CRK Inkosi vs. Bugout

[DMG]

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.

There are youtube videos of people horribly abusing bugouts without damage. They are way tougher than you think.

 

[Delgadonine]

There are youtube videos of people horribly abusing bugouts without damage. They are way tougher than you think.

Remember, Youtubers can't afford to use CGI or other special effects. However, they can edit a video and modify a knife innumerable ways.

 

[pvicenzi]

I am a CRK fan and I have both. I prefer the bugout. However, I like my Sebenzas more than either of them.

 

[Boattale]

CRK is great but heavy. I gave my large Inkosi to my grandson and carry a Kabar Dozier Design instead. And I have yet to find anything the CRK would cut that the Kabar won't. So I guess you know where I stand.

 

[Wild Willie]

While I'm an ardent and unabashed fan of CRK, if you're happy with the bugout stick with it. No reason to upgrade if you're ok with what you have.

If however, you're dead set on trying one out, nothing is going to scratch the itch except actually procuring one and putting it to work. At least if it doesn't work out you shouldn't have a whole lot of trouble moving it along.

 

[Alberta Ed]

I have several Benchmades with Axis locks (710, Mini Rukus, Grippies) and have yet to experience any problem with any of them. I suspect the Bugout is far more durable than it looks at first glance.

 

[.577NE]

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.

View attachment 2626004

This post is worth reading. It's solid.

 

[ShaiHulud]

This post is worth reading. It's solid.

Worth reading and factual, more than he think it but he went ahead and said it.
It's hard to find actual reviews based on real life use because there is a lot more collecting and pocket-jeweling going on and not so much using. Thats why I say, take your new knife, stick it in ice cream then in soil from a neglected potted plant and find a stick somewhere and break it in.
Good post, thanks for highlighting it

 

[DMG]

Remember, Youtubers can't afford to use CGI or other special effects. However, they can edit a video and modify a knife innumerable ways.

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between stupidity and joking on the internet.

 

[Skar]

Don’t flame me for this…
I think that crk are way overpriced for what they are. There are plenty of good knives that are half the price.

 

[pvicenzi]

Bugout and small Inkosi. The Inkosi is not as good a slicer as a small Sebenza. The blade is thick behind the edge.

 

[WedgeAntilles]

I carry at least 2 CRKs a day on my person. I've carried larges in basketball shorts without issue. And if I ever needed a knife for something really robust, it would be a CRK.

 

[Wild Willie]

Don’t flame me for this…
I think that crk are way overpriced for what they are. There are plenty of good knives that are half the price.

I look at it like buying Mac or snap on tools... It's not so much the tool itself, but the warranty. There's plenty of tools that turn bolts, but quality tools are more fun to use, and if they get broken I just hand it over and get a new one.

And yes, mine get used.

 

[Sibyrnes]

Bugout vs Inkosi? The Bugout is lighter weight, easy and quicker to deploy and it cuts better. What do you want a knife to do?

Don’t get me wrong - if you are a knife collector like me, CRK knives are an important part of the collection, but as a daily user they are pretty far down on the list. For any task requiring such a heavy duty knife I use a fixed blade.

 

[Stixmagill]

I own both knives In question. Bug outs are nice light duty knives. CRK knives are 2 to 3 levels, heavier duty, and arguably towards the upper end of bulletproof.
Both are worth their selling price in my opinion.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Bugout vs Inkosi? The Bugout is lighter weight, easy and quicker to deploy and it cuts better. What do you want a knife to do?

Don’t get me wrong - if you are a knife collector like me, CRK knives are an important part of the collection, but as a daily user they are pretty far down on the list. For any task requiring such a heavy duty knife I use a fixed blade.

That's not a slight feature. Add to it it's almost effortless with a minor amount of muscle memory. The Axis lock has only been an issue to me with pocket lint.

Meanwhile my small Inkosi is my smoothest opening CRK but that's like saying it's my fastest pet snail. And unless you have leather fingers then if you need to open any CRK enough you will get at least a slight case of CRK thumb dent...

A pic to spice up the post...

Not a bugout but a 940 and a small Inkosi:

 

[beeinak]

There are lots of guys who use CRK knives for actual work knives. If someone wants to have a nicer knife to use, then by all means get it and use it.

Lots of people buy Ryobi tools and are very happy with them, however for a little more money I prefer the quality and sense of pride in ownership of Milwaukee. I think knives are similar- most will ‘do the job’, but some make you smile while using them.

 

[scoobtay]

My two inkosi’s have replaced the majority of my other knives. It’s a good qualifier for a “one and done” type purchase.

 

[Sibyrnes]

Lots of people buy Ryobi tools and are very happy with them, however for a little more money I prefer the quality and sense of pride in ownership of Milwaukee. I think knives are similar- most will ‘do the job’, but some make you smile while using them.

Now that is not a good analogy. Benchmade and CRK are both American made, both offer lifetime warranties and both offer a “sense of pride”. Some, including me, just think that a Benchmade knife is a more efficient and practical tool for daily use.

 

[beeinak]

Now that is not a good analogy. Benchmade and CRK are both American made, both offer lifetime warranties and both offer a “sense of pride”. Some, including me, just think that a Benchmade knife is a more efficient and practice tool for daily use.

I agree with you! I wasn’t meaning to say Benchmade was like Chinese Ryobi at all- only that some people find pleasure in a tool that does cost more. I like Benchmade and would never intentionally disparage them or users of them. I sold the only CRK folder I owned simply because I found myself not using it.

My point was only to say that if the OP finds pleasure in owning and using a CRK, that he should get one and use it.