Anyone else prefer the 21 over the 25? Also, packaging question.

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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Hi guys. Got my first 25 today. It's a great knife, no question, but I think I prefer the 21. Am I alone in this?

Also, when did they start doing the new packaging? The Wiha tools are nice, but I didn't get the lube... :(
 
Huh, I just received my 25 with the lube the locktite, and 3 allen wrenches.
 
I was wondering this for a while... are all crk folders supposed to come with lube? I ordered a umnumzaan of bhq and didnt recieve the lube. Called them after ordering some and still not having it arrive, to have them finally send me a tube. This tube was basically empty though, u had to cut it open to use it.
 
MEJ said:
I was wondering this for a while... are all crk folders supposed to come with lube? I ordered a umnumzaan of bhq and didnt recieve the lube. Called them after ordering some and still not having it arrive, to have them finally send me a tube. This tube was basically empty though, u had to cut it open to use it.
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That's disappointing. Does anyone know if the lube given for free now is the same volume as what we used to buy before?
 
My 25 came with the lube, locktite, and 3 allen wrenches in the new package box.
 
Krav said:
Huh, I just received my 25 with the lube the locktite, and 3 allen wrenches.
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I'm assuming yours came in the new packaging? The first 25s came in the old boxes. I've seen the new packaging in pics and vids where everything is arranged in foam and in a new bigger white box.

Anyway, I'm more focused on the knife. I'd love to have some lube, I have plenty of loc-tite.

About the knife... I think I like the old hollow grind better. It looked more elegant, no?

For those of you that had a 21 then got a 25 (like me) did you get use to the feel of the ball lock interface? I loved the sound and feel of the old lock bar and pivot bushing!

I don't miss the locating hole, however I very much miss the lanyard bar. To me the blue bar matched so well with the thumbstud, it just looked... right somehow. Does that make sense? I'll also say that, while I'd much prefer the old lanyard setup, I DO love the barrel standoff. That thing is gorgeous. The only way that it could be (way) better is if it matched the thumbstuds. Anyone know if it's ti?

Let's see... My first 21 had jimping that was very nearly as aggressive as this 25. My second micarta inlay did not. I like the new jimping. Still haven't figured out what that notch just ahead of the jimping is though. Anyone know?

I've covered the new flat(ish) grind. It's definitely smart, I just liked the old grind. The new blade stock is nice. I like the thickness. I wouldn't trade certain features for it, but I like it fine.

The new pivot system while mostly typical also manages to be CRK weird, and I say weird with love and admiration! I was thinking it would be exactly as you'd find on say, a Spyderco, but nope, they managed to incorporate some interesting design into even this. I'd rather have the bushing, but if you HAVE to, this is a pretty cool way to do "regular" PB washers.

Alright, so what do you think? Do I just have new owner jitters, and I'll get use to this knife, or should I already start looking for another 21?

I'd love to know if any of you felt like I do, or completely differently, and if your opinion has changed over time.
Thanks!
 
I like the new grind on the 25, and the overall shape of the knife. I love the bushing of the 21 though.
 
atony said:
I like the new grind on the 25, and the overall shape of the knife. I love the bushing of the 21 though.
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I love the grind and the thicker blade. I just realy like the bushing on the 21. To me that is part of what set CRK art from the rest. I also am still partial to the one size wrench.
 
Ar10shooter said:
I love the grind and the thicker blade. I just realy like the bushing on the 21. To me that is part of what set CRK art from the rest. I also am still partial to the one size wrench.
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Right! I do like the big pivot though. I don't necessarily believe that a larger pivot=much stronger, but I do think it may have an effect on blade stability, mostly centering.

So it would appear that either not many people have seen this thread, disagree or don't have experience with both knives.

Just for clarity, I'm fine with disagreement. I'd really like to hear some views either way. Aside from possible lock rock (doesn't bother me) I haven't read many negatives about the 25. Seems most of you dig em...
 
atony said:
I like the new grind on the 25, and the overall shape of the knife. I love the bushing of the 21 though.
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Totally agree. I also think the 21 is easier to disengage the lock bar. The 25 seems to have less room for your thumb. Both are fantastic knives and it very hard to chose a favorite. At first glance the look similar, but they are very different knives.
 
My first CRK was the 25. Then I got a 21 with inlays in a trade. I like the 21 with inlays, but feel without would be too narrow in hand. The 25 fits my hands very well where the 21 was just good. I prefer the solid feel of the ball lock but like the thinner blade stock and getting of the 21. The bushing on the 21 is nice, but not a big deal for me.

Overall I like the 25 better, but to each his own! Both are great.
 
I think it's the new knife jitters! The 25 will grow on you. It did on me. And I have to a agree with most of you about the bushing system. I was a little disappointed at first. But know I realize it's not that big of a deal. There is a video I think by xuixui1313 on the 21 vs 25. You should watch it. But I think he states that they are very similar, but if you know CRK that there is very subtle differences that make these knives different from each other. Stating they are not the same knife. So there is pros and cons to both making it hard to say one is better than the other. Both being great knives. Plus who likes change! Lol! I personally like them both! And I think it will come down to personal preference.
 
Gunsnknives said:
My first CRK was the 25. Then I got a 21 with inlays in a trade. I like the 21 with inlays, but feel without would be too narrow in hand. The 25 fits my hands very well where the 21 was just good. I prefer the solid feel of the ball lock but like the thinner blade stock and getting of the 21. The bushing on the 21 is nice, but not a big deal for me.

