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My new Mnandi - cracked inlays? :(

G

gbelleh

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
232
I just received my first Mnandi today. I bought it new from a dealer (born on July 10, 2007). It has beautiful bocote inlays, and I really like it a lot. But on close inspection, I see what looks like hairline cracks on each inlay going from the pivot to the top of the frame.

Is this a common occurrence? Should I send it back to CRK? Will they replace the inlays?

I really like the grain of the wood, and the cracks are very small, but I know this is one of those things that will bother me. Like getting a brand new Mercedes delivered with a ding in each door. :(

Not very good pictures, but you can make out the cracks on top of the inlays...

Any thoughts?

5c3ffb8b-1.jpg


76b0ed5a-1.jpg
 
Well I'm not sure about the nature of that wood but I do know that wood will expand and shrink. Depending on the climate of course.
 
Chris Reeve is pretty good about problems with his products, I imagine he will take care of it for you, especially if its brand new, where did you purchase it from?
 
The cracks shouldn't be there so I can see why your not happy, I wouldn't be either. I think the best course of action is to speak to the dealer you got it from and then talk to CRK.

I'm not sure about their stance on wood inlays, but a friend of mine had problems with a cream ivory inlay Mnandi. He got no joy from CRK as far as replacing that inlay so he just got it engraved insted.
 
First....TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER! If it is a respectable dealer they should replace the knife without question. State you are unhappy with the purchase. If they are not helping you email CRK but I take my knives back to the dealer I bought it from if I am unhappy.
 
Yeah, first recourse is your dealer. Wood's a tough call... the nature of grain, generally is cracks on the surface, but the area shouldn't appear broken or misaligned. Impossible to really see your photos but I'm certainly NOT doubting your word. Pretty sure CRK uses stabilized wood, so it's not really that susceptible to environmental damage. Maybe it was mis-handled before you bought it. Bocote's a beautiful grain. I like it!... but I bought Lignum Vitae (won't break so easy), and ivory... for all it's beauty & rarity is the most fragile inlay material offered. Good luck with it. Whatever happens, it's fixable. mnandi's are little jewels.
 
The thing is, I don't want to return it. I really like the wood grain, and the blade is quite unique too. The dealer has a return / exchange policy and I know he'd honor it.

My main concern is it getting worse over the years. I'd happily just use it the way it is, but I'd hate for it to chip due to being weakened in the cracked areas. The cracks are very small, but the wood is misaligned, and the cracks will slightly catch your thumbnail.

Here is a much clearer macro picture of one side...

cracked_mnandi.jpg
 
If you're not wanting to return it then your going to have to try and seal it your self or just live with it. That is the sort of thing that will just get worse over time if you don't do anything to addess it though.
 
I kind of like a little character in a knife, but definitely make sure you seal it somehow like Haze said. That way it won't catch on your thumb or get worse. That's just me and I know I'm far from a perfectionist, though. So do what you think is right.
 
Will it get worse? Probably depends. If the wood is stabilized, probably not. If the wood is not stabilized, possibly yes. My recollection (which might be wrong) is that some of the inlays are, and some aren't...definitely worth a call to CRK.
 
JNewell said:
Will it get worse? Probably depends. If the wood is stabilized, probably not. If the wood is not stabilized, possibly yes. My recollection (which might be wrong) is that some of the inlays are, and some aren't...definitely worth a call to CRK.
Click to expand...

On wood with a grain like that it isn't going to make much difference really if it's stabalised or not. You can see the end of the grain in his picture. Eventually a bit will be lost from around the cracked area if it's not seen to.
 
I just spoke with CRK. They said I could send it in, and they would take care of it so it shouldn't get worse.

Great CS so far. I'll update when I get it back.
 
It seems like a long time for a dealer to have a knife in stock.Please send it back to him and get another knife.Let us know how you get on. We very seldom have cracks in our wood inlays and that is because of the 3M double sided tape we use to hold it in.The dealer can have it repaired by us.Do not try to repair it yourself that will void your warranty.All the best Chris Reeve
 
Thanks for the reply. I actually already sent it directly to CRK per my conversation with customer service earlier today.

I hope it can be fixed up and returned to me without any problem.

I'm still pretty new to CR knives, but they're quickly becoming my favorites to carry. I plan to carry this Mnandi for years to come, and I'm sure it won't be my last.

Thanks again.
 
I agree about the dealer being the first person to contact for the defective scales. I have owned probably 30 mnandis, and the wood inlays on every one of them was perfect, even those well over 5 yrs old.
 
Got my Mnandi back today with replacement inlays. I'm very happy with the knife, and very impressed with CRK's customer service.

They did a great job of matching the original wood grain. I inspected the knife very closely, and as far as I can tell, it's absolutely perfect, and operates very smoothly.

I'm so glad to have this beautiful knife back! The only problem is... now I definitely have to have a mammoth ivory Damascus Mnandi. :D

Thank you again CRK! :thumbup:

Here are some cell phone pics. Of course they don't do it justice...
mnandi1.jpg


mnandi2.jpg
 
That's a beaut! Glad this story had a happy ending. Now please, use it like it was meant to be used!

Prof.
 
No problem there. It's in my pocket right now, and has been used for a few household cutting tasks already today.
 
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