Looking to buy my first Sebenza

Kampfjaeger

Kampfjaeger

Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
1,668
A few years ago I stood by a good buddy of mine as he got married. For being in his wedding party he gave me a mammoth Mnandi. I've gotta say that it's my favorite knife - for a slew of reasons. However, it really is a gentleman's knife. I don't want to take it out and beat on it.

So... I'm seriously considering getting a Sebenza - either a 25 or an Insingo. It is the reputation of toughness and cutting ability that draws me. I'm not interested in how collectible it is or keeping it pretty (though I'm not blind to the aesthetics of the knives - they are beautiful). I'm considering the "large" form factor of either blade. I'd really appreciate advice from those who have really used their knives in the woods as to which type might best suit my needs - from dressing game, to basic camp chores and cooking to, to EDC - think: If I had only one knife.... Also would it make any real difference in "grippiness" to have a micarta inlay - or does it really matter/just a matter of taste? Thanks for taking the time to help me with this investment. I really appreciate your time and advice.

Dave
 
For your first CRK that you will be using, hands down, I'd recommend a Plain 21 because of the pivot bushing alone. I love the Micarta, but there is nothing like the simplicity of the all TI. IMO, the Micarta adds grip, but not enough to justify bypassing a Plane Jane. Both the 25 and the 21 are very robust knives and you will not have an issue with either if you treat them like the tool that they are meant to be.

A couple of pics of my daily user for the thread, please forgive the paint on the tip. It will come off on its own someday. BTW, you can shave a goat (or a cat) with this thing.

tC4zHsQl.jpg


p4ZHlMkl.jpg
 
I'm a fan of the 25, but in reality, the 21, 25 Umnumzaan will all be good dependable tools to have. The micarta does provide a better grip. Especially in wet conditions.
I've never dressed game with my 25, but have done kitchen chores with it as well as my go to knife in the urban wilderness. It's been in mud, in water and have done crude wood work with it.
What's funny is, my 25 as costly as it is, is the one knife I'm not afraid to use in harsh conditions. I won't do that with some of my other brand of knives. I've taken it down several times to clean the dirt out and have never had a problem with it not being correct after it's put back together.
 
The differences in capabilities are subtle, I would say go with the one you like the look of best. They all have some pros and cons depending on who you talk to. I don't notice a huge amount of added grip with Micarta, though the handles fill our the hand a little more, but then again they are more bulky in pocket and lack a little of the beautiful simplicity of the PJs, so it's a toss-up.

The 25 is a little heavier in pocket, and maybe a little more eye pleasing with it's combination of clean slabs, and curved cut-outs. The 21 has the bushing system on the inside, but is maybe a little more boring looking than the 25 on the outside, unless you go for a decorated version.

It's a tough choice, but the good news is THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER! YAY!
 
I'll go on record for the 25 as well. If it fits your hand well, you should consider it. Micarta does add a little grip, but to me it adds comfort. It fills out my hand better, which hurts my knuckles less.

I'm still a fan of the 21, I have several for EDC, a small 21 micarta coming back from CRK, and a large 21 plain jane (PJ) with a damascus blade that is being retired from EDC.

The small but noticeable improvements in the 25 have sealed the deal for me. However most people still prefer a 21.
 
JustinFournier said:
The small but noticeable improvements in the 25 have sealed the deal for me. However most people still prefer a 21.
Click to expand...

I would call them 'differences', I think 'improvement's is debatable, but yes, the 25 does have some differences that people who like those differences appreciate. However the guys who still find themselves in the 21 camp, are not missing out, stuck in the past, or unable to appreciate the "improvements", they just don't like the differences as much. Myself, I like both knives, but could only appreciate the 25 after I modified the "improved" pocket clip. :p
 
Visit a local knife store that sells crks. You should Handel them in person to see which you like best before making a purchase. CRKs are all great just buy the one that you like best
 
Would that there was a local store that sold CRKs. Unfortunately the one that is a supposed dealer has morphed from an outdoor outfitter to being an overblown yoga equipment and gucci travel clothing shop. Gotta make my decision based on input from you guys.
 
I went with a large Plain Jane 21 Insingo for my first CRK...and didn't care for the way it felt. It was not uncomfortable, don't get me wrong; but it was doomed to languish in disuse. Based on feedback from this forum, I tried a large micarta...and it felt like an entirely different knife. It was no more ergonomic, but the inlays gave it a little more thickness - and gave it a chance. Based on that, I bought a micarta insingo...and sold the other two.
A kind member of this forum sent me a micarta 25 to try; and I found it to be a significant improvement over the 21 in terms of hand feel/comfort. If the 25 could be had with an insingo blade, I would buy it with micarta. (As it stands, though, I've sort of got my heart set on a Starbenza 25; and I don't need two 25s. If the Starbenza 25 doesn't thrill me, I'll get the micarta)

The above is one man's experience - take it for what it is worth. You could feel totally different about a Plain Jane...and could hate the micarta & the 25. The only way to figure out whether you like one is to get it in your hand(s).
 
