Chris Reeve Mnandi: The Gentleman’s Folder From Boise
This Chris Reeve Mnandi is in mint, preowned condition. Chris Reeve Knives introduced the Mnandi in 2001 as its dress folder. The name comes from Zulu, and it means pleasant or sweet. Moreover, this example carries white mammoth ivory inlays that the company no longer offers.
The Mnandi was built to disappear in a suit pocket. It weighs roughly an ounce and a half. However, it holds the same tolerances that made the Sebenza famous. Collectors who follow master custom knifemakers know how rare that combination is at this size.
CPM S35VN Blade at 58 to 59 RC
The Chris Reeve Mnandi carries a 2.75-inch blade in CPM S35VN stainless steel. Chris Reeve helped develop that steel with Crucible Industries. Niobium carbides were added to improve toughness and make sharpening easier. The birth card lists this blade at 58 to 59 RC.
The grind is hollow, and the finish is hand rubbed to a soft satin. Furthermore, the blade runs just 0.090 inches thick at the spine. That keeps the whole knife slim and light. You can compare premium blade steels in our knife knowledge library.
White Mammoth Ivory Inlays, No Longer Offered
The inlays are genuine mammoth ivory, set into both handle scales. White mammoth ivory comes from the core of the tusk rather than the outer bark. As a result, it shows a clean cream tone with fine ancient grain instead of the earth colors and mineral staining found in bark ivory.
Chris Reeve Knives stopped offering mammoth ivory inlays in the mid-2010s. Several states had begun banning fossil ivory alongside elephant ivory. Consequently, factory mammoth pieces stopped entering the market entirely. Knives like this now reach us only as preowned knives from long-held collections.
Titanium Frame, Integral Lock, and the Classic Thumbnail
The frame is 6Al4V titanium with a bead-blasted finish. Chris Reeve’s own Integral Lock secures the blade. In addition, a blue-anodized Chris Reeve logo medallion caps the pivot on the show side.
There is no thumb stud here. Instead, the blade opens on a machined thumbnail recess, exactly like a traditional slipjoint. A machined three-dimensional titanium clip carries the knife tip up. See more folding knives built to this standard.
Why the Old-Style Mnandi Matters
Chris Reeve redesigned the Mnandi blade in 2021. The new version uses a through-hole cutout and revised clip and pivot geometry. Therefore this 2012 knife represents the original body style.
Traditionalists strongly prefer the older pattern. The nail nick keeps the blade profile clean and unbroken. Because the design ran nearly two decades without change, early examples define the model for most collectors. See what else recently arrived in new arrivals.
Chris Reeve Mnandi Condition and What’s Included
This knife is mint. It shows no carry wear, no sharpening, and no blade play. The ivory is sound, with no cracks and no lifting at the edges. Lockup sits early and solid.
It arrives complete with its original box, still carrying both factory end labels. In addition, you receive the brown leather Chris Reeve slip pouch, the blue embossed cleaning cloth, the hex wrench, and the printed caution and warranty insert.
Most importantly, the handwritten birth card is present. It is signed and dated July 27, 2012, and it records the mammoth inlay directly. Every knife we list follows a published grading standard, so you know exactly what our grades mean. Here is more on why collectors trust us.
Chris Reeve Mnandi Product Specifications
- Maker: Chris Reeve Knives, Boise, Idaho, USA
- Model: Mnandi
- SKU: 00162-CRK-MNANDI-MAMMOTH-S35VN-20120727
- Condition: Mint, preowned
- Date of Birth: July 27, 2012
- Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
- Blade Hardness: 58 to 59 RC
- Blade Length: 2.75 inches
- Blade Thickness: 0.090 inches
- Blade Grind: Hollow ground
- Blade Finish: Hand-rubbed satin
- Frame: 6Al4V titanium
- Inlays: White mammoth ivory, both scales
- Lock: Titanium Integral Lock (frame lock)
- Opening: Machined thumbnail recess
- Pivot Medallion: Blue-anodized Chris Reeve logo
- Pocket Clip: Machined 3D titanium, tip-up
- Overall Length: 6.375 inches
- Weight: Approximately 1.5 ounces
- Included: Original box, brown leather slip pouch, cleaning cloth, hex wrench, caution and warranty insert, signed birth card
- Country of Origin: United States
Video Description: Reeve’s Elegant Mnandi
This Chris Reeve Mnandi is a mint preowned gentleman’s folding knife with a 2.75-inch hand-rubbed satin hollow-ground CPM S35VN blade at 58 to 59 RC, a 6Al4V titanium frame, white mammoth ivory inlays set into both handle scales, a blue-anodized Chris Reeve logo pivot medallion, a titanium Integral Lock, a machined thumbnail opening recess, a machined three-dimensional titanium tip-up pocket clip, and its original box, brown leather slip pouch, cleaning cloth, hex wrench, caution insert, and signed birth card dated July 27, 2012. It measures 6.375 inches overall and weighs approximately 1.5 ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this knife new or used?
It is preowned but mint. The knife came from a collection where it was stored rather than carried. It has never been sharpened.
Is mammoth ivory the same as elephant ivory?
No. Mammoth ivory comes from an animal extinct for thousands of years. It is fossil material recovered from permafrost. However, some states treat both the same way under their ivory laws, so please read the notice below.
How is this different from a current Mnandi?
Chris Reeve redesigned the Mnandi blade in 2021 with a through-hole opener. This 2012 example uses the original thumbnail recess. Furthermore, the clip and pivot geometry follow the older pattern.
Does it come with the original paperwork?
Yes. The handwritten birth card ships with the knife. It records the model, steel, hardness, handle material, and build date, and it carries Chris Reeve’s signature. We document provenance on every piece we sell.
How should I care for the ivory inlays?
Keep the knife away from direct heat and sudden humidity swings. Also, wipe the ivory with a soft dry cloth rather than solvents. Our FAQs cover storage and care in more detail.
Important Notice on Mammoth Ivory
This knife carries genuine prehistoric mammoth ivory. Mammoth ivory comes from an extinct species and 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.
Therefore we do not ship mammoth ivory into restricted destinations. Moreover, these laws change, so every buyer is responsible for confirming the rules where they live before ordering. If you are unsure, check with your state authorities first. This notice is general information, not legal advice.
Buy This Chris Reeve Mnandi From We Buy Knife Collections
Factory mammoth ivory Chris Reeve knives stopped being made a decade ago. Therefore a mint example with its matching signed birth card is genuinely scarce. Browse more beautiful pieces from Chris Reeve by visiting the Chris Reeve Knives Brand Page. Meanwhile, if you hold a collection with pieces at this level, we would like to buy your collection.
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. Accordingly, we do not ship mammoth ivory into restricted destinations.
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.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.