jokrswylde
Basic Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2004
- Messages
- 442
Nothing new or earth shattering here, but here are my initial thoughts on 2 new CRK's...
First, a brief backstory. Got my first Sebenza in 2002, a Large cocobola inlay with BG-42. Traded it away for my first Busse and immediately regretted it (not the Busse, just the not having a Sebenza). 2003 or 2004 I got a Large Desert Ironwood in s30V and it has been with me daily since.
At Blade Show 2004, I fondled a Large annual in some sort of Burl and immediately fell in love...for $400 bucks!!! But alas, I thought that money should go toward an obsession that goes bang, so I passed on it. I have regretted it since. As my knife collection grew and diversified and approached a couple hundred knives, I lost interest, and aside from the occasional gift or impulse buy, I stopped accumulating knives.
Completely out of the CRK loop, I stumbled across the new 31 with inlays, and it reminded me of that large annual from years ago. I wanted one. Then I noticed a new model called the Inkosi. I wanted one. Not sure what happened next...some sort of blackout or temporary insanity I suppose, but they both arrived in the mail truck yesterday.
Large 31 with Box Elder Burl from TNK, and Large Inkosi with Natural
Micarta from the exchange.
http://imgur.com/Tqa6u06
I immediately removed the pocket clip from the 31 and ergonomics improved tremendously. It will be carried in the pocket sheath, so no worries there.
First Impressions:
Seeing some of the recent threads on blade wobble, I was nervous as heck. I was super stoked when both blades locked up vault tight just like my classic MM. Not the slightest hint of movement.
The blade detent while opening on the 31 was stiffer than I have experienced, but nothing major. Both blades were dead center when closed.
F&F was up to CRK's standards on both. The 31 felt noticeably lighter in hand than my Classic and certainly the Inkosi. The scale didn't quite agree with that out this morning.
Inkosi:
ClassicMM:
31:
Subjective Impressions:
31:
The 31 does not "feel" as refined or as sleek as my Classic. That could certainly be 15 or so years of daily handling, but it just seemed a bit rougher around the edges and around the inlay.
Does the 31 have a Pivot Bushing? I haven't taken it apart yet, but noticed the pivot screw set up is different. Regardless, it is a superb knife that came out of the box hair-poppin' sharp. I had forgotten what it was like to walk around with bald patches on my arms.
The Box Elder is gorgeous, and the lanyard placement will take some getting used to.
Inkosi:
The action on the Inkosi is every bit as smooth as my 31. I like the double thumb lugs and the finger grooves. I was hoping the natural micarta would be a touch lighter, instead it lloks very similar to the ironwood inlays of my Classic.
I am not sure what the point of the Inkosi is? To me, it is a Sebenza. Sure it is a tad beefier with a few differences, but for example, if you buy a Jeep Wrangler, you can buy a sport, sahara, or rubicon. Slightly different options and packages, but still very much a Wrangler.
I don't know, maybe I am just out of the loop on the whole Sebenza and Inkosi history, but to this layperson they seem like the same knife. Now give the Inkosi a 4 inch blade lengthen and widen the handle a bit...like an XL Sebenza...that would be worth a new name!
Anyway, still like the knife. I haven't decided if this will be a pocket clip or ouch carry. Usually my Classic rides in the pouch in my left pocket while an auto or strider rides clipped to my right. I could see the Inkosi working it's way into the right pocket rotation, while the 31 will certainly give the old Classic MM some much deserved time off.
Overall, I am very happy with both tools. I need some suggestions on what type of lanyard/fob would go well with the Box elder Burl, but other than that, I am ready to put these beauties through their paces!
Oh, and just for fun, a new CRK pouch vs. one that has put in a good 15 years of use. LOL!
First, a brief backstory. Got my first Sebenza in 2002, a Large cocobola inlay with BG-42. Traded it away for my first Busse and immediately regretted it (not the Busse, just the not having a Sebenza). 2003 or 2004 I got a Large Desert Ironwood in s30V and it has been with me daily since.
At Blade Show 2004, I fondled a Large annual in some sort of Burl and immediately fell in love...for $400 bucks!!! But alas, I thought that money should go toward an obsession that goes bang, so I passed on it. I have regretted it since. As my knife collection grew and diversified and approached a couple hundred knives, I lost interest, and aside from the occasional gift or impulse buy, I stopped accumulating knives.
Completely out of the CRK loop, I stumbled across the new 31 with inlays, and it reminded me of that large annual from years ago. I wanted one. Then I noticed a new model called the Inkosi. I wanted one. Not sure what happened next...some sort of blackout or temporary insanity I suppose, but they both arrived in the mail truck yesterday.
Large 31 with Box Elder Burl from TNK, and Large Inkosi with Natural
http://imgur.com/Tqa6u06
Seeing some of the recent threads on blade wobble, I was nervous as heck. I was super stoked when both blades locked up vault tight just like my classic MM. Not the slightest hint of movement.
The blade detent while opening on the 31 was stiffer than I have experienced, but nothing major. Both blades were dead center when closed.
F&F was up to CRK's standards on both. The 31 felt noticeably lighter in hand than my Classic and certainly the Inkosi. The scale didn't quite agree with that out this morning.
Inkosi:
ClassicMM:
31:
Subjective Impressions:
31:
The 31 does not "feel" as refined or as sleek as my Classic. That could certainly be 15 or so years of daily handling, but it just seemed a bit rougher around the edges and around the inlay.
Does the 31 have a Pivot Bushing? I haven't taken it apart yet, but noticed the pivot screw set up is different. Regardless, it is a superb knife that came out of the box hair-poppin' sharp. I had forgotten what it was like to walk around with bald patches on my arms.
The Box Elder is gorgeous, and the lanyard placement will take some getting used to.
Inkosi:
The action on the Inkosi is every bit as smooth as my 31. I like the double thumb lugs and the finger grooves. I was hoping the natural micarta would be a touch lighter, instead it lloks very similar to the ironwood inlays of my Classic.
I am not sure what the point of the Inkosi is? To me, it is a Sebenza. Sure it is a tad beefier with a few differences, but for example, if you buy a Jeep Wrangler, you can buy a sport, sahara, or rubicon. Slightly different options and packages, but still very much a Wrangler.
I don't know, maybe I am just out of the loop on the whole Sebenza and Inkosi history, but to this layperson they seem like the same knife. Now give the Inkosi a 4 inch blade lengthen and widen the handle a bit...like an XL Sebenza...that would be worth a new name!
Anyway, still like the knife. I haven't decided if this will be a pocket clip or ouch carry. Usually my Classic rides in the pouch in my left pocket while an auto or strider rides clipped to my right. I could see the Inkosi working it's way into the right pocket rotation, while the 31 will certainly give the old Classic MM some much deserved time off.
Overall, I am very happy with both tools. I need some suggestions on what type of lanyard/fob would go well with the Box elder Burl, but other than that, I am ready to put these beauties through their paces!
Oh, and just for fun, a new CRK pouch vs. one that has put in a good 15 years of use. LOL!
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