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My CRK "Insane Willy" although you may call it Frankenstein.

1AbominAble1

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
2,423
First off, I just want everybody to know that this is the first time that I've started a thread so you may
Need to cut me a little slack.

Secondly, I'm doing this with my phone and have no idea how to post pics, I made a YouTube vid that
Shows the knife pretty well so I hope that it makes up for it.
My account name there is the same as my user name here, 1AbominAble1
The video name is "Insane Willy Sebenza"

If any of you know how to post links or pics with an IPhone I'd appreciate the help, thanks.



Now to the heart of the matter, as you may have guessed by the title of my post, I took the blade off of my EDC beater CRK Small Insingo and placed it into the handle of my newly acquired Small Star Benza.
Since I refer to my Insingo as the Insane-o ( Thanks Fonzie ), and the Star Benza is a Wilson Combat
Collaboration with CRK I Justly dubbed this knife the "Insane Willy".

I've been enamored with the Insane-O blade since my good friend ( who had number 40 in both sizes of
The pre production run ) first showed me the two that he had aquired. I thought that the look was off when first viewing it online, but instantly fell in love with the blade the first time that I laid eyes on it in the real world. I bought one quickly when they became available and consider it one of my best ever knife
Purchases.

I understand that there are many sides to the knife community with collectors, makers, users, dealers,
Etc,etc. I know that some guys would not use an Insingo since it's a fairly small run of knives, and I know that they understand that there are guys like me who use it as an EDC blade and show it no quarter. The fact that we all get along so well says a lot about the community, and I'm proud to be a part of it.
That said, I know that there'll be some guys who feel it necessary to point out that I voided my warranty on these knives, that the fit of each knife is done by hand and shouldn't be messed with, that doing this
Is somehow unsafe, etc,etc. I am aware of all of this and DO NOT CARE, it's only money, and the knives are mine to use as I see fit. If I somehow destroy one I'll go and buy another, it's that simple to me. The
Meat of it is that I wanted a knife that CRK wasn't going to put out, so I Frankensteined it from ones that
I own, and I couldn't be happier.


The tremendously useful blade design of the Insingo is hard to argue with, although the aesthetics may
Not appeal to everyone. I did not like it at first but have found that no knife has been able to take
It's place in my pocket other than my Tanto Umnumzaan. The belly although not to extreme is well
Thought out and provides the right geometry for a very powerful but effortless cut. The swedge is
Attractive and provides enough support to the tip to make it very strong, much more so than you would
Think from appearance alone. I truly cannot find a flaw in it anywhere, I love this blade!

That leads me to the handle, what can I say that hasn't already been said before? The ergo's are to me
Utterly perfect! I used to be a huge fan of the "regular" style and was kind of anti "classic" but have since fell to the darkside. The lock is easier to use, and the design makes you feel like there's a lot more of a
Choil to keep you off of the blade, I also like the way that the edges on the 21 are further beveled than before on the classic.

I use my knife in all types of weather and in varying conditions ( the Insane-O probably saved my life
While hunting last year while caught in severe weather ), and I'd really like it if the Insane-O or any of
My Sebbies had the same quality texturing that my Umnumzaan has. I don't believe that CRK is going to
Be producing anything like this anytime soon, so I felt that it was up to me to make it myself. I could've
Sent it out to have it done Anso style ( which would've been sweet! )
But I have Wilson Combat grips ( made by Larry Davidson without medallions ) on my 45 and thought
That it'd be a really nice combo if my EDC knife and carry gun had the same design on their handles.

I'm very satisfied with the outcome and hope that those of you who have watched the vid enjoyed
Seeing the "Insane Willy".

Any advice on how to post pics with an IPhone would be appreciated, and I look forward to your opinions about the knife-good or bad.

If you've stuck with me this far I'd like to say, thank you!
 
Fferrell1
Did I just take the first step on a slippery slope ?
We'll see if I get any positive responses before I decide wether or not I post any more threads. Just happy that it worked, although the structure of it is all messed up.

Thanks for watching the vid, and for commenting.

Take care
 
What? That's messed up. The blades are different thickness, as is the entire locking mechanism and handle recess. I'm not sure what to say.
 
Honestly, it's not my taste. Some people will love it. Personally I don't like the insingo and really don't like the WC models. So the combo of the two does not help. HOWEVER, as you said in your vid, it's your knife. If you like it, use it.

I found myself staring at that used set of scales in the background thinking how nice it would be to have that new s35vn blade in there. If I had a choice, I'd EDC that combo.
 
Looks pretty cool! Yes for the textured ti handles on CR knives!! That is why I own a Startac and all me sebs have inlays for more grip! Would love to see Umnum like grips on the Sebs!!
 
I like the idea that you got it to work. :)

I really need to pick up a large Insingo. That is a beautiful blade. I have two Sebenzas, both large regulars with BG-42 blades. One is a drop point, one is a tanto. The Insingo is a great combination of the best of each blade style.
 
I like it although I think it would look better with silver studs instead of the blue.
And it looks like the conversion fits spot on. I think as long as you keep the washers and
bushing together with the blade it came with then you should be fine when it comes to fit
and lockup. Great first thread!
 
@Fferrell1

Well it appears that we do agree on some great ideas, I put the S35VN blade into the Original Insingo handle before I put them away for the night. It was a great match, the lock up is right around 25% and feels rock solid :D
I'm considering sending in the handles for a spa treatment so that the set up will look completely new, maybe I'll have the thumb stud on the Insingo changed then as well.

Thank you for posting your opinions and getting some traffic on my first post,take care.
 
BTW, the name "Insane Willy" is a great name. And I also forgot to mention (as others have noticed as well), the lockup looks perfect. Looks like a factory fit.:thumbup:

That's what I love about this fourm, we'll tell you what we think, and rarely will everyone agree. I actually like that. We're like a big somewhat odd family.:D
 
I think the whole thing stinks, and next time I see you bud, you should just hand them both off to me! :D

Great first post bro! My Wilson Startac is coming next week!
 
@blackend

Lol
Thanks for posting on my first thread Bro, did you notice that I made mention of you? I'll take that Yuna off of your hands as soon as your sick of it, you're lucky that you didn't leave it with me because the only thing that you would've gotten back would've been money ;D and a kick in the nuts for not ordering two!

Gimme a call tomorrow
 
Thank you to everybody that's commented, it's obviously not everybody's taste but the response seems pretty positive so far.

I'm liking the new S35VN blade so much (since it's new), and have just become enamored with the Star Benza handle. I almost switched it back to it's original configuration today, instead of having one "perfect" knife I'd have my edc beater insingo as it was originally made and then i'd also have the Star Benza for the off days when I want a change that isn't my tanto umnum. I don't mind having three beater CRK's, that's what they're for-at least these three; but the Insane Wilky is just so nice that I'm having trouble making up my mind,decisions,decisions,decisions.

Thanks again to everybody who's taken the time to chime in on my first post.
 
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