I gotta have it!

Voodew

Voodew

Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
199
I'm the classic guy that thinks I can be happy with other folders that are of lesser quality of CRK knives. After purchasing a ZT 0561 and a Spyderco Military, (don't get me wrong, great knives), I just miss having a CRK in my pocket. Nothing beats CRK, no matter how many times I tell myself, "this knife will do everything a CRK will", it doesn't matter. NO other knife is made to the perfect tolerances and feel that CRK's have. After owning and selling multiple CRK's, I gotta get my CRK back, it's calling me.

I'm just stuck! I love the classic plain jane CRK sebenza 21, and I've also owned the 25 and loved it. The only thing that bugs me about the 25 is that it doesn't have the bushing system that the 21 has. My FAVORITE feature of the 21 is that you can tighten the pivot down all the way, and it's good to go. No messing around with pivot tension and locktite.

But on the other hand, I like the flat grind of the 25 and it's seemingly harder blade steel. I can't fricken decide!

Which do you guys prefer? The large 21 with the perfect bushing system, or the 25 with a flat ground and seemingly harder blade steel, but no bushing system? I can not decide! I need your guys' help, convince me one way or the other! Both have their pros and cons and I just can't make the decision, I love both.

What do you guys think!? What is your preference? If the 25 had the bushing system that the 21 had it would be a no brainer to me. But like I said, I like the blade on the 25 better than the 21.

Push me one way or the other, please! I'm stuck.


Thanks in advance guys,

Mitch McIntire
 
It's individual, you shouldn't listen solely to our opinions in order to choose one over the other! There are lots of threads dealing with the pros and cons of both that you can research. I am not joking when I say to buy both. You can sell the one you like less for minimal or no loss and then you will know for sure you made the correct choice:)
 
I guess I'm old school but to me part of the Sebenza's allure is the bushing system. Its what makes a Sebenza a Sebenza.
 
The blade (geometry) of the 25 is fantastic. So far the pivot is fine too.
The screws that hold the lanyard did come loose more that one time.
It's just in my head, that I like a knife that get's along without glue better.
red mag
 
The 25 can easily be tightened to the same point of smooth openness and centering without Locktite, as mine can.

Just use both wrenches at the same time, and continue to rotate the longer side of the pivot (the female side, the one where the wrench goes in deeper) to ensure it still rotates while you tighten the male side as well.

Once there is no blade play, the blade is centered and the female side still rotates in a clockwise direction, you 're done! It's just like tightening an old-pivot Umnumzaan. Same technique.

Spring for the new 25 Micarta. ;). It actually looks better in real pictures than it does on the CRK website.
 
I keep hearing about Loctite with CRK's. It it necessary ? I too prefer to not have to use "glue" on my knives.

Does the Seb21 , Seb25 and Umnumzaan all require Loctite ?
 
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Only the Umnumzaan and 25 require loctite on the pivot. As others have said though they've had success without using loctite.
 
I personally would go with a 21, classic MM or even better a Regular, but this is based on my own likes. Get both and let your pocket decide which to keep:)
 
Personally, I hate adjustable pivots. That is one of the many reasons why I am willing to spend so much on these knives. With that being said, I vote 21. :)
 
I like that CRK has options! Personally I like all the generations of Sebenza's. Also I have never used Loctite on any of my knives. 25 and Umnums have not needed it!
 
AKWILD said:
I like that CRK has options! Personally I like all the generations of Sebenza's. Also I have never used Loctite on any of my knives. 25 and Umnums have not needed it!
Click to expand...

So you had no need for Loctite on Seb25 and Umnumzaan ? That's good because I'm anti-Loctite. And I want a brand new Umnumzaan. Or new 25.
 
Have owned 3 umnums and one 25 and have not had any issues with not using Loctite. I would probably use it but just never bought any and everything has worked out so far.:)
Wolverine666 said:
So you had no need for Loctite on Seb25 and Umnumzaan ? That's good because I'm anti-Loctite. And I want a brand new Umnumzaan. Or new 25.
Click to expand...
 
Or one could just get a Sebenza21 with the precision fit bushing system and avoid the need for Loctite all together.

Decisions , decisions.
 
I have two 21s and an Umnum. The pivot bushing system isn't that huge of an issue for me. It's great, don't get me wrong, but I have a lot of knives I love that don't have it (eg, Hinderers, my Umnum, etc) and I'm okay with that. I do use a bit of blue Loctite on those non-pivot-bushing knives just to be safe. Loctite doesn't bother me. ;)

When it comes to the 25 I just haven't come to terms with the added weight of it, nor aesthetics to be honest. The extra half ounce I'm sure is a result of the broader blade on the 25...but that blade is also the source of my aesthetic issues with it. I'm sure it will continue to grow on me as I get more and more used to looking at it. But the 21 just has such a perfect aesthetic to it... and at 4.7oz is so nice to carry. IDK, I am sure I will own a 25 eventually (even if just for a while to give it a try). And who knows, maybe when I do get one I will love it... but I am just so happy with the 21 that the 25 just hasn't quite been able to tempt me yet. But like I said... I'm sure that will change eventually. :D
 
Good news, gentlemen. I have a small sebenza 21 coming back from the spa soon. So I chose to buy the 25 and it will be arriving today. So I'll have the best of both worlds. Thanks for all your responses, even though the opinions were split 50/50 :p.
 
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