Mnandi: My latest Obsession

Well, the jury is still out on this one. Have to admit, it was an impulse buy. Bocote and Spirograph Mnandi. It's a nice knife, nice spirograph (no longer being made) AND I have searched and searched, but could not find another picture of a Mnandi in regular Spirograph and Bocote. So figured I would take a chance. My problem is that this knife looks nothing like the picture the retailer used on its site! Grain is totally different. Kind of like ordering a red car and having it arrive looking more pink than red, to use somewhat close analogy! So, now have to see if it grows on me! Oh yes .... the pics, of course, the pics!

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Well, after having spent a full day looking at and handling my new Bocote/Spirograph Mnandi .... have decided to keep it. The dealer has a 3 day inspection period, during which the knife can be returned ... but that won't be necessary. I really prefer lighter colored woods (with ebony being the primary exception), but this one is growing on me. Besides, as I mentioned, I can't seem to find any pictures, in an exhaustive search, of a similar Damascus/inlay combination in the Mnandi. There must be some out there .... somewhere. Would love to see pictures of a Bocote/Spirograph Mnandi to compare with this one. Have seen a picture of a Bocote with Black/White Spirograph .... but that's it. Also interesting is that the dealer (on the invoice) identifies this one as African Bocote. I thought most of the Bocote CRK was using was Mexican. I could be wrong .... or maybe the dealer is wrong. When CRK notifies me that my Snakewood Mnandi is ready, I might ask them about it. Anyway, now that the original shock is over .... am happy with the knife and glad I was able to snag one of the Spirographs in dwindling supply.
 
d.r.h. said:
Well, after having spent a full day looking at and handling my new Bocote/Spirograph Mnandi .... have decided to keep it.
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Good choice, I don't blame you; no way in heck would I give that beautiful knife back, not even if they offered 10% more. I'd be really curious to know what the production total for that knife is. Nice Score!:)
 
d.r.h. said:
My problem is that this knife looks nothing like the picture the retailer used on its site! Grain is totally different.
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I assume that you purchased that one from a dealer with the initials bg. You definitely received a different knife than the one they showed photos of. The one you received has a much better Spirograph pattern than the one they showed, IMO . I thought of purchasing that knife a few times but I did not care for the Spirograph pattern. If I would have seen your photos I would have purchased it.
 
sk8n said:
I assume that you purchased that one from a dealer with the initials bg. You definitely received a different knife than the one they showed photos of. The one you received has a much better Spirograph pattern than the one they showed, IMO . I thought of purchasing that knife a few times but I did not care for the Spirograph pattern. If I would have seen your photos I would have purchased it.
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Right on both counts. I initially emailed them to make sure what was pictured was the knife that was available. This was on a Sunday. Did not receive the reply when they reopened on Tuesday and just figured .... what the heck. Later, the reply came in that they were using a stock photo and that the one and only Bocote/Spirograph they had was darker in color. In talking with other forum members, I was aware a number of people were/had been considering this Mnandi. And, you are so right .... the Spirograph on this one is better than that of the stock photo .... especially near the tip and tang (IMO). Anyway, as I said, am now glad I decided to go through with the purchase as well as keep it.
 
You know .... I love the Sebenzas and told myself I never thought I would be come obsessed with the Mnandis. How wrong I was!!! Here is the latest one. I have been waiting to find a bark ivory with the colors and pattern that just "did it" for me. This is it.

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Still waiting for my Snakewood Mnandi to be finished!!
 
That is one Beautiful Mnandi, I would be having sleepless nights with that one for not wanting to put it down. Congratulations on one Awesome score.
 
Dennis, you found a nice one. That is a keeper, I really like the mammoth bark on it and damascus.
 
just understood the differences between new and "old", clip pivot and thumb groove are different, hmm
 
Thanks Tom/Dino ...... I knew ES was getting some mammoth bark Mnandis in and had been watching for their arrival. Had allocated some of my discretionary funds for it, so I was ready! Looked over the 4 in stock and this one just jumped out at me. However .... we will hopefully be seeing some more pics of great examples of mammoth bark Mnandis posted soon ..... as 2 more should be in the hands of forum members very soon!!
 
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