Torn between small 21 insingo and mnandi

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kcdurocher

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Nov 27, 2015
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So I have a dilemma. I originally wanted an mnandi, I thought they looked beautiful. I'd want something simple like ebony or cocobolo.

But then the more I looked, the more I wanted a small Sebenza 21 Insingo. I'd like micarta inlays, but I think "plain" would be good too.

Either knife would be users, I work in a grocery store and cut lots of tape and boxes. Around the house my knives are usually just used for mail/box opening, tape/thread cutting, slicing apples and oranges, usual edc tasks, so that's what they would be facing most of the time.

So tell me which one do I want? I keep going back and forth.
 
Just went through the same dilemma. I bought both!!Bought a Mnandi with cocobolo. It arrived today. Love it!! Also ordered the small seb insigno with micarta direct as I want blue hardware so I can speak to that but for your use, I'd go seb
 
They are very different knives, I prefer the small 21, but the mnandi can definitely handle anything you throw at it. I think it would be a matter of which you would like to try first, and then go ahead and try the other.
The mnandi has a thinner blade and no thumb studs for deep cutting, but the Small 21 feels more deliberate when opening and I like the utilitarian flat clip better than the mnandi's machined clip.

Mnandis and 21s have been going fairly cheaply on the exchange lately (and I am biased because I have some up there! haha)
 
Small Insingo for sure. Aside from being the worlds perfect EDC, it also looks less threatening, even compared to the Mnandi so that is usually a bonus around fellow staff and customers.. In a grocery store situation, I'd go plane-Jane. The knife can be totally sterile with soap and hot water. The Mnandi is nice too, but I'd go Insingo 21. You'd be surprised what a great piercing blade the Insingo is for stuff like blister-packs due to the swedge.

Small 21 Insingo all the way (if I haven't already said that three times)
 
Ebony Mnandi's are sexy, I side with the Mnandi for (my) everyday needs mostly suit office attire. Ether one, flip a coin, go with your gut. Remember to be patient and give the knife time to grow on you.
 
Another vote for sm Insingo. I like the micarta version, looks great and makes the handle a hair thicker which aids in holding it. It also reduces snail trails.

That knife has such a great reputation (a small Insingo) that I'm forced to get one just to see why everyone feels that way.

But I know there is a reason, and a deserved one.
 
I have the same delima and went with the mnandi (old style). I love it. Its been my EDC for a bout 18 months. I really prefer deep pocket carry. The light weight of the mnandi makes perfect for the pocket, geans, slacks, whichever. I carry without a clip because it makes very comfortable in the hand.

I still lust after a plain insingo once in while....I have always been a sheepsfoot fan..
 
kcdurocher said:
Hi tyd450, I recognize you from Reddit. Thanks for the advice!
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Nice! Are you the same user name on Reddit?

I have both knives and the small insingo finds its way into my pocket more often. I think you will find the thumb lug to be more handy especially if you will be opening it one handed. The mnandi is definitely a two handed opener unless you buy one of the older models with the sharper nail tick.
 
I would suggest the Seb for a first CRK, unless you are working in an office environment. (Personally I prefer the standard blade over the Insingo, but am probably in the minority...)
 
Tyd450 said:
I have both knives and the small insingo finds its way into my pocket more often. I think you will find the thumb lug to be more handy especially if you will be opening it one handed. The mnandi is definitely a two handed opener unless you buy one of the older models with the sharper nail tick.
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Which is to say that you REALLY should handle them before you decide which one to buy. That's what I did and I ended up with the Small 21. The Mnandi was just too small for me.
 
Vaporstang said:
Personally I prefer the standard blade over the Insingo, but am probably in the minority...
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I do too. And my bet is that we're not in the minority. I suspect the Insingo blade shape is just odd enough that the "average" Sebenza buyer would opt for the standard blade more often than not.
 
Tyd450 said:
Nice! Are you the same user name on Reddit?

I have both knives and the small insingo finds its way into my pocket more often. I think you will find the thumb lug to be more handy especially if you will be opening it one handed. The mnandi is definitely a two handed opener unless you buy one of the older models with the sharper nail tick.
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I'm martinbishop on Reddit. And I think you've all persuaded me to get the seb :)
 
Vaporstang said:
I would suggest the Seb for a first CRK, unless you are working in an office environment. (Personally I prefer the standard blade over the Insingo, but am probably in the minority...)
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I couldn't agree more on all accounts!
 
I say go for the Seb as well. I've had both (regular seb not the insigno but thats the next knife I'm getting) and if I had to choose between the two for an edc it'd definitely be the Seb. The Mnandi is a amazing knife and it could easily handle all the tasks you mentioned but the Seb just feels better in the hand. Also the Seb is easier to open. Not that the Mnandi is hard to open, the thumb stud on the Seb would just be easier. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but Ive always found myself opening the Mnandi with two fingers. I kind of pinch the blade open with my thumb and middle finder whereas the Seb you just open with your thumb no problem. Again not hard just something to think about. Hope this helps either way you can't go wrong. Both are amazing knives.
 
smitty1505 said:
I say go for the Seb as well. I've had both (regular seb not the insigno but thats the next knife I'm getting) and if I had to choose between the two for an edc it'd definitely be the Seb. The Mnandi is a amazing knife and it could easily handle all the tasks you mentioned but the Seb just feels better in the hand. Also the Seb is easier to open. Not that the Mnandi is hard to open, the thumb stud on the Seb would just be easier. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but Ive always found myself opening the Mnandi with two fingers. I kind of pinch the blade open with my thumb and middle finder whereas the Seb you just open with your thumb no problem. Again not hard just something to think about. Hope this helps either way you can't go wrong. Both are amazing knives.
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Mnandi with old nail tick is at least as easy as seb thumb stud. I cannot comment on new nail tick.
 
The problem I have with small thumbstud openers is as soon as I relax my grip enough to get my thumb positioned properly to open the blade, the knife starts moving around in the palm of my hand. Any knife with a closed length of <4" is problematic in my medium-sized paw. That puts the Small Sebenza right on the edge of controllability for me and it makes the Mnandi a no-go for one hand opening. YMMV.
 
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