Blade swap--insingo to clip

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dkblade

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Nov 7, 2014
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So I only own one sebenza, large 21 insingo with double lugs. I carry it 80% of the time and consider it the benchmark by which I measure all my other knives. I called CRK today and they told me if I send my 21 in, they'll swap out the insingo blade and washers with a clip point blade with new washers and all necessary adjustments. They'll also send the old blade and washers back to me in case I want to swap them out. To me this is kind of the best of all worlds, because my one and only seb is very sentimental to me, but I don't want to spend $400+ on a new one then have to shelve my current one cause I like the clip point better. So basically it's $130 for the clip point blade, $35 for double silver lugs, and shipping which is $15ish. So for $180.00 I can have my cake and eat it to.

That said, I have not had any experience with CRK clip point blade. I do like the way it looks and how it could be better used defensively when needed, but still looks very functional. Has anybody ever done this? What are your thoughts going from insingo to clip point? Think it's worth forking out the $180? Your thoughts are appreciated!
 
I am a strong proponent of the idea "do what you enjoy." Thus, if you enjoy having the options, by all means, add the clip point to your arsenal.

That said, personally, having had all of the Sebenza 21 blade shapes, I prefer the Insingo. The Tanto is a nice hybrid in many ways, and I carried a Large 21 Tanto Micarta with great enjoyment for about six months. The clip point I've come to appreciate over the last several months, because it is the only shape offered with damascus. The belly is useful for some food prep tasks, and the tip is certainly nice for piercing. As you know, though, the Insingo tip still pierces easily, and it offers more of a santoku edge profile, if you intend to use it for food.

For as much as it would cost to add another blade option, I would suggest that you consider applying that money towards another complete Sebenza. There is something incredible about each knife having its own wear and character for each experience it endures with you. You could also then consider other blade materials, inlay options, etc., instead of just adding a blade shape option to your current knife.

I look forward to seeing what you select!

Cheers!
 
tchapman414 said:
I am a strong proponent of the idea "do what you enjoy." Thus, if you enjoy having the options, by all means, add the clip point to your arsenal.

That said, personally, having had all of the Sebenza 21 blade shapes, I prefer the Insingo. The Tanto is a nice hybrid in many ways, and I carried a Large 21 Tanto Micarta with great enjoyment for about six months. The clip point I've come to appreciate over the last several months, because it is the only shape offered with damascus. The belly is useful for some food prep tasks, and the tip is certainly nice for piercing. As you know, though, the Insingo tip still pierces easily, and it offers more of a santoku edge profile, if you intend to use it for food.

For as much as it would cost to add another blade option, I would suggest that you consider applying that money towards another complete Sebenza. There is something incredible about each knife having its own wear and character for each experience it endures with you. You could also then consider other blade materials, inlay options, etc., instead of just adding a blade shape option to your current knife.

I look forward to seeing what you select!

Cheers!
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Thanks for the advice! Sounds like in your experience the insingos overall usable supercedes any advantage you have in the clip point. I just posted another thread on how to sharpen the tip of my insingo. It may sound stupid, but I like the visual appeal of the clip point more than the insingo, but the insingo is definitely functional. Maybe if I can sharpen the tip on my insingo more and make it a better piercer I'll just save a few hundred dollars more and get an inlay tanto or clip point. Damn the sebenza tanto is really really nice looking!
 
After owning both, the Insingo is my preference. I like the utility of the dropped tip better than the upswept belly of the clip point/drop point. The drop point is much prettier, but less useful for me.

I actually stopped in to the Chris Reeve office a couple of months ago and asked if I could do a blade swap and they said they wouldn't do it, that it wasn't compatible and you'd have to buy another full knife because of all the individual adjustment that has to be done for each one. The person who spoke to me was extremely rude and dismissive, so I didn't question her and just walked out. Very unfortunate, as I was really looking forward to visiting the birthplace of my most used knife.
 
I prefer the Insingo myself. I will second the recommendation to save a little more and find a used clip point for $300 on the exchange. They come up all the time. That way you have two complete knives OR if you decide you prefer one over the other you can sell in end be back to square one. You won't have as much selling just a blade.
 
