CRK model differences... Is one enough??

Yes, they’re different enough to own all of them. If you do the same cutting tasks day in day out, then yes, one will suffice. But, if you need a work, dress, public knife then no, one will not do it all.
I once had similar thoughts, then I woke up from my dream and realized I’ll never be happy with a one fits all knife. In my mind, they all serve a different purpose.

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Initialconditions said:
I have:
Small Sebenza 31
Small Inkosi
Mnandi
Umnumzaan
Large Sebenza 31

The question:
Are they different enough for it to make sense to own them all?
Or
Does any one of them fit the "does everything" knife.

I'm strongly leaning towards the small sebenza as, given the right variant, it's dressy enough to serve as a gentleman's carry, but still enough blade to do most pocket knife tasks. Also, while the Umnumzaan is beefy, it's not really dressy enough to carry as a gentleman's, and it's a bit big for everyday. That said, I've been unable to convince myself one is enough...
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Buy what you can, use what you buy.

I don't know about your budget.

I don't know about how you use your knives.

I doubt you need to collect and use more than what you already have, necessarily.
 
I don’t understand the size concerns … nobody cares about a Zaan when I EDC it like I did here.

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:)

PS: a tip: people likely react to your behavior, not the knife.
 
I used to own a Small Inkosi and Mnandi, found them both too small.
The Small Sebenza 31 is probably the best bet as overall per your needs.
I still own 2 Small Sebenza 31s, 2 Large Sebenza 31s, all with inlays.
Also own a Carbon fiber Large Insingo Inkosi.
The Large Inkosi gets the most pocket time
 
If I could only have one folder, it would be a small sebenza. I felt like I needed two CRKs though - a small Sebenza for EDC and Mnandi for dress. IMHO, the small Sebenza is a little heavy for a dress knife, but can certainly fill the role. The wood inlays are stunning.

For me, the large is too long (could invite legal trouble in my state) and heavy (annoying to run with in some pants) for EDC. When I go bigger than a small, or intend to do serious work, I go fixed blade.

I find the drop point the most useful blade shape, but also love insingo. I also really like the black micarta inlay.

Ultimately, I have four smalls in different configurations. I’m looking at up to two more as I retire my well used pre-31’s.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I like CRK, but the large Inkosi handles all I need done. I have larger, beefier titanium folders, and I have a few small knives that just get fancy pocket carry. However, the Large Inkosi with the drop point is pretty do-it-all for me.
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I second this.
 
Initialconditions said:
I have:
Small Sebenza 31
Small Inkosi
Mnandi
Umnumzaan
Large Sebenza 31

The question:
Are they different enough for it to make sense to own them all?
Or
Does any one of them fit the "does everything" knife.

I'm strongly leaning towards the small sebenza as, given the right variant, it's dressy enough to serve as a gentleman's carry, but still enough blade to do most pocket knife tasks. Also, while the Umnumzaan is beefy, it's not really dressy enough to carry as a gentleman's, and it's a bit big for everyday. That said, I've been unable to convince myself one is enough...
Click to expand...
Wow . . .It is all up to you.

I always say that a knife aficionado shouldn't need a reason to want another knife . . .when discussing the subject with a spouse or in-law. Yet a collector may wish to cull or curate their knife hoard of new-in-the-box (with papers and original receipt) to refine the focus of their collection or to finance a new acquisition.

For me, when it comes to an EDC or user knife, I'd think that one or two CRK folders would be enough. Currently I have a Largish Spyderco folder and a Leatherman multi tool as my EDC kit, but would gladly change out the Spidy for a CRK.

I do have a box of mostly unused run of the mill knives, but they are knives I don't want to carry that were gifted to me by well meaning family so . . .not really a "collection".
 
I have xl hands and the small inkosi is about perfect. Next in line would be the small 21/31 Insingo.

I have found the large to be….well… just to large to cover everything. If I was living and working where I did not encounter sheeple, I would probably carry a large.

But to answer your question…. For me…. A do all blade that disappears in the pocket ….. it’s the small inkosi.
 
Going through the same questions myself. I know I am keeping a large 31, should be getting the keeper in the mail today.

Already have a small 31 and Inkosi. May keep the sml 31 but the sml inkosi just doesn’t fit hand. Both smalls may leave. Going to get a lrg Inkosi and also a Zaan and see if can tell enough difference to justify keeping those both or just the Zaan in addition to the 31.

Of course I’m in the process of paring down to just 7 folding knives I want to keep. I get tired of trying to decide between 60+ folders what to carry everyday. So 7 it is.
 
Yeah, I wear black Bruce Lee t-shirts everyday. All my pants are the same. Have one car for the family. One tv. Only one pistol (have duplicates of it, though).
AND LIKE 40 CHRIS REEVE KNIVES
So, the addiction and expansion has never really meshed with me. I started as a flipper way back in the day, but keeping one here or there with excess funds turned into going heavy into the red to avoid FOMO as much as possible. It's a strange "hobby" that just doesn't fit me. So... I think I'm heading towards keeping 7 small sebenza (and their backups) as my main carry rotation. I will probably keep my 5 mnandi because they're just rare and awesome. Maybe my armor black zaan because it'd be impossible to get another.

But... that leaves a whole bunch teetering on the fence of "I should really get rid of these, but I kinda have a problem":
DP Magna Zaan
DP Glass Blast Zaan
Black Small Inkosi
BHQ CF Small Inkosi
BHQ CF Large 31
Armor Black Large 31 (x2)
KA CF Small Inkosi
Black Micarta Small Inkosi
PJ Small Inkosi
Micarta DP Magna Small 31

Any from the "fence" list above that seem crazy to move? I'm hedging mostly on the Armor Black Large 31's because their cool, rare, and match my other armor blacks, but again... what's the point if it doesn't get pocketted? I would possibly actually carry my Black Small Inkosi and my BHQ CF small inkosi, and I like them alot... just not as much as my small 31's.
 
The smalls aren't big enough to give me a comfortable 4-finger grip, which knocks them out of the race for me. If he could have just gone a bit longer on the grip for that design...

Seb 31 or large Inkosi - that's a coin toss for me. The Seb has a more compact feel, if you're wanting something that is a bit easier on the "slacks" days.

Based on the description of what you seem to be looking for, I have to be that guy who says, maybe check out the iMamba.
 
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