CRK Collaboration?

[WedgeAntilles]

I've been really digging the two iMambas I picked up at Blade Show. They remind me a lot of my CRK knives, if they were medium sized and a flipper. CRK is still my favorite, but Arno Bernard has joined Koenig as my 2 d favorite brand rather quickly.

That said, it does have me wondering if we might ever see a collab between the two. Both from South African origins, both second generation makers. I'm hoping to see that happen.

That and lefties.

 

[rexromic]

Not likely to happen but would be nice if happens.
CRK also my fav.

 

[smithkzn]

I've been really digging the two iMambas I picked up at Blade Show. They remind me a lot of my CRK knives, if they were medium sized and a flipper. CRK is still my favorite, but Arno Bernard has joined Koenig as my 2 d favorite brand rather quickly.

That said, it does have me wondering if we might ever see a collab between the two. Both from South African origins, both second generation makers. I'm hoping to see that happen.

That and lefties.

Different tribes. The one Afrikaans and the other English South African. One in Idaho USA and the other Bethlehem RSA. A colab would be nice but doubtful of that

It’s very high praise you gave AB to put them on a par with Koenig. All three are fantastic knives. I suppose it depends what fits the hand and the obsession best.

 

[WedgeAntilles]

The Arno Bernard iMamba gives the vibe of a Sebenza and an Arius fusion. When I talked to Tim Reeve at Blade, he was familiar with the Bernard brothers. And CRK has collabed with Shirogorov from Russia, so who knows? Just hopeful, I guess.

 

[WedgeAntilles]

Different tribes. The one Afrikaans and the other English South African. One in Idaho USA and the other Bethlehem RSA. A colab would be nice but doubtful of that

It’s very high praise you gave AB to put them on a par with Koenig. All three are fantastic knives. I suppose it depends what fits the hand and the obsession best.

I own two iMambas, a large Arius, and a small Arius. I think the Koenig wins on action, and the iMamba on carryability. I love all three brands a lot.

 

[SharpBits]

I actually like my iMamba more than my Inkosi or Sebenza 31. That said, I wonder what each could bring to the table that they couldn’t do independently?

 

[WedgeAntilles]

I actually like my iMamba more than my Inkosi or Sebenza 31. That said, I wonder what each could bring to the table that they couldn’t do independently?

An iMamba with a flipper delete, thumbstud (plus opening hole), and the grinds of CRK, or an Insingo blade. There's some cool possibilities.

 

[smithkzn]

I own two iMambas, a large Arius, and a small Arius. I think the Koenig wins on action, and the iMamba on carryability. I love all three brands a lot.

I'v never handled a Koenig. I always had the feeling it is the premium piece of the three. Very interesting to hear your take. I suppose one still has to give Chris Reeve his due – he is the grandfather of this knife genre. And further back we must appreciate Spyderco, didn't they invent one-handed opening and pocket clips on pocket knives.

 

[smithkzn]

An iMamba with a flipper delete, thumbstud (plus opening hole), and the grinds of CRK, or an Insingo blade. There's some cool possibilities.

Actually, yes. I like no flipper. Hole. No studs. Thinly ground or hollow ground blade. Perfect knife.

 

[smithkzn]

I actually like my iMamba more than my Inkosi or Sebenza 31. That said, I wonder what each could bring to the table that they couldn’t do independently?

I tried so hard to like some of the old school mid-premium knives — that horrible thumb dome on the Sebenza hurt my thumb. The Strider PT had blade play and a gritty action. The Hinderer's too thick except for stabbing a car door spanto blade. It takes a lot of time and trial to figure what you like in feel and utility. Mostly I just stick to Spydercos now; know what to expect and never disappointed.

 

[crk1984]

An iMamba with a flipper delete, thumbstud (plus opening hole), and the grinds of CRK, or an Insingo blade. There's some cool possibilities.

So you want a crk. Got it. Buy a crk. I find AB superior in every single aspect, except, for some weird reason, getting useless online respect from knife guys. Fair trade to me.

 

[Tsujigiri]

IMO Koenig goes all out on tricky CNC machining (they're running DMG Mori while CRK has more basic Robodrills). They contour their handles and have some complicated features on their knives. They're also the most flippy of the 3.

CRK stands out for practicality as a work knife. They're designed with no bearings to get clogged up, finishes that hide use or look good with wear, and designs that don't snag in the pocket and perform well in use.

Arno Bernard's most notable feature is the hand-crafting. They put a lot of polish and care into their knives. The parts fit together even more tightly than a CRK. I think what they are doing is really different from everything else on the market and won't be sustainable if they get more popular. I could see them either having to switch to a less manual manufacturing process like CRK and Koenig to keep up with demand or seeing hype drive their prices up on secondary.