Thoughts on the CRK Mnandi

nyefmaker

nyefmaker

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Sep 29, 2008
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I have Many CRK, but dont yet have a Mnandi. What do my fellow members think of it, pros and cons ??? I have a few Sebbies, but would like to add a Mnandi. :D
 
If you're a collector you definitely need one. I don't have one anymore but it will probably be my next CRK purchase. They are really just a different experience not better or worse. More elegant than the Sebenza, it's about beautiful details. If you go to www.truenorthknives.com you'll see some interesting variations like decorated pivots. I can't think of anything I don't like about them other than they're a little to small for me for EDC.
 
i keep telling myself i need to get one, then i remember my thoughts when i have had opportunities to handle one.

as above, i think they are beautiful. super smooth opening, and i like the blade shape.

but just too small for me to manipulate with comfort. i would like it to be about 1/2" longer, maybe 1/8" wider. even 1/16" wider would help me.

and i would also like to see micarta or leather inserts, which should theoretically lower the price a bit.

i had a spyderco rookie, which reminded me of the mnandi in size.
 
I purchased my first CRK knife earlier this year. I picked it up for when I was required to be "dressed up" but still wanted to have a knife on hand. Knowing that it was never intended to be an EDC for me I decided that I could spend a bit more money than I normally would on a knife. With that in mind, I picked my Mnandi for the following reasons:
1. IMO it is balanced perfectly balanced between "classy" and function.
2. It was also available from the online store w/out a long wait.
3. It is not as intimidating as some of my other knives (mostly Spydercos) to non-knife people.
4. It is a bit understated. Knife people know what it is and appreciate the F/F and quality of construction. Non-knife people rarely give it a second glance when I use it around them.

I am not a big knife collector or critic. However, I know what I like and what I do not. I have absolutely no buyer's remorse over my purchase of the Mnandi. If fact I like it so much I just purchased a "plain Jain" Large Sebenza for EDC. Mostly for reasons 2-4 above.

Hope it helps,
STICF
 
Oh, the Mnandi is an extraordinary knife. Some characteristics about it that I like:

1) Every Mnandi, even the standard model, is inlaid with an exotic material. This means that the wood, mammoth ivory, etc. rests in a recessed pocket, making the material secure against lateral forces. Most knives, often costing much more, possess overlays held on by screws. The Mnandi's inlay pocket is machined to such tolerances that the recessing is rarely noticed. Sebenza models are inlaid as well, but this doesn't come at the price point that the Mnandi does.

2) The machined Ti clip is the classiest in the industry, at any price. Most people mistake an Mnandi as a high end pen when it's clipped in a jacket pocket.

3) The nail nick is way stylish. It's smooth and classic, but the geometries and pivot action are such that one can use it as they would a thumb stud.

4) Same bank-vault construction as the Sebenza, just with smaller dimensions.

The Mnandi is in my EDC rotation, and is the go to carry knife for dressy occasions, or when you don't want something with a lot of mass.
 
For what it is, I think the Mnandi is a fantastic knife.

In the hand, they are very elegant and somewhat understated. Highly useful and non-threatening. Really a very well thought out design. Also very lightweight.

I see the downside as being its level of appointment. Kind of like wearing your office pants out to a jobsite and getting oil all over them. Some pants improve with stains, and some deteriorate. The Sebenza gains character as it acquires patina - not so much with the Mnandi. So it's more of a white-collar/after hours knife… which I think was the idea.
 
THAT's the one I've been missing in my rotation! I'm sittin' here thinking of buying another knife because I feel I am 'missing' something... It's that feeling of being incomplete. Yep! Time to pull a Mnandi out of the safe and carry it for a while! Now I can 'pro and con' with myself on carrying it with the clip, without, loose or in the sheath!

OP - you do NEED a Mnandi!!
 
My Mnandi is the only knife I carry that still has the pocket clip on it. Normally I hate those things with a passion, but the one on the Mnandi actually helps the 'hand-feel' and is so classy that it is almost unbelievable.

It also helps that the whole knife is very light, feels small while being only slightly shorter than a small Sebenza, works one-handed, and the wood inserts are brilliant.

Greg
 
With the pocket clip, I carry in my shirt pocket...


Greg said:
My Mnandi is the only knife I carry that still has the pocket clip on it. Normally I hate those things with a passion, but the one on the Mnandi actually helps the 'hand-feel' and is so classy that it is almost unbelievable.

It also helps that the whole knife is very light, feels small while being only slightly shorter than a small Sebenza, works one-handed, and the wood inserts are brilliant.

Greg
Click to expand...
 
I have a pair of them and consider the Mnandi a thoroughly remarkable knife. The inlay and the polished blade give it an understated elegance. At first you think you'll cut yourself opening the knife but no, it is chamfered just enough to prevent that.

My only issue with the Mnandi (and Cris Reeve woodworking in general) is they never fully seal the pores of the wood and their spray-on sealer gives it a textured finish. Of course, take it apart and you can fill the pores and smooth the finish with five minutes work and some 400 grit wet/dry paper.

I would (and have) unreservedly recommended this "gents knife" to a number of friends.
 
Well, here in France people aren't quite used to knives in publics areas...so, sometimes the smalest your knife is, the better it is. And it's not because you carry a small knife that you have to forget about top notch quality.
I usually carry a 4" blade Mayo or Marlowe plus a non frightening pocket knife like a Mnandi.

BTW if you just want to carry one knife, I would recomend you a Small Sebenza.
 
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