CRK 25? What will I gain over the Small and Large Sebenza and Umnumzaan?

[Hale Storm]

Just got these 3. All from BF members!

Now I'd like to know what I'm missing by not having the 25.

My initial thought on these 3 are as follows.

Umnumzaan - Hard use folder for outdoors activities or as a back up to my handgun for self defense (CHL here in Texas).

Large Sebenza 21 Insingo - Great camp knife for food prep and in the kitchen at home. The Insingo blade is a great slicer.

Small Sebenza 21 with Inlays (Snakewood) - Gentlemans knife. Elegant. Perfect for the office and won't scare the sheeple.

Now the fun part:

What would I gain and what would be some uses for the 25? YES, I want the CRK fans to convince me I need one right after I get a Nyala.

 

[Haze]

The 25 and Umnumzaan are brothers and share many family characteristics. What you do get with a 25 over the Umnumzaan is the different grind with it having the very shallow hollow grind on the thicker blade stock. The Umnumzaan is not the slicer the Sebenza is but the 25 bridges that gap giving you a footing on both sides.

 

[Hale Storm]

Thanks Haze. So I have it right in my description so far.

Anyone else?

Sure would be nice to see all 4 side by side. Especially the grinds up close.

 

[Ajack60]

What Haze said, it's the 21 and Umumnzaan in one knife. You can work outside with it or go out to dinner and use it for a steak knife. It's not as intimidating as a Umumnzaan nor is it gentle like a 21. It's the perfect combo of both knives. I love the 5 that I have, of course I may be a little bias on the 25.

 

[hoppes no9]

Considering what you already have, I think the 25 adds little.

Rather, I would get a Mnandi for dress-up days.

 

[BlackEnd]

For me the all three knives have their plus's and minus's. The 25(inlayed) outshines the Umnum on several fronts. Grind, ergos, tip strength, and convenience.
I tried to show the grind difference between the 25 and Umnum. The high/flat/hollow of the 25 makes it a surpreme slicer. I luv the Umnumzaan, but not over the 25 for EDC.

 

[BlackEnd]

I forgot to mention that for some reason the 25 feels smaller in hand than the Umnum. It's very comfortable and the jimping on the spine of the blade really locks your hand in place.
This is my opinion, others may disagree. The micarta inlays are a plus in my book too.

 

[Hale Storm]

I forgot to mention that for some reason the 25 feels smaller in hand than the Umnum. It's very comfortable and the jimping on the spine of the blade really locks your hand in place.
This is my opinion, others may disagree. The micarta inlays are a plus in my book too.

I have noticed that too. I think the finger grooves are responsible. When the fingers hit the grooves, they reach farther around the knife, making it 'feel' smaller.

 

[Nwjgoode]

The finger grooves on the 25 feel just right somehow.. I also think it's the best looking knife CRK makes.. Love the new blade shape. Makes the 21 look a little too pointy.

 

[lemmuhj]

I love the Umnumzaan for what it is, but the ergos on it pale in comparison with the 25. I EDC a 25 and when I occasionally pick up one of my Umnumzaans it feels "unfinished" in the ergos dept. IMO, it doesn't get more comfortable than a 25 and the 21 not too far behind. The large Regular scalloped lockbar area KILLS it for me. Never got that particular design from Chris, although I love everything else about it.

 

[red mag]

The 25 is a "XL Sebenza" - absolutely love it.
If you get one you will gain the knowledge that you "needed" one.
Plus you get a superb user.
red mag

 

[DRK]

I love the 25, to me its strengths are;

- the smoothest deployment of all of my CRK's
- the big pivot
- ergonomics
- more aggressive and functional jimping
- more modern styling
- dual thumb studs standard
- no hole in the handle

The things I could go either way on;

- The grind I would be just as happy (maybe happier) with the regular hollow grind, its probably just me but I find it harder to sharpen
- the little notch on the blade, it doesn't bother me but I would be just as happy without it
- The weight, little bit heavy
- the stop pin, it takes a little more time to get it in the right position after cleaning (if I forget to mark it) but not by any means a deal breaker