CRK Questions

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Mrgauth

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Mar 12, 2016
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i have a couple of questions. On the large Inkosi do the finger grooves bother you? And two, is the ceramic ball on the Inkosi considered a much better lock than the regular Sebby?

You all have convinced me I need to try one at least once in my life.

Trying to talk myself into getting one or the other as my first, and most likely, only CRK. And I have no place to go look at them, so..gotta try and get it right. I actually like the look of the no grooves Sebby but like all the upgrades in the Inkosi.

Oh, and are the inlays worth the extra $100?
 
Micarta inlays on a sebbie are like spinning rims on a green Ferrari IMO. Faux pas. And I see them as overpriced.

Finger grooves did not bother me a second, actually quite the opposite. It's an almost identical grip as a seb 25, which I much prefer to the 21. For me it feels better and safer on the hand, but YMMV on this one.

Lock system... honestly I did not paid attention much to it, as it feels as good and solid as usual on a CRK framelock.
 
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Mrgauth said:
i have a couple of questions. On the large Inkosi do the finger grooves bother you? And two, is the ceramic ball on the Inkosi considered a much better lock than the regular Sebby?

You all have convinced me I need to try one at least once in my life.

Trying to talk myself into getting one or the other as my first, and most likely, only CRK. And I have no place to go look at them, so..gotta try and get it right. I actually like the look of the no grooves Sebby but like all the upgrades in the Inkosi.

Oh, and are the inlays worth the extra $100?
Click to expand...

Sure..
I like the Micarta on some of them though not needed. They help make it thicker and a tad more grip plus the cold weather factor. I don't think they're overpriced unless someone has had an issue with the inlays falling out.

You'll love any of the grips. The only one I've ever heard anyone complain about is the Umnumzaan because of the tab on the lockbar.

Don't really think CRK would use different locks if they didn't have full trust in either of them. If you're using that as a deciding factor, you might as well go on looks and blade shape.

Personally, I would suggest a regular plain jane 21. That'll get you warmed up enough for the others.
 
A Large 21 with micarta inlays is a great choice. My opinion is that the new age "Sebenzas" have drifted too far away from the concept of the 21. No bueno...

The simplicity of a 21 is something to be appreciated by the working-class-knife-enthusiast.
 
The finger grooves on the 25 feel really nice to me. Do the 25 & Inkosi 25 have the same handles?? I'm not sure. Kinda almost feels just like a 21 to be honest.
I find both feel great in hand.
If you like the way the inlays look.....they are definitely worth it!
Joe
 
When CRK angled the pocket clip on the Inkosi, it eliminated the hot spot that folks didn't like with the 25. If you have really large hands, the finger grooves may not fit you and be uncomfortable. The finger grooves fits my hands well and I've got medium size hands. The ceramic ball lock virtually eliminates any lock stick. Since the pocket clip rides on the frame and not the lock bar, it's really smooth opening/closing the blade. I don't if it's a better lock system than the 21, I haven't had issues with either.
Unless your hands get sweaty while working, then you really don't need inlays. I'm partial to the micarta inlays simply because in the summer months, it does provide better grip. If you like the inlays, it's worth the extra cash.
If you want a robust, not afraid to use knife with a thicker blade, get the Inkosi. If you want a good slicer, great every day user that can handle what you throw at it, get the 21.
 
palonej said:
The finger grooves on the 25 feel really nice to me. Do the 25 & Inkosi 25 have the same handles?? I'm not sure. Kinda almost feels just like a 21 to be honest.
I find both feel great in hand.
If you like the way the inlays look.....they are definitely worth it!
Joe
Click to expand...

Yes, the 25 and Inkosi have the same handle/ finger grooves.
Left is a 25, right is a Inkosi
 
thanks everyone. I am ordering one today. Only struggle is between plain Sebby or plain Inkosi. My main like about the Inkosi is that ceramic detent lock ball. With that I feel there would never be lock stick nor lock wear, but I like the no finger grooves of the Sebby. Decisions decisions. Shame none of you live near Lawton OK. : )

Something will be ordered today though. If I end up not liking it, I will return and try the other I guess.
 
