Thinking of getting a Mnandi-Couple of questions for owners

F

Flint Hills

Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
862
Hi guys,

My wife told me she's going to get a fancy new purse when she's in Chicago next month, so she doesn't know it yet, but I'll be getting a new toy too. :) I've always liked classic knives and the Mnandi just looks like the perfect pocket knife to me.

I carry my knives in my right front pocket. Now that it's summer time I will be moving my keys out of the jacket pocket and back into the right front pocket...I know, I know. I have always carried my knives in the right front pocket and I don't like clips really, so what concerns me is the blade being exposed to bumps from keys, etc. I haven't been carrying my Spyderco Techno lately due to this reason. I've switched over to the Spyderco Chaparral since it's lockback covers the blade.

My questions are:

1.) Do any of you carry the Mnandi in the leather case in your pocket? Does the sheath add too much bulk to be carried in a pocket with keys?

2.) As a first time Mnandi owner (first CRK actually), which would you recommend? I'm probably looking at the standard model.

Thanks!
 
I love the leather case on the small Seb. It should be even better on the mnandi.

And box elder!
 
I carry mine in the pouch and have never had an issue, I keep the clip on as well.
When you state standard model, I am assuming you are referencing the inlays. Bocote, Ebony and Cocobolo are the current standard inlays. The premium inlays currently available are Snakewood, Honduran Rosewood and Box Elder. CRK has offered other inlays in the past and these occasionally show up on the exchange. The choice really comes down to personal preference, choose the inlay that you like.
 
I would handle the Mnandi before buying one, if that is possible. They are small. And for me, hard to open one handed. I prefer the small sebenza for EDC, but I know there are many fans of EDCing Mnandis. I just wanted to give another viewpoint.

I personally do not use a pouch for my Sebenza, or even my William Henry's. Just clip them in my pocket. If I were to carry a Mnandi, I would do so in my Levi's watch pocket, which is where I carry small knives like William Henry's. But the knives I EDC are not ones I plan to sell, so if they get softened by use, I don't mind.
 
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Flint Hills said:
1.) Do any of you carry the Mnandi in the leather case in your pocket? Does the sheath add too much bulk to be carried in a pocket with keys?

2.) As a first time Mnandi owner (first CRK actually), which would you recommend? I'm probably looking at the standard model.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Like sk8n, I EDC my Mnandi with the clip still installed in the standard pouch. After a while, the calfskin forms to the knife like a conformal coat of plastic on a tool handle. After this happens, the knife is very secure in the pouch. You can shake the pouch and the knife doesn't come out, and you can release the knife by squeezing the pouch, reminiscent of a soft plastic oval coin case.

DBF_0625.jpg


I do not find that the loaded pouch creates much bulk at all. If anything, the pouch "softens" the edges of the knife, such that the Mnandi is less noticeable in your pocket.

Of the standard inlays, I prefer cocobolo. The natural oils in the wood make it very moisture resistant. In fact, for that reason cocobolo is the wood of choice on the CRK Inyoni, their bird 'n' fish knife.
 
I carry my Mnandis clipped to my jeans watch pocket, or in a font pocket in the leather sheath. The sheath adds some bulk, but not too much. You'll want to protect that beautiful inlay. Plus, I never trust a linerlock or framelock in the pocket, though I trust CRKs detent more than most.

As far as which to get, browse through the Mnandi thread on this forum. You'll develop some favorite inlays pretty quickly, then just keep your eye open for one with one of those inlays.
 
The Mnandi makes a fine edc knife, carrys easily, and handles all of my daily requirements from opening the mail to making my lunch.
I find it is the only pocket knife I really need. For its size it is a real workhorse.

The CRK calfskin leather pouch serves very well to carry the Mnandi and keep it safe in your pocket, as others have pointed out.
I like to use the goatskin leather case shown in the photo, which fits my Mnandis nicely. It's just another carry option.


DSC00279 by Desert Hermit, on Flickr


DSC00278 by Desert Hermit, on Flickr
 
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