I just received my 25 (for anyone who cares), and would like to make a few comments.
I do find it more comfortable to hold than the 'zaan, for smaller hands. I still find the pocket clip slightly intrusive/sharp on the pinky, but much less so than the Umnumzaan I tried previously. The strange lockbar bump is also gone with the 25 vs. umnum, and that makes my grip much more happy (although I still like the Umnumzaan and sebenza "regular" blade shape better). The finger spacing is slightly limiting in how you hold the knife, but I haven't yet found it to be a problem, even in the reverse grip (although it takes a bit of work to index around that much longer butt than a small 21, understandably) and it's still very comfortable. Although far from ideal, there's even enough room to use a makeshift choil, with the second and third finger on the handle and index up by the blade if I really needed. It has a more natural opening style than a small 21, more of an arc motion to open, rather than an outright outward opening motion (the small regulars were much more friendly in this manner as well), though none of them are "difficult" to open in my opinion. It does have a much stronger detent/ in-ward force on the lock bar than the small 21 or regulars I'm familiar with, or almost any other folder I've felt, but I don't by any means consider that a detriment. I'm a controlled opener, not a "flicker," and I find the extra lock strength confidence-inspiring rather than annoying. I also appreciate the return to the "tune to your fancy" pivot screw, rather than the "screw it as tight as you can and that's what you're stuck with" method of the 21 pivot, although neither is bad by any stretch. I've only had 1 day worth of experience with this one so far, and will happily report back after more use if anyone is interested.
It is indeed a stout knife, as solid feeling as most small fixed blades, although at 4 inches it's not quite "small." It IS also a very different beast than the 21.
Cheers
Update: after carrying it a tad more, I haven't really had any issues with the size or finger spacing yet, but I do find the pocket clip increasingly annoying, it seems to either poke the palm of my hand by the finger pads or bite into my pinky sometimes. I never had this issue with any of the smalls, but have had it now on both the 25 and 'zaan. Carrying it without a clip would solve this problem, but isn't really an option in my mind, and there isn't really room to make it flatter against the handle and still clip on jeans. The jimping is also unnecessarily sharp in my opinion. I'm still enjoying it, but might end up sticking with my old small regulars in the end.
