Chronology of a collection. One fan's journey through CRK.

[omgomgyouguys]

I am so envious. My first CRK was an Umnumzaan and I foolishly sold it. Now that I have experienced so many other knives I am longing for another CRK. In a perfect world I would have a large 21 and Large Insingo, but I would have to sell my entire collection to fund those two. I will be getting either a drop point 21 or Insingo in the next couple weeks. I am wanting one with inlays, but Im unsure if they are worth the cost...
What do you gentleman think?

For a large, I think it's fine without one. But for the smalls, the extra width of the inlays make it a lot more comfortable.

Go for the inlays anyways lol

 

[omgomgyouguys]

Here's my collection.

The small starbenza and the small 21 are gone now though. Waiting on an umnum.

 

[Zeta33]

Cool thread as always Cody, and nice collection you've got there! You've got a little bit of a lot of different models. I've got some group photos of mine, but not all in the same shot. Would you mind if I shared them here?

 

[kidcongo]

Cool thread as always Cody, and nice collection you've got there! You've got a little bit of a lot of different models. I've got some group photos of mine, but not all in the same shot. Would you mind if I shared them here?

Please do. One idea I was interested in was the order in which people purchase these knives, to see if there's some common thread etc. Maybe include that info along with your photos if you can.

 

[blade man]

Started at the top.



Small regular in BG42 with a Krein regrind.
Small '07 annual in DT ladder damascus with mammoth ivory bark.
Small Insingo in S30V.
Professional Soldier in S35VN.
Large 21 in DT raindrop damascus with snakewood.

I had a second regular, identical to the top one (BG42 and Krein'd), but sold it.

 

[Dhbranum]

Very nice collections. Here's mine in the order I got them:

Large Sebenza 21 Honduran Rosewood inlays. DOB 11/27/2012.
Small Sebenza 21 Micarta inlays, tanto blade. DOB 12/17/2012.
Large, small, Mnandi Honduran Rosewood inlays. Birth dates: large--6/24/2013, small--4/9/2013, Mnandi--2/26/2013.
Mammoth Bark inlay, Ladder Damascus, DOB 6/10/2014.

Now looking for the Large Sebenza and Mnandi Mammoth Bark and Damascus blade.

 

[bhyde]

I will list some of the past and present knives.

3 Lrg Regulars, 2BG-42's, 1 ATS-34 (sold)
1 Mnandi with Box Elder burl inlays (sold)
1 Large Micarta Classic with serrations (sold)
1 Small Micarta Classic (sold)
1 Small decorated unique (sold)
1 Green Beret (sold)
1 Neil Roberts warrior (sold)
1 Nkonka (just traded/sold this one)
1 Mountaineer 1 (just traded/sold this one)
1 Insingo Nyala (sold)
1 Impofu
1 25
1 small 21 plain
1 Lrg Micarta Insingo
2 Old pivot Umnumzaan (1 sold)
1 Umkhombe


If I can get some time..I will get some pics of the ones that are left.

 

[kidcongo]

I am seeing some of your knives with lanyards, some without and some with modified ones. Question: Are all of your knives in the end state you want? e.g., Any mods planned for any of them? double studs installed? lanyards? nuking? etc...

I am planning on a sending two of my knives in for double studs. I have some ideas for lanyards. Also, I know this crazy, nuking one of my clip inserts....

Vaporstang.

I actually prefer the single-studs. I like the little detail on the back of the singles, but I do have doubles on my Large Insingo and 25 (of course).

All of the lanyards are factory as they are now. The fancy one on the small Tanto 21 is one of the factory options when you order from TNK. I am mixed on whether or not I like lanyards, maybe the photo shows the ones I like lanyards on and the ones I don't. Funny because there is really no rhyme or reason to the lanyard scene in my collection. Just each knife has a different personality. I may make some custom lanyards in future.

I have considered some mods. The only knife in the collection that is 'modded'/nuked is my small 21 Box Elder. There is info on that here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1220002-Daddy-why-are-you-burning-your-knife-Charred-Sebenza-it-s-inflammatory?highlight=charred

 

[James Longstreet]

Hey Cody,

nice thread idea! My 1st CR was an Umnumzaan not that long ago. Probably 2, 2 1/2 years ago. Being arround into some knife forums I always heard about the great fit and finish of CR folders. Watching the "shop tour" and the "Exquisite blade …" videos I've gained a lot of respect for Chris Reeve as a person in many aspects. The innovations he did for the continous development of knives, particularely folding knives. His philosophy about quality, about were to use machines and were to use human expertise to achieve maximum results and not for the sake of a "religious" statement and finally I've got the impression that he is a nice person, with both feet on the ground (sorry, I am not a native english speaker). Besides becomming interested into his knives I found for myself that these "soft aspects" mean a lot to me and my enthusiasm for a brand.

So I bought the Umnumzaan, because those days I did not have much orientation on how many varities of the Sebenza are available and quite honestly speaking I found the standard Sebenza a bit boring compared to the Umnunzaan. So I was very pleased with the quality of the Umnumzaan and started digging deeper into the CR universe. Finding so many variations of the Sebenza, in terms of inlays, blade steel etc. I thought to myself "well, maybe it is not that boring"…… I am not 100% sure but I think the Knife Art exclusive with the damascus blade was the 2nd CR. After that I cannot recall the exact order of purchases. But then I was really into the Sebenza and tried building up a little collection. Today for me the Sebenza, and in particular the large 21, is THE folding knife. It has all attributes I expect from a knife. It comes from a smaller and very symphatic company and the quality they deliver will hardly dissappoint me. So I sold lots of Benchmade, Spyderco, ZT and others, although these companies are making excellent knives.

I have also sold recently the Umnumzaan. But not because this knive is bad. Because I have been focussing at the large 21. Recently I have also got my 1st Mnandi, which is for me a perfect match with the 21.

That's basically my story with CR.

Best,
Stefan

……. here is my little family:

 

[bhyde]

Nice pics yet again!

I see you likey da Damascus..I don't ever recall anyone owning more Damascus than regular blades..Interesting!

 

[kidcongo]

Stefan,

Your taste in knives is impeccable, your collection awe-inspiring, and I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on the CRK brand. I agree that the knowledge most of us have of the history of CRK, and our appreciation for the philosophy behind the products certainly adds to the enjoyment of ownership.

Owning a Sebenza is a little like owning the result of one man's lifelong quest to make the worlds best production pocket knife. It may not be the best production pocket knife in the opinion of all people, but it certainly is the result of one of the longest and most hard-fought journeys. I respect that Chris did it his own way in his own shop, with his own people. I think he is very much responsible for setting the level of quality high enough that all the well known makers strive to match it, which is good for fans of all of the brands. In a way we have Chris to thank for there being so many great options out there other than a CRK, so owning a Sebenza is a bit like owning "the real deal".

Anyways......having such a great story and personality behind the product is another reason I like CRK.


Great photos as always!

 

[Dhbranum]

Sweet collection, Stefan! Thanks for the pics.