Inkosi

I'm in love! Went by my local to see if they had one. Fantastic!
But, they had a 25 as well, and I wanted it as bad.
Hoping someone who knows the minor build diffs between these two would summarize. I'm asking as if diffs are enough where you guys think the inkosi is the future design of the 25, I may do inkosi now and wait on a newer version of the 25. Just asking prior to buying one or the other now.

Thanks for thoughts.
 
The Inkosi and the 25 are two of my favorite Chris Reeve models and two of my favorite folders. Here is what CRK said when I asked whether the Inkosi could be considered a small 25:

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your Inkosi. While there is much debate about this, the Inkosi is not a Small Sebenza 25. It is the first member for a new family of knives. When the design of the Inkosi was created, we chose to incorporate some of our older technologies that we know are great as well as introduce new technologies. CRK has always been about creating innovation in the knife industry and trying to push the limits of what the "standard" is.

The Inkosi has a larger pivot with over sized perforated washers like the Sebenza 25 and Umnumzaan. The larger pivot adds strength, and the perforated washers provide more room for lubricant to be stored as well as deterring lint, dirt, etc from staying in the pivot. It has a large hallow grind, like the Sebenza 25, which allows for more sharpening in the blades lifetime. It has a ceramic ball interface similar to the Sebenza 25 and Umnumzaan, but it differs slightly with the "ball track groove" at the end of the blade, which provides maximum lock up. The ceramic ball interface, similar to the 25 and Umnumzaan, works as a buffer between the blade and the lock arm, giving the lock arm more strength, durability, and longevity. The Inkosi has an 8% thicker blade than our other models. The pocket clip on the Inkosi is angled, releasing pressure from the lock arm unlike our other models. And the stop pin also differs from our other models, having less pieces, creating a stronger pin/support.

We do have plans to bring customization options to the Inkosi, we just don't know what those will be yet, or when they will be available. Right now, we are really trying to focus on production to reduce our back order time frame and get the knife on the market.
 
Thanks for your time Flash! Done!!!
Inkosi will be heading my way soon. AND...I can only hope the next member of this new inkosi family will be the full size version! That to me would be the ultimate version of the existing 25...nice and hefty but a little better engineering!
 
For whatever reason, the Sebenza doesn't appeal to me. I never handled one, don't doubt its quality, but its appearance just does nothing for me. So I pretty much ignored CRK. Shallow, I know, but if the aesthetics of a knife (or gun, or watch) don't appeal to me, no matter how practical, I'm not going to get any enjoyment out of carrying it. My Glock and KelTec are eminently practical, but they don't put a smile on my face when I put them on my belt or in my pocket. And save for my deer rifle, I long ago sold my pretty guns. :( I like slipping a GEC #77 Barlow in my pocket, or even clipping on a Benchmade 940.

Then by chance I took one look at the Inkosi recently, read up on it, including this thread, and now I want one. Not that I need another folder: I just picked up 3 that had been on my wishlist for the last year or two all off the exchange this week. But dang, I want this knife. Go figure. I'd been eyeing a ZT0450, and then the Kizer Gemini, good looking, and by all accounts well built folders. But this CRK just blows them both out of the water for me. Looks like it might be my first "high-end" knife purchase.
 
Bigbluefish said:
For whatever reason, the Sebenza doesn't appeal to me. I never handled one, don't doubt its quality, but its appearance just does nothing for me. So I pretty much ignored CRK. Shallow, I know, but if the aesthetics of a knife (or gun, or watch) don't appeal to me, no matter how practical, I'm not going to get any enjoyment out of carrying it. My Glock and KelTec are eminently practical, but they don't put a smile on my face when I put them on my belt or in my pocket. And save for my deer rifle, I long ago sold my pretty guns. :( I like slipping a GEC #77 Barlow in my pocket, or even clipping on a Benchmade 940.

Then by chance I took one look at the Inkosi recently, read up on it, including this thread, and now I want one. Not that I need another folder: I just picked up 3 that had been on my wishlist for the last year or two all off the exchange this week. But dang, I want this knife. Go figure. I'd been eyeing a ZT0450, and then the Kizer Gemini, good looking, and by all accounts well built folders. But this CRK just blows them both out of the water for me. Looks like it might be my first "high-end" knife purchase.
Click to expand...

I too was looking at the Kiser Gemini and a little bit on the ZT0450. After reviewing this thread and realizing the innovations on the Inkosi I pulled the trigger. It will be my first CRK. I've been checking my tracking number very often now until it arrives.
 
Curl of the Burl said:
I too was looking at the Kiser Gemini and a little bit on the ZT0450. After reviewing this thread and realizing the innovations on the Inkosi I pulled the trigger. It will be my first CRK. I've been checking my tracking number very often now until it arrives.
Click to expand...

Anticipa-a-tion.................... ;) :p :D
 
You will not be disappointed. As I said, I have a lot of knives, but the Inkosi doesn't seem to want to leave my hand or pocket. This little guy slices like a beast too. The thing I favor most about CRK so far, is that I am kinda drawn to the knife initially, then I get it and like it a lot. But, then as the days go on, the knife gets appreciated for its details more and more, seems not to stop. After about 2 years, I am still loving my 25 more every day. Now, the Inkosi comes out, same thing. I don't know if I can say I love it more than my 25, but in some ways I guess I do.

Its one of those things, you will love it more every day. These knives really grow on you. And, like I said I love them on the first day of handling too. Just wait.....

dave


37126d4889f6342c6dc5bec117945491.jpg
 
I just got my Inkosi and I love it. More than the small seb 21. But here's the question. Apparently there is some speculation that the Inkosi will become its own separate line of knives and that a larger one may be released soon. Anyone know if that's true or not? I'm trying to make a decision if I should wait and see if a large Inkosi will be released or go ahead and buy the 25.
 
I regret selling my 25, the inkosa looks to be a winner all round. I was eying them up. I jump around from liking big knives to loving the smaller ones. Now I'm going back to my small phase, I Really loved my 25. My biggest problem was I bought it very early on when I first started to collect knives. I knew it was a fabulous masterpiece. But you don't know what you got till its gooooooonnnnnnneeeeee. Lol.

I've come full circle a few times and I'm always at CRK. Inkosa should fill that hole I got. Thanks for everyone's post and pictures.
 
I would recommend picking up a 25 on the exchange and giving it a go! I was on the fence and took a Chanel in one, now I'm rarely without it!!
 
Inkosi, coffee, snowy mountains ahead.... what's not to like? My perfect morning!

IMG_8057.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top