Mantra 4 hype thread

[zhyla]

When I first caught up on this latest reveal and saw the Mantra 4 I was curious but not that excited. But the more I look at it the more interested I am.

First, I really like the Astute. Somehow the Mantra 4 has adopted Astute-like proportions. It’s slightly longer but has a thinner blade and is lighter overall.

I’m looking forward to an inexpensive flipper from Spyderco. With bearings! Spyderco doesn’t make a lot of flippers and has never made one in this price range.

I never bought any of the previous Mantras. There were quality issues with the first Mantras and the Mantra 3 didn’t really do much for me. Can’t wait to see what the 4 is like in hand.

Looking forward to this one. I don’t really need one more knife but I’m pretty sure I’m getting one as soon as they are released.

[ladybug93]

has anyone seen a price on this one yet? i think i missed it somewhere. also, i wish it was coming in s35vn instead of 8cr13mov.

[MrGibson]

has anyone seen a price on this one yet? i think i missed it somewhere. also, i wish it was coming in s35vn instead of 8cr13mov.

$90 on https://spyderco.com/products/mantra%E2%84%A2-4

~$67 on sites with “preorders”.

I’m looking forward to this one; though I too wish it was a better steel. Maybe a sprint down the road if the design sells well.

[Coastal]

Automatic buy, as far as I'm concerned. I have the Mantra 2, and it's sweet.

[ladybug93]

oh wow i'm dumb. didn't even think to look on the site.

i'm definitely intrigued by the mantra. it's a very classy looking knife in the white g10.

[zhyla]

i'm definitely intrigued by the mantra. it's a very classy looking knife in the white g10.

All 3 variants are classy I think. I’m wondering if the white G10 will take dye well.

[CDEP]

Like Zhyla, I'm a big fan of the Astute, and I also got Astute-like vibes from the Mantra 4. It's Eric designed, it has very thin stock, and it's in the Value Line so it isn't costly to try it out.

I'm fine with the 8CR steel. If it sells enough and we get a G10/M4 variant like we did with the Tenacious I'll be all over that, too. I'll likely go with the white scales.

Looks promising, and the Value Line could use a new model.

[zhyla]

I’m torn on the color. White is different. And maybe I could dye the white scales?

I don’t have any black blades so that variant might be cool.

I’m not a big carbon fiber fan so not particularly interested in the laminate G10/CF version.

[elena86]

With that 2.2 mm thin blade, Spyderco is moving in the right direction. Blades are meant to clean cut and slice not to pry. I am tired of thick blade stocks and thick behind the edge grinds. Mantra1 was an exception with a very thin bte grind and I hope that Mantra4 will be the same.

[horzuff]

I love the thin stock, seemingly contoured handles, white G10 and overall design. The only issue, but a big one, is the steel. There are so many more interesting options available in China nowadays

[zhyla]

seemingly contoured handles

Yeah it’s hard to tell from the photos. I think if they’re doing a CF laminate then the scales will be flat.

[Manixguy@1994]

Wish there was a lefty offering to try one out . MG2

[DSH007]

Mantra 4?? Looks more like a Charisma 2, imo. Wait what?

[Paul Ardbeg]

There is a lot to like about the Mantra 4. Slicey blade, contoured handles and a really good size for EDC in my case.

This might sound snobby, but I would have loved it more if it was made in Taichung with S30v. Taichung's fit and finish is excellent, they have the reputation and track record. Besides my old Tenacious, I don't have any recent models out of China, so can't comment on the quality level of current models. The Mantra 4 is a model that would benefit from Taichungs refinement imo.

[zhyla]

Besides my old Tenacious, I don't have any recent models out of China, so can't comment on the quality level of current models.

I've got several both from the earlier Tenacious years and fairly recent production. In terms of fit and finish my Astute is as good as any standard production Spyderco I've ever had. Everything is centered and tight and cosmetically flawless.

The Mantra 4 is a model that would benefit from Taichungs refinement imo.

I don't disagree. We've not seen a Chinese Spyderco this "complex" before, though honestly flippers on washers with contoured scales is table stakes these days. But if there's something fancier people are expecting from a Mantra I hope the ability to buy 4 of them for the price of what it would have cost in Taichung makes up for it :)

[zhyla]

seemingly contoured handles

Yeah it’s hard to tell from the photos. I think if they’re doing a CF laminate then the scales will be flat.

I re-read Spyderco's description and it looks like you get contoured white G-10/black G-10 or flat CF laminated G-10.

Please whoever is buying the CF version identify yourselves now so we can make fun of you . Contours going to be amazing.

[Mushroom]

I will be buying the CF version...

► Show Spoiler

Both of the other versions as well but the CF version too.

[zhyla]

@Mushroom ok we will only mock you 1/3 of the time :)

I'm a little surprised these are getting priced the same as the Tenacious G-10. Very aggressive pricing for once by Spyderco. I'm seeing similar knives from other vendors for $50-60 so we're (gladly) paying a little Spydertax.

Who is already questioning whether an SE version would make sense? I'm not sure personally. I have a Chap LW SE and it's great, but I wonder if maybe small thin blades don't geometrically lend themselves to serrations.

[Mushroom]

@zhyla LOL! That's fair, I'll take that trade!

In all seriousness though, Spyderco had the white version of this in their prototype case at BLADE show this year and it might have been my favorite from the case. It wasn't displayed with a name but it was still very eye-catching in the case. It stood out partly due to the color but also because the design is just really good. If it wasn't the first, it was one of the first few that I asked to hold.

The contoured scales felt great in hand and the flipper action was superb. It was smooth but snappy - the overall action felt really good.

Even during the show it was drawing comparisons to the Astute and Charisma. The Charisma was also in the case and though it's visually comparable to the Mantra 4, it's noticeable smaller. (Impressively thin too! Shockingly thin, even.)

Since it was unnamed in the case, there was speculation amongst the crowd that the Mantra 4 could be a second, larger, iteration of the Astute.

[zhyla]

Thanks for the info @mushroom. It’s interesting how we’re all drawing similarities to the Astute when 1) it’s a collaboration and the Mantra 4 I think is an Eric design and 2) I thought barely anyone knew the Astute existed.

I’ll see how the white looks in person. Not generally wild about it but it’s different.