New to the Mnandi

T

tahomazz

Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
98
Hi everyone,

Looking to buy a nicer more gentleman folder type of knife. The Mnandi really stood out for me, as well as the GB Air(not a big fan of the silver twill) Anyways i was wondering if those who own and use Mnandis can tell me how they hold up. I use my knives and play with them quite a bit. I am just wondering how they lock bar holds up with use, will it eat away quickly and develop play? Just looking for any experiences good or bad:)

Thanks!
 
I have bought quite a few used Mnandi and have noticed that no matter which year they were "born" 2003 or 2012, they all seem like new. I figure they must have had some use by the previous owner yet they all fair very well with age.
I think if blade play developed (and the knife was not altered in any way), it would be a possible warranty item.
So as for experience here, it's all good.
 
Thanks a lot, do you need to take care of the inlays at all? like condition the wood or something along those lines or are they pretty tough
 
It's a CRK. You'll be taken care of if any issue should arise.

Having said that, the Mnandi is an excellent gentleman's pocket knife. I've had a few from varying years and all have been in tip top shape.

Natural handle material always runs the risk of swelling and cracking. Just keep it out of direct heat for extended periods of time. Your natural palm oils should keep the inlays moisturized during use.

All in all, alot to appreciate and not alot to worry about.
 
not to sure, im in canada so there arent to many dealers, SRknives has bocate and cocobolo in stock at $374 but i feel like i want a nicer material like snakwood or box elder.

Theres always the forums i can buy off but i never have bought off them before and not really sure how it works, also id be a little sceptical about losing my money
 
tahomazz said:
not to sure, im in canada so there arent to many dealers, SRknives has bocate and cocobolo in stock at $374 but i feel like i want a nicer material like snakwood or box elder.
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Would agree with everything already said. The Mnandi is like a pro athlete in a tux. Top rate materials, robust design, and built to be used. As for inlay materials -- as you'd expect, some are tougher than others. I EDC cocobolo because it is especially moisture resistant. Cocobolo has natural oils that enable it to be used in such applications as bird 'n' fish knife handles. Additionally, it's gorgeous. :) Perhaps the only wood that wears even better is lignum vitae. Lignum vitae has been used as bearing material for propeller shafts -- tough stuff, for sure. Of the two, I just prefer the look of cocobolo.

BTW, True North Knives is in Montreal, and is one of the largest and most reputable CRK dealers on the planet.
 
Fooj said:
Would agree with everything already said. The Mnandi is like a pro athlete in a tux. Top rate materials, robust design, and built to be used. As for inlay materials -- as you'd expect, some are tougher than others. I EDC cocobolo because it is especially moisture resistant. Cocobolo has natural oils that enable it to be used in such applications as bird 'n' fish knife handles. Additionally, it's gorgeous. :) Perhaps the only wood that wears even better is lignum vitae. Lignum vitae has been used as bearing material for propeller shafts -- tough stuff, for sure. Of the two, I just prefer the look of cocobolo.

BTW, True North Knives is in Montreal, and is one of the largest and most reputable CRK dealers on the planet.
Click to expand...

Thanks i will have to take a look!

and agreed i love the cocobolo
 
Fooj said:
Would agree with everything already said. The Mnandi is like a pro athlete in a tux. Top rate materials, robust design, and built to be used. As for inlay materials -- as you'd expect, some are tougher than others. I EDC cocobolo because it is especially moisture resistant. Cocobolo has natural oils that enable it to be used in such applications as bird 'n' fish knife handles. Additionally, it's gorgeous. :) Perhaps the only wood that wears even better is lignum vitae. Lignum vitae has been used as bearing material for propeller shafts -- tough stuff, for sure. Of the two, I just prefer the look of cocobolo.

BTW, True North Knives is in Montreal, and is one of the largest and most reputable CRK dealers on the planet.
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Good info on the woods Fooj, thanks. I've been on the fence about one for a while. Been thinking they may come out with one with CF inlays, but I doubt they ever will. I may need to just go ahead and get one with one of the two woods you mention. Just not sure if I can get 4 fingers on it.

I have a large hand, and am not sure if I can get four fingers on one. I barely can on my small classic, but have no problem with my small regular since my index finger goes up farther on the handle.