I highly recommend the micarta inlaid large '21, it's been my EDC folder for more than a year now. I've also used an Umnumzaan and a Sebenza 25, but there's something about the large 21 that is "just right" for me. The micarta really helps grip, and protects the titanium from falls and scratches and dings. I also believe that the inlays help the knife stay put inside my pocket. After more than a year doing everything, the only wear is a bunch of 'snail trails' which only make the knife look better to me.
 
kidcongo said:
I would call them 'differences', I think 'improvement's is debatable, but yes, the 25 does have some differences that people who like those differences appreciate. However the guys who still find themselves in the 21 camp, are not missing out, stuck in the past, or unable to appreciate the "improvements", they just don't like the differences as much. Myself, I like both knives, but could only appreciate the 25 after I modified the "improved" pocket clip. :p
Click to expand...

Challenge accepted!

I have a theory. The pocket clip on the 21 and the 25 are the same. Let's do this in a new thread.
 
As far as the blades go, in my experience, the Insingo blade is a better every day utility blade, but if you are really going to be dressing game, I would think the belly of the drop point would serve you better.
 
I'm new to CRK knives but ended up buying too many in a short period of time already.

This is the path I went down.

Knife #1 - Inkosi because I wanted something small.
Knife #2 - Mnandi/Box Elder/Damascus, again because I wanted something small, but thought it was gorgeous
Knife #3 - Small Sebenza 21 with Mammoth Inlay/Damascus, because it was the perfect knife although to expensive to use.
Knife #4 - Ti-Lock Elemental. Just plain gorgeous

If I could start over I would have likely picked up a Small Sebenza 21 with Box Elder Inlay and normal blade instead of the Inkosi.

I actually LOVE my Inkosi but in hindsight I don't like the plain jane look of the Ti Slabs.
 
I went through this process about a month ago. I decided on the plain 21 mainly based on my personal preferences. Since then, I've cleaned a bunch of fish, made a few feather sticks, "de-tailed" a skunk and raccoon, and the varied tasks required of an EDC. This knife is much tougher than she looks. I think that because of the quantity of dressed up and fancy sebs that are out there you start to think the knife is a dresser and not meant for hard work. Not so! After all, the original sebenza was advertised as a "folding hunting knife".
 
I am going to say, go with an Insingo.

The blade is so versatile and such a great Slicer while being more than "strong" enough, that it has really re-defined "knife" for me. I thought that was impossible, but this blade design deserves all the praise it gets and more.....

limBjQf.jpg
 
Kampfjaeger said:
A few years ago I stood by a good buddy of mine as he got married. For being in his wedding party he gave me a mammoth Mnandi. I've gotta say that it's my favorite knife - for a slew of reasons. However, it really is a gentleman's knife. I don't want to take it out and beat on it.

So... I'm seriously considering getting a Sebenza - either a 25 or an Insingo. It is the reputation of toughness and cutting ability that draws me. I'm not interested in how collectible it is or keeping it pretty (though I'm not blind to the aesthetics of the knives - they are beautiful). I'm considering the "large" form factor of either blade. I'd really appreciate advice from those who have really used their knives in the woods as to which type might best suit my needs - from dressing game, to basic camp chores and cooking to, to EDC - think: If I had only one knife.... Also would it make any real difference in "grippiness" to have a micarta inlay - or does it really matter/just a matter of taste? Thanks for taking the time to help me with this investment. I really appreciate your time and advice.

Dave
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, both knives are pretty awesome. I would probably say, get which one attracts you the most first. Probably play with it for a few days or a week tops. I assure you then, you'd want to get that other one as well. CRKs are really bad for your wallet, they tend to drain it.

And may I say, that friend of yours was really awesome. Giving away a Mnandi on his wedding day was way cool!!!

joesuburb said:
I'm new to CRK knives but ended up buying too many in a short period of time already.

This is the path I went down.

Knife #1 - Inkosi because I wanted something small.
Knife #2 - Mnandi/Box Elder/Damascus, again because I wanted something small, but thought it was gorgeous
Knife #3 - Small Sebenza 21 with Mammoth Inlay/Damascus, because it was the perfect knife although to expensive to use.
Knife #4 - Ti-Lock Elemental. Just plain gorgeous

If I could start over I would have likely picked up a Small Sebenza 21 with Box Elder Inlay and normal blade instead of the Inkosi.

I actually LOVE my Inkosi but in hindsight I don't like the plain jane look of the Ti Slabs.
Click to expand...

Lol. that is the sickness taking over you. Congratulations on those amazing pieces that you acquired on a very short span of time.

But I have to disagree on the plain jane look... they are absolute beauties in my eyes...

Rj5tt39h.jpg


:D
 
Large micarta 21 with insingo blade. I am still planning on trying the micarta 25 at some point. I took people's advice and bought used on the forum and was able to save a little money.
 
Hi everybody... Sorry to just post and disappear. Busy busy work schedule. I appreciate all the advice. I've got some real thinking to do.
 
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