CRK Belt Sheath Follow-up / Review

[Anarchy84]

A short time ago I made a post asking for feedback from users about CRK's belt sheath. I went ahead and ordered one and I've been using it for a couple weeks now, so I thought I'd share some thoughts. TLDR - I don't imagine I'll be going back to pocket carry.

Carried horizontally the sheath completely disappears under normal everyday clothing. I never worried much about people in public seeing a knife clipped to my pocket, but it's nice that it's completely hidden. Even if someone were to see the sheath, it looks very classy and unintimidating. It doesn't scream knife at all. Looks a little like a beeper holster from yesteryear.

I've been pleasantly surprised that I don't feel or notice it while sitting, standing or walking. I expected it to be bulky, but unlike a couple other posters here I've found it very unobtrusive when carried horizontally at my side.

I was also expecting removal / reinsertion to be somewhat of a chore, but I'm happy to report my Large Sebenza remains easily accessible while riding on the belt. It's pressed in there snug enough not to go anywhere, but it's easy to remove and reinsert one-handed.

A few other perceived benefits:

Since the knife is not riding in my pocket it hasn't accumulated any lint or other pocket debris. It should require less frequent cleaning.

My pants pockets won't get torn up by the clip anymore, which is nice.

The sheath does a great job of protecting the knife from snail trails, if you care about that sort of thing. Would be a great alternative to the pocket slip for inlaid Sebenzas.

Perhaps best of all is the pocket space this has freed up. I'm not rocking skinny jeans by any means, but a Large Sebenza still takes up a decent chunk of pocket real estate. Sliding my relatively large hands past my knife to grab something in the recesses of my pocket wasn't too big a nuisance before, but it's a nice and unexpected change.

Overall I'm extremely happy with the sheath. It's incredibly well made and relatively inexpensive for a hand-made, full grain leather sheath. The belt carry experience is a wonderful change of pace from pocket clip carry, and I recommend it to everyone.

A couple photos showing how well it conceals under clothing. Forgive my poor selfie skills and the dirty work mirror.

 

[DRLyman]

Thanks for the review. I've been debating on whether or not to get one of them. If I remember correctly, the back of the snaps are not there on the inside. Is that correct? I've seen Buck's sheath for the 110 and the back of the snaps are there on the inside. I would think it would really scratch up the knife. I am betting that Chris Reeve sheaths have a bit more thought put into them before they are made and it wouldn't be the case.

 

[Anarchy84]

Thanks for the review. I've been debating on whether or not to get one of them. If I remember correctly, the back of the snaps are not there on the inside. Is that correct? I've seen Buck's sheath for the 110 and the back of the snaps are there on the inside. I would think it would really scratch up the knife. I am betting that Chris Reeve sheaths have a bit more thought put into them before they are made and it wouldn't be the case.

Correct. The snaps are embedded in the leather so the rear of the snap is not present inside the sheath. The only part of the sheath that touches the knife is leather.

 

[DRLyman]

Correct. The snaps are embedded in the leather so the rear of the snap is not present inside the sheath. The only part of the sheath that touches the knife is leather.

Thank you. Looks like I'll be ordering one of them now. I appreciate the help..

 

[blanco112]

The sheath can be used with either a small or large sebenza correct? Are their different buttons for each?

 

[Anarchy84]

The sheath can be used with either a small or large sebenza correct? Are their different buttons for each?

Correct, it will accept both large and small Sebenzas. There are two separate snaps on the body of the sheath that will accept the snap on the flap. Depending on which size you need to carry you can move the flap from one snap to the other. They also include a spare cap so the unused cap is covered (you can see this in my photo). A nice touch.

 

[EvilBoffin]

.
That's it - I am getting one of those !!
Your pics really answer my questions about how "obvious" this sheath would be on the belt.

In the past 2 months, I've acquired a small Inkosi, a large CF-inlayed Sebenza 21 and a Ti-Lock Annual edition. It sounds like they would all fit in this belt sheath as a solid option versus pocket carry.

I'm really worried about carrying the large 21 in public. No matter how elegant it is, the size of that knife could be intimidating if I just happened to walk into a store with it on me, even without opening it.

That's still concerning, but at least the belt sheath looks so minimalist in your photos, that I doubt it would raise any eyebrows, even if I tuck my shirt in.

Thanks for posting this review & pics !!
.

 

[Anarchy84]

.
That's it - I am getting one of those !!
Your pics really answer my questions about how "obvious" this sheath would be on the belt.

In the past 2 months, I've acquired a small Inkosi, a large CF-inlayed Sebenza 21 and a Ti-Lock Annual edition. It sounds like they would all fit in this belt sheath as a solid option versus pocket carry.

I'm really worried about carrying the large 21 in public. No matter how elegant it is, the size of that knife could be intimidating if I just happened to walk into a store with it on me, even without opening it.

That's still concerning, but at least the belt sheath looks so minimalist in your photos, that I doubt it would raise any eyebrows, even if I tuck my shirt in.

Thanks for posting this review & pics !!
.

I'm glad you found it helpful!

