Knife advice in liberal land

J

joesuburb

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Jan 31, 2016
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I'm suffering in the Los Angeles area as I am not an emasculated liberal and have an inner redneck begging to get out.

Even worse, I work in large corporations in tech. Basically, I'm looking for a knife I love that wont scare people or get me fired. It would most often be used as a tool to cut cable ties and velcro. But, I love things that are engineered well. I've been carrying around a crappy box cutter for years and I want something made with quality.

Do you guys think the Mnandi is small enough that if I pulled it out as a tool or someone saw it in my bag that they wouldn't freak out?

Also, is there a left handed version? I found one Im in love with but its $650 and its not Damascus. More than I wanted to spend but its beautiful. I figured I'd avoid Damascus since I'll actually be using it.

If you think the Mnandi is too big, any other suggestions?

Thanks for any feedback.
 
The Mnandi is small, no way is it ever described as "too big". I sometimes carry one in an office setting and it works great. But I also sometimes carry an Inkosi, much more beefy, still small but would give you a tougher feel, particularly against a cable tie. I love the small sebenza and the small sebenza insingo carbon fiber is an amazing tool. All of these are in about the same price range and available on line. Good luck, you can't make a bad decision picking from this group.
 
Welcome to BFC !!!!!!
The Mnandi is non threating, it's such a gentleman's knife that it's not even funny. I'm sure you can find one for less money and yes they make left handed models. But they're not as widely available as the right handed models
 
Small, graphics decorated Sebenza might look less threatening? Look at some that "Lone Wolf" has posted here on her thread. Those graphics would dazzle, and possibly hypnotize the New Age types. Good luck in your choice...;-)
 
LOL, Im not looking to dazzle anyone. I just don't want any of the emo-pant wearing little fruitcakes to report me to HR for having a "weapon".

I would really prefer the insigo blade but I think I'm settle on a Mnandi. Now I cant decide if I go with Mammoth Ivory or Box Elder Burl.

I found the latter left handed and I am left handed but I think I like the Ivory better.
 
I would get the small 21 insingo. Its blade is great for everything, even good for piercing, but it looks completely utilitarian. No one will mistake it for a dagger. You could get the CF inlay, or CF slab version to add some office class. I do not think anyone would be threatened by that knife, yet is a more useable size than a Mnandi.
 
I suppose that by posting his inquiry in this forum, the only alternatives the op is interested in are CRK s. Post an inquiry like this in general knife discussion, and watch all the suggestions fly in.
 
I think the Mnandi is excellent for the office environment. A small wood inlay Seb would work too. The wood kind of softening the otherwise functionality of a Seb.

Lose the lanyard and clip on the small 21 and you are good to go - or just get the Mnandi...


Or keep the lanyard....
 
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Vaporstang said:
I think the Mnandi is excellent for the office environment. A small wood inlay Seb would work too. The wood kind of softening the otherwise functionality of a Seb.

Lose the lanyard and clip on the small 21 and you are good to go - or just get the Mnandi...


Or keep the lanyard....
Click to expand...

The only hesitation I personally have in suggesting to go with a Mnandi, is the mention of cutting cable ties. That's actually not an easy task for any pocket knife, if we are discussing nylon 'ty-wraps' etc. Leverage is required to cut a nylon tie, and I'm not sure you would get that on the smaller handle of the Mnandi. Other than that, it's good to go. If all you plan on cutting is cable ties, a small serrated Spyderco is really the ticket, but that's just between you and me. ;)
 
kidcongo said:
The only hesitation I personally have in suggesting to go with a Mnandi, is the mention of cutting cable ties. That's actually not an easy task for any pocket knife, if we are discussing nylon 'ty-wraps' etc. Leverage is required to cut a nylon tie, and I'm not sure you would get that on the smaller handle of the Mnandi. Other than that, it's good to go. If all you plan on cutting is cable ties, a small serrated Spyderco is really the ticket, but that's just between you and me. ;)
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The small Seb does have better leverage than the Mnandi and the serrated would be a plus. I don't know if I have seen a small (or large) wood inlay serrated Seb, but I have a small (and large) plain Jane serrated Seb for reference - maybe that would be inconspicuous enough. (I'm not familiar with the Spyderco...)

