Insingo, which configuration for my next CRK?

VermontEdge

VermontEdge

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
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Hey all! Hoping to hear some thoughts.

Preparing to make my next CRK purchase. I've been through a handful in the last year or so and currently own and EDC a large Tanto Micarta and a 25. I really love owning and using both, and want an Insingo as my next to round out the blade profile trilogy.

I'm having trouble settling on a large 21 or large inkosi with the Insingo blade. I love the hollow grind and slicey-ness of my 21, so that makes me possibly lean in that direction. Thinner stock, too.

However, I LOVE the ceramic ball lock interface on the 25/inkosi, I like the finger grooves and like the adjustability of the pivot of the bushing system on the 21.

So, can anyone push me toward one or the other? I know my comments make it seem like the inkosi is the obvious choice but I know there's some lead time on them right now and I dunno, maybe someone has a really good argument for the 21.

Would love to hear your thoughts!
 
I love the 21. It's timeless to me. The handle shape along with its reliability is hard to beat... until I just acquired a Inkosi. I have to say it blew me away. The ceramic ball detent and lock interface is amazing. The angle of the pocket clip to take pressure of the lock bar just works. It gives my fingers a better reference for placement when flicking the knife open. And I have to admit(speaking of corse about the drop point) I love the extra belly to the blade. I could only imagine how good the insingo would be with all the little tweeks. Good luck in deciding brother... ether way, it's a win win :)
 
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I vote Inkosi Insigno, because I've already decided that will be my next CRK. It is a 21 with all the innovations of a Zaan. Like said above; win win!
 
Ask yourself if you really need the thicker blade for your uses. If not, go with the 21 Insingo. Other than that, it's a flip of the coin.
Or, get the 21 now and the Inkosi when they are in stock. ;)
 
I dont have the insingo inkosi but from the pics that i have seen the hump is a bit larger and looks a bit odd to me. Its just observation from pics but the 21 Insingo is probably the most useful blade shape i have owned.

I have a plain jane inkosi and i gotta say i fondle with that one much more than my 21's.
 
Thanks for the help everyone! I've gotta say, after your thoughts and after thinking about it long and hard...I think I'm more lost than before!

I LOVE my 25 and I LOVE my 21. How do you reconcile that? How can you possibly decide? I'm so totally lost. I might have a whole day with a "the inkosi is the answer" mindset, with total conviction. One day later and I've completely flip flopped.

Sigh, what a great problem to have. Still...I'm feeling totally lost.
 
I personally would go for the Inkosingo (named this elsewhere- not official)
Don't get me wrong..I really like the 21, but I like the adjustable pivot on the Inkosi.
Really would like to get one myself,..but I have the Large Micarta Inkosi that will suffice for now.
 
If u cannot decide a flip of the coin can always help. Cant go wrong either way. Besides sooner or later ur gonna get the other one as well. Just a matter of time. ;)
 
bhyde said:
I personally would go for the Inkosingo (named this elsewhere- not official)
Don't get me wrong..I really like the 21, but I like the adjustable pivot on the Inkosi.
Really would like to get one myself,..but I have the Large Micarta Inkosi that will suffice for now.
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Thanks bhyde. I think that's maybe what I wanted to hear. I mean, you don't sacrifice that much slicing ability with an inkosi vs a 21, right? Or do you? I mean it's not like I'm deciding between a chef's knife and a sharpened pry bar.
 
VermontEdge said:
Thanks bhyde. I think that's maybe what I wanted to hear. I mean, you don't sacrifice that much slicing ability with an inkosi vs a 21, right? Or do you? I mean it's not like I'm deciding between a chef's knife and a sharpened pry bar.
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Having had an Insingo, if you lose any slicing ability, I don't think most people would notice it IMHO.
 
VermontEdge said:
Thanks for the help everyone! I've gotta say, after your thoughts and after thinking about it long and hard...I think I'm more lost than before!

I LOVE my 25 and I LOVE my 21. How do you reconcile that? How can you possibly decide? I'm so totally lost. I might have a whole day with a "the inkosi is the answer" mindset, with total conviction. One day later and I've completely flip flopped.

