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Large or Small Insingo?

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504
I'm planning on starting a "Sebenza fund" for my second CR knife (I bought the 1st in 2002), and I really want an Insingo Sebenza, but can't decide between the two sizes. I was favoring the small, since my Seb is a large regular. But I've also found that around 3.5" is almost an ideal blade length. I'm going to wait until it becomes a regular part of CRK's lineup and hopefully with S35VN(?) steel. Not that S30V is bad (it isn't at all), but to try something new.

I'm still leaning towards the small, esp. since, in some jurisdictions, 3/5" isn't allowed. But since I'm no longer buying lots of knives, I want to be sure.

Any comments pro or con for either sized Insingo would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Please note: I can only check this forum every few days, so I may not be able to give any replies immediately...i.e., I'm not posting and running. :)

Jim
 
IMHO, I'd go large. Furthermore I'd get it from Knifeart, I think it's cooler getting it from the people that designed the blade.:thumbup:
 
Bigger is better. In all seriousness, I think the large insingo is more versatile. I have the large and I can tell you there is a wide range of things I can use the knife for. The small one I can't really speak for because I've never held one. I think the large insingo is a really perfect size, not too big not too small.
 
Go with the small if you already have a large...best of both worlds.
Also much easier to carry/conceal when necessary.
I always assumed I would like a Lg Insingo and a Sm Reg.
 
I think the insingo is perfect as a small edc carry knife. It has that utility shape and paired with the small sebenza handle it does really well
at everday tasks. If I were to get a large I would go with the normal blade shape as I think its more versatile in that size.
 
I have both, but carry the large as one of my EDC's.
It's always at hand if I'm prepping veg's.
 
Good question.
I'd say go for the small.
Of coures it all depends on your needs and the environment you live in.
In a city the small should be sufficient, on the countryside the large is fine too.
If I could have only one, I'd go large. Since you don't "need" it go with the small.
Does allmost everything the large does and is significant easier to carry EDC.
Hope this helps
red mag
 
Small to have the versatility of a Large Reg and Small Insingo...

OR

Large, well because I just much prefer the large no matter what Sebenza it is.

I've owned a small 21 and currently own a small regular, but the Large Sebs are the only ones that ever get carried.
I think the majority of ppl who post here prefer the large and for different reasons.

For me I like the large for it's more useable edge [extra length] and the thicker Ti.
Overall for the money I am more satisfied with the Large. Not to say I don't like the small, but I prefer the large.
 
I have both and vastly prefer the small. The large is more knife than I want 90% of the time, while the small is never less knife than I need.
 
Large is a great size!

P5020054.jpg
 
Thanks for all the replies, everyone.
I'm really looking forward to when I can have an Insingo. Still not 100% sure on which size I'll choose yet, but am enjoying reading everyone's feelings/experiences/preferences about both sizes. I am thinking that the Insingo's 21 handle might be a little more comfortable (in either size) than my regular's handle, though the regular's handle still feels fine.

This might sound weird, but sometimes I briefly consider a worst-case, apocalyptic scenario where the only knife I have on me is a Seb/Insingo, and in that vision, I always go with the larger size; since by that time, knife laws restricting size would no longer apply, and the added size would be of major importance.

Jim

*edit to add:
Now to complicate things, I've been reading about the Umnumzaan and it's worked itself into my mind as well! :)
 
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Now that you might have the size nailed down..Inlay or no inlay :D
 
I carry a large micarta 21 in my right front pocket and a small micarta Insingo in my right rear pocket every day. The Small Insingo is the knife I grab for 99% of all my cutting needs. About the only time I really use my large 21 is for food prep where a little larger blade is a tad more useful. If you have really large hands, the small may be a bit small feeling, but it's much easier to control when using the tip IMHO. Also, if you plan on using the knife at work or around folks that only view knives as weapons, the small is less 'intimidating' and less likely to cause you any unwanted attention. While the blade is only a half inch longer on the Large, the overall size difference between it and the small is quite substantial. Sounds crazy I know, but it's reality unfortunately.
 
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One thing to consider is the Insingo blade is a complete different animal than the blade on the other Sebenzas. It's long straight edge makes it a great utility knife. A small has as much or maybe a bit more straight edge than a large Sebenza. So for most tasks a small is the equal of the large in useable cutting edge.

It has almost no point for piercing tasks. It has no belly for skinning. It certainly is not a good stabbing weapon. But for everyday tasks that most people use a knife for it is incredibly handy. Just remember it is not as versatile as a more conventional blade. On the plus side it is easier to sharpen.

The difference in blade length is just about the smallest difference there is between a large and small Sebenza. The large is a much heavier duty knife overall. Everything about it is bigger and stronger. A large needs the clip or a sheath to be carried practically. A small can be carried the same ways as the large but it is small enough to remove the clip and carry it as a pocket knife.

Which is really how I discern them. A large is more of a heavy duty field knife and the small is more of a pocket knife. If you wear jeans all the time you might not notice the difference much carrying one or the other. I can't get my hand in the pocket a large is clipped into but I can with a small. If your wear slacks a large is really pushing the size/weight limit to carry without tugging on your pockets. A small is light enough to carry just fine in slacks.

I carry a large regular or classic probably 60 days to every day I carry my small Insingo. But I do love my small Insingo and I wouldn't trade it for anything. If I could only have one Sebenza it would be a large regular. I enjoy the regular, the classic, and the 21. The Sebenza lineup offers a lot of choices and they are all fine choices to what I need and desire in a blade to carry daily.
 
Just to clarify, the Insingo may appear to be straight like a wharncliffe, it's actually not straight at all. The entire edge has belly, and while not as pronounced as the belly near the tip of the regular, it's still more belly than a true wharncliffe. You can get a better appreciation for how much belly is really there if you take a the edge of a piece of paper, and lay it over the blade in line with the very front and back of the edge.
 
I'd say get a small so that you can carry it in most jurisdictions as you mentioned. If you find that you REALLY love the knife and wish it were larger, sell the small and buy the large.
 
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