Question: Would the Mnandi serve an ultralight backpacker well? Do bushcraft tasks?

Distelfink

Distelfink

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At only 1.5 oz. is the Mnandi a candidate for ultralight backpacking? :confused:

Given Chris Reeve's description of his knives as being "intended as robust, working knives" the Mnandi should be up to the challenge.

Can the Mnandi shave fine wood chips or "feather sticks" for fire making?

With a Mnandi unlocked and in an L shape to protect the pivot, could the blade be struck by a small baton to split wood of about 1.5" diameter? Maybe 2" diameter?

Could it be used for substantial whittling for tasks like building a buck saw?

FYI, most UL backpackers make due with a 0.6 oz. Victorinox Classic or INOX folder or similar, because pack weight is a major consideration.
My favorite backpacking folder has been a 0.65 oz. Spyderco Manbug accompanied by a 0.2 oz Victorinox scissors from its Card product.

Some like me seek a larger but still very light knife that can do essential bushcraft tasks when needed.
The smallest Bark River fixed blade knives are outstanding, but the required sheath adds a lot of weight, while a folder does not.

What do you Mnandi owners-users think? :)
 
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As an owner of the Mnandi I think the knife could do it if needed, but I believe it is considered more of a "gentleman's" knife.
I would worry about putting such demands on a $350 knife that is not necessarily designed for wood splitting (even 1.5-2.0 inch diameter).

I would likely start with a similar size and weight slipjoint to see if it handles what you look to accomplish with weight and backpacker-type tasks.
Being someone who adores Mnandi, I'd like to say, yes, get it as I do believe it could tackle those chores, but it's just not intended for those purposes from what I understand.
 
A Mnandi will be just fine for making kindling, but I think you'd get more bang for your buck with a small Sebenza, with a small increase in weight. A Mnandi weighs in at 1.5 ounces and has a blade thickness of 2.3mm. A carbon fiber-sided Sebenza weighs 2.7 ounces and has a blade thickness of 3.175mm. For my money, you get a lot more knife for the 0.8 oz., especially if you are planning to split wood up to 2" in diameter.
 
I am with Lisa on this one.
Sure, the knife could prob do everything but the batoning in stride but I'm sure that there are MUCH better options for you.
I think that the blade is too thin and narrow at the tip to be able to handle the beating it would take from batoning even 1 1/2 inch pieces of wood. It may be fine, who knows, but a reblade would cost you more than an appropriate knife.

That said, I've used my small Insingo to build a shelter while caught in a bad storm during a day hunt and it did superbly, didn't even feel like I needed the large but would've loved to have it :)

I know that the ultra light guys( not saying you ) can get CRAZY about the tenth of an ounce but there's a point of diminished return in my book and a 3 1/2 ounce small Seb was worth it's weight-times ten- in gold when I forgot my fixed blade at camp.

I know that you said the small fixed blades are out due to the sheath weight but have you looked into all Ti knives that are more of a large Kiridashi than traditional mora style knife?
They're extremely light for the size and even with the added Kydex they still come in around 3 oz or less if I remember correctly.


There's a great forum member who makes some- brain fart on his name right now- and the Warren Thomas model six is a great example as well. Both are also well under the cost of a Mnandi if that's at all a factor; they're safer too since there's no joint.

I do love the mnandi, I have had several and still have 2 right now, one of my most favorite designs- but it'd be the last one in the safe that I'd grab for your requirements.

If you do get it and try it out on the trail please update all of us with how it performed for you, actual user threads for that beauty are few and far between.

Well it looks like the guy above me typed up a similar reply while I rambled on, so, what he said too ;D

Happy trails.
 
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I'd go small plain-jane sebenza with spear point myself. 100% metal knife and super tough.
 
As much as I love my CRKs ... I would probably go in a different direction. Based on what you wrote .... I would suggest something 1) less expensive (lots of stuff can get lost easily in the woods!), 2) you can get a good grip on with hands which may be slippery, dirty, or gloved, and 3) has a super strong lock. That said, I would probably suggest something like one of the Cold Steel mini line, like this mini-AK-47:

AK47.jpg


While more than the sub-1oz you mentioned, it weighs in at 2.8 oz. That is a hair lighter than a small Sebenza and only 1.3 oz heavier than a Mnandi. However .... you can get a really good grip on this knife, the Tri-Ad lock is proven to be very strong, and if you lose it ... you are only out about $50. Blade length is the same as a Mnandi (2.75"). Some might not be all that fond of the AUS 8A steel, but I have found it to be just fine. You can get a very sharp edge and it is very easy to sharpen. I carry this one a lot in the winter time.

That said, if I were dead set on using a CRK for your intended purpose, it would definitely not be a Mnandi ...... small Sebenza would be the logical choice.
 
I wouldn't use one for that myself.

I think the small Sebenza would be much better for this. I can barely tell it's in pocket, but if you want to go lighter the small Carbon Fiber Sebenza would be a great choice IMO.


If I were wanting to go really light weight I would carry my Fallkniven TK4.
Many use this model as a lightweight bushcraft folder.
You can get all four fingers on the handle, and it only weights 1.8 oz.
 
Other bushcraft-yes
Batoning-don't think it would be very good. with a 2.75"blade and no handle (do to breaking to L position) you are going to have very little strike area(1.5-2" wood) after getting your fingers on blade to hold the position. If you will need to baton I would go with a light fixed blade(Mora would be good) and make your own sheath. In most area's batoning is not needed IMO, but you should know if it is or not.
Drop the batoning and you should be fine IMO

Your ? might be better for a ultra light backpackers forum- they would have the skill set and experience to give you a better answer. If these tasks can be preformed well with other 2.75" bladed folders they should be able to be preformed well with the CRK's. I just ? batoning with any 2.75" bladed folder, but you may have the skills to pull it off.
 
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I am sure the mnandi could do what your asking, but I 110% would go with a small sebenza. Its MUCH more stouter and up to the tasks you mention.
 
I'm not against batoning, but I have also never NEEDED to do it. If you are willing to spare a few extra minutes of foraging, it's usually avoidable (and you can remove all the risks/concerns associated with the method).

Personally, I like a bigger knife for everything, but I understand your pursuit (I think).

Whatever you decide, please report back with your findings!
 
While a Mnandi would be far from my first choice I can see it doing fairly well for those light tasks where a thin blade with a fine point is what you want. Making feather sticks, light carving, piercing or splitting small pieces of wood for kindling would not be outside of its abilities. I think I would probably be more concerned about finding it in the leaf litter when it gets dropped than breaking it. :p

This picture is not the joke it may at first seem to be, that Mnandi did actually open the can. :)

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