Help me choose: Large Sebenza 21 Micarta Insingo vs Umnumzaan

SaddleSC

SaddleSC

Joined
Dec 10, 2012
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I received my first CRK last week. It is a small plain Sebenza Insingo and I absolutely love it. I am already feeling the desire to add another one to my collection and I am torn deciding between these two...

Large Sebenza Insingo with Micarta Inlays
I absolutely LOVE the Insingo blade on my small Sebenza. It is perfect for EDC and the types of tasks I usually undertake. However, I am wondering if the Insingo blade is as popular in the Large size. It seems like most of the Large Sebenzas that I see are the standard blade shape. If I do decide to get a Large Sebenza, I am fairly certain that I would want the Insingo; otherwise I would most likely prefer the Umnumzaan to the standard blade shape.

Umnumzaan
This knife looks very intriguing to me and I really like the blade shape. It is far more robust than any household task I would ever employ it in. I like the pattern engraved into the handles and, because it utilizes a different pivot (with ceramic ball on the lock bar), I feel like I would be adding some variety to my growing collection.

So...is the Large Insingo as cool as the Small one and would you guys (and gals) choose it over the Umnumzaan?
 
I would say to go for the large Insingo with Micarta. I have both a large and small Insingo and would love to step up a level with the micarta inlays. My Zaan is a nice knife also but the thicker blade makes it not quite as useful on a daily basis as the Insingos.
 
tomsch said:
I would say to go for the large Insingo with Micarta. I have both a large and small Insingo and would love to step up a level with the micarta inlays. My Zaan is a nice knife also but the thicker blade makes it not quite as useful on a daily basis as the Insingos.
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Thanks, Tom! Do you find the Large Insingo blade to be as useful and functional as the Small? I think it is probably one of my favorite blade shapes of all time and just want to make sure it translates as well in the larger size.
 
Yep, the large Insingo is as cool as the small one, that'd be my pick...but it's never an easy choice, they're all nice!
 
I do find that the large Insingo is even more useful. I'm the cook in the family and when I'm at my son's house I cringe at his dull kitchen knives. I make it a point to take my large Insingo because it even covers kitchen duty when needed.

Thinking about it the right answer is probably BOTH :)
 
The large insingo is a cool knife, but i don't like the blade shape as much on the large as i do on the small. I prefer the standard drop point on the large. Overall i like the Umnumzaan more than all of them though, and for a smaller knife i like the small sebenza, insingo or droppoint with some kind of inlays.
 
I've owned 2 Umnumzaans, and sold them both.
Had one lg micarta Insingo and sold it. Missed it so much I bought another, this one's not going anywhere.
 
I don't have an Insingo, but have a large micarta Classic, and much prefer it over the Umnumzaan.
We all like different knives though, and you may love the Umnumzaan.
 
I think you get a lot more bang with the Zaan. You get sculpted handles, ceramic ball detent, glass breaker, and a lock bar stabilizer. All for about the same price of a plain jane Sebenza, and less than a Micarta Sebenza.

E6F0719A-CAED-42D3-8134-FF8F514EF8EA-732-0000002E175780CE.jpg
 
My vote would be go for the Umnumzaan as already you have the sweetness of a Sebenza in the small. I never tried the Insignio before but have seen many Large ones for sale on the second hand markets so I would question their popularity vs. the Insignio smalls. I recently posted the question in a new thread titled Umnumzaan Vs. Large 21 for the very reasons to throw out pros and cons and ideas pertaining to the the question you pose as well. Seems like the majority are leaning towards the Umnumzaan but then maybe the Large Insignio throws a wrench in the typical logical and could scew the statistics in either direction. One cool thing to note in the past is when I did own both an Umnumzaan and a Sebenza (be it large or small), it was really cool to be able to appreciate the similarities and the differences that each one brings to your knife collection. Goodluck whatever you choose don't think there is a wrong answer.
 
Anyone you choose will be perfect. So my advise is to buy the one that appeals to you the most. You can't go wrong with any of those knives.

Happy hunting. :thumbup:
 
I've owned and sold 2 Zaans. I have a large Insingo and love it. The Zaans were nice, but the handle was too narrow around for me - I tried very much to like it but it didn't feel right in my hand. On a personal note, while the Zaan is nice on paper with it's tech specs and innovative construction, to me it felt a bit clunky, overdone and overly embellished. Sort of like a 1980's car with tons of extra angles, indentations and extraneous curves and notches that didn't really fill any need for me - too much going on. Reminds me of the older Ford Mustang cheese-grater tail lights. My Insingo is great - feels like a large Sebbie in the hand, but with a more utilitarian, functional, stout blade. To me it feels and behaves nothing like a small Insingo, which is also great knife in it's own right. I plan to buy another large Insingo when they start making wood inlays and/or Damascus.
 