 
Hey, in the same boat, tech company in Norcal. I leave my knife in the car. (I feel so bad, like neglecting a puppy/kitty) Check out your code of conduct, and if they are vague and say 'no weapons' ask your HR department. I know some companies see ANY knife as a weapon, and the same with tactical pens. I still carry a leatherman ps style, since there is no blade, and a few tools that are similarly knife-less (a mini prybar, flashlight, etc.). You don't want to get caught with something your work thinks is a weapon, so just ask them what is acceptable or not. I live in NorCal, and have had people freak out over a 2in knife in public before, and you being in LA, have much stricter laws (a 3 in limit etc.) I strongly advise you check your local laws if you are in LA (because I carry sub 3in in LA). CA has pretty good knife laws, just the people are a bit knife-shy. So just be extra careful. I did just order a fancy box cutter, I am hoping will not scare people. Olfa 26B utility knife. Yes I am going to go through the proper channels to ask. Sigh, it is what it is.
 
kidcongo said:
I would get the small 21 insingo. Its blade is great for everything, even good for piercing, but it looks completely utilitarian. No one will mistake it for a dagger. You could get the CF inlay, or CF slab version to add some office class. I do not think anyone would be threatened by that knife, yet is a more useable size than a Mnandi.
Click to expand...

I'm with Cody on this one.
Best utility non threatening blade shape and under 3".
Small Insingo is a win :thumbup:
 
whp said:
I suppose that by posting his inquiry in this forum, the only alternatives the op is interested in are CRK s. Post an inquiry like this in general knife discussion, and watch all the suggestions fly in.
Click to expand...

Yup. Many Spyderco options. I carry a firefly. Can't see someone considering it offensive... but I don't live there.
 
My libtarded coworker reported my small Sebenza to management. I was asked about my knife and showed both a Mnandi and a Small unique Lisas pick that i had on me. HR said they were both compliant, but preferred that I use the Mnandi to slice my apples with at lunch (acceptable use of cutting device).

HR rep later followed up with me and now has a knife habit.

People are funny sometimes.

I like smaller knives in general and for my personal tastes a small 21 is larger than i prefer to edc. I would really like to find a reasonably priced Umfaan and am hoping to see the Inkosi come with some inlay options someday.
 
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My company also has a "no weapons" policy. Even specifically stating guns and knives. Many of us however, work in a semi-industrial setting and carry knives - because we need them.

I carry a Kershaw Blur (CRK off site), on the job, and no one takes notice. If anyone should bring it up, I might point out that "serrated metal knives!!!" are available for use in the building's cafeteria!!! Bit of a double standard. Good luck in your plight.

And my meaning earlier? Liberals might be "dazzled" by a pretty knife, where it looks more like a toy to them, and not a weapon. You know how they can be...;-)
 
I'm a liberal (votes independent) who now calls Los Angeles home. I don't know about the emasculated part. I do know that I've worked in the wilderness all my life and never in an office at a tech corp, and if we were both dropped off in the woods with just the clothes on our backs, I'd be responsible for keeping you alive.

Last I checked, this is a forum for discussing knives, not insulting people for their political beliefs.

For what it's worth, I received a Mnandi some years back and it's what I carry when I'm not in the woods. Never had anybody look crossways at it, even in Starbucks when I'm getting my decaf soy pumpkin latte. You should be fine.
 
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LOL, thanks for so clearly clarifying the challenge of being around hypersensitive people.

starter17 said:
I'm a liberal (votes independent) who now calls Los Angeles home. I don't know about the emasculated part. I do know that I've worked in the wilderness all my life and never in an office at a tech corp, and if we were both dropped off in the woods with just the clothes on our backs, I'd be responsible for keeping you alive.

Last I checked, this is a forum for discussing knives, not insulting people for their political beliefs.

For what it's worth, I received a Mnandi some years back and it's what I carry when I'm not in the woods. Never had anybody look crossways at it, even in Starbucks when I'm getting my decaf soy pumpkin latte. You should be fine.
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Mnandi or Inkosi would serve you well.

Good luck deciding.

Mike.
 
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Let's keep the discussion about knives and not about people.. If you wan't to single out a group of people, there are forums here for that purpose and it is not this one.
 
I use cable cutters for cutting wire ties.

The only time I'll use a knife is if I'm trimming the free end of one down. Then I'll use something small like a Ladybug so I cut just the excess strap.

Cut with a knife and it's flat and smooth. Cut with snips and there's a sharp corner.
 
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