Just FYI, the inside of the sheath is a little stiff when new (as thick dyed leather tends to be). It softens up very quickly with use, but since you have a CF Seb with polished handles you may want to take a slim piece of wood or metal and rough up the inside a little bit to soften up the leather. That way your CF / polished slabs aren't tasked with breaking it in.

 

[Heirphoto]

Does using the horizontal carry loop limit you to rather skinny belts though? As I recall it is a very narrow pocket to slide the belt through.
I have an older model designed for vertical carry and only one snap for the larger knives so have not handled the newer version

 

[Anarchy84]

Does using the horizontal carry loop limit you to rather skinny belts though? As I recall it is a very narrow pocket to slide the belt through.
I have an older model designed for vertical carry and only one snap for the larger knives so have not handled the newer version

My belt is 1.3" wide and pretty thick. Normal sized I'd say. It was a tight fit at first, so I left the sheath on the belt overnight for a couple days. Now it slides in without a fuss.

 

[EvilBoffin]

That's a really good point - thank you, Anarchy84.

I am totally infatuated with this CF-inlayed large 21. So, I certainly don't want it to show wear caused by the inside of a sheath intended to protect it.

 

[photoman12001]

I started carrying in a sheath instead of with the pocket clip for all the reasons you mentioned plus I remove the clips for comfort. I went with some cheaper Raine nylon sheaths but they work very well. I will likely pick up a CRK sheath in the future too.

Another benefit is that it's a more secure way to carry it. There is much less chance of the knife slipping out or the clip getting caught on something and getting pulled out. I've read a few stories of that happening. It would be especially devastating with knives at this price point.

 

[Anarchy84]

I started carrying in a sheath instead of with the pocket clip for all the reasons you mentioned plus I remove the clips for comfort. I went with some cheaper Raine nylon sheaths but they work very well. I will likely pick up a CRK sheath in the future too.

Another benefit is that it's a more secure way to carry it. There is much less chance of the knife slipping out or the clip getting caught on something and getting pulled out. I've read a few stories of that happening. It would be especially devastating with knives at this price point.

No doubt. It certainly won't be going anywhere when it's secured in the sheath. Unless someone manages to steal my belt while I'm wearing it. Haha.

 

[TC]

I carried my Sebenza like that for a time...a short time. Flap must've snagged on the jacket or something, but suddenly all I was carrying was an empty sheath. Ooops (not my exact word at the time). Luckily it was found and I got it back, but I stopped carrying it like that...

 

[Anarchy84]

I carried my Sebenza like that for a time...a short time. Flap must've snagged on the jacket or something, but suddenly all I was carrying was an empty sheath. Ooops (not my exact word at the time). Luckily it was found and I got it back, but I stopped carrying it like that...

Interesting. Was it a small? I can unsnap the flap and wave it around violently without the large coming out.

 

[DRLyman]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

Just FYI, the inside of the sheath is a little stiff when new (as thick dyed leather tends to be). It softens up very quickly with use, but since you have a CF Seb with polished handles you may want to take a slim piece of wood or metal and rough up the inside a little bit to soften up the leather. That way your CF / polished slabs aren't tasked with breaking it in.

Thanks for posting this. I have a large Inkosi and a small cf Inkosi on the way. Will definitely use the large to break in the sheath before using it with the cf Inkosi.

 

[photoman12001]

I carried my Sebenza like that for a time...a short time. Flap must've snagged on the jacket or something, but suddenly all I was carrying was an empty sheath. Ooops (not my exact word at the time). Luckily it was found and I got it back, but I stopped carrying it like that...

Did this happen with the sheath in the horizontal position? After trying my Raine sheaths in the house I haven't carried horizontally for fear of this. I don't have any concerns vertically though. I think a lot of things would have to go wrong simultaneously to lose the knife with the sheath vertical. I just knocked on wood.

 

[TC]

Interesting. Was it a small? I can unsnap the flap and wave it around violently without the large coming out.

Large Reg from 1999, as is the sheath. The knife fits in loosely. But if yours is so snug you probably have less, in anything, to worry about.

 

[TC]

Did this happen with the sheath in the horizontal position? (...) I don't have any concerns vertically though.

Yep and yep. The snap button on my sheath is pretty 'solid' so I never expected it to happen...and then it did anyway.

 

[Grant Haller]

Thanks for the great information! I have been debating getting a sheath for my Umnamzaan. I am lucky enough to live in Boise, and have been meaning to get to the shop to check out the fit. Some of your pluses about using a sheath have convinced me I need to get there soon.
Follow up: I went to the CRK shop (a great place to visit if you get the chance). The all purpose sheath is not a great fit for the Umnamzaan. In addition the price is up to $95! I did get a clip insert and like the grip feel better without the clip. I was using an old Schrade sheath that was a little too big. I got out an Opinel sheath (the Chic Natural Sheath) that I had and found that without the clip the Umnamzaan fits it snug but OK. I am hoping it will loosen up and be a great fit. It is $35 and a nice sheath with no metal snaps to deal with.
Second follow up: I highly recommend this sheath for the Umnamzaan. The only downside I see is that it sits high-ish on your belt and may annoy people with larger waist size.