I have owned them all... except a Large Insingo. Can someone please convince me.

Brendtech189

Brendtech189

Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
2,174
Hello Fellow B.F.ers. As you may or may not know I have been collecting CRKs for well over a decade and I have owned, or own pretty much all there is to own. HOWEVER, I have never owned a large Insingo or any Insingo for that matter. I just don't get it. I want to but I just can't. Plus, if I was going to order one, which would you guys recommend?
I love micarta so that is an option, but what is the consensus about those? I know there is the regular Ti, Micarta, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Fiber Inlay, and I think that may be it. Which one is the ONE? Please guys, I really need to wake up and smell the coffee here of the Insingo and its not more than a few clicks away. I just don't like how it looks and can't see it being a good performer.
Here is possibly my main concern. Is the tip sharp enough to pierce? Like to pierce open a bag of chips or something like that? I don't doubt that its a good slicer but I am worried about its piercing ability. I am in NO WAY trying to start a debate here as I have read endless threads praising the Insingo. I just am asking and would greatly appreciate all of your help if you could tell me which one to get and why? The C.F. inlay is already out the door as it is too fancy. I really like the Micarta and the regular Ti. I want to buy one new so that I can get the full effect. You know, be the first owner. So which one is it and why?
I really appreciate everyone's time and I am really interested to hear what people have to say. Some people swear by the Insingo and say that it is even better that the clip point and they will never go back once they tried it but those are some pretty big statements going up against a design that I have been using with the Originals and Regulars pretty much everyday. I hope to hear some great information, not just opinions. I'm interested in "Why" its a great knife. Not just, its a great knife. And mark my word, if I can be convinced I will buy one asap and post pictures of it when I get it in.
Thank you all in advance and I hope to really hear some great info in the next couple of days. Plus, I know that there are a lot of people like myself that are on the fence with the Insingo and just don't get it. I have had 2 amazing wharncliffe Mayos and love the Spyderco Southard but the Insingo just doesn't do it for me. Anyways, thank you for everyone's time and I want to buy one, but I just can't seem to pull the trigger.
 
Well, you just need to have one in hand and use it so you can decide if it's for you. I don't have a large, but I do have a small. I'd be willing to send it to you, let you try it out for a couple of weeks. Oh, it is a micarta inlaid Insingo.
That's the only way I know of to convince you that you need one.
Email me if you want to take me up on the offer.
 
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I know your hesitation well. I've had my large for a couple of years now and just bought another this week. Before I got my first, I thought they looked somewhat ugly and akward. After using it for a very short time, it became more beautiful every day, not just from the utility aspect, but also from the uniqueness. Now, it is the most beautiful blade I own. I love mine and choose it 90% of the time over my other dozen EDC's. I choose it more for the versatility of the blade than for any other reason.

When I was looking at opinions from others, the one that stuck with me was: buy the Insingo in a small and the CP in large. The CP large alrealdy has enough cutting edge and the small benefits from the shape much more. Obviously I ignored the advice since I own 2 large Insingos and no small's (yet).

Worst case scenario, you don't like it. It is a CRK, sell it on BF.
 
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Let me try.
There are many tasks that need a sharp tool and not exactly a pointy tool.
You could use a multitool, but that's not the same thing.
If you are that breed of purist - prefer a single bladed knife - then you got a second function by simply turning the Sebenza in your hand.
Food preparation comes to mind, plus you still have a nice point.
Which one you ask? Plain is the way to go.
Hope this helps.
red mag
 
My preferences are micarta small and plain large. The inserts make the small more ergonomic. The large doesn't need this since it is wider and has thicker slabs. As for the Insingo, my latest is large 21 Insingo and the blade is just fine for my purposes, to include opening chips and cutting slits in the film over my frozen dinner. :) It also is really great for slicing and other food prep. The back side is semi sharp out where the blade drops to the tip which aids in piercing.
 
It's the best looking design and the most useful EDC blade shape/grind IMO.. but I could be biased.
 
I am all for the Large Insingo. The first CRK I had was the large drop point 21, but I never completely warmed up to it. I recently picked up a plain ti slab Large 21 Insingo, and it hasn't left my pocket. The tip sits much lower, so piercing it actually a bit easier, such as a bag of chips. You won't have the distinct point of the drop point, but I find it much more useful for my EDC. Everyone has their personal preference, and with CRK, I don't think there's a wrong choice for blade shape. I do think they're all certainly worth a try, though, given what is put into developing them all.

If you end up picking one up or handling one, I look forward to your impressions.
 
Ajack60 said:
Well, you just need to have one in hand and use it so you can decide if it's for you. I don't have a large, but I do have a small. I'd be willing to send it to you, let you try it out for a couple of weeks. Oh, it is a micarta inlaid Insingo.
That's the only way I know of to convince you that you need one.
Email me if you want to take me up on the offer.
Click to expand...