XJ-linux said:
I've owned and sold 2 Zaans. I have a large Insingo and love it. The Zaans were nice, but the handle was too narrow around for me - I tried very much to like it but it didn't feel right in my hand. On a personal note, while the Zaan is nice on paper with it's tech specs and innovative construction, to me it felt a bit clunky, overdone and overly embellished. Sort of like a 1980's car with tons of extra angles, indentations and extraneous curves and notches that didn't really fill any need for me - too much going on. Reminds me of the older Ford Mustang cheese-grater tail lights. My Insingo is great - feels like a large Sebbie in the hand, but with a more utilitarian, functional, stout blade.
Click to expand...

You have kind of summed up my gut instinct on this decision. There is really something special about the sweet simplicity of the Sebenza and those Micarta inlays are to die for. Sometimes when I look at the Umnumzaan, I feel like it is a little overdone, but it certainly represents a great value in the CRK line when you think of all the things you are getting for nearly $100 cheaper than the Micarta Sebenza.

Another angle to approach this decision is based on future availability. We know that the Zaan will be available for the foreseeable future, whereas, the 25 will eventually replace the 21 and the future of the Insingo blade-style in particular is also unknown. At this point I am leaning toward the Sebenza, but I still have not made my final decision :)
 
I have both, and have to say that the Large micarta Insingo is by far the best Sebenza in my eyes :) i still have to go for the Zaan i just like that one even more. any toughts about the 25? that one kicked both of them out of te pocket for me
 
I just wanted to post a follow up and let you know my decision...neither knife is my next CRK :)

This morning I just ordered a Small Insingo Sebenza with Micarta Inlays and I am thrilled for it to arrive at the end of the week. My logic was, as follows...my lifestyle rarely requires the use of a knife and I work in an office environment downtown. In Colorado, knife blades must be shorter than 3.5" to carry concealed and in some local cities and municipalities the rule is 3" and under.

I enjoy playing with larger knives at home (like my PM2 or my ZT0350) but I never carry anything over 3" as an EDC anyway. After playing with the Small Sebenza that I currently own, I realized that it is just the perfect size for my lifestyle and the tasks that I typically need it for. So...I decided that I would buy another Small Sebenza Insingo (but this time with Micarta inlays). I then plan to buy the Umnumzaan (in the next couple weeks) as a toy to use strictly around the house.

Later in the year, I may buy a Sebenza 25 to fill the Large Sebenza role in my collection, but for right now I chose two CRKs that could go anywhere and do pretty much anything in my daily life. I am thrilled...pictures to follow upon arrival :)
 
I owned a zann and a small insingo. I've since purchased a small micarta insingo, and sold the other two. The Zaan was just bigger than I need for EDC, and I like the lockup of the sebenza better. Since I bought the small micarta insingo, I havn't puchased another folder, and still don't really feel the need to.
 
SaddleSC said:
I just wanted to post a follow up and let you know my decision...neither knife is my next CRK :)

This morning I just ordered a Small Insingo Sebenza with Micarta Inlays and I am thrilled for it to arrive at the end of the week. My logic was, as follows...my lifestyle rarely requires the use of a knife and I work in an office environment downtown. In Colorado, knife blades must be shorter than 3.5" to carry concealed and in some local cities and municipalities the rule is 3" and under.

I enjoy playing with larger knives at home (like my PM2 or my ZT0350) but I never carry anything over 3" as an EDC anyway. After playing with the Small Sebenza that I currently own, I realized that it is just the perfect size for my lifestyle and the tasks that I typically need it for. So...I decided that I would buy another Small Sebenza Insingo (but this time with Micarta inlays). I then plan to buy the Umnumzaan (in the next couple weeks) as a toy to use strictly around the house.

Later in the year, I may buy a Sebenza 25 to fill the Large Sebenza role in my collection, but for right now I chose two CRKs that could go anywhere and do pretty much anything in my daily life. I am thrilled...pictures to follow upon arrival :)
Click to expand...

Excellent choice, this is my urban EDC of choice as well. One of my all round favorite CRKs
 
Well shoot...I am posting to give you guys another update. Yesterday, I ordered the Small Sebenza Insingo with Micarta inlays as my perfect EDC, but I still could not break the spell of the Umnumzaan, so I ordered one of those this morning as well!

It is going to be an exciting few days when they arrive. I will post pics and my first impressions as soon as they get here. Thanks for all your help along the way :)
 
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