Another Large vs Small

G

garrettmiklautz

Joined
Feb 16, 2015
Messages
16
Hey guys,
i know there numerous threads on this, and i think i've read just about every one of them. Just when i think i've made up my mind, i read another comment and question my decision.
I can't decide between a Large Insigno or Small Insigno 21. (Plain Jane) They both have there pros and cons. I guess what matters is whats going to work for me!?

Im about 5,9 Med,Large hands. Carpenter, and currently own a 940 and sage 2. I live in Canada, and don't know of any size restriction. I'd like this to be my main go to knife, EDC, work, ect.

Hopefully these details help..


Sorry in advance if this topic has been posted a million times over.


Thanks!
 
I'm also 5'9", around 165, with hand size commensurate. Never had a Small, but have other knife brands in that size. Prefer the Large Seb's precisely because they are a bit larger and can handle tasks where Small's would be less able.

And someone will say it here. Buy one of each, you eventually will anyway. Good luck in your choice. And welcome to the fold.
 
You may want to add what sort of tasks and situations you plan to use the knife. For instance the small often works well in a business setting and the large as an all around outdoors knife(neither criteria chiseled in stone).
 
If you end up owning both, I would say a small insingo matched with a large 21, standard blade is a good combo. I own both blade shapes in both sizes. The small insingo lives up to its reputation as a perfect EDC blade. The large Insingo is also an awesome blade, but I feel it has one downside for me: If I am carrying a large folder, I expect to be doing more heavy work with it, and you do sacrifice some tip strength with the insingo shape. I find Im a little more careful with the tip of my Large Insingo than I would be with my large 21 standard tip. The standard tip 21 blade is very robust, no worries there. So if you catch my drift, I'd argue small 21 insingo for EDC, and large standard blade for tradesman's "go to blade". I work as an electrician, so I have lots of job site experience with both types.
 
Tuica,
lol, your probably right, i'll catch the CRK bug and it'll be all downhill from there. But I'm sticking with one for now, and i wanna be happy with the decision.

I feel the large is likely more knife than i'll need 75% of the time. I don't think its too big to carry. Maybe a little threatening to the wrong person.
And i feel the small would suffice for the majority of my tasks.

Is it better to have it and not need it? Or want it and not have it?
A real brain buster!
 
Here is a comparison of tip thickness on the large 21 (insingo on left, standard on right). Shadows make them look similar, but the insingo is quite a bit thinner on the large size.

IMG_3567_zpsftid8eti.jpg
 
At Work:
cutting different soft materials,vapour barrier, building paper ect. sharpening my pencil countless times a day, possibly marking material for accurate cuts, tape, strap ties ect. the list is goes on.
I guess i should mention i wear gloves for probably half the year here at work.

Home/EDC: General purpose go to knife for any situation in an urban environment.
 
KidCongo,
That is a good point. From a side angle, the clip point would appear weaker. I guess i chose the insingo based on it being marketed as more of a utility type blade shape.
I also kind of prefer the look and idea of it. Maybe the clip point would serve me better?!
 
I really like the large Insingo, I just know I am more mindful of it at work, whereas the large 21 standard point is not a concern. It qualifies for anything I throw at it. In the small size, I vote Insingo. By default it's not having massive forces applied to it (shorter blade and handle), and the blade stock is the same thickness between large and small 21, so the small insingo tip (being more compact and shorter) is more robust, I think, than the large insingo tip for what it's worth.
 
OK. Based on your perceived uses, I would go with a large standard Seb. It's the basic CR most begin with, and there's a good reason for that. I have two 21's and a 25. Why? I like them, and can afford to own them.

Also, since they are so popular, there are many good users for sale here on BF. You can pick one up for around $300. Good luck, Sir!
 
I've had knives around the same size as the Small Sebenza before. The Benchmade Mini Griptilian (blade length of 2.91" vs. 2.94" on the Small Sebenza) is a comparable knife where dimensions are concerned. The same can be said of the regular Griptilian and Large Sebenza (3.625" and 3.45" blades respectively with the Large Sebenza being the slightly bigger knife).

For your uses... I'd recommend the large as it simply feels more substantial in hand.
 
