Original Style Mnandi vs New Style Mnandi

nyefmaker

nyefmaker

Gold Member
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Sep 29, 2008
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I have owned 6 mnandi over the years, but currently don't have any as they are all with fellow forum members. All the ones I had were the older style. I could open them easily with one hand and the S30V always held a nice edge, even the damascus mnandi I had was the older style as well.

I have heard the newer version of the mnandi, you cant open it with one hand....?? I see the pivot bushing has changed as well as the clip. On the older versions, you could remove the clip, doesnt look like you can on the new style. I am not looking to remove it, just an observation. I will say I liked the look of the older pivot bushing, but that would not stop me from getting the new style if I end up thinking its better.

Since I have not had any for awhile, I would like to know what you guys and gals think about the older version of the mnandi vs the newer version.

Other than the pivot bushing and the clip, are there any other variances I am missing. The nail nick looks slightly different, perhaps chamfered a tad, but with lighting, I know its tough to tell.

Looking forward to what you have to say.

Thanks in Advance.
 
As you can see, I prefer the old style. It would have to be a pretty spectacular inlay for me to buy the new. I prefer the old nail nick in both form and function. The new is possible to open one handed, but only with a pinch and slingshot method. The old catches on the thumb and opens effortlessly. I also prefer the flush pivot and the capped screw, as well as the clip. The older clip can be removed as is, the new needs an extra screw. But, the differences really aren't all that pronounced, plenty of others here on the forum have no preference or prefer the new. So, I would say look for an inlay you like and go from there.

Edit: Just want to add that on the damascus blades, the difference between old and new nick is even less apparent.

ibpdZnTEICMnbS.jpg
 
Humblerodent sums it up well in the post above. I can open all variations one handed but the new nail nick in S35V is definitely the most difficult. I use my thumb, perpendicular to the blade. I could never use the pinch method effectively.
 
I will admit to never owning the old style Mnandi but I do have four of the new style, with yet one more inbound. I really like the looks of the new style clip.......and I have removed it from all of my Mnandis!! :eek:
The only reason I did is that I like to be able to enjoy all of the beauty of both inlays and the clip, which I do not use anyway, just covered up too much beauty. :rolleyes:
If you prefer to carry your Mnandi "clipless" just give Heather a call and tell her you need a screw to replace the clip on the Mnandi and, as always, problem solved. ;)
(5-40 X .25 clip screw, I believe)

Large size hands and aging fingers make opening my Mnandis a two paw job, but I don't mind that, and if I have to open one handed I can do it with a little work, or I can just open using the "Spidey Drop" method if I only have one hand available. :D

Nyefmaker, my friend, you were the one here who first got me interested in the Mnandi a few months ago when you posted pictures and text of opening cement bags with your Mnandi, (to the horror of many!!) and proved what a tough little workhorse the Mnandi really is. I edc one now and use it for everything. It does the job and comes back for more. It is a "bigger" knife than its size would indicate. :thumbup:
 
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I have had both the older and new styled Mnandi I currently have a damascus and cocobolo. I don't see much difference in one hand opening both styles open effortlessly. There's enough nail nick to get a grip on. Everything else on the newer version I find an improvement. Still not sure about the new style pivot bushing the older pivot bushing assisted in holding down the front part of the inlay. I use mine for cutting everything including fruit. I normally rinse the knife down afterward. If water gets under the inlay it will rise up. Thats one reason I purchased the cocobolo it's more resistant to moisture.

Thanks,
 
I have both old and new......I've removed the clips on all as I find carrying them in leather(both custom and provided) pouches preferable to clipping to the pocket. However, I MUCH prefer the old nail nick.....I can open the new version, but the old version is effortless while the new requires much more focus. I actually think I prefer the old pivot to the new as well. I agree with previous posts that the damascus is much harder to distinguish......though the MUCH older versions(2003 or so) have a more distinct pattern. Regardless, I'm hooked on this knife and find myself just loving them all!!
 
After browsing around for awhile, I am finding that I like the older version better. The clip doesnt matter to me much, though I feel the older one again was nicer, but I am liking the bigger pivot that actually helps hold the wood into the scale, while the new one looks to not do so. Hoping one will come up soon. Would like something with some grain and character. I missed out on a nice one on the exchange, which was a steal....!!!
 
There has been much discussion regarding the new nail nick having an impact on opening the new style Mnandi. IMO the difficulty has more to do with the new detent versus the new nail nick. I have included a photo below. The top blade is from a 2006 Mnandi and the bottom blade is from a late 2012 Mnandi. Compare the two detent holes and notice how much larger the detent hole is on the new style blade. It is actually a thru hole on the new blade. I believe this is the main reason that the newer style is more difficult to open. I do believe that the new nail nick style contributes as well though.

