Inkosi Durability vs 21?

JJ_Colt45

JJ_Colt45

Platinum Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
6,577
I'm not trying to start a "which is better" type thread. I own some Sebenza 21s and recently bought a 25.

But I'm interested to know from those that have used Inkosis as well as 21s ... and those that know more than myself about the different materials used in the pivots and such ...

I'm wondering if the newer Inkosi knives or the 21s were more durable one over the other? ... or if there would be any real noticable difference in strength or durabilty based on the differences in the two models?

Thanks for any input ... JJ
 
If you put any appreciable wear on any CRK , you for darn sure got your moneys worth, and have celebrated more than a few birthdays!!! Carry both and make it a fun quest!
 
It's all about personal taste. I use both, I just switched from a 25 to a 21 serrated blade. I wouldn't say one is more durable than the other. Personally, I equate the Inkosi, 25 and Umnumzaan to working knives due to the thicker blade stock. I have a tendency to be rougher with them over the 21's. In reality, both can take the abuse. I happen to like the ceramic ball being used for the lock face as well as the adjustable pivot. IMO, the 21 is a better slicer, that's why I'm carrying the 21 this go a round, I'm unboxing fixtures for a job. Of course, the serrated blade a box opening machine. :D
You'd have to do something pretty stupid to bend or break the tip off a 21, but things happen :rolleyes:.
Since you just got a 25, the Inkosi is the replacement for the 25. There were some changes made to the Inkosi, but basically the same knife as the 25.
 
I know the 21s are great and dont wear fast ... I just hadn't used the 25 with the ceramic ball compared to the bushing pivot on the 21 ... I just wondered if anyone had used both types of actions enough to know if one or the other were more durable then the other ... since the Inkosi has the ceramic ball I assume it's going to be nearly itentical to the 25 with small changes as CRK has shown.

It sounds like no one has really found one to be more robust or durable ... good to know .... I'm thinking I may add a CRK to the bunch and am leaning towards trying a Large Inkosi ...

Thanks for the replies ... I'll follow the thread a little longer in case anyone has any other thoughts ... I will probably place an order by the weekend.

Thanks JJ
 
The inkosi seems slightly more built than the sebenza but in terms of hard use you probably won't notice a difference. FFIW, the drop point on both knives will be more durable then the Insingo, which is thinner at the tip. And I find the inkosi needs to be taken down and cleaned a lot less often, but that's not really under "durability" I suppose.

Edit: I don't know if there is hard data but in theory the ceramic lockup should be less likely to get to 100% and if it does it likely still won't cause play or lock rock. Not a big deal as both are covered under warranty.
 
Thanks ... from all I'd read and looking at them I thought maybe the Inkosi wouldn't need cleaned as often ... glad to hear it seems to be that way.

I think I'll take the plunge and give it a try ... I can't imagine being disappointed at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BP_
JJ_Colt45 said:
Thanks ... from all I'd read and looking at them I thought maybe the Inkosi wouldn't need cleaned as often ... glad to hear it seems to be that way.

I think I'll take the plunge and give it a try ... I can't imagine being disappointed at all.
Click to expand...

The Inkosi is noticibly thicker in both the scales and the blade. The pivot and stop pin are also more robust than on my Sebbies. So in theory the Inkosi should be abit more durable or is atleast designed to give off that impression. I have never owned a 25 but I believe that unlike its Inkosi younger brother it was not thicker than the 21.

With that said I have had no durability issues with my 21s. Then again I don't abuse my folders to see if they can take it. People tell me that they can do light prying with their 21 d.point tips with no issue. However for me I am wary of prying even with the thicker Inkosi tip.

So if I absolutely had to pick one for more durability I'm probably going to have to say the Inkosi has got the 21 beat. My only question is if these ceramic parts like the locktab ball are susceptible to shattering from sudden hard impact.
 
I've never had any issues with durability or reliability on my 21s ... and I don't pry or abuse them but they get used.

The only real question I had was the ceramic ball vs the bushing pivot as far as strength and durability. I own a 25 but have not had it long enough to know how that system holds up over time compared to the 21s.

I had read and watched several videos on the Inkosi and saw the slight differences from the 25 and thought it may be an improvement over the 25 but am wondering how it will wear after a few years of use.

But as I said I can't imagine being disappointed with any CRK knife ... I don't own a huge bunch like some but have 7 ... 5 of which are folders. So I'll buy an Inkosi and give it a real world trial ... but I expect it will perform great like the rest have.

Thanks to those that posted JJ
 
Other than some tweaks of the lock bar placement, washer design, and stop pin, perhaps a couple other minor things, the 25 and Inkosi are the same. Even with the stop pins, the first batch or two of 25s had press fit stop pins like the Inkosi and the rest have screws on both sides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top