CRK vs Others in 2024

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Anecdotally - a CRK seems to perform well in hard-use scenarios AND in daily tasks. I found that my xm-18 Hinderers were one-trick ponies that performed less-than-ideally in lighter use cases. If I could only have one, it wouldn’t be the hinderer. Also, the poor detent and lock rock on 3/3 of them.

Last - given that OP is looking for his first big time folder, he likely doesn’t have a full blown sharpening system at home. 20CV sucks to put an edge on with simple tools at home, whereas S35/45/Magnacut sharpens WAY easier.
 
For those that say the Inkosi feels better/more comfortable in the hand, are you referring to the Large or Small?

I do understand that this question is very subjective...but everyone's input has definitely helped educate me with my choices.

I actually have a Large Sebenza on the way courtesy of Kettleman, and thank you for everyone's advice and input. I will definitely report back after a week of handling the Large Sebenza, and my initial thoughts and experiences.
 
CHuynh22 said:
For those that say the Inkosi feels better/more comfortable in the hand, are you referring to the Large or Small?

I do understand that this question is very subjective...but everyone's input has definitely helped educate me with my choices.

I actually have a Large Sebenza on the way courtesy of Kettleman, and thank you for everyone's advice and input. I will definitely report back after a week of handling the Large Sebenza, and my initial thoughts and experiences.
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Personally, I found the small to be too small for me, I wear a large size glove in most brands. The large was a great fit. Interesting enough, the ESV fits my hand perfectly.
 
CHuynh22 said:
For those that say the Inkosi feels better/more comfortable in the hand, are you referring to the Large or Small?

I do understand that this question is very subjective...but everyone's input has definitely helped educate me with my choices.

I actually have a Large Sebenza on the way courtesy of Kettleman, and thank you for everyone's advice and input. I will definitely report back after a week of handling the Large Sebenza, and my initial thoughts and experiences.
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Kettleman Kettleman strikes again!😂 Congratulations on your first of what will soon be many crk’s!
 
Any of the knives mentioned in this thread can and will last ones life if they are used for light daily duties. Heck I see no reason why a Spyderco PM2 cannot last that long. So my suggestion to the OP is if it's possible, go to a knife store to pick the one that YOU like the most.

Me personally after owning 4 Sebenzas and about a dozen xm-18s/Eklipses, I'll pick xm-18 3.5" skinny slicer if I can only keep one of them.
 
sharp_edge said:
Any of the knives mentioned in this thread can and will last ones life if they are used for light daily duties. Heck I see no reason why a Spyderco PM2 cannot last that long. So my suggestion to the OP is if it's possible, go to a knife store to pick the one that YOU like the most.

Me personally after owning 4 Sebenzas and about a dozen xm-18s/Eklipses, I'll pick xm-18 3.5" skinny slicer if I can only keep one of them.
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I'd agree, the 3.5 Skinny Slicer is a darned good one.
 
CHuynh22 said:
For those that say the Inkosi feels better/more comfortable in the hand, are you referring to the Large or Small?
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I was referring to the large Inkosi. I have both large and small Sebenza and the small is only a three finger grip for me (not counting the lanyard). I had a small Inkosi on order, but it was lost/stolen in transit. After handling both Sebenzas for a longer period, I decided to not reorder the small Inkosi. I don't have overly large hands (3.5 inch across the palm), but they're big enough to need glove size L. For me, I just like how well the second groove of the Inkosi fits my hand when my index finger is in the first groove. The large Sebenza 31 is a fairly close second to the large Inkosi for me.
 
The inkosi is my most carried folder, I find the level of stability and durability the very large washers provide to be an immense plus. I've yet to have another folder as solid as the inkosi and I've had hundreds of folders. In my opinion the inkosi is in a league of it's own. It's the most refined hard use folder I've owned. By far.

I do still like other designs, and get a hankering to change things up from time to time. I still come back to the inkosi though.
 
shinyedges said:
The inkosi is my most carried folder, I find the level of stability and durability the very large washers provide to be an immense plus. I've yet to have another folder as solid as the inkosi and I've had hundreds of folders. In my opinion the inkosi is in a league of it's own. It's the most refined hard use folder I've owned. By far.

I do still like other designs, and get a hankering to change things up from time to time. I still come back to the inkosi though.
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I agree about the Inkosi washer design - best in the business. I love the design, which is stupid-easy to maintain and to tune to one's own pivot action preference - standout best there is (although the Umnumzaan is virtually the same in this regard).

