The Mantis in this version shows what happens when a well-engineered knife is combined with a very personal engraving. The base is the well-known Herman Knives construction, and all the attention here goes to the work of Monthep Chimwai. On the titanium scales you can see rabbits among flowers and leaves – a calm, soft scene that really comes to life up close. Fine shading, fur drawn with a thin line, a background filled with plant motifs – it’s the kind of engraving that doesn’t need to shout to make an impression.
The motif doesn’t stop on one side. The decoration continues on the opposite scale, the spine and the clip, so the knife looks consistent from every angle. Completing the picture is a Damasteel blade with a distinct, rhythmic pattern that naturally leads the eye along the edge. Steel and engraving work together here – they don’t compete, they form one well-thought-out project.
From the user side it’s still a Mantis: secure grip, smooth action, precise lock and the attention to detail in finish that Herman is known for. The difference is that this piece has been treated like a “portrait” in knife form – calm, slightly nostalgic, with a motif that’s easy to remember. It’s a knife for a collector who’s looking not only for top-shelf materials, but also for a bit of quiet character captured in metal, without unnecessary drama or fireworks.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Blade: Damasteel Vinland™ powder stainless steel
thickness 3,4 mm (0.1339"), heat treated with a deep crio (liquid nitrogen), hardness 61 HRC, Medium detent, Flat grind
Blade finish: Hand-polished to a mirror
Handle: Titanium Grade 5 ( hand-engraved )
Backspacer: Titanium Grade 5 ( hand-engraved )
Clip: Titanium Grade 5 ( hand-engraved )
Lock: Titanium Grade 5
Bearing system: Custom-made ceramic caged ball bearings by Herman Knives
New improved bearing system.
Washers made of M390 powder metallurgy steel further enhance the already exceptional operation of our knives. Every stage of production has been optimized to ensure even greater precision, durability, and, most importantly, the smoothness of our knives.
Washer manufacturing process:
M390 steel is machined in-house on our Swiss-type lathe Citizen Cincom A20, where the bar stock is processed and pre-drilled.
Washer dimensions: Inner diameter 5.05 mm, outer diameter 11.95 mm; (for Bee and Micro Sting models: outer diameter 9.95 mm).
25 mm-long rods undergo vacuum heat treatment to 60 HRC, reducing material stress and minimizing the risk of deeper blade scratches and ceramic ball fractures.
After hardening, washers are machined using EDM (Electro Discharge Machining) on our Mitsubishi MV1200R wire EDM machine, allowing precise inner hole execution.
They are then wire-cut into 0.6 mm-thick slices, and final wire processing minimizes surface roughness.
Final manual lapping, up to a 4000-grit finish, gives the washers an almost mirror-like surface, ensuring even smoother bearing operation.
All these processes are carried out entirely in-house by Herman Knives.
Ceramic detent ball
Tungsten carbide insert on the lock
Tungsten carbide stop pin
New, improved pivot. We have refined the pivot construction, elevating its precision and the smoothness of the knife’s operation to an even higher level.
It consists of three elements:
A phosphor bronze bushing (a highly durable material with self-lubricating properties). It is precisely fitted to the hole in the blade, which is also machined in-house using our EDM machine. This eliminates all unnecessary play, ensuring flawless blade rotation through the resulting plain bearing.
A seven-petal clover-shaped screw – prevents rotation within the construction.
Torx T20 – secured with an easily removable Loctite for adjustability. If adjusting, be sure to reapply the same type of thread locker.
The screws are made of vacuum-hardened stainless steel. All three components are produced in-house by Herman Knives on our Swiss-type automatic lathe.
Bearings with increased stability
Based on years of experience, the new bearings feature a caged design with 16 ceramic balls. Their well-thought-out and tested structure effectively prevents ball displacement while ensuring optimal smoothness of operation.
Simple, isn’t it?
A beautiful presentation box made of solid exotic wood, entirely crafted in-house at Herman Knives, including a microfiber cloth, Pruciak Protector Glide for Herman oil, and a dedicated titanium screwdriver manufactured in-house by Herman Knives.
Weight: 141 g ( 4.97 oz.)
Overall Length: 220 mm (8.66 ")
Blade length: 94 mm (3.70 ")
Blade width: 28 mm (1.10 ")
Folded length: 124 mm (4.88 ")
My name is Bartosz Herman. I specialize in handcrafting knives - and now also pens - based on my own designs and custom orders. I strive to ensure that each piece is unique, comfortable to use, and pleasing to the eye of its owner. I am continuously working to improve my skills so that my creations become even better. I invite you to take a look at the results of my work.
