Demise of the 25?

stevekolt · Jul 12, 2016

I picked up my new Lefty 21 Micarta that I had on order from my local (90 minute drive away) shop. They told me that the Sebenza 25 was to be discontinued. Has anybody else heard about this? BTW, it is a well known/respected shop here on BF. Just curious...

MessOnAMission · Jul 12, 2016

Yep. It's being replaced by the Large Inkosi, and has already disappeared from the official CRK website.

Ianmorrow21 · Jul 12, 2016

Yes, thats correct. The Large Inkosi now takes the place of the 25. In reality, the Large Inkosi is just a more refined version of the 25. I think the Inkosi is a better knife, and think they should have originally released it instead of the 25.

Sonnydaze · Jul 12, 2016

I've owned more than a few CRK's, mostly large Sebbies in various form. I did buy a 25 when it first came out. I opened the blade; I closed the blade on my thumb; I sold the knife soon thereafter.
It is/was a fine knife, but I didn't like the 0.140" thick blade, even though I had an equivalent blade thickness on my Zaan.
I'm still hoping for a mid-sized Sebbie, which would seem to fill a lot of holes in the catalog.

mr2blue · Jul 12, 2016

Sonnydaze said:
I've owned more than a few CRK's, mostly large Sebbies in various form. I did buy a 25 when it first came out. I opened the blade; I closed the blade on my thumb; I sold the knife soon thereafter.
It is/was a fine knife, but I didn't like the 0.140" thick blade, even though I had an equivalent blade thickness on my Zaan.
I'm still hoping for a mid-sized Sebbie, which would seem to fill a lot of holes in the catalog.

I agree. The large is a little too big and the small a little too small

nyefmaker · Jul 12, 2016

I have a 25. Bought it when they first came out. Did not like it at first but it has grown on me. I now carry it more than any other. I still have yet to take it apart as there has been no need too. Still has the factory blade edge ( only touched on sharpmaker with ultra fine rods ). It's a keeper.

I see with the popularity of the Inkosi that they basically implemented it into the 25 size. There is not a single thing I see with the Inkosi that would make me even want to try one. I have a Sebenza 25 already.

Shooter4321 · Jul 12, 2016

nyefmaker said:
I have a 25. Bought it when they first came out. Did not like it at first but it has grown on me. I now carry it more than any other. I still have yet to take it apart as there has been no need too. Still has the factory blade edge ( only touched on sharpmaker with ultra fine rods ). It's a keeper.

I see with the popularity of the Inkosi that they basically implemented it into the 25 size. There is not a single thing I see with the Inkosi that would make me even want to try one. I have a Sebenza 25 already.[/QUOTE

I agree, I have the 25 and like it better then the Inkosi, do not like the new washers as they look like they will hold lint, dirt etc . I also prefer the clip location on the 25.

Redwood25 · Jul 12, 2016

Another opinion like the two above. I'm sure the Large Inkosi is great. However, since I have a 25 that I have no complaints about, I have no interest. Improvements? Sure, if you like.
I had several large 21's, but none of them made me want to keep them (and they've since moved on). The 25 was a keeper from day 1.

kidcongo · Jul 12, 2016

I think "demise" is not really the right word. The "renaming" of the 25 is really what is happening. Like the 'Classic' became the 21, with some small changes, the 25 has become the Inkosi with small changes.

When considering this new model I must commend CRK in moving towards a more sensible grind. After all these are pocket knives first, and pocket jewelry second. The cutting performance of the original 25 grind was OK, but not great. The Inkosi grind looks like a better balance between slicer and pry-bar, and may offer some more longevity before it thickens up.

One thing is for certain, any time CRK changes anything, the natives get restless. That's proof to me of how much people love their designs.

Wavicle · Jul 12, 2016

kidcongo said:
I think "demise" is not really the right word. The "renaming" of the 25 is really what is happening. Like the 'Classic' became the 21, with some small changes, the 25 has become the Inkosi with small changes.

When considering this new model I must commend CRK in moving towards a more sensible grind. After all these are pocket knives first, and pocket jewelry second. The cutting performance of the original 25 grind was OK, but not great. The Inkosi grind looks like a better balance between slicer and pry-bar, and may offer some more longevity before it thickens up.

One thing is for certain, any time CRK changes anything, the natives get restless. That's proof to me of how much people love their designs.

+1 - exactly. The new grind is better even though I originally preferred the 25's wedge.

Same thing for the boxes- has anyone received a non-Blade '16 large Inkosi and if so, what box did it come with?

Stand Straight · Jul 13, 2016

I like my 25 and like my sm Inkosi. Ordered the left hand lg Inkosi and the only question would be is if I will like it as much or more than the 25. In the inexplicable, unlikelihood that I like it less, all that means is I will still like it a lot. I guess I'll still have to wait a month more or so before I can compare.