If can only buy one CRK folder, which one?

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Davor

Joined
Mar 10, 2010
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I can only afford one, but I'm not sure which is the best. I'm looking at the small Sebenza, with wood inlays, then I hear a lot about the Large Seb being their favorite, but heard some say it was too big. Very few talk about the Mnandri. Less fans on the Seb 21s.

Which would be the best buy? Unfortunately I can't handle anyone of them and I want to make sure the first is my best and last.
 
Do you have other knives in similar sizes to compare? I personally have not owned or handled any of Chris Reeves knives but just by comparing to similar sized spyderco's I have, I'd probably opt for the large sebenza if it was my only one.
 
What kind of knives do you normally like to carry and use on a day to day basis. Go for the CRK that fits that size range, since you'll probably carry it the most. I have a small 21 because I like 3 inch folders for EDC usage.
 
Are you going to carry this knife everyday? Where do you work? In an office? In my case, I work in an office environment so my primary carry is a small unique graphic. It is the perfect size and doesn't scare the office staff.

For the weekends, I got myself a large micarta. I absolutely love this knife. The micarta adds just the right amount of grip. If I had to do it all over again and only buy one, I would get a small micarta.
 
I like the small Sebenza and the Mnandi a lot and they fill their roll very nicely indeed. That said if I had the choice of only one I would go for the large, it is not actually that big a knife either IMO. I would also take the Umnumzaan over the 21 any day of the week, a Regular Sebenza would give me more pause for thought though. :):thumbup:
 
I use to think that the large sebenza was the only way to go, however after carrying the mnandi 80% of the time, I guess my vote would have to be the mnandi.
 
I like the small sebenza for EDC mainly because it falls within the legal max blade law for my state.
 
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I have had a large seb 21, small seb 21 and now umnumzaan. So far umnumzaan is my favorite. The small seb is enough knife for most tasks but why not have another half inch? (twss) Plus I think the thumb studs were more comfortable on the umnumzaan for me and I prefer the milled titanium to the plain slab.
 
I personally favor my Large 21 to my Lg and Sm Regular and the Sm 21 when I had one.
I enjoy the smoother ergos of the 21 and the pointier blade shape.
 
I'm a guy who returned an izula because the handle was just too small and bought an izula II instead.
So when I wanted a M-F edc knife and I work in an office environment, I went with a small sebenza with wood inlays to dress it up.
The knife fits perfectly in my hand, not a four fingered grip but a solid 3 1/2 with the lanyard keeping my pinky in place. I have a large sebenza too that's just to large for where I work but the large sebe is just pefectfor my hand.
The mnandi is just to small to feel comfortable. You won't regret a small sbenza.
 
Depends on many factors - the large Sebenza seems to be the best all around utility knife for me.

I carry the large in a CRK leather sleeve in pocket during the week at the office - the weight and size does not bother me.
 
For me it's a large sebenza,,,I had a small but sold it.After buying a large sebenza first when I handled a small Seb I was very underwhelmed.Now I work in a factory not a office environment so I need no worry about scaring fellow employees or customers so u may take that into consideration.

Although the large is physically longer it's slim design makes for great carrying.I sometimes have my 2 larges in my pocket at work.One I use hard at work,,the other my Damascus micarta I cut apples at lunch and admire lol.To get back on topic if I had to pick just one it would undoubtedly be a large sebenza
 
Large micarta sebenza without a doubt !!! :D
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Davor - much of this decision will depend on what you intend to do with the knife, and in what predominant environment you wish to carry it. If I were to pick a single CR knife as a hallmark of the brand, I'd say go for a large 21 with a graphic that appeals to you personally. To me, that is THE flagship of the brand, it will say something of your own personality, and it is the most universally capable (IMO). As a working knife, it is unequalled and, I think, symbolic of all that Chris Reeve knives is. Large Sebenzas make up most of my own personal collection.

However, if like myself, you're more likely to carry the knife in a professional setting where +3.5" blades can draw unwanted attention, then I'd direct you towards a small Sebenza. Same engineering and embellishment options as the large, and can easily perform +95% the same tasks. Mnandi's are great as well, but I just like Small Seb's a little more.
 
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I have 14 Sebenzas ( 7 large,7 small ) and carry them all, the perfect one is the one in my pocket at the time you ask the question. But my blind recomendation, to someone that I don't know anything about, or what they expect from a knife is one that I don't own : a small micarta 21. I have a large classic, it's my weekend, rainy day, take to the lake knife. A small will do most of what a large will and can clean up for office/public use. Micarta seems to me to be the most versitle inlay, very durable and resistant but a quick wipe with a wet soapy rag and it comes right back to it's snakeskin like beauty. Somebody in here put a damascus blade on one and posted pics, I was amazed at how cool it looked. You don't need to go there on your first Sebenza, my point is, micarta is considered a working version but it still dresses up nice.
 
Though I love my small Seb 21, if I could have only one, I must go with a Mnandi. It's just that size, shape, smoooooth action/lock and the availability of left hand model in this such a small gent's knife package is just irreplaceable. I'd love to know if there are any others, but at this point, Mnandi is too unique to be replaced with anything else.
 
For me the large 21 is the perfect knife. I just prefer a slightly larger knife. I have and use a 3inch blade regularly as I take a smaller traditional blade on my daily adventures as well but just prefer the size of the lg seb. It cuts everything well, and is large enough to perform kitchen duty quite well as well. I think I could easily get by with a small seb, but I love the substantial feel of a larger folding blade :)
 
so Davor, if you were not confused before you must be now. Maybe the point is that there isn't an answer, jump in with both feet, spent what you can and you'll be happy with whatever you get. You will end up buying more eventually anyway.
 
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