Mnandi Alternative

Petunia D. Feeble

Petunia D. Feeble

I sharpen things.
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 30, 2016
Messages
4,689
I’ve decided I need a dress knife. I haven’t worn a suit in nearly a decade but definitely need a new dress knife. No question about it. Don’t tell my wife.

I’ve always liked the Mnandi and it’s an obvious choice. Slim, sturdy, handsome… It seems to sort of stand alone as a mix of a sort of classic luxury and modern build quality. Is there anything else like it? There’s plenty of small knives, but most are either chunky modern folders or old school slip joints.

If you wanted a Mnandi, but couldn’t have one for whatever reason what else would you consider?
 
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Is there a price limit?
You are getting into the custom territory if you compare it to a damascus mnandi.
 
gentleman_edc said:
Is there a price limit?
You are getting into the custom territory if you compare it to a damascus mnandi.
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I’d be shopping at Mnandi prices or lower. There’s no hard ceiling if a particularly fine example of something stands out though.
 
If you do happen to be looking for something in the lower price range then perhaps some of the Mcusta offerings. Certainly not up to Mnandi standards but nice dress knives nonetheless. Still, if a Mnandi is in the budget I say go for that.

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Barman1 said:
William Henry. 😉
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Indeed. I really like the B12 from WH, but the “lower end” builds are few and far between. I had one in a cart last year, but hesitated and lost it to another buyer. Still kicking myself.
 
Pena front flippers look really nice and classy, and you can go X series or custom.

Olamic busker or Giantmouse Riv can also fit that nice small knife notch, but kind of depends on your taste.

I keep looking at the Mnandi, but they don't seem to be in stock anywhere. If they were available, I would probably have one already.
 
xylum said:
Pena front flippers look really nice and classy, and you can go X series or custom.

Olamic busker or Giantmouse Riv can also fit that nice small knife notch, but kind of depends on your taste.

I keep looking at the Mnandi, but they don't seem to be in stock anywhere. If they were available, I would probably have one already.
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If you really want a Mnandi, check the Chris Reeve for sale section on this site and set a few email alerts for the retailers that have that option. The last quarterly report from CRK put the wait time for the Mnandi at 6 years, right at the top with a few other models. That's if you order direct from CRK, but their retailers constantly place orders so they always have knives trickling in. You can definitely get one, but you'll have to be a little more attentive.
 
The early Al Mar knives (which look similar to the black Moki knives) came in a thumb stud version. Falcon Talon. I haven't seen an elegant, modern Moki knife with a thumb stud.

Part of the fun is the search.

And if you look hard enough, you can find Mnandis in stock, but I can never find one with the scales that I want.
 
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