Large or Small?

I've been going back and forth for a while. Bought a large and really thought that it would be too big for me to daily carry. Sold that one and stuck with a small micarta for a while. Just never seemed right in my hand so I tried a large carbon 21 about a month ago and have really gotten to enjoy it!! Fits in my hand great and isn't too heavy in my pocket! I almost forget that it's there.
 
sutherland said:
I forgot who said it, but someone (around these parts) said it best:

"The Small is everything you NEED in a knife. The Large is everything you WANT in a knife."
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I came across this myself at some point in the past either on here or in a YouTube video (might have been both). The same can be said to an extent where the 551 and 556 Griptilians are concerned. The 556 just felt a bit small for certain tasks, yet was still what could be termed as 'sufficient'. The small and large Sebenzas seem as being comparable far as their overall dimensions, so is it safe to assume I'd have similar impressions of them in hand?
 
The small is much better for me in many ways, but from what you are saying the large sounds like what you need! If you can swing it get both and then sell the other. If you buy them used off the exchange you won't lose much if anything re-selling them.
 
You'll get different responses from everyone since everyone's needs are different. There are people with huge hands that like small knives and vice versa, and everyone works and lives in different environments. I personally have large hands and live and work in an environment where a large 21 is very acceptable, but I just prefer 3" blades or so for EDC as long as the grip is comfortable. I just feel like I have more control in EDC type cuts.

I believe the small can do really anything the Large can do. But with you working in a warehouse where knives are accepted and you're doing a lot of cutting everyday, I think I'd opt for the large for the slightly more secure grip and since it's a working knife more so maybe than an EDC. When I'm working at home or playing I reach for my bigger knives. Next question is plain or micarta, clip point or Insingo.
 
At home I used to carry a small Seb every day and a large if I had a project going on or a specific task. (I carry a Mnandi in the office.) I bought an Inkosi a couple of months ago and really surprised myself how much I like it, especially since I personally don't care for the 25. I've been carrying the Inkosi daily since I got it.....I will say that the Inkosi is a little small in my hand, but still feels very stout.

I guess it boils down to what your daily needs are. If you live on a farm or ranch, work construction, or are in maintenance; you might want to carry the large. If you spend a lot of time sitting on the deck drinking beer, the small may be better.
 
I carry a small in my suit pants for work. I don't really want to clip a large to my pocket (might freak out clients a bit too much and just doesn't look right to me) and it is too heavy in the pocket by itself. On the weekends, I clip a large on my jeans pocket and carry the small as a backup. I use the large at home and around my friends. If I am at a local restaurant or the mall, I usually use the small. I pulled out the large one to cut help a clerk cut open a box and their eyes almost popped out of there head.

So, I have both but find myself using the small more often mostly because of my work environment. If I had to pick just one, and I didn't have to worry about my work environment, I would pick a large.

Confused?
 
All my CRK's are larges as I have large hands and like large knives. I usually work EDC my Zaan, sometimes my plain Large 21 Ladder Damascus. My co-workers all carry knives also, so no worries there. As for scaring the sheeple in public, I use discretion if I need to use a knife for any task.

I will be buying a Mnandi, however, at some point. Ideally, Bloodwood inlay with whatever Damascus pattern I can find.

I do appreciate smaller knives for some applications. Plus, the Mnandi is one of the most beautiful knife designs I've seen.

If they made a large Mnandi, I would already have one.
 
I have been really fighting the urge to buy a small Insingo!! I'm getting weak
 
Small micarta, either drop point or Insingo. The insert fills the hand but not necessarily the pocket. Then save up and buy a large without inserts. I am not a rich man but could not get along without both now.
 
The question is, which one to buy first.
My suggestion is the large.
Sebenza = work. So if that's what you are going to use it for.
The large is the original size then came the small.
Many good answers given. "the small is all you need, .." comfortable and anything.
The large gives you a handful of knife.
 
Get the size that fits your hands. In my case the large is just perfect. My 21 large is also pocket friendly. Its slim, do not have sharp/protrudung edges and rides comfortably in my pants pockets. The plain jane large is just perfect for my needs.

All the best in your choices.
 
You could take a large with carbon fiber scales (KnifeArt exclusive). That will give you the feeling of a large grip/knife in combination with less weight.

21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 03 at Flickr


Honestly speaking I may need to answer the same question for myself, as a friend of mine seems to talk the above large 21 CF Insingo out of my hands :-) So I keep on thinking whether I should do it and go for a small instead. Same points as already mentioned above. The EDC tasks I am facing could easily being handled by a small and the better comfort while carrying it is a plus. The less attention it receives in public is another plus. But on the other hand I like the size of the large. We will see.
 
wtlj said:
The best advice I can give is to watch the exchange for a good deal and buy a small and large. Alternate between them for a few weeks, you'll make up your mind. After you choose what's best for you sell the other on the exchange, you'll only lose a few bucks.
I can promise that If you only get one you'll always wonder if the other would've served you better.
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This is some pretty good advice. I have both, and switch between them depending on my needs.
 
JSMcustoms said:
...Only thing that makes me lean slightly towards the large is... a larger handle which is nice for cutting those plastic bands (upward pull cuts). It's actually why I stopped carrying my Mini Grip at work cause it felt a bit small for that one particular task.
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IMO this answers your question right here. If the Mini Grip felt small, the Small Seb is going to feel about as small, as there is only about 1/8" difference in handle length between them.

I actually went through this recently with a Small Micarta Seb that I loved, and didn't leave my pocket since I got it. While it felt almost perfect at first, the more I used and worked with it, the more the knife just felt "too small" to me. I have size Medium glove hands, so I'm not a gorilla by any means. Switching to a large knife for me was a great decision. Based on what you said above, it's probably a better decision for you, too.
 
I say large. More comfortable but definitely not too big. If you have larger hands you might find the small too small, but getting micarta inserts helps with that.

IMO the reasons to get the small are:
The large is illegal in your area
You work in an office and need a little more discretion
You prefer small knives

As always if you can handle them first to see.
 
Small with inlays is the Goldilocks of the lineup for me. Started with an Umnumzaan then Large 21, decided I wanted smaller so I got an Mnandi then a small 21. Recently got a small 21 with micarta inlays and it is my favorite without doubt.
 
Small for me. I own both, but more smalls. The small is perfect for in pocket carry at the office. I like the large for home use and bigger tasks. Working in automotive I can't carry clipped in for risk of scratching the cars. Much less alarming the sheeple.
 
Do not have a small Sebenza, but own several other companies folders in that size. Have two 21's and one 25. Really like that large knife capability. Something else you might find helpful. The large, when held in my clenched fist - has around 3/4" protrusions - jutting out of both sides. This extra length might prove "useful" in the right circumstances. Verdad?...Cheers.
 
Only own a large but it's not a big knife in my opinion. Especially not next to some others. I'm 6'2 large hands, fits my hand like a glove. I want a small, but feel like I'd still be carrying my large.
 
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