CRK Inkosi vs. Bugout

I wouldn't so easily discount a bugout.
Despite the huge price gap between the two they both do what a knife does and that is cut. The CRK fanfare here is feverish and you'll never run out of people telling you to get one. So if they persuade you then go for it. As for hammering a folding knife into a tree then stepping on it, don't do that..
With any folding knife..
 
The Bugout is a very good knife but for me the Inkosi is in a completely different league

The real benefit you get from the bugout is its light weight and how easy it is to carry.
The CF/s90v version is nice but I didn’t like sharpening the s90v on my Osborne 940-1, so for me this version is less appealing than the Ranger Green or CF-Elite versions.

With the inkosi (large or small) you get a full titanium construction with oversized washers, pivot and blade stop.
The blade on the inkosi is hollow grind and it is now in Magnacut at 63-64 hrc

I prefer the ergonomics in the inkosi and the general feel in hand. If you plan to use your knife the inkosi will be more versatile and more comfortable

One point where the bugout will clearly be better (in addition to lightweight and ease of carry) is the action.
As it break in the bugout can be very a dream to flick open again and again :)

The 2 last inkosi I have for (one large and one small with micarta) are much smoother than the previous ones I had, but I recommend you try the action of your inkosi before you get it because at least one of the inkosi I had was very stiff and I didn’t enjoy it. To be honest I have had 5 inkosi (still have 3 : 2 smalls and 1 large) and only one of them was stiff….

One more point: the large inkosi has great ergos but the small inkosi is very small and its ergos may needs you to get used to it.
The small inkosi is my most carried knife since 5-6 years but it took me almost one month to get used to its size. Now it is my basic EDC but seriously when I have unboxed it, my first idea was to return it 🤣 I am happy I didn’t 😅

Anyway, my conclusion is get an Inkosi 👍
 
Nice post Therom Therom ! Covers all the right points.

Side note, my Inkosi large PJ is still a little stiffer than the used 31 I bought, but very smooth. Even after tuning. Tuning a CRK is needed to get it where you want it.
 
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Bugout next to a large inkosi
 
CRK: all the way! 👍
But the BugOut is designed for a completely different type of use.
Buy the CRK first, and then buy the BugOut. You'll be happy with both!
 
The small inkosi is not for everybody.

The OP really need to try one in a shop before deciding for a trade.

I have medium size hands and I am comfortable on the handle of the small inkosi but I think XL hands (or larger) will have a hard time with the small inkosi.

Compared to the bugout the inkosi has a smaller blade . depending of the intended use it may be a limitation.

Personnaly I have 2 small inkosi and I sold my bugout… so I already took my decision 😝
 
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I really like my CF Bugout. It is invisible until you need it and is way tougher than it looks.


That said, it is not in the same class as a CRK. The Inkosi is better built and assuming you are getting Magnacut, uses better materials. The Inkosi will be a lot more noticeable in pocket.


In conclusion, buy both.
 
Not a question in my mind, Inkosi without reservation. I am admittedly no fan of Benchmade; but that isn’t skewing my vote at all.

Due to legalities you are stuck with a small? Be warned the small Inkosi is quite small - smaller than the Sebenza in fact. So depending on hand size that could prove an issue. Don’t discount a small Sebenza if they are available - due to the larger size.
 
I'm weirdly surprised there aren't more direct competitors to CRK. I know there are a couple, but a huge part of the appeal for me is the simple design and durable strength.
 
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itsafire said:
Hi,
I'm currently struggling with a decision and some opinions might help.
What I learned about my EDC is that I really only need two blades.
One is the Manly Wasp. It has a decent blade (S90V), is legal in most (if not all) EU countries and is quite cheap, so it's not the end of the world if it gets lost.
The other is a finer piece of cutlery, a bit more expensive and the knife I would want to carry (opposed to the one I am allowed to carry).
This spot is currently taken by a Benchmade Bugout, the carbon fiber version with the S90V blade.

I like a lot of things about it - the blade size and shape are perfect, the S90V is a beast to get into shape, but keeps an edge once done. It rides the pocket nicely with the deep carry clip.
However, it feels quite fragile. It's not the blade you hammer into a tree and then step on it.
My knife dealer just received a small stock of CRK and there's a plain small Inkosi that has caught my eye. I'm wondering if this would be a considerable step up from the Benchmade or if I'd be disappointed by an overpriced piece of cutlery that performs no better. I'm not a collector by any means. I have two knifes. So I would sell the Benchmade if the Inkosi becomes my companion.
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What I initially said still stands true, but let me be clearer. The Bugout is not a hard use knife! I wouldn't even put it in the medium use category. Not a single version of it is and that's because the entire construction of it (and literally everything else) is inferior to the Small Inkosi. There's zero competition here. Ditch the mediocre knife and enjoy the right decision after. Again, I currently own both of these knives, and have owned several in multiple iterations. I hardly even use my knives and would barely trust any Benchmade with axis lock to cut much more than paper.
 
Spillproof said:
I've been carrying (and using) Benchmades for almost 30 years and have never had one fail or break. I also have a couple of CRK's. I don't think anyone needs a CRK but they're certainly very nice knives. In 30 years of wildlife field work and 12+ years of homesteading/living off the grid remotely I have never hammered a knife into a tree or used one as a step. Nor have a batoned or done any of the the other silly bushcraft things that urban fantasists seems to think are important.

If you want a CRK go ahead and get one.
But be aware that a lot of Knife Bros have never actually used their knives (except maybe to open a new knife box) so their advice is based on collecting and enviability, not use. Also if you are anything like me when it's time to beat on a knife it won't be a CRK, it will be something that didn't cost $500.

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I don't live in the city and my knife sees regular use - use that will leave more than tape gunk on the blade.
The thing with hammering it in a tree and stepping on it is nothing I plan on ever doing, it was just a figure of speech.
I feel like the Bugout was designed with lighter use in mind and was wondering if a CRK would take a LOT more abuse if necessary.
I am not a collector, nor am I in need of a fidget toy for big boys. I want a good reliable knife for knife duties and I like nice things.
If the CRK is much higher quality and much more 'knife' than the BM, I'd likely be a happy owner.
 
The better knife is........the one that you have in your pocket when you need it!

Personally, I think a knife is a tool and you need the proper tool for the job. In this case, the Bugout is a lightweight EDC knife that you are more likely to put in your pocket and carry it everyday. The Inkosi is a higher grade tool that you might buy to collect, share pictures and brag about but you might be less likely to carry it everyday. So, my advice is to buy what you can afford and are willing to use daily! One thing I have noticed since I started being interested in knives is that there is a premium tax on the top shelf stuff which is great for collecting but there are numerous budget knives out there that may not be made from the latest space age super steel, but they will stay in your pocket and preform as needed when you need it to!
 
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