Large Inkosi vs Large 21

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nickj79

Joined
Feb 21, 2016
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I'm looking for a large CR and am having a hard time pulling the trigger. Should I stick with the Sebenza to pair with my small or try the large Inkosi? Anyone own both and have a preference? Any real world advantages to the newer large inkosi?
 
Inkosi is my pick. Larger washers and ergonomics. If you like the 25 you will like the inkosi, plus you can get a small inkosi if you like the ergos unlike the 25

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The 21 is just pure class and utility. The Inkosi is a bit tougher perhaps. So do you need a tougher knife? If not stick with what works. Id rather have a large and small of the same model.
 
It all depends on how you use your knives. The Inkosi has a thicker blade, a deeper hollow grind, the ceramic ball lock face and the clip is slightly angled for comfort and an adjustable pivot.
If you're using it for work related chores as well as light duty, the Inkosi may be the way to go.
The 21 is the iconic CRK, thinner blade, bushing system, better slicer and also a good work knife.
For me, the thicker blade instills a little more confidence that doesn't make me second guess if I've got the right tool for the task at hand.
 
21 all day every day. I still prefer the bushing pivot, "adjustable" grip, and titanium lockup where the is no "squish" when you squeeze. A ball lockup doesn't have and "directional" hold, which IMHO is why the 25 allowed the lockbar to have vertical play, prompting the "Inkosi" notch.
 
I'd stay with the 21 for now. Inkosi are undeniably high-quality Chris Reeve knives, but as Officer's Match points out, they lock up quite differently and unless you can find one of the original pre-production models with the lock ball groove, it will have some flex in the lock bar like the 25's have. It does not bother me but for some people it's an issue they cannot get past. Besides, the large 21 is a universal fit for all hand sizes and shapes.
 
If I get a 21 I'm leaning toward a Tanto blade. Just worried it's not a practical blade shape or easy to sharpen? Any thoughts?
 
I love the Inkosi. I don't have a large, but I do have a small, and have owned the 21, I very much prefer the Inkosi.
 
T.K.C. said:
I love the Inkosi. I don't have a large, but I do have a small, and have owned the 21, I very much prefer the Inkosi.
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After handling the small inkosi and the small 21 I decided on the 21. The inkosi was just a little too short for me where the small 21 fit my hand perfectly. That is why I'm considering the large inkosi. Just haven't been able to handle one. I was skeptical about my 21 but it has been breaking in nicely. Hence the reason I'm considering it as my large as well.
 
nickj79 said:
After handling the small inkosi and the small 21 I decided on the 21. The inkosi was just a little too short for me where the small 21 fit my hand perfectly. That is why I'm considering the large inkosi. Just haven't been able to handle one. I was skeptical about my 21 but it has been breaking in nicely. Hence the reason I'm considering it as my large as well.
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I understand completely!
 
I asked my local knife shop to order me a large 21. They ordered a large Inkosi instead for some reason. I got the Inkosi and am VERY happy with it, especially as i'm a leftie the dual thumb studs.
 
The Sebenza 21's do not need thread locker applied. But the Inkosi and Umnumzaan do. Is this correct ?
 
My Inkosi has never needed threadlocker so far. The screws of the pivot have not adjusted from how I set them at all. Maybe if you want to keep your blade ultra loose with the screw backed way out you might need threadlocker.

I imagine that would lead to blade play and poor centering though.
 
Wolverine666 said:
The Sebenza 21's do not need thread locker applied. But the Inkosi and Umnumzaan do. Is this correct ?
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If you want to be sure the pivot "stays put" on a Zaan/25/Inkosi, yes, a thread lock is advised. For one's that I carry and use, that has been the case for me. Sebenza's (other than the 25) do not.
 
Officer's Match said:
If you want to be sure the pivot "stays put" on a Zaan/25/Inkosi, yes, a thread lock is advised. For one's that I carry and use, that has been the case for me. Sebenza's (other than the 25) do not.
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I had similar results. I tried running my 25 with no loctite and found the screw backed off under harder use. The loctite isn't really a problem, it's just one more step.

One of the greatest attributes of the 21 pivot bushing system is not really the pivot at all: It's the fact they are just so darn easy to break down, clean, lube, and reassemble. I think nothing of doing it and can probably do the whole operation in under 3 minutes, from breakdown to reassembly, without rushing. It's not like you need to do this all the time, but if you do it's not a big deal once you know the way. I cannot think of another knife that is so easy and quick to service with a single Allen key. Is there one?
 
Officer's Match said:
If you want to be sure the pivot "stays put" on a Zaan/25/Inkosi, yes, a thread lock is advised. For one's that I carry and use, that has been the case for me. Sebenza's (other than the 25) do not.
Click to expand...

Gotcha , thanks. Why , exactly , is it that the Sebenza 21 does NOT need thread locker ? Different pivot system ?
 
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