Is Mnandi still the best small knife?

[Bob Denman]

I'd take a small wood Sebenza over a Mnandi as a small gentlemens knife

How tall is a small Gentleman?

 

[Boattale]

No, the best small knife is a Buck 55. Equivalent to the venerable 110 in a watch pocket size knife.

 

[Murdamook]

Locking blades only? Because I’d take anything GEC before I took a Mnandi.

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[badmatt]

fuggit, Im going to carry this tomorrow.

 

[Bob Denman]

Dang!! That is pretty!
If you ever get tired of it...

 

[CHNeal]

Locking blades only? Because I’d take anything GEC before I took a Mnandi.

I own several GEC and while they are a quality slip joint they are not even comparable to the Mnandi in quality of material or fit and finish.
Now if you happen to have a carbon fiber and raindrop Damascus Gen 2 Mnandi I’ll be more then happy to trade you 2-#14 one glow in the dark one Micarta, a two blade ebony #15 and a single blade red jigged bone #15 for it.

 

[Murdamook]

I own several GEC and while they are a quality slip joint they are not even comparable to the Mnandi in quality of material or fit and finish.
Now if you happen to have a carbon fiber and raindrop Damascus Gen 2 Mnandi I’ll be more then happy to trade you 2-#14 one glow in the dark one Micarta, a two blade ebony #15 and a single blade red jigged bone #15 for it.

Considering “best” is largely subjective, my statement still stands. The character my 47 Viper has developed over time is far more appealing to me than the Mnandi that I sold. Hell, I’d take a Hogue/Ritter Mini RSK over the Mnandi too. If I could go back, I’d just have grabbed an Impinda and called it done.

 

[DavidABQ]

For me the Mnandi is the best small pocket knife!

 

[Bob Denman]

Here are my favorites:
Benchmade Valet
The Mnandi
WE Vapor

 

[CHNeal]

Here are my favorites:View attachment 1748585
Benchmade Valet
The Mnandi
WE Vapor

It was a search for a valet is what led me to the Mnandi.

 

[sailfish]

Locking blades only? Because I’d take anything GEC before I took a Mnandi.

You'd have to find anything GEC first.

 

[sailfish]

I've romanced the thought of getting a Mnandi ever since I got into CRK. Two main reasons why I never pulled the trigger though. The first, it's a tad too small for the jobs I put my primary knife through on a daily basis, which is a role the small Sebenza fills perfectly for me. And the second, I have a huge and ever-growing collection of Case knives and traditionals that I already carry as a smaller secondary knife.

 

[MSchott]

My favorite small knife is the small inkosi
I prefer it over the small sebenza but I haven’t tried a mnandi

Agree with this although the Small Sebenza 31 is very close and has a better profile when opened. My small Inkosi is a 21 and is well broken in so smooth as can be. I also have not experienced the Mnandi.

 

[Murdamook]

You'd have to find anything GEC first.

Speaking of my own collection mostly.

 

[Hackenslash]

View attachment 1748746
It’s a great, little knife. There are very few comps in the knife world. I’ve found that once you start thinking about one, you may as well take the plunge. There’s not much else that can scratch that itch.

 

[Zulus]

No, it isn't
Never was

 

[TrainedBullets]

Best is subjective and largely dependent on what you value in a knife.

For me, it is the best overall gentleman's folder I’ve found to date. I like mine (thuya burl) enough in that role that I’m just considering other inlays as future additions (Box Elder and Madagascar Ebony).

For my typical EDC folder role, I’m more partial to the small Sebenza, plain or micarta inlay. The only things that might supplant mine would be a small Inkosi (I have one in order) or Olamic Whippersnapper.

 

[Chronovore]

There are lots of great options for a smaller knife, including for around half the price of a Mnandi or less. Between someone else's thread about being pick-pocketed and all the other things that can happen, I feel renewed in not always wanting that level of overhead in a pocket tool. Luckily, there are lots of quality knives that aren't expensive knives.

For instance, you could check out either the WE Elementum with 20CV and stonewashed titanium or the BladeHQ exclusive Civivi version with S35VN and Micarta. The Mini Begleiter from Kizer is a great little knife that can be had in a variety of materials, from premium versions in M390 and titanium to budget versions in N690 and Micarta. Either of those are a bit bigger than the Mnandi but still small, very nice, and very capable at half or less the cost. If staying smaller matters, the WE Mote has a 2.75" blade with a 6.2" OAL.

I could get out a few of my Mini Begleiters for a group pic if anyone is interested. LMK.

 

[Chronovore]

BTW, here is a stock photo of the WE Mote in different colors. Yeah, it's not as fancy as a Mnandi. It's still nice and can certainly get the job done. I tend to like stonewashed finishes versus daily wear and tear.