It is also interesting to note the difference in blade finish. The older style blade has a much nicer finish IMO.

PS: sorry about the fingerprints.

 
sk8n said:
There has been much discussion regarding the new nail nick having an impact on opening the new style Mnandi. IMO the difficulty has more to do with the new detent versus the new nail nick. I have included a photo below. The top blade is from a 2006 Mnandi and the bottom blade is from a late 2012 Mnandi. Compare the two detent holes and notice how much larger the detent hole is on the new style blade. It is actually a thru hole on the new blade. I believe this is the main reason that the newer style is more difficult to open. I do believe that the new nail nick style contributes as well though.

It is also interesting to note the difference in blade finish. The older style blade has a much nicer finish IMO.

PS: sorry about the fingerprints.

Click to expand...

Nice post my friend. You might be on to something with the detent. I always thought it was the nail nick on the new ones that made it difficult to open. Then again I haven't taken apart my new newer mnandi. I prefer the old. Finish on the blade is more subtle giving it a classier look too. Personally I am quite perplexed on why the change. I don't own a lot of mnandi but I am sure some can weigh in here...
 
Looks like the new one on the bottom is stonewashed with a belt finish on the grind, compared to a polished blade with belt finish on the grind on the earlier blade. (?) Kind of odd, since S35VN was introduced in part to make it easier, faster and more economical for knife makers to get a good polish on blades.
 
Sharpski said:
Nice post my friend. You might be on to something with the detent. I always thought it was the nail nick on the new ones that made it difficult to open. Then again I haven't taken apart my new newer mnandi. I prefer the old. Finish on the blade is more subtle giving it a classier look too. Personally I am quite perplexed on why the change. I don't own a lot of mnandi but I am sure some can weigh in here...
Click to expand...

I would agree Mike, I think you may be onto something. However, aesthetically I still find the old style to be more user friendly and refined....if that is the right word!
 
sk8n said:
There has been much discussion regarding the new nail nick having an impact on opening the new style Mnandi. IMO the difficulty has more to do with the new detent versus the new nail nick. I have included a photo below. The top blade is from a 2006 Mnandi and the bottom blade is from a late 2012 Mnandi. Compare the two detent holes and notice how much larger the detent hole is on the new style blade. It is actually a thru hole on the new blade. I believe this is the main reason that the newer style is more difficult to open. I do believe that the new nail nick style contributes as well though.

It is also interesting to note the difference in blade finish. The older style blade has a much nicer finish IMO.

PS: sorry about the fingerprints.

Click to expand...

I appreciate that picture. Because of it, I now know my first Mnandi will definitely be an old style. Appears the jimping is finer on the old too.
 
hmpf seems the old one is the better one? good my 2 are old ones, as the ones I'll buy from now on
found the old one better as the newer one came out and the first pictures came out
 
Like the older Umnumzaans and the older Sebenza 25's (yes, the ones with the fixed stop pin), I too prefer the older original versions of the Mnandis. If it isn't broke.....don't fix it! :D CRK comes up with some AMAZING DESIGNS and although I am all for improvement and future versions if certain aspects pose problems, the crazy thing is, CRK has such a nack and history of doing things so perfectly right the first time. Just my 2 cents.
 
I own both, and its a toss up for me. The one handed opening doesn't matter to me, and I like the way the clip looks on the newer version. I do like the lock up on the older style of the knife, it seems different on the new one. Solid, but different and later on the updated one.
Either way, still a classy knife that gets lots of comments wherrever it get used!
 
Ernie1980 said:
I own both, and its a toss up for me. The one handed opening doesn't matter to me, and I like the way the clip looks on the newer version. I do like the lock up on the older style of the knife, it seems different on the new one. Solid, but different and later on the updated one.
Either way, still a classy knife that gets lots of comments wherrever it get used!
Click to expand...

I personally like the new clip better as well.
 
I have owned both. I think it comes down to inlays for me. Yes the older are easier to open. But i personally like the looks of the new ones. Plus my mammoth is amazing. Both are the perfect edc.
 
nyefmaker said:
After browsing around for awhile, I am finding that I like the older version better. The clip doesnt matter to me much, though I feel the older one again was nicer, but I am liking the bigger pivot that actually helps hold the wood into the scale, while the new one looks to not do so. Hoping one will come up soon. Would like something with some grain and character. I missed out on a nice one on the exchange, which was a steal....!!!
Click to expand...

Nyefmaker, you and I are on the same page here. I actually prefer the larger pivot as well.....something about it speaks to the word "substantial." I also still love the older nail nick over the new.....the clip is a wash for me as I remove them all and carry in leather.
 
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