Here's a quick and dirty size comparison of the knives you mentioned. You're probably going to need to try both sizes to see what works best for you. I keep going back and forth and have settled on the small Insingo being the best size for me....for now.
Not shown here, but the small Insingo seems closest in size to my BM Ritter Mini-Grip though the scales are slimmer.
I also have a small CF regular and it seems so much smaller in hand than the Insingo, that I keep placing them side by side to try to tell the difference. I guess it's just the weight. But the Insingo seems more robust than the regular and has become my EDC.

sebenzasizecompare by James J. Lee, on Flickr
 
garrettmiklautz said:
At Work:
cutting different soft materials,vapour barrier, building paper ect. sharpening my pencil countless times a day, possibly marking material for accurate cuts, tape, strap ties ect. the list is goes on.
I guess i should mention i wear gloves for probably half the year here at work.

Home/EDC: General purpose go to knife for any situation in an urban environment.
Click to expand...

The gloves thing changes my answer. Most find the smalls a little more difficult to open than the large. If I were wearing gloves, I'd definately want the Lrg., and would prefer double thumb studs. I had the Wilson Combat version at one time and think that would be ideal for your needs.
 
I'm thinking large might be best for you, especially with the gloves. This is not a real easy ? to answer for someone else. There are members with large hands that like smalls and members with small hands that like large. People like what they like. I have both small and large and carry and use both. The large is probably more versatile but the small makes a great EDC -you don't even know its there.
 
Here's another size comparison with popular EDC knives I posted on the general forum. Quick EDC Size Comparison. I hope it helps but if you're like me you're going to have to at least 4-5 variants on for size. The good news is we have a great sales forum that will allow you to try various CRKs without much financial loss if you decide to switch to a different model.
 
I own the carbon fiber large Insingo and very much prefer it over the small. To me, the large is in that "sweet spot" size wise (I also have medium sized hands). The small often left me wanting more blade, while the large seems to be just enough blade to handle any task. Especially since you wear gloves, I would opt for the large, even withought gloves, the small seems a bit cramped for my hands. As far as blade shape goes, I have found the Insingo to be the near perfect utility blade, even more so than the standard 21. The Insingo has less of a belly than the standard drop point (due to that modified Sheepsfoot shape) which places the tip of the knife at a lower angle allowing your wrist to start making the cut at a less severe angle which I prefer, it's just more comfortable to me. The faux edge on the spine of the knife towards the tip lends itself well to scraping, incase you encounter something you'd rather not use the cutting edge of your knife for, and also facilitates in peircing material which standard sheepsfoot blades generally have a more difficult time performing. I also prefer the thinner blade stock on the Insingo, just makes for a better slicer, yet still feels more than adequete in the toughness category. The large Insingo gets my vote (obviously haha)! After owning and using the Insingo blade, I don't think I will ever go back the the standard 21.
 
I love the large sebenza and will always vote for it. I would say though that if you work in an office environment that the small sebenza or mnandi would be more suited around the knife wary people. Can't go wrong with the large or small, but I have just always found the large more to my liking and the better value overall.
 
PinkmagicK said:
I own the carbon fiber large Insingo and very much prefer it over the small. To me, the large is in that "sweet spot" size wise (I also have medium sized hands). The small often left me wanting more blade, while the large seems to be just enough blade to handle any task. Especially since you wear gloves, I would opt for the large, even withought gloves, the small seems a bit cramped for my hands. As far as blade shape goes, I have found the Insingo to be the near perfect utility blade, even more so than the standard 21. The Insingo has less of a belly than the standard drop point (due to that modified Sheepsfoot shape) which places the tip of the knife at a lower angle allowing your wrist to start making the cut at a less severe angle which I prefer, it's just more comfortable to me. The faux edge on the spine of the knife towards the tip lends itself well to scraping, incase you encounter something you'd rather not use the cutting edge of your knife for, and also facilitates in peircing material which standard sheepsfoot blades generally have a more difficult time performing. I also prefer the thinner blade stock on the Insingo, just makes for a better slicer, yet still feels more than adequete in the toughness category. The large Insingo gets my vote (obviously haha)! After owning and using the Insingo blade, I don't think I will ever go back the the standard 21.
Click to expand...

Good points. One correction: the blade stock on the Insingo is the same as the standard blade. There is no difference in overall thickness.
 
Perhaps the Sebenza 25? One just sold on BF exchange for a decent price.
 
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