L-21 Too Big for Summer Carry?

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TerryBlinski

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Mar 24, 2011
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I've been carrying a Large Sebenza 21 for several months now. I have to say, it's a big knife for "summer carry," that is to say, shorts and a t-shirt.

I also have to say there are times when I ask myself, is this way more knife than I need? Should I have purchased a small sebenza instead? Or, perhaps an Inkosi (well, I'd've waited till Inkosis came with more handle options/blade options)?

How do you folks feel about a Large Sebenza for summer carry, is it too much?

If I had to do things over again, I think (a) I woulda never bought my knife from a retail website, I woulda purchased it on BF instead (coulda saved at least $100), and (b) I may have gone smaller, gone with the small sebenza.
 
This is one of those questions that's all about preference. To me, a large 21 or a Zaan is the perfect EDC. Shorts, overalls, slacks. The small 21 seemed quite too small to me. I loved it. It's small, but it's a larger small knife, if that makes sense. The inkosi is ever so smaller than the small 21. I just prefer the large and the Zaan. As many will tell you, order one of the exchange and test it out. You can't regret something you'll love!
 
I handled a number of Chris Reeve knives today and I found the Large 21 to be quite perfect, especially with cocobolo inlays (felt great in the hand) vs a small Sebenza 21. The small just seemed much too small but it is a beautiful minimalist knife in its own right. Having carried my sole EDC knife (a Spyderco PM2) for a little over a week, I prefer a more substantially size knife and the large 21 is very close in overall size with the PM2. The Spyderco is a quarter of the cost of the Sebenza and side by side, that is correct as well. The PM2 is about 25% the knife of the Reeve. I wear cargo shorts for work in the Summer and the large 21 would not be a problem for me personally. Ultimately you'll have to decide the comfort factor. To me, the small is just too small. I am a one knife at a time person but I do see a Large 21 with inlays in my future.
 
Shorts are my normal wear 95%+ of the time and I carry both large and small. Weight factors in more than the size to me, but weight does limit the size also. I don't carry anything larger than the large Sebenza.
This all comes down to personal opinion. If you feel the knife is too big, then it may be too big for you no matter what anyone else says. I have only tried the sm. Sebenza(in the small category), but it will do the majority of jobs you might throw at it. I personally prefer the micarta inlay, and would suggest that -I carry mine often.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Inkosi, but have not tried one
Nothing wrong with loving smaller knives.
 
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I carry a Large Sebenza, Large Inkosi or Umnumzaan 80% of the time. I have L-XL hands, and just prefer a larger knife for EDC. Doesn't really pose an issue in shorts for me.

I find the Small Inkosi more comfortable than a Small Sebenza ergonomically, but my favorite small CRK is definitely the Ti-Lock. Absolutely love it. It's so lightweight, has amazing blade to handle ratio, and doesn't scare bystanders. If I need to carry a small knife, it's usually the Ti-Lock.
 
21 large is the perfect edc for me. Compared to other brands of the same blade length are either bulky or too thick. a plane jane in a leather sheath is the combo for me. I've not owned a inkosi or small sebby, but I have handled them in the past, IMHO would rather have a full sized crk for better value.
 
It's just a matter of personal preference. I have a few of both and my regular EDC is a small Insingo. The blade shape seems to somehow make up for the smaller size. I wouldn't have known what I preferred if I hadn't tried multiple variations though.


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Large all the way. I don't even carry a small at all, even though I have some.
 
I flip flop between large and small. One truth of CRK is that Chris Reeves genius shows through in the sizing of the knives. The L21 is a perfect "large" EDC and the small 21 is a perfect "small" knife. Both sizes are really functional and it amazes me that the design of the 21 scales up or down so perfectly with almost no re-engineering. I can't recommend one or the other as they are both top in their class. When I carry the large, it feels right, and same with the small. With shorts I would prefer the small I suppose. The large melts into a pair of jeans, but is a little more noticeable in light fabrics like some shorts are made of. One option if you "need" to try the other size is to get and Insingo or even a Tanto in the small for further variety. The small Insingo deserves its reputation as a great EDC
 
Thanks for all the feedback. From the sounds of it, I think I made the right decision after all.

Now, for a specific question that I shoulda mentioned but didn't, what about gym shorts and a t-shirt? I wear that a lot during the summer. Do you even carry a knife with gym shorts or are you afraid that'll you'll lose your blade?

I think that's a big qualifier, the type of shorts we're talking. Cuz, with cargoes, it's a nonissue. Plenty of pocket space for blades, etc. But with gym shorts, particularly ones with shallower pockets, it's a whole different ball game.
 
TerryBlinski said:
Thanks for all the feedback. From the sounds of it, I think I made the right decision after all.

Now, for a specific question that I shoulda mentioned but didn't, what about gym shorts and a t-shirt? I wear that a lot during the summer. Do you even carry a knife with gym shorts or are you afraid that'll you'll lose your blade?

I think that's a big qualifier, the type of shorts we're talking. Cuz, with cargoes, it's a nonissue. Plenty of pocket space for blades, etc. But with gym shorts, particularly ones with shallower pockets, it's a whole different ball game.
Click to expand...

Just carry it IWB. Usually what I do in gym shorts.
 
TerryBlinski said:
Thanks for all the feedback. From the sounds of it, I think I made the right decision after all.

Now, for a specific question that I shoulda mentioned but didn't, what about gym shorts and a t-shirt? I wear that a lot during the summer. Do you even carry a knife with gym shorts or are you afraid that'll you'll lose your blade?

I think that's a big qualifier, the type of shorts we're talking. Cuz, with cargoes, it's a nonissue. Plenty of pocket space for blades, etc. But with gym shorts, particularly ones with shallower pockets, it's a whole different ball game.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it might be a job for the Mnandi-no personal experience. When I drop to gym type shorts, I don't carry anything
 
I've been carrying my large Insingo nearly every day since I got it last year. IMO, it's a perfect EDC size. I'll carry it in cargo pants (my normal work attire) or in cargo shorts (my preferred type of shorts).

I also own a small Insingo and a small Inkosi. Between those two, I prefer the small Inkosi. Even though it's a smaller design than the small Insingo, IMO it "feels" a bit larger in hand, and definitely more ergonomic. Sometimes I feel I might drop the small Insingo when unlocking/closing it, but that never happens with the Inkosi. And even though the inkosi is a smaller and shorter knife than, say, the Spyderco Delica, I found that the Inkosi actually has more cutting edge than the Delica. The main reason I don't EDC my Inkosi more is that its clip is somehow more rough on pants pockets than my other CRKs. Perhaps because of the different angle it's at on the knife(?). Plus, I've found the large Insingo to be so comfortable and intuitive in hand.

Jim
 
I just got the small 21 from CRK and so far, for EDC purposes, I've never felt underknifed. The small is IMO perfect, for larger blades(fishing, camping etc.) I prefer fixed blades.
 
I prefer the small, but for those that prefer the large, I see no reason not to carry one in a pair of shorts.
 
The size of the large is perfect, CF reduces the weight.
Owning both sizes gives you options.
 
I've been carrying my 3.5" XM-18 for a few weeks now with no problem. The large 21 is smaller so it would be fine for me.
 
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