I need another Mnandi thread to read.

lisantica

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Oct 17, 2010
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Mnandi, I love them and I’m finally using one!

I became enamored with Mnandi in early 2011, not long ago, but long enough to get heck bent on wanting more.

I’m not sure I consider myself a collector, but I certainly have an avid adoration for the Mnandi.

I’ve purchased a few Mnandi (understatement), but with each purchase I couldn’t bring myself to carry one. Oh, I claimed I would, but when it came time to pocket one, I couldn’t. I have that “Mint in box with all docs” mentality.

I started looking for a used Mnandi I would actually carry. I bought one or two, but then the sentimentality wasn’t there for me, so I sold them.

I finally found a brand new Cocobolo Mnandi (a transition piece) new pivot, new clip, but older nail nick. It has a grain pattern that is sentimental to me and would sound silly if I wrote about it……..I just know one of you will ask. ☺

I wanted to use this one and I wanted it quick at the ready for immediate deployment (you know for that envelope that’s just asking for it), so it’s carried without a sheath. This is really a deviation for me as I’ve been known to put knives in their slipcase, inside another zippered, padded bag, then in my purse!

This Cocobolo Mnandi I’m carrying, and using! Who knew it would be so much fun and practical to use, actually use? (Many of you of course). I’ve read a lot of posts that say knife makers want you to use their knives… I finally get that, though I won’t use them all, I haven’t come to my full senses!

The Mnandi is a knife that has to be held in order to fully understand its appeal. At approx. 1.6 ounces it can give you a false sense of capability. I’d say don’t let the specifications impose on your better judgement. The function and artistic composition alone make this gem a pleasure to behold.

Is it a tactical or camp chore knife? If it’s all you have, it would certainly try, but we all know it’s more of an urban knife, gentleman’s knife, that’s all it’s ever claimed to be and it does it with style and finesse.

****Photo coming soon! Here she is:
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*****Please share your Mnandi story.
 

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Just got a mnandi a few days ago.

I cannot keep a knife clean. I've already sharpened it (factory edges are never sharp), and took my bloodwood fishing at the pier.

Caught nothing but did use mnandi to cut up various bait haha.

Compared to the sebenza, mnandi is very delicate but blade is very good at what it does.
 
I was hoping that a small 21 would be all I ever needed from CRK, but I was wrong. The Mnandi has been on my list for a while now.
I too have noticed that CRKs aren't stupid sharp out of box, but they are very sharp. And whoever puts those convex edges on them has amazing skill.
 
I Find that the mnandi is the perfect edc.

So lightweight i don't even think about it until I need it.

The wood is a pleasure to look at as well.


Anyone who wears slacks understands about weight of a knife.
 
Thank you Moxy and Gregc57.
HJ, I agree, It's nice to know it's there when needed, but not feeling that it is weighing you down.
 
It's a great little knife that covers all my needs (mostly opening letters while looking inconspicuous at the same time). I live in a city, I don't go camping or hiking and use a box cutter to open most packages or tear down boxes anyway. My main EDC criteria is having something pretty to look at. Very few, if any, beat the Mnandi.

That's a great cocobolo by the way!
 
Thanks Serg for adding to the thread. This is going to be my hard user. Not abuse, but use it as I would have used my Swiss Army knife back in the day.
 
In my experience though, the blade is a little on the small side for harder tasks, such as going through tough cardboard. Not enough mass behind and thin blade ... Pls. note the words "in my experience" .. YMMV. But like I said, that's not what I want it for.

The comment about slacks above is dead on. It looks like a pen when clipped. Another +.
 
Yesterday it was a nice companion at the Newport beach pier while we were fishing.

It was ideal weather, nice sunny rays with cool winds.


I agree with mnandi being too light for certain cutting tasks, I believe this is a simple slicer. It was perfect for slicing bait I'll say that.
 
I have to thank you Lisa ..... I have been eyeballing a cocobolo (which could be a cousin to yours) for some time now. You have pushed me one step closer to adding it to the collection!!!
 
Anyone who wears slacks understands about weight of a knife.

Oh yes. The main reason I'm starting to buy lighter, smaller knives like the Mnandi. The other thing about the Mnandi that I love, is that when you're carrying it in your pocket, it doesn't scream "I'm carrying a knife!" From the design of the pocket clip, people could consider it a pen, or something else. And when you do pull it out, it's small enough, and decorated so nicely, that it doesn't scare anyone.
 
Thanks all for contributing to the thread. Sometimes I just can't get enough Mnandi input. :thumbup:
 
From the design of the pocket clip, people could consider it a pen, or something else. And when you do pull it out, it's small enough, and decorated so nicely, that it doesn't scare anyone.

Precisely!
 
No big story here ..... I just like them. I bought my first CRK (a large Sebenza CGG) on 5/5/12. My first Mnandi followed on 5/15/15 .... an Ebony with Ladder Damascus. I told myself, this is nice. Very useful for a small blade and fits my hand like a glove (for a small knife). I then told myself that I wanted only one more Mnandi ... an Ivory to go with the Ebony. Well, just so happens that the initiator of this thread was kind enough to sell me her Ivory with Vines and Roses Damascus Mnandi two months later, in July. That was the turning point in my love of the Mnandi!! From that point, wanted to have one of every inlay that spoke to me. There's just something about the Mnandi that is different from most other knives in this particular size. I have a number of similarly sized folders, but none feel as good in my hand as the Mnandi .... NOR are they as good looking!!! Going back to my previous post above ..... well, yes ... Lisa gave me the nudge I needed with that picture of her Cocobolo. Just ordered the one I had been looking at for the longest time:

InboundMnandiCbolo.jpg
 
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