Can you get 4 fingers on the Mnandi ?
I know the handle is shorter than the small sebenza, but it looks like the front finger can go farther up on the handle.


tahomazz, I wouldn't worry to much about the toughness of the Mnandi. CRK has the best CS out there. I sent a 10 year old Sebenza back that had a slightly sticky lock, and they sent it back working perfect. I've sent a new knife back to Spyderco with a sticky lock, and it just came back in the same condition with a note saying it was within spec.

They also really know how to treat S35V, and you'll never have to worry about it chipping.
 
Ken44, I believe that you will have 1/2 a pinkie finger on the Mnandi....a loosely based opinion of mine taken from your description of how your hand fits your small regular knife.
I hope you try one....they really are a nice niche between a small Seb and a slipjoint.
 
Mine get's used a lot on apples.
It's so much fun to cut with the Mandi.
It has Bocote inlay and I rinse it with fresh water after user and then wipe it down.
No problems so far.
DOB: 2010-6-28
red mag
 
tahomazz said:
Hi everyone,

Looking to buy a nicer more gentleman folder type of knife. The Mnandi really stood out for me, as well as the GB Air(not a big fan of the silver twill) Anyways i was wondering if those who own and use Mnandis can tell me how they hold up. I use my knives and play with them quite a bit. I am just wondering how they lock bar holds up with use, will it eat away quickly and develop play? Just looking for any experiences good or bad:)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

First, I think the Mnandi blade is so light compared to other folders there simply is not enough mass to effectively hammer the lock bar too badly.

Secondly, my current Mnandi is several years old now and shows no signs of wear at all except at the blade tip where there is some polishing from cutting lots of foam core board. (Note: Damascus blade)

The inlays are all stabilized woods I believe so very little maintenance is necessary. My blackwood inlays have held up very well with only one small "ding" from something or other.

Assuming you clean and lubricate the knife from time to time, I cannot imagine how "playing with it" would wear it our within your lifetime.How many thousands of times would you have to open and close the blade to even begin to wear the blade against the pivot or bushing.
 
All good information and very useful to me as I contemplate my next knife purchase.

Does anyone have any insight on how well the Mammoth Ivory holds up? I will carrying and using mine on a regular basis and have read articles indicating that Mammoth Ivory on a knife can chip around the pins and that it can warp if it get exposed to high humidity. I take that with a "grain of salt", but would place more credibility on the insights from someone who owns a Mnandi with Mammoth Ivory. Does Chris stablize this material in some way?

I really do have the "hots" for a Mammoth Ivory Mnandi!
 
get an ivory mammoth with damascus.
I just got my first mnandi a day ago, with ivory mammoth inlays, and I'm already on the prowl for one with a damascus blade.

My day 1 impressions: the knife is smaller than I thought and pretty underwhelming for the $600 price tag. Day 2 impressions: In love. No regrets. Perfect gentleman edc.
 
I have been carrying a mammoth bark with ladder damascus daily for the past year and a half and have not had any issues. I am not the original owner and know that the knife was carried prior to my ownership. The contrast of the damascus at the blade tip has decreased with use but this has not deterred me from carrying it. The inlays look the same as the day I first started carrying it.
 
Moonblade said:
Does anyone have any insight on how well the Mammoth Ivory holds up? I will carrying and using mine on a regular basis and have read articles indicating that Mammoth Ivory on a knife can chip around the pins and that it can warp if it get exposed to high humidity. I take that with a "grain of salt", but would place more credibility on the insights from someone who owns a Mnandi with Mammoth Ivory. Does Chris stablize this material in some way?
Click to expand...

I've been EDCing a MIB Mnandi for many years now. 90% of the time, it's in its standard issue pouch, the balance it's clipped in a dress shirt or pant pocket. Either way, it sees no time in direct contact with coins or the like.
DBF_0625.jpg

CRK does not stablize the material. Even so, I've gotten my Mnandi wet on occasion, and have had mine in both high and low humidity states with no adverse effects. The inlays are held in their pocket with somewhat compliant VHB tape, and the inlay/pocket dimensions are designed to accommodate expansion and contraction of the materials. As a result, the inlays see minimal stress from the mismatch in expansion coefficients. With my usage, I've seen virtually no wear of the MIB.
 
Sk8n & Fooj,

Thanks to you both. That was exactly the kind of insight I was looking for.

I'll be sending out my order in a couple of weeks, ... after I talk to the little woman about what I really want for Christmas.
 
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