Looking to get a new large CR folding knife.

shane

shane

Joined
May 20, 1999
Messages
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I’ve been out of the loop for a while and had to sell of my collection a few years ago. I would like to get a CR knife again but I am confused about some of the model differences and recent changes. When researching the 31 I saw complaints about a change in the stop pin tolerances and lock bar issues. Which model do you guys recommend for EDC and if it is a 31, which date had the original issues fixed? Thanks.

shane
 
The correct answer is they carry better in pairs! 😁

In all seriousness, the 31 is great for edc, that’s where my journey started. I can’t speak to the issues you described personally but I think any one you decide to go with will be a great one. Having had carried a large 31 for 6-8 months before I purchased others I will say I probably prefer a 21 over the 31 now but that’s not to put the 31 down at all. There are some BLAZING deals in the exchange right now if you don’t mind buying one second hand. Welcome back to CRK and hold on tight, they do seriously multiply! 😊
 
shane said:
It’s a one and done. Why “Large Inkosi Insingo in magnacut” over the others?
Click to expand...

I own them all ( except a classic damnit). I use them all. I, like many others here use CRK at work daily and choose the Inkosi most of the time.
If you want the one CRK that will do everything you want a folder for then the answer is Inkosi.
The Inkosi is the pinnacle of Chris Reeve’s work on the Sebenza. It is where all the upgrades to the line took him as evidenced by the 25. The Inkosi is a tweaked 25.
Larger pivot
Larger washers
Larger stop pin
2 screw disassembly
Adjustable pivot to dial in the action to your needs / desires
Thicker blade stock but a real slicer.

Don’t get me wrong, I own 8 Sebenzas from the P-31 and LOVE them. Only one large utility folder? Inkosi is the answer and the Insingo blade…well that’s a no brainer.

Magnacut…it’s awesome.
 
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The pinnacle is the Umnumzaan :) The Inkosi is not bad though, must be a reason why it appears to be Chris Reeve's own favorite. And I love the Insigno blade shape;, and the Inkosi comes with Micarta inlays, which I prefer over plain Ti; long story short, I agree with Kettleman Kettleman :)
 
I'm not sure you can go wrong regardless of what you choose...but the large Inkosi with the Insingo blade is a formidable combination.

3 of my 7 CRKs sport the Insingo blade...the large Inkosi version being the most recent addition. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
 
If I were limited to one crk, it would be my large plain Sebenza 31 insingo in Magnacut.

I've recently picked up a large inkosi insingo in Magnacut and it is a beast.

You wouldn't be disappointed either way.
 
Not saying any of the sugestions are wrong, and they certainly have made good points, but I like old school and that is how I would go, for one and done.
I would get a 21 micarta inlay drop point, while there is any chance to find one at a semi reasonable price. Drop points have served me well as have all the blade steels, and micarta inlay makes a great user.
But I don't think there is a wrong answer, so buy what apeals to you.
 
All great suggestions and you can’t go wrong with any large. Plain Inkosi is a great choice, I have a drop point on me now and it’s a hell of a knife.

For one and done EDC though I would pick a large plain Sebenza 31. Drop point or insingo. To be different I would say pick up a large insingo carbon fiber scale in magnacut. Light weight, great blade shape, great all around steel.

Let us know what you end up with! As others have said these things do seem to multiply so good luck trying to resist!
 
While MagnaCut is great, don't discount the knives available in s45vn either. I've been carrying a small sebenza sporting that steel almost every day for a shade over 2 years now. I haven't ever felt under knifed with it in my pocket, unless a machete is the tool for the job (in which case a large wouldn't be the solution either).

While I've never handled a large inkosi or a 'zaan, I'd say there's probably no wrong choice in the matter.
 
Well, let's see! Literally everyone here is right as far as I'm concerned. 🤣 I've got 2 large sebenza 31s. Both are insingo and magnacut. mitchnola mitchnola was kind enough to sell me an Inkosi. It's s45vn but I haven't used it at work yet though I do like the way it feels in hand. And I've got a dp magnacut zaan in the mail headed my way. Also, one of my 31s has the micarta and one if a pj. I honestly can't decide which I like more. I did, however, break the tip on the pj so it was getting fixed when I left for work. Now! That broken tip? I'm convinced a lesser knife would've broken in half. I was cutting grease and gunk soaked tape when the blade snagged on something. When it cut through, it slammed into solid metal equipment so hard it literally sounded like a gun going off. The guy standing next to me looked at me and all I could say was a string of expletives. The total damage? The very tip of the cutting edge broke.
 
Wild Willie said:
While MagnaCut is great, don't discount the knives available in s45vn either..
Click to expand...

This. Just a couple of years ago s35vn was the bees knees for tough stainless steels, and s45vn is better. If I can save 50 bucks but get s45vn instead of MC, I will. In fact, I’ve done exactly this in the Exchange last week. :) …. S45vn on a medium stone holds an edge for a long time.
 
According to this thread and opinions, later models are better. Personally, with the few 31’s I have, I haven’t experienced the issues some have had.
Thread 'Sebenza 31 Lock Rock?!'
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sebenza-31-lock-rock.1718273/

Blade shape is a personal preference, I haven’t read anything negative about Magnacut yet, but it’s still early in the game. The secondary price of 21’s are ridiculous IMO, some are asking more for a used 21 than what a new 31 goes for. I use a Inkosi/Umnumzaan mainly for work. I’ll use a 21/31 for work on occasion, but consider them for all around users. Don’t ask me why, I really don’t have justification for my choices. I prefer the micarta inlays over the plains, but that’s just me.
It all boils down to which one suits your needs the best.
 
I be clear on my magna cut recommendation, Ive owned/ used it and was very impressed, However at this point I don't own any as the only one of my 10(ish) CRK that is still in production is my 31 and its a dammy.
But if you are buying now and want a one and done I see no justifiable reason outside of cash ( the S35 and 45 inkosis are going real cheap right now) to not pick up a magnacut version.
 
ferider said:
The pinnacle is the Umnumzaan :) The Inkosi is not bad though, must be a reason why it appears to be Chris Reeve's own favorite. And I love the Insigno blade shape;, and the Inkosi comes with Micarta inlays, which I prefer over plain Ti; long story short, I agree with Kettleman Kettleman :)
Click to expand...
It was his amazing design and outstanding execution of the Zaan that lead us to the Inkosi no doubt. I believe (no proof of course) that after tweeking the Zaan from 2008-2013 he proof of concepted the design in the 25 and followed it to its natural progression, his best work on the Sebenza / folder, the Inkosi.
 
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