Is the Mnandi the worlds finest gentlemans knife?

I had in my possesion for about a week this spring before the Blade Show ,a pre production model- I carried it a little and handled it alot. I as spark stated feel it is a great usable size.... no its not a Battle Mistress, but for a capable little knife, I feel it is a winner and the package was WELL executed. I will be adding one or two to my personal collection as well as stocking them... :D
 
"But. . .slobbering isn't right. . . And you got caught slobbering ! "

When its a Chris Reeve knife like the Mnandi and I got one of the numbered pre-prod models on order 24 made not 25 sorry, I say what the hell. I was and am impressed from what I have seen and been told. The integral lock is about as solid as it gets and if the quality lives up to expectations, hell I have never been dissapointed with CRK or their products so I extend a level of trust that I think is deserved. So my question was somewhat rhetorical, ok I can live with that. Point is, I am being positive and expressing a genuinely felt opinion, the fact that it started in the form of a question is not that unusual on any group. If that is the main problem... well...yep.
My question/statement that the Mnandi was the finest... was wrong and for that I am sorry, call me over enthusiastic as CRK and some amazing friends have REALLY helped me out in getting two knives I REALLY wanted. The last couple of weeks have been a rollercoaster of exitement and dissapointment. I posted this on the glow of getting the two knives I wanted and some amazing imput from Bridget and friends caused me to gush. Guilty as charged, It is still the best I have seen though and I stand by that. Even if 'seen' is only stats, descriptions from owners and pics.
Negativity and name calling is not adult and funny I think Whine and Cheese is you fav hang out? :p . I will be glad to get into a light humoured battle over there if you really want to rattle my cage!:D Otherwise please use a little decorum on the general forums, I don't hurl insults at you all the time, show a little respect, or to put it another way don't get your Johnson out in public no one is interested.:eek:
 
Let's leave the insults at home, GigOne and General, if you don't mind. This isn't the place for them.

Kevin
 
Some observations on this thread: those who have seen and handled the Mnandi are universal in their praise. A lot of posts saying no, but no one here has yet named a reasonable competitor except for William Henry (and don't compare a Mnandi to customs in general. The Mnandi is a production knife. There are very few customs in the gentlemen's folder category that are only $300.)
My experience: I have been looking for a gentlemen's folder in this price class for quite awhile. I recently purchased a William Henry T10PD, the Blade Magazine Investor/Collector Knife of the Year for 2000. I also have recently acquired several Mnandis. The Mnandi is a higher quality knife than the WH, at least the one specimen I own, in my opinion. The WH is a beautiful knife (pearl handle, damascus) but the fit of the pearl scales to the bolsters and the quality of the edge is just not "custom" quality as advertised. I may send that knife back to WH for re-work. But the Mnandis are superb in their build quality and precision. A better knife? Yes, and for about 20% less than the WH albeit without a damascus blade.
The Mnandi IS CUSTOM quality and at an entry level price point for custom knives in the same category. And Chris Reeve maintains this consistent quality in production, day in and day out (see Ron Lake's comments about the Sebenza in the latest edition of Blade Magazine in the article about the ten most significant folders.)
So I ask this, and with an open mind: Those of you who say that there is something better out there, I'm listening! But remember that we must compare knives at the Mnandi price point to be fair.
 
Wayne, no offence, but your opening post in this thread showed an appalling lack of perspective in regards to the cutlery field in general and the "gentleman’s knife" genre in particular. From your later posts it seems you weren’t looking for information or perspective, but hoping for an "Amen".

The Mnandi is a fine knife, excellent design and superb execution. A definite plus to the CRK line of folders, I think it would be a good addition to any company’s offerings. And when you consider the quality of the materials and workmanship involved it is relatively well priced. If I didn’t think so I wouldn’t own two and have another on order.

But you did ask a simple question, "Is the Mnandi the worlds finest gentlemans knife?"

I’m sorry I didn’t extend the courtesy of a simple answer; No.
 
Jeez, James, a bit haughty are we? Wayne is just waxing exuberance over a great new design, but I sure can't infer from his opening post all of the ignorance of which you are accusing him! And if in fact he doesn't know, then let's educate him, not belittle him.
No, the Mnandi is not in the same league as a Ron Lake Tab-Lock, but it does compete with anything NEAR its price class, and that includes customs even in the $500 range, if not in cache, then certainly in quality.
Rough crowd!
 
I don't see anything "haughty" about James' latest post; if anything, it sounds like he's going out of his way to be polite while disagreeing.
 
I might be wrong and if so, shame on me, but when I read "appalling lack of perspective" and "seems you were... hoping for an 'Amen'" it seems the intent was a bit pointed and cruel. Should we punish someone for showing some excitement over the objects of our desire?
 
jki, pointed? I strive to be direct. But cruel? I think not. I was indeed trying to be polite, (thanks for recognizing that, Razor), and I more than share the enthusiasm shown by Wayne over this new knife

We are talking about a product from a first class company that has built a solid reputation based on performance and reliability, not an outfit that builds itself up through hype and fanaticism, as some have come to believe. I consider myself as big a supporter of Chris Reeve Knives as you will find on these forums, and as such found the lack of knowledge and perspective in Wayne’s post a bit embarrassing.
 
Well, lack of knowledge and perspective is certainly no crime, but neither is calling them for what they are. I suppose there were more gentle ways of pointing out such flaws, but Wayne's not exactly a newbie, so I reckon he can hold up under the criticism. ;) We're all knife people, after all. That counts for something, doesn't it?
 
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