Is Mnandi still the best small knife?

Boattale said:
The Buck 55 I cited earlier is a small knife. A Gerber LST is a small knife. A Case Peanut is a small knife. SAK classic is a small knife. Get much bigger than these and it's no longer a small knife. For one example, a Leek is not a small knife.

Yours truly,
The Arbiter of Small
Click to expand...

(Points at Boattale Boattale across the crowded room)

"Security, escort this man off the premises!"

🤣 🤣
 
Quiet said:
I have to say that for me, no, the Mnandi has never been "the best small knife". In fact, I'd put my McGinnis Proline Mini Exo up against a Mnandi all day long for an actual knife that's beautiful, useful, and fun to carry. It's a fair comparison, given that they're around the same price, with the Exo having better action (seriously, dropshut actuation on a 3 inch bladed knife? Nice!).

All the Mnandi's I see folks post are indeed beautiful knives. I just don't think there's anything about them that make them the best. 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...

I just don't care for flippers, and based just on the pictures of the McGinnis I would pick the Mnandi all day long.

Just a matter of tastes and preferences.

🤷‍♂️
 
353 said:
I just don't care for flippers, and based just on the pictures of the McGinnis I would pick the Mnandi all day long.

Just a matter of tastes and preferences.

🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...

I completely understand, which is why I said "for me". Personally, I don't own a Mnandi, and never will. Nothing about it interests me, and that's coming from someone who's owned (and still owns) multiple CRKs. That's how you know that the Mnandi can't be considered "the best", since it's all entirely subjective. There are actually many well-made small(er) knives made of high end materials to a high level of fit and finish that are all considered "the best" by someone. For example (and to support my opinion): the McGinnis Exo is made of high end materials, high end blade steel, and has as high a level of fit, finish, and refinement as the Mnandi does. So, subjectivity is what we're left with.

In any case, that's the good thing about the knife market. There really isn't one objective "best", and we can all buy what we like! :D
 
CHNeal said:
It was a search for a valet is what led me to the Mnandi.
Click to expand...
Lol - the Valet was the gateway drug to the Mnandi for me as well lol. Definitely an underrated knife. Still carry the Valet on occasion (sometimes in the Mnandi slip) and no plans to get rid of it even though the Mnandi is an all time favorite.
 
Quiet said:
I completely understand, which is why I said "for me". Personally, I don't own a Mnandi, and never will. Nothing about it interests me, and that's coming from someone who's owned (and still owns) multiple CRKs. That's how you know that the Mnandi can't be considered "the best", since it's all entirely subjective. There are actually many well-made small(er) knives made of high end materials to a high level of fit and finish that are all considered "the best" by someone. For example (and to support my opinion): the McGinnis Exo is made of high end materials, high end blade steel, and has as high a level of fit, finish, and refinement as the Mnandi does. So, subjectivity is what we're left with.

In any case, that's the good thing about the knife market. There really isn't one objective "best", and we can all buy what we like! :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, I would never claim that the Mnandi is the best small knife(folder). I just really think they look nice, want to try one and probably will in the future.

These "the best" threads really gets the better of us don't they... 🤔 🤣
 
353 said:
Yeah, I would never claim that the Mnandi is the best small knife(folder). I just really think they look nice, want to try one and probably will in the future.

These "the best" threads really gets the better of us don't they... 🤔 🤣
Click to expand...

That they do! What's interesting is that, given the size of knife we're talking about, if you ever find yourself perusing any of the many sites out there who sell primarily customs, you'll find that a lot of them tend to make knives in that "Blade under 3'" category, and the price can vary....well, politely, I'll just say "wildly". It's definitely a popular size of knife for sure!
 
I’ve said before, and probably will say again, quoting my Dad, “It’s easier to do a big job with a small knife than to do a small job with a big knife.” He carried a Sheffield made, 1 7/8” blade length, two bladed pen knife. And very rarely saw need for anything larger.
 
The blade shape and size looks similar to the one on leatherman charge tti.

I am never a fan of expensive little knives.
 
BTTLBRN said:
Nice post. I think it's really an apples and gorillas comparison to put a CRK up against a Civivi; markedly different audiences and the level of craftmanship involved - not to mention the pride of ownership and pedigree.
Click to expand...

Obviously, the average Civivi isn't even close to being in the same league as most of the knives being discussed here. However, as a good budget user with reasonable fit and finish at a seventh the price, it is a helpful illustration of the curve of diminishing returns.

Pride of ownership is real. Feeling happy that you own something is also a factor. There may be other less tangible benefits along this part of the curve. This kind of stuff can be a very personal decision.

If the Mnandi had sweet action with a flipper tab or thumb studs, I might be closer to considering it. After all, I am on the notification list for Olamic's Whippersnapper. That's further out on the curve and I recognize that it'd be a piece of pocket treasure versus regular EDC. As it is, the Mnandi just isn't something I personally care about.
 
As for whippersnapper...Lamnia in Finland has several available. Have purchased 8 knives from them...2 day delivery believe it or not. May be buying one myself.
 
Therom said:
My favorite small knife is the small inkosi
I prefer it over the small sebenza but I haven’t tried a mnandi
Click to expand...
I've owned all three (Inkosi, Sebenza, Mnandi), and currently only own the small Inkosi, it won in the end for me :) The Mnandi was a little on the small/delicate feeling side for me. Between the Inkosi and the Sebenza you might also think about whether the bushings are something you want for slightly simpler reassembly, versus the larger pivot and slightly improved tunability of the Inkosi. You really can't go wrong with any of them though, totally up to your personal tastes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top