Let's talk Insingo

[uofaengr]

A small micarta 21 is a definite for me in the near future. Both my large and small 21s are clip points and I've never been interested in sheepsfoot designs. I've read a lot of praise for the Insingo blade for its utility which is great, but when you spend $400 on a knife you want to be pleased with its aesthetics as well.

The micarta with its different look and different feel it gives the knife along with the silver hardware is enough justification for me to pick one up (I prefer variety in my collection and don't buy duplicates) but the thought of combining that with the Insingo blade would differentiate itself even more than what I currently have and would justify itself even more as being something different to enjoy.

I've yet to see an Insingo in person, but I wanted to ask my CRK brethren, were you someone who was never attracted to sheepsfoot blades at all but when you got an Insingo the light turned on for you? Granted, I actually don't think the Insingo looks that bad for a sheepsfoot, particularly on the small, but I do not in any way like the looks of box cutter type wharncliffes like the Yojimbo and the XM-18 wharnie. Or did the utility factor of the Insingo prove to be so much better than what you expected, you forgave the aesthetics?

 

[VolGrad]

I prefer the Insingo. For me it just seems to do as good or better at what day to day tasks I put it up to. I certainly don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[uofaengr]

I have considered that it simply being a CRK would trump any possible issues with aesthetics because there is a certain joy and satisfaction I get when handling and using a CRK. Something I can't say about any other brand.

I pulled my plain jane small 21 out of my pocket a minute ago and was looking at it, and I guess I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of the aesthetics of the clip point either. On the small, I think it's just a shade too pointy and wish it were more drop point or large regular inspired. Hmm...

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

The small 21 Plain Jane Insingo is my favorite knife. I love the looks, the style, the utility, and everything overall about it. There is nothing I would change about it. I also had the micarta version, but found that I preferred the slimmer design of the plain jane model.

 

[uofaengr]

Now that is a great looking example of serious pocket wash.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Now that is a great looking example of serious pocket wash.

She was bought new by me from a dealer in 2011 and has been carried 80% of the time since then. Office carry, camping, hiking, cardboard, strings, school projects for the kids, food prep, slicing dog treats, zip ties, feather sticks, and on and on. . .

The point is, I have never come across a task (within the normal scope of what one would use a pocket knife for) that made me wish I had a different knife on me.

 

[GronK]

The fine tip on my small micarta is perfect for many of my day to day uses. For more serious knife use my large 21 insingo is perfect.

 

[353]

One of the deciding factors for me, when I bought my small, was how much better I like the looks of the original bladestyle when the knife is closed. The way it sinks into the slabs the last 1/3 of the knife's closed length. I also like the looks of the original blade better than the insingo.

I imagine the insingo blade will be a breeze to sharpen though; the last 1/3 of the clip point blade sometimes need a bit more work to get really sharp towards the tip.

 

[kidcongo]

I have said my peace here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1212517-The-magic-of-the-Insingo?highlight=magic+insingo

So I will let a couple photos do the talking (interestingly, the shot with the engine was taken today, which shows you how hard it is to photograph "snail trails". The knife looks brand new, but is the same knife that is pictured below in a photo taken last week):

 

[uofaengr]

One of the deciding factors for me, when I bought my small, was how much better I like the looks of the original bladestyle when the knife is closed. The way it sinks into the slabs the last 1/3 of the knife's closed length. I also like the looks of the original blade better than the insingo.

I imagine the insingo blade will be a breeze to sharpen though; the last 1/3 of the clip point blade sometimes need a bit more work to get really sharp towards the tip.

I do think it'd be easier to sharpen. My large 21 was ground a little unevenly from side to side so naturally one side took a little more work, but the tip and belly took a decent bit of work to get right.

 

[uofaengr]

I have said my peace here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1212517-The-magic-of-the-Insingo?highlight=magic+insingo

So I will let a couple photos do the talking (interestingly, the shot with the engine was taken today, which shows you how hard it is to photograph "snail trails". The knife looks brand new, but is the same knife that is pictured below in a photo taken last week):

Hey aren't you supposed to be carrying a Ti-Lock? didn't catch that I totally ripped off your Ti-Lock thread name.. Sorry about that!

 

[benchwarmer380]

One of the deciding factors for me, when I bought my small, was how much better I like the looks of the original bladestyle when the knife is closed. The way it sinks into the slabs the last 1/3 of the knife's closed length. I also like the looks of the original blade better than the insingo.

I agree that the drop point looks better closed. Very sleek.

Overall I love the look of the Insingo more. A simple design with exotic touches like the clean swedge with the ever so slight upward curve of the blade. It's a great looking and useful blade shape.

Currently my only CRK and it's not going anywhere.

 

[Nikkogi]

She was bought new by me from a dealer in 2011 and has been carried 80% of the time since then. Office carry, camping, hiking, cardboard, strings, school projects for the kids, food prep, slicing dog treats, zip ties, feather sticks, and on and on. . .

The point is, I have never come across a task (within the normal scope of what one would use a pocket knife for) that made me wish I had a different knife on me.

Couldn't agree more - the Small Insingo is my most carried Sebenza I own for all reasons stated above^ It really is the perfect cutting tool to carry around. I also had a Sm Micarta Sebenza Insingo that I didn't like nearly as much as the plain Jane

 

[kidcongo]

Hey aren't you supposed to be carrying a Ti-Lock? didn't catch that I totally ripped off your Ti-Lock thread name.. Sorry about that!

Ha.....no worries.....it's a good. I carried my Ti-lock for February, this month I am carrying the Large Insingo.

 

[uofaengr]

I agree that the drop point looks better closed. Very sleek.

Overall I love the look of the Insingo more. A simple design with exotic touches like the clean swedge with the ever so slight upward curve of the blade. It's a great looking and useful blade shape.

Currently my only CRK and it's not going anywhere.

I think I'm warming up to it more and more.

 

[Dhbranum]

I didn't like the looks so ignored it until I read Kidcongo's post. Now I have a large Micarta Sebenza Insingo and rely like it.

 

[uofaengr]

Sorry to rehash a common thread on here. The more I look at the small insingo, the more I am liking it and want to try it. I passed on a really good deal for a new clip point small micarta because I'd really like to give the insingo a shot. Thanks for helping feed my addiction everyone. This is the best subforum on BF and by far my favorite place to visit.

 

[MIKE969]

Having owned both small clip and Insingo blades, the Insingo really is so much easier to sharpen. A few passes on the sharp maker makes the entire cutting edge razor sharp. I had the same issue you all described with my small clip, the belly and tip were a pain to get sharp.

 

[Amurr]

My set up is:

Small with insingo for daily task such as simple cutting of boxs and ropes etc and ease of sharpening. Large in standard blade for more tactical/ hunting type tasks.

 

[353]

.....I had the same issue you all described with my small clip, the belly and tip were a pain to get sharp.

After I started using the sharpmaker the way this guy is showing us I really didn't have any trouble getting the clip point super sharp, tip and all, ever again. Stropping, after sharpening and at regular basis with heavy use, also helps with this "issue".

The interesting part starts at 2.40.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FemYXS8p_tI&index=2&list=FLwfNhjgpiIiS4ccobxdDeRA