I have a few of things I personally would change on the Inkosi if I could:

1. Clip angle - I probably am in the minority here, but I would prefer the clip oriented like a Sebenza 21. I actually like that it follows the lockbar in that configuration, making the clip less prominent in the hand with the knife open. In fact, I find the upturned tip of the clip on a Large Inkosi (my size preference) to be in exactly the wrong spot - right in the middle of the grooved location your finger is force into. I've actually considered buying a replacement CRK clip to shorten and re-bend to get the tip out of this finger groove location. Milled aftermarket clips help grip comfort a lot here, but sacrifice the excellent function of the CRK clip.

2. Finger Grooves - I personally like more neutral grips, and this is EXACTLY the knife I would prefer to be more neutral. I would definitely like the Inkosi more if the "tips" of the grooves were basically eliminated, as in flush with the level of the scale just before the rearward most groove. The "inward" scallops I don't mind, but the proud tips I would prefer to omit.

3. Stop Pin (Post, actually) - Love the "pass thru" design, it is brilliant. Doesn't influence the pivot action or blade centering, aids in positioning for reassembly, and is a standout feature. However I have had mine loosen from the mounting screw through the lockbar side, which makes me wish it had the same hex socket on the front as the rest of the screws so it could easily be held in place to tighten the mounting screw.

4. Thumb Studs - I love you CRK, but your thumb stud design is, well, not great. Look to the Spartan SHF thumb stud please.

Oh, come to think of it, all four of the above have previously been addressed by Chris Reeve Knives - the Umnumzaan.
 
Officer's Match said:
I agree about the Inkosi washer design - best in the business. I love the design, which is stupid-easy to maintain and to tune to one's own pivot action preference - standout best there is (although the Umnumzaan is virtually the same in this regard).

I have a few of things I personally would change on the Inkosi if I could:

1. Clip angle - I probably am in the minority here, but I would prefer the clip oriented like a Sebenza 21. I actually like that it follows the lockbar in that configuration, making the clip less prominent in the hand with the knife open. In fact, I find the upturned tip of the clip on a Large Inkosi (my size preference) to be in exactly the wrong spot - right in the middle of the grooved location your finger is force into. I've actually considered buying a replacement CRK clip to shorten and re-bend to get the tip out of this finger groove location. Milled aftermarket clips help grip comfort a lot here, but sacrifice the excellent function of the CRK clip.

2. Finger Grooves - I personally like more neutral grips, and this is EXACTLY the knife I would prefer to be more neutral. I would definitely like the Inkosi more if the "tips" of the grooves were basically eliminated, as in flush with the level of the scale just before the rearward most groove. The "inward" scallops I don't mind, but the proud tips I would prefer to omit.

3. Stop Pin (Post, actually) - Love the "pass thru" design, it is brilliant. Doesn't influence the pivot action or blade centering, aids in positioning for reassembly, and is a standout feature. However I have had mine loosen from the mounting screw through the lockbar side, which makes me wish it had the same hex socket on the front as the rest of the screws so it could easily be held in place to tighten the mounting screw.

4. Thumb Studs - I love you CRK, but your thumb stud design is, well, not great. Look to the Spartan SHF thumb stud please.

Oh, come to think of it, all four of the above have previously been addressed by Chris Reeve Knives - the Umnumzaan.
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The clip doesn't bother me, but I also like the placement of the clip on my sebenza as well. Kind of a toss up for me.

The finger grooves I do find to be very comfortable but I'll acknowledge this is totally subjective. For my large hands I don't have any issues and I find it a tad more ergonomic than the sebenza.


The stop pin, I've had come loose once on the inkosi. I do find the tight tolerances make it a tad tedious to reassemble but I quite enjoy it.

Honestly if the sebenza had the inkosi washer setup it sounds like it would be very close to what you are describing. I've gone back and forth over an umnumzaan, i need to handle one.

I'm a tad ocd when it comes to my folders, I like centered blades and no play in any direction. I don't like being able to discern much movement. Lol completely irrational but hey, it's my thing.
 
Sagandavis said:
I say get both haha. But start with the large. If you like either one you’ll probably end up with both regardless, I just think to start with the icon. If you don’t like it you won’t take much of a hit on resale. Which can’t be said about most
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Just thought I'd share that I did end up getting a Large, and my initial reaction is that it is a bit too large for my hands and my needs. I do have a Small on the way (everyone did warn me that they multiply quickly) to compare the two. I suspect the Small will be a better fit for me, given my expectations are correctly set.
 
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