I'd have to agree to put the $ to a second complete knife with slightly different handle configuration. I think the CF would give you a more elegant alternative to your Insingo worker.
I too favor the Insingo blade shape for utility but like the looks of the large better in clip point.
 
vmmvmmm said:
I actually stopped in to the Chris Reeve office a couple of months ago and asked if I could do a blade swap and they said they wouldn't do it, that it wasn't compatible and you'd have to buy another full knife because of all the individual adjustment that has to be done for each one. The person who spoke to me was extremely rude and dismissive, so I didn't question her and just walked out. Very unfortunate, as I was really looking forward to visiting the birthplace of my most used knife.
Click to expand...

It is surprising, but I had a similar experience over the phone, the only time I have ever called their office to ask a question; then on the other side I always had a great experience via email; maybe it was the same person, who knows; perhaps she was in a bad mood, or maybe she had cramps, or she was going through a difficult time in her life; I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"When you buy a CRK knife you become part of the family". And there is some disfunctionality in almost every family, I think.
Going back to the insingo blade, I personally like it but like the clip point better, just my taste. Is good to know the OP was given the option to change the blade though.
 
dkblade said:
Thanks for the advice! Sounds like in your experience the insingos overall usable supercedes any advantage you have in the clip point. I just posted another thread on how to sharpen the tip of my insingo. It may sound stupid, but I like the visual appeal of the clip point more than the insingo, but the insingo is definitely functional. Maybe if I can sharpen the tip on my insingo more and make it a better piercer I'll just save a few hundred dollars more and get an inlay tanto or clip point. Damn the sebenza tanto is really really nice looking!
Click to expand...

I completely understand the aesthetic preference of the clip point; as it is the original shape of the design, it defines a Sebenza. For my uses, any of the shapes work perfectly fine, but I have come to prefer the Insingo.

If you decide on the Tanto route, I can certainly recommend a Micarta Tanto 21. The lines to knife are wonderful.

Xexrjif.jpg
 
dkblade said:
So I only own one sebenza, large 21 insingo with double lugs. I carry it 80% of the time and consider it the benchmark by which I measure all my other knives. I called CRK today and they told me if I send my 21 in, they'll swap out the insingo blade and washers with a clip point blade with new washers and all necessary adjustments. They'll also send the old blade and washers back to me in case I want to swap them out. To me this is kind of the best of all worlds, because my one and only seb is very sentimental to me, but I don't want to spend $400+ on a new one then have to shelve my current one cause I like the clip point better. So basically it's $130 for the clip point blade, $35 for double silver lugs, and shipping which is $15ish. So for $180.00 I can have my cake and eat it to.

That said, I have not had any experience with CRK clip point blade. I do like the way it looks and how it could be better used defensively when needed, but still looks very functional. Has anybody ever done this? What are your thoughts going from insingo to clip point? Think it's worth forking out the $180? Your thoughts are appreciated!
Click to expand...

Just so no more misinformation gets out, you are able to buy an additional blade for your Sebenza 21 in S35VN or damascus. That being said, CRK does not sell the Insingo or Tanto blade unless you already have one on your knife. If you do have an Insingo or Tanto you can get an identical blade or a drop point. If you have a drop point you can only get a drop point replacement blade. I hope that clears things up.
 
Oh great...now the large 21 tanto with micarta is looking better and better to me. My wife's gonna kill me!
 
I'd never really considered the tanto but it looks like CRK does a really nice job with the grind. How's usability compare to that of insingo for those with both?
 
dkblade said:
I'd never really considered the tanto but it looks like CRK does a really nice job with the grind. How's usability compare to that of insingo for those with both?
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I would think similar to an Insingo but I don't have an Insingo, sold it; what I am sure of is that CRK really knows how to do a tanto grind; they're beautiful, at least the Unnumzaan is, a wicked penetrator for sure:

b5c3820453bbbf9cdf0b4f84086598da.jpg

d2852b9019fe3002d8dba855e6798967.jpg
 
dkblade said:
Ya that's a stout point, is the 21 tanto similar in tip width and strength?
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Not quite as stout as the Umnumzaan, as it has a thinner blade stock, but it is more stout a tip than one should need, nonetheless. The Tanto secondary tip works well for draw cuts, like the Insingo, but the primary tip provides great penetration. It takes a bit more time to sharpen, but in use, it is well worth it.
 
Both blades have their strengths and weaknesses. Depends on your cutting tasks. I would go for a 2nd complete knife. The advantage being you choose either one day to the next without having to swap blades. You can also carry both. I have tried this before with other knives and end up never changing the blades.
 
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