Alternatives to small 21 insingo?

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tuffluv

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Feb 24, 2015
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I don't want to offend anyone or be accused of blasphemy.

In the knife world, is there a less expensive alternative to the small insingo which retains the blade shape, along with overall simplicity and size?


I've seen other sheep's foot or wharncliffe blades but none seem as simply and elegantly designed.

The blade steel should be good but the scales don't need to be titanium. Flipper or thumb stud is preferable, but even a lockback would do.

thanks for your input.
 
Grip sheep's foot.
Blade techpro hunter.

Why don't u save up and buy used. Im sure they go for 280 used.
 
Agreed on the Benchmade Griptilian 555HG to meet your criteria (although I'm no fan of FRN scales or the Axis lock), but I even more so agree with just saving up and buying a used CRK Insingo. Price would be about 3x higher, but quality is about 10x higher.
 
tuffluv said:
I don't want to offend anyone or be accused of blasphemy.

In the knife world, is there a less expensive alternative to the small insingo which retains the blade shape, along with overall simplicity and size?


I've seen other sheep's foot or wharncliffe blades but none seem as simply and elegantly designed.

The blade steel should be good but the scales don't need to be titanium. Flipper or thumb stud is preferable, but even a lockback would do.

thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

go to benchmade.com and use the build-it program for the mini grip. Or you can just buy one from one of the reputable dealers online.They have a sheepsfoot blade that is similar to the insingo. I have a couple of benchmade knives in my collection and I really like the axis lock.
 
Another thought...Spyderco Southard but that's getting pricy and maybe a little bigger than you wanted
 
Accept no substitute :)

While joking, I am also serious. If you really want a CRK, that is what you should get. Buying substitutes will cost you more money in the end-between buying them selling them and then buying the CRK. I tried the substitute route and had a CRK weeks latter. It was a good decision. They may seem pricy if you have never purchased a knife in that level, but they are worth the money. It isn't that hard to save for one and you can get some great deals on the secondary market. In the end you will have a knife that can last you a life, but you will most likely buy more, and wonder what the big deal was in buying your 1st.
Sorry-can't help on the alternatives, Chris like to design unique knives(makes a knife his own)
Just my opinion
 
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BM Mini grip with Wilkins or Cuscadi scales. Spydie Sage2 different shape but similar functionality. Southward larger and heavier but closest blade shape. The small Insingo kicked all of these out of my pocket.


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It's completely understandable to want to try out this blade shape without the entry cost of a CRK.

The closest knife that comes to mind for me is the Kershaw Leek. It's almost identical in size, and the blade even has something of a swedge to match. The main difference here will be the tip thickness. The Insingo carries most of the blade stock up to the tip, whereas the Leek has a longer sloping drop that leave the tip rather thin.

Nonetheless, the Leek was my first nice EDC knife, and for several months, my only carry knife. I used it for everything daily, and I never bent the tip, or even worried about doing so. There are a plethora of configuration options, including different blade/handle colors and finishes, as well as handle materials. For simplicity and the low cost, I would suggest trying out the base model, bead blasted stainless steel frame lock with the bead blasted blade.
 
No.

And here's the short version....

I have a small and large Insingo (I love anything that resembles a wharny)

I have owned and used hundreds of knives, anywhere from $50-$2000. Production/midtech (whatever that means) to many customs....

The LAST knife I purchased was my small Insingo, my FIRST CRK. (Maybe 6 months ago)

I avoided the brand. I have my reasons, and it took a very good friend and a lot of convincing to get me to buy that first CRK.

I can tell you (this will sound so fanboy, and believe me, I am the polar opposite of that word) that the Insingo is the best knife I have ever used. It is the best made knife I have ever owned, and everything I ever read about CRK and rolled my eyes at is absolutely true.

I could have probably saved $10K if I would have just bought an Insingo when I first started getting into higher priced knives, but at least I can really appreciate just how good these knives are.

My point. Save up the money and buy a CRK, although if you take a path similar to mine, you will appreciate it so much more....
 
JR88FAN said:
No.

And here's the short version....

I have a small and large Insingo (I love anything that resembles a wharny)

I have owned and used hundreds of knives, anywhere from $50-$2000. Production/midtech (whatever that means) to many customs....

The LAST knife I purchased was my small Insingo, my FIRST CRK. (Maybe 6 months ago)

I avoided the brand. I have my reasons, and it took a very good friend and a lot of convincing to get me to buy that first CRK.

I can tell you (this will sound so fanboy, and believe me, I am the polar opposite of that word) that the Insingo is the best knife I have ever used. It is the best made knife I have ever owned, and everything I ever read about CRK and rolled my eyes at is absolutely true.

I could have probably saved $10K if I would have just bought an Insingo when I first started getting into higher priced knives, but at least I can really appreciate just how good these knives are.

My point. Save up the money and buy a CRK, although if you take a path similar to mine, you will appreciate it so much more....
Click to expand...

Okay but that does not answer the question of whether to get the large or the small Insingo :)
 
colubrid said:
Okay but that does not answer the question of whether to get the large or the small Insingo :)
Click to expand...

eventually you will want to get both....

then you'll want every configuration of the Insingo....

Trust me on this one...
 
What about the CRKT Swindle by Ken Onion? I realize it's not in the same class of knife.

Thanks for all the input so far.
 
colubrid said:
Okay but that does not answer the question of whether to get the large or the small Insingo :)
Click to expand...

Ha! You are correct, and I apologize...

I have both the small and large. I have very medium hands, so the small fits like a glove, but then again, so does the large.

.....I think I am being more confusing than helpful....

For me personally, I like the large better and my reasons are:

~I have always liked my knives on the larger side.
~I like the comfort it gives in a bigger variety of grips.
~If I need to chop something the extra heft makes that a lot easier.
~I like the extra reach I can get.

In the end, this is a "what do you do with your knife" and a personal preference thing....
 
I prefer the small version of the Insingo, somehow I think at that scale the shape looks better. And Insingo's perform "larger" than their size, so for me the small size is just fine (and I normally prefer larger knives). Hmm, this just got me to thinking how cool an Insingo Ti Lock could be...
 
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