Sigh, what a great problem to have. Still...I'm feeling totally lost.
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Get an umnumzaan?
 
I had both the 21 and one of the Bladeshow Insingo Inkosi's with Black micarta. Here's a quick pic:

BHrDFHK.jpg


After having both, I prefer the 21 hands down. There was nothing wrong with the Inkosi, but I just liked the feel of the 21 handle better than the finger grooves on the Inkosi. Now if you like the finger grooves, then this is an easy choice for you. Also the Insingo blade shape on the Inkosi is not the same as it is on the 21, and I prefer the flatter, original Insingo to the Inkosi's Insingo with more belly.

Don't worry about the 21 Insingo being a better slicer, either. I noticed ZERO difference as the Inkosi Insingo has a larger 20" radius making it more like a full flat grind.

I don't think there is a wrong choice here, and if you've gone through a few CRK's then you will probably end up owning both at some point, so this sounds like more a matter of which one to get first.

I'll second this advice: Flip a coin.

Not because you are that torn and over-thinking things, but for that brief moment that the coin is in the air, you will know which way you want to go, so just get that one!
 
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One massive plus in my opinion is the pivot bushing. No loctite, no cleaning hassle. Simply tighten it down and that's that. That my friend is truly hard to beat. I say 21 through and through. I do hope you read this quick though, because I may change my mind on this one very very fast. Both are perfection. Loctite has always been a bit of a burdon for me. Though iv heard alot of people say they've never even used it on their inkosi. Hope this helps a tad
 
Both will be great
I like the ball interface on the Inkosi and the bushing on the 21

At the moment I am very tempted by picking up a large insingo 21
 
I love the 21 and am not a fan of the Inkosi. Having said that I think you should go with the Inkosi just because it's the newer one. Which ever way you decide, get it with micarta inlay. There's just something special about the inlay insingo.
 
I happen to be in the same boat. I want an Insingo blade and can't decide between these two. But here is where I am stuck - I have just one CRK and it is the 21 micarta plain. My original thinking was to get the 21 Insingo to Complete the set. At the same time part of me says to get the Inkosi to experience something totally different. I just can't decide.

I am slightly leaning towards wrapping up the set, but you know how it is, as soon as I place the order I will say "Oh man! Why did you do that?! You already have a 21".

I hate being a knife addict sometimes.
 
Mrgauth said:
I happen to be in the same boat. I want an Insingo blade and can't decide between these two. But here is where I am stuck - I have just one CRK and it is the 21 micarta plain. My original thinking was to get the 21 Insingo to Complete the set. At the same time part of me says to get the Inkosi to experience something totally different. I just can't decide.

I am slightly leaning towards wrapping up the set, but you know how it is, as soon as I place the order I will say "Oh man! Why did you do that?! You already have a 21".

I hate being a knife addict sometimes.
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Haha, I know, right!? It's such a hard decision. I've been going back and forth almost every hour for weeks now.

I think I might be with you though...I think I may have settled on the 21. For a while I was all about the larger pivot, ceramic ball lock interface and the finger grooves but...something about the classic-ness and simplicity of the 21 is calling out to me now. Should be placing my order in about a week so...we'll see! And let us know what you decide, too.
 
I am reconsidering my plan. I have the 21 drop point with black micarta and thinking of getting the same Inkosi. That way I have one of each kind and then work on an insingo blade in each to complete the two sets. That might be smarter and I can enjoy both types of knives as I build the collection. So, insingo may have to wait a few months.
 
The only thing I wish I could find out is if I would even like the finger grooves but no way to know til after I buy. Who knows the finger grooves might not even line up with my hand size. Errr
 
Mrgauth said:
The only thing I wish I could find out is if I would even like the finger grooves but no way to know til after I buy. Who knows the finger grooves might not even line up with my hand size. Errr
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Yeah, I had that concern too. On the small inkosi I can see it being more of a problem. The large has pretty generous finger grooves that I find really, really comfortable. Not sure if it would be the same for you though. Ugh! The decision making continues!
 
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