iMamba vs CRK in 2024

[smithkzn]

I reckon Rolex started making certain sports models harder to get in 2017. Definitely a concerted strategy IMO - just went into hyperdrive during Covid.

It certainly went into hyperdrive! They are very expensive now. Even list price is nuts.

 

[Jacques Mi]

Both of these runs on bronze washers and both have that great, smooth action. Both have a solid lockup with zero play or "rock". Both fits very well in the hand and both knives cuts so darn good with their hollow grind(s). Both also sit well and disappear in the pocket.
Both are GREAT knives yet they feel completely different.

 

[Tsujigiri]

Finally picked up one of these and I can see why people put them up with CRK. My CRK's are older, so I don't know if anything's changed. But the imamba feels as tight (actually was so tight that it was pretty tricky to get apart), and has a similar hydraulic action even though it's on bearings. The bearings are multi row, bronze, and recessed into the blade and handle so you can't see the balls from the side. They should be less susceptible to being gunked up and stronger due to the additional contact points, taking some of the best features of both washers and bearings? You can fail the flipper if you try to, but it's also easy to reliably get open. Definitely not a drop shut guillotine, it just works. It really does seem like a flipper with the CRK design ethos.

One thing I like about CRK is that you can't see any machining marks. I can see a few on the imamba, but it has more to do with the design than the fit and finish. CRK uses more corners and angles that hide marks, whereas I can see where the tool paused around the curves on the imamba. Also the blade shows some lines on the tang, but that's because the AB polish is much more polished than the CRK one. The sandblast is also a little finer on the imamba.

Also really like the oversized custom pivot, machined clip, flared spacer, and floating stop pin. The design is really sleek and graceful and it fits comfortably in the hand. It is between the large and small sebenza but feels more like the large. I'd say these are way underrated right now.

 

[BTTLBRN]

^ the molar inlay is incredible as well. Very nice!

 

[rexromic]

Love them both but nothing replaces CRK on the top in my books.

 

[mrknife]

it is certainly a happy medium between the large and small sebenza

 

[tiogatires]

Size is subjective. Have five L31’s a Zaan and have owned the Inkosi. Love anything CRK. Picked up the newer Imamba and already planning on another AB at some point. Completely satisfied with the AB. Any differences between AB and CRK build quality, F&F or anything else is negligible in my opinion. They are both on equal footing in all categories, at least to me. It’s obvious that both companies put a lot of effort into their machining, their assembly process, their quality control and their selection of materials. Not to mention their packaging and accessories included is something other knife makers could learn a lesson from especially at the price point. I don’t think you could go wrong with either. They are both stellar companies with stellar products.

 

[Tsujigiri]

It’s obvious that both companies put a lot of effort into their machining, their assembly process, their quality control and their selection of materials.

Definitely agree, IMO CRK is stronger on the machining (highly refined production process and Robodrills are more precise than Haas mills) and the quality control (decades of time to figure out what works well after years of use and smooth out kinks in production). AB is stronger on the materials selection, assembly, and hand-finishing. You can't just easily hire skilled workers who have experience and are invested in the business, so I think the fact that AB is a family business of craftsman is their greatest strength.