Small Sebenza vs Mnandi

E

El_Cid

Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
72
I'm ready for my first CRK.
But I'm torn between the small sebenza and the Mnandi. I like the size of the small sebenza a little bit more, but I really hate that IDAHO MADE inscription. Are all the knives inscriptioned, or could I order one without the inscription? Every website that sells knives seem to have only the ones with inscription in stock. If I won't be able to find one I think I'm going to go with the Mnandi.
 
They are a LOT different. The Mnandi is quite slim and not nearly as strong, well it feels fine but so small and light. The specs don't tell the whole story until you have one in hand. I love both but if you want small you should find one on the secondary market, they are around in mint condition every few days it seems.
 
I'm in Europe so its a bit trickier with sending one overseas.
The small Sebenza would be such a good EDC for work, but I can't get past that ugly inscription. If anyone spots an older small sebenza in stock please shoot me a PM.
 
El_Cid said:
If I won't be able to find one I think I'm going to go with the Mnandi.
Click to expand...
That would be my pick!
The Mnandi is a very capable knife for many tasks. There are so many inlays to choose from which make it so unique. Plus it is very people friendly, very much a gentleman's knife.
My opinion is very biased though as I love the Mnandi most of all.
 
I have both and would pick the small sebenza. The mnandi is a great gentlemens knife, but the sebenza is the perfect edc.

The Wilson combat version would be a great option with the Idaho inscription much less noticeable, but I've been on the hunt for their starbenza version and haven't seen one on their website or the BF exchange for several months.

If you can get past the inscription (which I find a non-issue) you can pick up a great deal on a small 21 right now.
 
DW, could you say a bit more about your EDC criteria?
I'm curious about use case differences,

Cheers
J
 
seb vs. mnandi is such a personal thing i won't comment on it other than to say that the mnandi seems more europe-friendly to me (whatever that means)
i wouldn't let the idaho made stamp be a deciding factor
only an issue if you are obsessing over pictures on the web
if you are using the thing, over time you probably won't even think about it
 
NYCMD said:
DW, could you say a bit more about your EDC criteria?
I'm curious about use case differences,

Cheers
J
Click to expand...

Honestly J my edc needs are pretty minimal.....things like opening boxes, envelopes, and those damn plastic packages from the store. Both the sebenza and mnandi easily handle the tasks, but I personally find the sebenza much easier to employ quickly and one-handed so it gets the pocket time more than the mnandi. The small sebenza is also just the right size for me.
 
Thanks DW,

makes sense.
I'm going to be alternating EDC between my Mnandi's and a Hinderer 3" XM-18, until one of them takes pride of place
Cheers
J
 
I love the Mnandi because it doesn't intimidate sheeple. There have been a couple of occasions when I've used my Mnandi in public (Slicing open a package and cutting up salami and Christmas party because the host's knife was like a butter knife) and a friend has asked to look at it and commented on how nice it is. It's so small and beautiful that I don't think people react negatively to the "knife" in pocket as much as other more "tactical" looking blades. In NYC I think this would make a difference...
 
Hmmmm a 3" hinderer would be a good alternative, if I could find one in stock for a fair price.
Whats up with this inscription, last time I wanted to buy a sebenza, a couple of years ago, I don't remember they had it.

- The starbenza is a work of art - do they have it in stock somewhere?
 
NYCMD said:
Thanks DW,

makes sense.
I'm going to be alternating EDC between my Mnandi's and a Hinderer 3" XM-18, until one of them takes pride of place
Cheers
J
Click to expand...

I havent handled a Hinderer, but from everything i have read here, the small seb is right in the middle of the two. Having held onew for the first time a few weeks ago, i found it to be much more stout feeling than the mnandi at approximately the same size.
 
El_Cid said:
Hmmmm a 3" hinderer would be a good alternative, if I could find one in stock for a fair price.
Whats up with this inscription, last time I wanted to buy a sebenza, a couple of years ago, I don't remember they had it.

- The starbenza is a work of art - do they have it in stock somewhere?
Click to expand...
The stamp was added not long ago as by Mr. Reeve as a mark of pride of the knives' origin znd pride in his home state. Was it the 21 that first carried it?

There are classics available used from time to time here and other placed that wont carry the stamp, as well as older sebs.
 
buy a mnandi now, it's a great time to buy one because there are many different inlays available at the moment. Then keep your eye on the forums and ebay for a small with no stamp. You will eventually want both anyway.
 
I have both and tend to EDC my small Insingo much more. It rides in my pocket with no clip, sometimes in a leather CRK slip case. I do like my Mnandi but for some reason it just does not see as much day-to-day office use.
 
buy one on the forums, get it shipped to EU with NYBOX, I've bought 7 already and all got here safe
my favourite is the small sebbie, but the mnandi sure has a large share of carry time!
Maxx
 
dwcliff said:
I have both and would pick the small sebenza. The mnandi is a great gentlemens knife, but the sebenza is the perfect edc.

The Wilson combat version would be a great option with the Idaho inscription much less noticeable, but I've been on the hunt for their starbenza version and haven't seen one on their website or the BF exchange for several months.

If you can get past the inscription (which I find a non-issue) you can pick up a great deal on a small 21 right now.
Click to expand...

Sorry for minor hijack, but ...

I am also looking for a small 21. Where abouts can I find a great deal right now?

Thanks,
Alan
 
dwcliff said:
I have both and would pick the small sebenza. The mnandi is a great gentlemens knife, but the sebenza is the perfect edc.

The Wilson combat version would be a great option with the Idaho inscription much less noticeable, but I've been on the hunt for their starbenza version and haven't seen one on their website or the BF exchange for several months.

If you can get past the inscription (which I find a non-issue) you can pick up a great deal on a small 21 right now.
Click to expand...

Sorry for minor hijack, but ...

I am also looking for a small 21. Where abouts can I find a great deal right now?

Thanks,
Alan
 
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