Mnandi: help chose wood inlay

oprichnik

oprichnik

Joined
Jul 9, 2015
Messages
397
Hey gents,
I am getting a CRK Mnandi for Christmas (if all goes well) and I have only 3 types of inlay available to chose from (and unfortunately I cannot handle the knives - will be purchased online): Bocote, Cocobolo, and Ebony. I don't have a specific preference, so would you please recommend which I should get and why? I do have a couple of traditionals with cocobolo scales already, but that's not to say I wont want another cocobolo.
Thank you,
 
Look on line at your options as far as figuring is concerned and let your heart choose. I own all three and actually like the Gabon Ebony best. I chose a very dark one with no streaks. The Maccasar Ebony with pronounced streaking is also eye catching.
 
I will be buying from a Canadian vendor (Warriors and Wanders) to avoid possible cross border issues, import tax/duty and exchange rate. Unfortunately they only have those 3 available in S35VN. If I went with Damascus, there are a few more options, but that would be out of my budget. As far as looks go, the 3 I mentioned all look attractive to me with no preference to either. Is there any advantage in the physical properties, wear and tear, etc...Bocote, Cocobolo, Gabon Ebony.
Thx
 
I have or had both a Cocobolo and an Ebony. Liked them both, but were very dark with little grain being seen. From what I have seen of the Bocote CRK uses, it usually is light grain with dark streaks and can be very striking. I would ask to see pictures or handle in person each one (of all the woods) and pick the one that looks best. Really can't go wrong with any of those choices.
 
In terms of wear there should not be too much difference between those 3. However- the individual knives, even with the same wood, can look very different! For the cost of a Mnandi, the vendor should be able to take some individual pictures so you can see exactly what you are getting.
But with all that said you are getting a terrific knife no matter which one you go with!
 
It really depends. I've had Cocobolo and Gabon Ebony, but no Bocote. I personally don't care for the way Bocote looks. I like the Gabon Ebony, but the ones I've owned have been very dark with little variation. I prefer something with some grain to it, and the Cocobolo examples I have owned/handled have generally had more grain. I particularly like Cocobolo with a good bit of red to the grain. So if you want something with more variation I would go for the Cocobolo.
 
It's ordered!
I let my sister chose the inlay so it will be a surprise when I receive it!

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It will be after Christmas. My sister is splitting on it with me as partial Christmas gift, so when it arrives I can't open it until we do gift exchange. I will make sure to update the thread and post pics.

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Bocote has always been my longtime favorite as for the most part, its has lots of grain and character. Some is on the plainer oak looking side, while other examples have lots of swirls and curvy grains to it.

Cocobolo can be mostly reddish with some black lines to it. Some can be highly figured and not even look like cocobolo as well.

Ebony can either be all black like african blackwood or have some beautiful creams blended in with the black.

Currently, I only have 3 mnandi and 2 are cocobolo and the other is ebony.

The mnandi is a great little knife and I have had them it bocote, cocobolo, madagascar rosewood, box elder, ironwood, and ebony. The biggest challenge I have felt is finding one as to where the grain on the front matches the grain on the back. Sounds funny, but when it doesnt, it looks like 2 different knives....lol. Maybe I am just too picky.

Also keep in mind that several of the woods you mention are discontinued, so once they are gone, there will be no more at least in the near future.
 
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