This is an extremely great and generous offer. There's nothing more convincing than that experience.
 
Lots of info has already been shared here by others so, let me tackle the piercing question. The Insingo has no trouble piercing, and the main reason is due to the sharp swedge on the tip of the knife. It's not sharp enough to be considered a "secondary edge" by most standards but, it's sharp enough to catch on your nails, and quite thin considering it's location. You won't have any trouble piercing things with it.
 
I carry a large carbon fiber inlay insingo at work it has no trouble stripping wire or piercing things its a blade style that is just perfect for general edc chores. I think you would love one.
 
First I would like to thank all my fellow Blade Forum member's for all of your comments and input. A special thanks must go out to brother Ajack who so kindly offered to put up his own personal edc so that I may try it and for that goes out a huge "Thank You!". I also want to thank Kidcongo for the great link, insightful write-up, and killer pictures. So with all of that said, "I am In!" I have really looked at the Insingo and I think that it will be a great edc and a addition to my rotation. No saving this one for years coming, this one is getting used NOW.
So after realizing that I am missing out on a HUGE part of CRK history, use, and great design I started to think to myself, "Now what configuration do I get?" I obviously have quite a few options and narrowed it down to the Plain Jane, Carbon Fiber, and Micarta (then one must decide to go with classic blue or silver hardware).
I was going to ask you guys for what you thought but I decided to compare some stats and make the call on my own. First, I decided "no" on the carbon fiber. I have nothing against it and it is a great option and wears tremendously well and is well, lite as hell, but I really enjoy the feel and the weight of the full Ti or Micarta Sebenza. Having owned 5 Large Micarta clip point 21s I really love them and at one point used one for almost a year straight. But my main concern was handle thickness. Not weight but thickness and what I found was pretty surprising.
The Micarta Insingo comes in at 0.53" and the all Ti comes in at 0.46", meaning they only differ by 0.07", basically nothing in my book. So after that I went to weight just for fun.
The Micarta came in at 4.70 OZ and the all Ti at 4.70 OZ. I thought how could this be and went to a number of sites to compare and all of the sites read the exact same. So weight obviously isn't a factor at all.
So after spending some time with my Large Micarta 21 Clip Point I decided that it could use a partner in crime. So that is it! A Large Micarta Insingo with the large charcoal tie and bead to finish off an already beautiful combination (thank you for the idea for the new lanyard and bead as after I saw it on the Insingo it just looked meant to be). The wonderful people at BlaeHQ will be the lucky recipients of my money and that is fine with me. Having graciously purchased Sebenzas from them since day one, they are a great bunch of guys and gals, and have killer customer service. I am making my order after I finish up with this post and hopefully it will be here by Monday.
I want to thank everyone again as all of you took the time to write some really great comments and I really appreciate that. Just when you don't think you can possibly cram any more CRK information and facts into your head, here comes the Insigno. I may be a bit late on the draw but thankfully all of you helped me "see the light". I will most certainly post some pics after I get it in and honestly I'm really excited. It takes a lot to get my CRK blood a pumpin' and this has done it.
Thanks again to Ajack, Kidcongo, and all of you as I really appreciate all of your expert knowledge and input. But it never happened without pictures so pics soon to come as soon as Mr. Postman rings the bell. Thanks to all and I am proud to say that I am a B.F. member.
 
I have a small, and my next will be a large with inlays. I have a handful of CRKs but the Insingo almost always goes to work with me.

You mentioned opening bags...you know when you use a bellied blade to open chips, you push straight in (to get to the straight edge) and then work your to the side...so we are talking about two motions.

The Insingo is more of a "poke the tip and pull left" motion. No need to get past the belly. Does that make sense? It's just a different feel when cutting and it's very practical for EDC IMO. When I open boxes with a bellied blade, I find it's better to be perpendicular with the tape to keep the tip of the blade at the optimal angle for slicing, but the Insingo can be drawn across at an angle and cut just as well (again, no belly).

The swedge on the back is awesome for light prying and scraping off double-stick tape, etc. I can't bring myself to force the point of a regular into anything made of metal or glass.

I'm probably not explaining this well....but the Insingo is a user!

Just my 2 cents.
 
Well, got her in and she is a beauty. I REALLY didn't know what to expect but it fits the hand like a glove and I LOVE the swedge on top. Without that it would be a totally different knife. Gotta give credit where credit is due... thank you everyone for showing me the light on this bad boy and giving me facts to go of off. I really value your opinions as well but hardcore facts about the knife is what I was hoping for and B.F. once again does not disappoint. But really, thanks for all the input and once again thanks to ajack and kid congo for their very unselfish acts of kindness. So I had to take pics with my other Micarta, just as it is an addition to the family. Drum roll please...
*BTW-the blade on the 21 is polished :)
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Nice. It is what I was carrying today as well!

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You do know that we all want to know your opinion after you have used it for awhile?
 
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