Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011: A True Gentleman’s Folder
This Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011 is in mint, preowned condition. It left the Boise shop on October 4, 2011. Moreover, it carries the signed birth card that records that exact date.
The Mnandi is Chris Reeve’s dress folder. It weighs about an ounce and a half. Consequently, it disappears in a pocket where a Sebenza would not. This one came from a collection of preowned knives kept in a climate-controlled environment.
Mammoth Bark Ivory You Cannot Order Anymore
Both titanium scales carry fossil mammoth ivory inlays. Bark ivory comes from the outer layer of the tusk. That layer sat against soil for thousands of years and absorbed minerals from it.
The result is the coloring you see here. Cream and bone white run through amber, rust, and deep brown. Furthermore, the grain shows fine natural checking that no synthetic material imitates well.
Chris Reeve Knives eventually dropped mammoth inlays as state ivory rules tightened. Therefore no new example exists. The box label and birth card both name the material, which matters for provenance.
The S30V Blade and a Steel Transition Year
This Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011 runs a 2.75-inch S30V blade at 58 to 59 RC. Crucible and Chris Reeve developed S30V together. For years it was the benchmark stainless in American production knives.
By 2011 the shop was moving toward S35VN across most lines. However, this birth card still reads S30V. That makes the knife a clean snapshot of the changeover.
The grind is a flat hollow with a hand-satin finish. In addition, a stylized nail nick recess opens it from either side. Our knife knowledge library covers how S30V compares to newer steels.
Titanium Frame, Integral Lock, and the Original Clip
The frame is 6Al4V titanium with a beaded finish and polished flats. Chris Reeve’s Integral Lock holds the blade. Meanwhile, phosphor bronze washers give the pivot its smooth, quiet travel.
Look at the clip. It is the original machined titanium style with exposed hardware. Chris Reeve moved to hidden hardware in later years. Accordingly, this clip is period-correct for a 2011 build and a detail collectors check first on any folding knife from this era.
A blue anodized pivot medallion sits on the show side. It carries the Chris Reeve mark.
The Mnandi Design, Introduced in 2001
Mnandi is a Zulu word. It translates roughly to “very nice.” Chris Reeve chose it for a reason.
Where the Sebenza is a work knife, the Mnandi is a dress knife. It is built for light daily tasks and for the pocket of a suit. Still, the tolerances match anything else the shop made. Pieces like this appear regularly on our list of the most valuable custom knifemakers.
Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011 Condition and What’s Included
The knife is mint and preowned. It shows no carry wear, no blade play, and no sharpening. Additionally, the ivory is stable with no lifting at the inlay edges.
It ships complete. You receive the original white Chris Reeve box, the leather slip, the hex tool, the blue microfiber cloth, and the signed birth card dated October 4, 2011. The box also wears its factory BLADE Manufacturing Quality Award stickers. Read how we grade before you buy.
Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011 Product Specifications
- Maker: Chris Reeve Knives, Boise, Idaho, USA
- Model: Mnandi
- Birth Date: October 4, 2011
- Overall Length: 6.375 inches
- Blade Length: 2.75 inches
- Blade Thickness: 0.090 inch
- Closed Length: 3.625 inches
- Weight: Approximately 1.5 ounces
- Blade Steel: CPM S30V stainless, 58 to 59 RC
- Handle Material: 6Al4V titanium, beaded finish with polished flats
- Handle Inlays: Fossil mammoth bark ivory, both sides
- Lock: Chris Reeve Integral Lock
- Opener: Ambidextrous stylized nail nick recess
- Pocket Clip: Machined titanium, original style with exposed hardware
- Washers: Phosphor bronze
- Country of Origin: United States
- Included: Knife, original white box, leather slip, hex tool, microfiber cloth, signed birth card
- Condition: Mint, preowned
- SKU: 00166-CRK-MNANDI-MAMMOTHBARK-S30V-20111004
Video Description: Reeve Mammoth Mnandi
This Chris Reeve Mnandi is a mint preowned gentleman’s folder with a 2.75-inch hand-satin CPM S30V blade at 58 to 59 RC, a 6Al4V titanium frame with a beaded finish and polished flats, fossil mammoth bark ivory inlays on both scales, a blue anodized pivot medallion, an ambidextrous nail nick recess, phosphor bronze washers, the Chris Reeve Integral Lock, the original-style machined titanium pocket clip with exposed hardware, and the complete original white box, leather slip, hex tool, microfiber cloth, and birth card signed and dated October 4, 2011. It measures 6.375 inches overall, 3.625 inches closed, and weighs approximately 1.5 ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ivory on this Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011 genuine?
Yes. The factory birth card records mammoth bark ivory in Chris Reeve’s own hand. Moreover, the original box label states the same. Both documents ship with the knife.
What is mammoth bark ivory?
Bark is the outer layer of a fossil mammoth tusk. Minerals in the soil stained it over thousands of years. As a result, bark shows far more color than ivory taken from the core.
Why does the 2011 date matter?
Chris Reeve Knives was shifting to S35VN around this period. Therefore an S30V blade dated late 2011 marks the tail end of an era. In addition, the Mnandi carries no serial number, so the birth date identifies each piece.
Can this Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011 be carried?
It can. However, mint examples with intact paperwork rarely get pocketed. Carry will affect future collector value.
How do you verify authenticity?
We check hardware, machining, stamps, and factory paperwork against known references. In addition, we photograph every marking before listing. Questions are welcome on our FAQs page.
Buy This Chris Reeve Mnandi 2011
Every knife we list is inspected, photographed, and described honestly. Browse what else is available on the Chris Reeve Knives Brand Page. Meanwhile, if you own Chris Reeve pieces yourself, sell your collection for a same-day offer.
“Chris Reeve,” “Mnandi,” “Sebenza,” “Integral Lock,” and the CRK logo are marks of Chris Reeve Knives. “CPM S30V” is a Crucible Industries mark. “BLADE” is a mark of BLADE Magazine.
Important Notice on Mammoth Ivory
This knife carries genuine prehistoric mammoth ivory. Mammoth ivory comes from a species extinct for thousands of years. Therefore it is not covered by CITES. However, several states ban the sale of fossil mammoth ivory alongside elephant ivory.
At present those states include California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. In addition, Nevada restricts it.
Laws in this area change often. Moreover, some counties and cities add their own rules. Therefore every buyer is responsible for confirming the law where they live before ordering. If you are unsure, check with your state authorities first. Both the original box label and the signed birth card document the mammoth material, and both ship with the knife. This notice is general information, not legal advice.
Learn more, or get involved at Knife Rights: State Ivory & Animal Parts Ban Summary — https://kniferights.org/state-ivory-ban-summary/
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