Tell Me about The Mantra 3!!

[dreadpirate]

I am like this close to buying one. I have a mantra and I FREAKING love it.

[Tdog]

I too am curious about this one. Love the Mantra, wondering if the cf makes the 3 wider? May end up getting one of these but with so many others approaching release it may be a bit.

[Sharp Guy]

I actually cancelled my pre-order for the Mantra 3 today. I'll still probably end up buying one eventually but after seeing pics I decided to wait. Tonight on IG I saw a pic of a Mantra 3 next to a Mantra and now I'm glad I decided to wait. It looks like a nice knife but it's quite a bit different from the Mantra.

Pic is from keithkevinken's IG feed.

[Spydersense]

I handled the Mantra 3 at Blade West today. It's very light, with a very smooth action! A sweet knife!

[Evil D]

I'm let down that it won't be in M4.

[Slumblor]

There is something off about the blade shape and/or the flipper tab. It is much different than the 1. Whether it's a recurve or not, the area where the blade and tab meet just looks odd. I might need to wait and see what people think before jumping in too.

[timlara]

I can't tell if it's an optical illusion or not, but I am not feeling that recurve-ish junction at the flipper tab.

I know the knife world loves flippers, but I'm honestly just not much of a fan of them, particularly on Spydercos since the hole is already the perfect opening mechanism and the flipper tab is unnecessary. For me, it just takes away from the overall elegance of the design a little bit.

When/if we ever get a Sliverax sprint, though, I will buy the heck outta that and just mod the tab off. :)

[Flipping Addict]

Nope. Was on board til I saw the recurve. That pic shows it clearly, The old blade edge is much better imo. I’m sure it’s a good knife otherwise.

[elena86]

That recurve .... meh ! What were you thinking Eric ?!

[Evil D]

You guys really consider this a recurve?

[PanChango]

I think it is just how it flows more than an actual recurve.

I have the Mantra 2 and like it when I want something slender in pocket, but I am not a huge fan of flippers. If I got the 3, I think grinding a small sharpening choil would be enough to break up the line for me. It looks like a nice Knife.

[TkoK83Spy]

Something about it, I dont know...I find it quite ugly

[dj moonbat]

You guys really consider this a recurve?

Not really, but like a recurve, it creates a concave portion of the edge that's going to be difficult to get at with flat sharpening stones. It will take more skill than I've got to put a correct edge on that blade.

[SF Native]

Several videos showed this area. This area has to be cut down so you don’t cut yourself in the compression lock cut out when the knife is closed. Hanan is same way. One of the new models has a finger choil there and it down look much better. I’m not digging it.

[dreadpirate]

Nope. Was on board til I saw the recurve. That pic shows it clearly, The old blade edge is much better imo. I’m sure it’s a good knife otherwise.

Hmm - did not notice that. :eek: I agree, that's a detractor.

[Sharp Guy]

I'm not too worried about the slight recurve. I have a set of 1/2" Moldmaster stones that should work for reprofiling. If those work than the Sharpmaker should work fine for touch ups. If nothing else, the corners of the SM rods will work.

The one thing I'm not particularly fond of is that the handle on the Mantra 3 appears to be a little taller than the previous versions. The blade looks taller too. This may not be a bad thing but one of the things I like about the Mantra is how sleek it is compared to some of my other Spydies.

Like I said, I'll still probably buy one. I'm just not in as big of a hurry to get one now. I'll likely wait until there's a good eBay coupon to use for it. I'm sure once I have one I'll really like it.

[dreadpirate]

I'm really thankful for the feedback and feel much better informed now.

[Evil D]

I'm not too worried about the slight recurve. I have a set of 1/2" Moldmaster stones that should work for reprofiling. If those work than the Sharpmaker should work fine for touch ups. If nothing else, the corners of the SM rods will work.

The one thing I'm not particularly fond of is that the handle on the Mantra 3 appears to be a little taller than the previous versions. The blade looks taller too. This may not be a bad thing but one of the things I like about the Mantra is how sleek it is compared to some of my other Spydies.

Like I said, I'll still probably buy one. I'm just not in as big of a hurry to get one now. I'll likely wait until there's a good eBay coupon to use for it. I'm sure once I have one I'll really like it.

It looks like the added width is in the bottom of the handle, extended down to cover up some of the flipper, and at the bottom of the blade, to blend down into the flipper tab more. I think when the knife is closed it'll be about the same width as the others, so the added width is probably only going to be noticed in your hand, and possibly in a better/thinner blade grind.

[dreadpirate]

With all things considered, I still will be buying the Mantra 3.

[Tdog]

After seeing the comparison pics, think I would have preferred to have the Mantra with LC and a ceramic détente rather than the Mantra 3. Curious what bearings are in the Mantra 3?