
thanks guys for the input so far :D

@Greaves - good point re office attire however either will be OK - been carrying either a delica or minigrip with no issues as of yet.

@lunde - hmmm how does the inlay wear? Will it stand up to edc? Was considering inlay on the sm sebbie if I go that way..
 
My choice is Mnandi because it's lighter,less scary, less conspicuous pocket clip that looks like a pen clip, simpler to take apart and put together because it has a solid stop pin, more sheeple friendy,better slicer and IMO it looks better. Of course it's less heavy duty that a Small Sebenza but it's more heavy duty that I have ever needed. And since I carry more that just a knife I love that it weighs about half as much as the Small Sebenza.
 
I like my Mnandi more than I like my Sebenza and it gets much more "hand time".

If you didn't already have the Mini Grip (my favorite EDC) and the Delica (my previous EDC) I would say get the Sebenza, as it's more of an all-arounder than the Mnandi. But since you do have the other two, I highly recommend the Mnandi. With it's "classic" status, I'd bet you'll end up with a Sebenza eventually anyway, but the Mnandi is just not to be missed.
 
I just got a Mnandi and think it is a great design. I wear it to work in a business casual-to-dressy environment. It doesn't weigh a pocket down in lighter-weight dress slacks. If for primarily an office environment, I vote Mnandi.

I also really like the Small Sebenza design, though. If you plan on carrying it more on weekends and/or in jeans, then I vote Sebenza.

Both will get the job done!
 
I say go with the Small Sebenza. The Sebenza can do everything that mnandi can do, however I do not think it is the other way. (I had to baton through 3-4 pieces of firewood with my small sebenza). Moreover, CRK is really known for their Sebenza, so might as well go for what they are known for first right? :thumbup:
 
Honestly, you can't go wrong either way. Both are top of the line knives that will serve you well. I have owned both, but I prefer the mnandi due to the lightweight and design. If you are going to be doing light duty everyday tasks, which for me include food prep, opening mail/packages, ect, I'd go with the mnandi. If you require something for harder work, go with the sebenza.
 
I have both, in mammoth ivory. I carry the Mnandi almost every (office)day, mainly due to the size and the not threathning look. And the performance is more than ok.

After 2 years it still looks great, no wear at all.

But for your first Chris Reeve I would go for the small Sebenza, after all it is the real thing.

Marthijn
 
This is a close one, but for me I prefer the Small Seb for daily carry in an office environment. It is arguably one of the strongest 3"-bladed knives around, I love the way it looks and feels, it gets attention without being intimidating, and the lockup sound is very addictive. FWIW, when the occasion arose where I needed to make a sale to raise some quick $'s, I kept the smalls and sold the Mnandi. I'll get another later I'm sure.
 
I like both but don't under estimate the Mnandi. It is a very tough knife. it make look delicate but its not. The inlays hold up well with just about no care and no babying. I agree the small seb looks more stout and it probabably stronger that the Mnandi but my experience is that the Mnandi is no wimp of a knife by any means.:thumbup:
 
Get the Mnandi now and a large Seb' later. Mnandi is one tough knife in a very people friendly package.
 
Had a small seb for about a year and just got my mnandi a week ago for wearing around the office. Either way you go you won't be dissapointed. If I could only have one however, I'd say it would have to be the sebenza. The size and construction are just better for EDC considerations. Not that the mnandi wouldn't be able to handle 99% of EDC cutting chores, I personally just have a bit more confidence in the sebenza as a user.
 
I have both a Small Sebenza and a Mnandi and if I could only have one, it would definitely be the Small Sebenza.

The Mnandi is better for M-F, 9-5 office carry, but if you're buying one do-everything CRK that you can carry 24/7/365 that will handle small tasks and large tasks and be used inside and outdoors, I think you have to go with the Small Sebenza.

The Mnandi is just not as versatile.
 
I say small Sebenza, but then I have bear paws for hands. I really like the design of the Mnandi, but when it is too small for you to comfortably manipulate, then you have to go for the next larger knife. I would like to see a larger Mnandi though, hint hint.
 
DallasSTB said:
This is a close one, but for me I prefer the Small Seb for daily carry in an office environment. It is arguably one of the strongest 3"-bladed knives around, I love the way it looks and feels, it gets attention without being intimidating, and the lockup sound is very addictive. FWIW, when the occasion arose where I needed to make a sale to raise some quick $'s, I kept the smalls and sold the Mnandi. I'll get another later I'm sure.
Click to expand...

I basically agree. The small Seb is still comfortable in the office environment, and will be great for heavier use elsewhere, too. The Mnandi might be a better choice for the office, but it will be (IMO, YMMV) a significantly less use for heavier use. Both are superb knives, of course, so you're unlikely to make a bad choice either way. :thumbup:
 
As an aside, if you do make the wrong choice neither one devalues much.
 
I have owned both, but now only own the Small Sebenza. My thoughts pretty much mirror what others have said in that while the Mnandi is a great and wonderfully capable knife, the small Sebenza is just a bit more comfortable and more versatile.
I had to choose between one or the other and I chose the Small Sebenza for me for now. It does though have a lot to do with dress and situation, if I was wearing suits all the time I would have kept the Mnandi, but I am in slacks and polo shirts at work so the small Sebenza is fine.
 
I'm going to be a bit of non-conformist amongst the latest posts. Being a real knut case, I tend to EDC more than one knife (I must be the only one on BFs, right? :rolleyes:). So, if I could only have one CRK, I'd go with the Mnandi, simply because I think in terms of elegance, engineering, and "wolf in sheeps clothing" factor, it outdistances other knives in its class by an even wider margin than the Sebenza does. I'd also carry a bigger folder as well that I didn't mind getting beat up, like your mini-grip or delica. As time (and funds) allow, I'm guesing that the "hard use" folder slot would get an upgrade . . . to a Sebenza.
 
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