Okay. I ordered my first CRK, the Inkosi large plain, and I just got it. Kind of disappointed. The lock up is 85% out of the box. I knew these knives could be later than some but I was thinking maybe 60, but 85!? Not happy to be honest. Considering shipping it back. I know it has the ceramic detent and all that but all knives settle in over time later than they come new, and this one has no room to even do that does it?

What would you do?
 
Are you sure it's at 85%? How far does the line on the tang go (which is where it meets with the ceramic ball)? In either case, my guess is that it is totally fine.
 
Bilbo is right in that the lockup on those is deceptive. The lockup "point" is where the ball touches the tang, not the edge of the lockbar. It always looks more than it is.
 
Mrgauth said:
Okay. I ordered my first CRK, the Inkosi large plain, and I just got it. Kind of disappointed. The lock up is 85% out of the box. I knew these knives could be later than some but I was thinking maybe 60, but 85!? Not happy to be honest. Considering shipping it back. I know it has the ceramic detent and all that but all knives settle in over time later than they come new, and this one has no room to even do that does it?

What would you do?
Click to expand...
The lock up is normal I'm afraid. There is more than likely nothing wrong with the knife, aside from you comparing it with something completely different from another manufacturer. That, happens quite a lot with the folks that just don't research enough before purchasing. You are by no means alone.

The late lock up is done to prevent lock slip, and if anything is truly wrong with the knife that is where the warranty service comes in. You might contact the place where you bought it from and see if they can recommend anything. I have a Sebenza from 2011 that has been used and carried and the lock up has not moved at all since then. I bought it used here on the Exchange.I cannot say whether or not thelock up has increased in recent years, it's been at least 3 years since my last retail Sebenza purchase.
 
Mrgauth said:
Okay. I ordered my first CRK, the Inkosi large plain, and I just got it. Kind of disappointed. The lock up is 85% out of the box. I knew these knives could be later than some but I was thinking maybe 60, but 85!? Not happy to be honest. Considering shipping it back. I know it has the ceramic detent and all that but all knives settle in over time later than they come new, and this one has no room to even do that does it?

What would you do?
Click to expand...

Here's an early Sebenza 25 from 2012, like everyone has said, you can't go by the lock bar position. Look on the blade tang to see where the true lockup is. The marks will get more pronounced with time. Yours is probably light right now, but it's there.
As you can see, this one is about at 60% even though the lock bar is looking like it's close to 80%


 
Here is the lock view. Sorry, I cannot post a pic but here is a link to it. Mine is clearly further along than that 2012 one and that one is 5 years old.

https://imgur.com/a/5jLGh

And here is the link to the tang view. I would say that is an easy 70%. If it were a year old and that was the final resting place, I would be okay with it.

https://imgur.com/a/SpzoN

I know me. It will constantly bug the crap out of me. Going back. I am sure nothing wrong with it, but just happens to be one of my peeves. I knew these could possibly be that way but was hoping against hope that I might could nab a 50% one.
 
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Looks good to me, but, if you're unhappy with it send it back and get a replacement. You never know, you may get one with earlier lock up.
I've seen some with earlier lock up, by that I mean, 40/50%
 
It doesn't matter since CRK locks will stay in place, they don't move, so rest easy with your knife.
 
Mrgauth said:
Here is the lock view. Sorry, I cannot post a pic but here is a link to it. Mine is clearly further along than that 2012 one and that one is 5 years old.

https://imgur.com/a/5jLGh

And here is the link to the tang view. I would say that is an easy 70%. If it were a year old and that was the final resting place, I would be okay with it.

https://imgur.com/a/SpzoN

I know me. It will constantly bug the crap out of me. Going back. I am sure nothing wrong with it, but just happens to be one of my peeves. I knew these could possibly be that way but was hoping against hope that I might could nab a 50% one.
Click to expand...

Looks good to me, both my Inkosis are similar and neither is more than 6 months old. They are designed that way, even my 21s have a bit late lock up which is normal. If that is a peeve of yours not sure CRK is right for you.
 
Looks fine to me also. And as many have said before, it won't move anymore.
Shame you're going to let that ruin a fantastic knife for you, but it's yours.
Also, looks closer to 60% to me.
 
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