Overall I like the 25 better, but to each his own! Both are great.
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I'm pretty sure the 21 and 25 are the same width in the handle? Maybe I'm wrong? Actually, maybe it's just that the ti slabs are the same thickness... But I agree, the inlay feels better in the hand.

I feel like the the 21 is not only easier to close, but open as well.

The thing about the jitters is that I immediately had a strong bond with my 21's. Maybe I would have had that with the 25 if I hadn't started with the 21's though...

Jeez... Talk about first world problems! The more I write, the more I feel like an idiot. :rolleyes:
 
The 25 is my first CRK, so i cant appreciate all the little differences discussed above. I believe the thicker blade, larger pivot, and new blade grind of the 25 all suggest a heavier use knife. Whether this is actually true I m not really sure. Prior to this model, i liked the umn s heavier build and the seb s design. The 25 is the compromise I ve been waiting for. I m very impressed.
 
whp said:
The 25 is my first CRK, so i cant appreciate all the little differences discussed above. I believe the thicker blade, larger pivot, and new blade grind of the 25 all suggest a heavier use knife. Whether this is actually true I m not really sure. Prior to this model, i liked the umn s heavier build and the seb s design. The 25 is the compromise I ve been waiting for. I m very impressed.
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I could see that. I do like a stout knife, and while the 21 always seemed plenty strong, the 25 is undeniably more beefy, if less elegant. I've never actually seen a 'zaan. I'd love to though. My edc regardless of what else I may be carrying is a Contego, so I believe the Umnumzaan would be a natural for me. :)
 
Personally I have zero desire for a 25. I always equated the Chris Reeve folders with simplicity and attention to detail. The pivot bushing and a one tool take down operation with out need for locktite or other nonsense is what originally attracted me to the Sebenza line. Take those away and for me I'd rather have another brand for cheaper if I have to locktite my pivot.

I may be in the minority but I think the 25 is a big step backwards. How many pivots were failing? I never heard of one. Why make it bigger then?
Why lose the pivot bushing? This was the hallmark of the design IMO.
Ceramic ball lockup? Never had an issue with the standard seb lockup, ever.

I'm sure they are selling tons of the model 25. I'll stick with the 21 or older.
 
gmarthur said:
Personally I have zero desire for a 25. I always equated the Chris Reeve folders with simplicity and attention to detail. The pivot bushing and a one tool take down operation with out need for locktite or other nonsense is what originally attracted me to the Sebenza line. Take those away and for me I'd rather have another brand for cheaper if I have to locktite my pivot.

I may be in the minority but I think the 25 is a big step backwards. How many pivots were failing? I never heard of one. Why make it bigger then?
Why lose the pivot bushing? This was the hallmark of the design IMO.
Ceramic ball lockup? Never had an issue with the standard seb lockup, ever.

I'm sure they are selling tons of the model 25. I'll stick with the 21 or older.
Click to expand...

I don't dislike the 25. I think it's a fabulous knife in its own right. I'm glad that I have had a chance to experience one. Truly, I feel very blessed to get to sample these fine luxury items. Knowing what I know now, if I had a 21, I wouldn't feel like I'm missing out or like my knife is the lesser model just because they made so many changes and came out with a new model. I think you're right to be content with your knife.

I guess I just want to tell any Sebenza owner out there that feels like they MUST have the new knife, certainly get one if that's what you want to do, but don't feel like your knife is inferior just because the new knife is new. The thing is, Imo CRK just as well could have been selling the 25 for years and years then release the 21 and call it an upgrade. That scenario might even make more sense in my mind. That's all I'm saying. :)
 
Just to be clear I have no problems with people enjoying their 25s. That design is just not for me.
 
Strigamort said:
I'm assuming yours came in the new packaging? The first 25s came in the old boxes. I've seen the new packaging in pics and vids where everything is arranged in foam and in a new bigger white box.

Anyway, I'm more focused on the knife. I'd love to have some lube, I have plenty of loc-tite.

About the knife... I think I like the old hollow grind better. It looked more elegant, no?

For those of you that had a 21 then got a 25 (like me) did you get use to the feel of the ball lock interface? I loved the sound and feel of the old lock bar and pivot bushing!

I don't miss the locating hole, however I very much miss the lanyard bar. To me the blue bar matched so well with the thumbstud, it just looked... right somehow. Does that make sense? I'll also say that, while I'd much prefer the old lanyard setup, I DO love the barrel standoff. That thing is gorgeous. The only way that it could be (way) better is if it matched the thumbstuds. Anyone know if it's ti?

Let's see... My first 21 had jimping that was very nearly as aggressive as this 25. My second micarta inlay did not. I like the new jimping. Still haven't figured out what that notch just ahead of the jimping is though. Anyone know?

I've covered the new flat(ish) grind. It's definitely smart, I just liked the old grind. The new blade stock is nice. I like the thickness. I wouldn't trade certain features for it, but I like it fine.

The new pivot system while mostly typical also manages to be CRK weird, and I say weird with love and admiration! I was thinking it would be exactly as you'd find on say, a Spyderco, but nope, they managed to incorporate some interesting design into even this. I'd rather have the bushing, but if you HAVE to, this is a pretty cool way to do "regular" PB washers.

Alright, so what do you think? Do I just have new owner jitters, and I'll get use to this knife, or should I already start looking for another 21?

I'd love to know if any of you felt like I do, or completely differently, and if your opinion has changed over time.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's the transition point from the flat part of the spine to the rounded part of the spine.
 
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