My first CRK: large Sebenza Insingo with CF scale (lots of pics!)

[Emre]

After 20 years of collecting and carrying folding knives, I've finally gotten my hands on a Sebenza.

I've always loved the fit and finish of the few CRK knives I've handled over the years, but so far none of them has appealed to me enough to pull the trigger. There's something about the blade profile that just didn't do it for me.

The Insingo blade profile pushed all the right buttons for me. And the CF scale adds a touch of dressiness that really works for me. It's surprisingly light for it's size; I'm sure the CF scale contributes.

Anyway...time for pics!























BTW, the binoculars in the background belonged to my great grandfather when he served in the Ottoman military about 100 years ago.

Getting back to the Insingo, I've already mentioned how light it is. It balances well in the hand and has a slightly blade-forward feel. The grip is very comfortable for my big mitts. Lock-up is tight without any stickiness on the release. The detent is super strong: it takes more effort than I would have expected to start the blade moving. But once it gets going, it opens very smoothly (I'm not a flicker...I prefer to ease the blade open).

Now for the bad. The blade is not sharp...at all. Forget about hair popping/shaving or catching your nail. It literally does not cut paper (no joke). The knife was built in Sept. 2015 and shows zero signs of use. It looks like it came from the factory like this, which is hugely disappointing.

I guess I'll contact CRK to see if they can do something about it. Anyway, I'm pleased with it overall. I know it's not the typical Sebenza, but it's the perfect "first CRK" for me.

 

[Vaporstang]

Beautiful knife! Beautiful pics! Cool binoculars! Disappointing about the edge. Did you try stropping it?

 

[dubya3]

After 20 years of collecting and carrying folding knives, I've finally gotten my hands on a Sebenza. Picked this up from a forum member through the classifieds here.

I've always loved the fit and finish of the few CRK knives I've handled over the years, but so far none of them has appealed to me enough to pull the trigger. There's something about the blade profile that just didn't do it for me.

The Insingo blade profile pushed all the right buttons for me. And the CF scale adds a touch of dressiness that really works for me. It's surprisingly light for it's size; I'm sure the CF scale contributes.

Anyway...time for pics!























BTW, the binoculars in the background belonged to my great grandfather when he served in the Ottoman military about 100 years ago.

Getting back to the Insingo, I've already mentioned how light it is. It balances well in the hand and has a slightly blade-forward feel. The grip is very comfortable for my big mitts. Lock-up is tight without any stickiness on the release. The detent is super strong: it takes more effort than I would have expected to start the blade moving. But once it gets going, it opens very smoothly (I'm not a flicker...I prefer to ease the blade open).

Now for the bad. The blade is not sharp...at all. Forget about hair popping/shaving or catching your nail. It literally does not cut paper (no joke). The knife was built in Sept. 2015 and shows zero signs of use. It looks like it came from the factory like this, which is hugely disappointing.

I guess I'll contact CRK to see if they can do something about it. Anyway, I'm pleased with it overall. I know it's not the typical Sebenza, but it's the perfect "first CRK" for me.

That's the opposite of mine is did get it second hand but advertised as unused and unsharpened but it shaved part of my leg easily and even after ~2 weeks of daily use, including an unusual amount of cardboard (we bought a ton of new furniture this past weekend) and it still makes my leg girly smooth. At one point in my life recently I was all about the hardest, best edge holding steel and almost all my knives were S90V, S110V or ZDP189 but the problem was, and I didn't like to admit it, I couldn't sharpen those knives to a respectable edge. I haven't tried S35VN yet but if it's similar to S30V or 154 it should be a good compromise between performance and ease of sharpening. Sorry for getting a bit off topic..

 

[Gizler00]

Very nice knife!!!! I desperately want a small in the same configuration.

Very cool binoculars!

Sorry to hear about the edge. I had a different edge experience. Mine came sharper than any other knife I have ever owned.

I think once you get that sorted out, it will continue to please even more than it already does!!

Congrats!!

 

[Emre]

double-post ... sorry!

 

[Emre]

That's the opposite of mine ... it shaved part of my leg easily and even after ~2 weeks of daily use, including an unusual amount of cardboard

Mine came sharper than any other knife I have ever owned.

That's what I was looking forward to. Big let-down.

At one point in my life recently I was all about the hardest, best edge holding steel and almost all my knives were S90V, S110V or ZDP189 but the problem was, and I didn't like to admit it, I couldn't sharpen those knives to a respectable edge. I haven't tried S35VN yet but if it's similar to S30V or 154 it should be a good compromise between performance and ease of sharpening.

I'm with you. I strongly prefer a thin blade with a softer heat treat. Easier to maintain a razor-sharp edge that way. I really don't understand the current obsession with thick blades with chunky grinds and super high hardness. Not good for slicing or resharpening!

I have no problem reprofiling and sharpening this blade, but I really wanted to experience the "appleseed" profile edge Sebenzas are known for. Besides, I feel like I really shouldn't have to do all that work on a knife at this price-point.

 

[Gizler00]

That's what I was looking forward to. Big let-down.



I have no problem reprofiling and sharpening this blade, but I really wanted to experience the "appleseed" profile edge Sebenzas are known for. Besides, I feel like I really shouldn't have to do all that work on a knife at this price-point.

Completely valid point. I totally agree.

More pics of that beauty please!!!!!

 

[dubya3]

That's what I was looking forward to. Big let-down.

I'm with you. I strongly prefer a thin blade with a softer heat treat. Easier to maintain a razor-sharp edge that way. I really don't understand the current obsession with thick blades with chunky grinds and super high hardness. Not good for slicing or resharpening!

I have no problem reprofiling and sharpening this blade, but I really wanted to experience the "appleseed" profile edge Sebenzas are known for. Besides, I feel like I really shouldn't have to do all that work on a knife at this price-point.

I agree, I don't get the big, thick blades either. My buddy is crazy about Medford and recently bought one. I handled it yesterday and couldn't figure out what the hell good that knife is for other than feeling "cool" lol but to each his own. The CRK convex isn't too bad, not compared to my old Spyderco Lionspy anyway. I get that it's a stronger edge but it's a way more unuseful edge. Reprofiling is almost a must if you actually want to use it

 

[Emre]

From what I've been reading, CRK knives have been shipping with higher Rockwell numbers lately and it looks like I'm not the first guy complaining about receiving a knife with a dull blade.

I'll send this one back to CRK and see how things go. Kind of a bummer after waiting 20 years for a Seb!!

 

[James Longstreet]

First of all, congrats on your choice. I am pretty sure that ones the issue with the dull blade has been fixed it won't ever let you down again. I also appreciate this configuration, with the light weight, the robust cf scale and the perfect edc blade style.

I put some pictures here, in order to make your waiting time a little easier.

Best,
Stefan


21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 03 at Flickr

21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 04 at Flickr

21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 05 at Flickr

21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 07 at Flickr

21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 10 at Flickr

21 Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 11 at Flickr

 

[pjandyho]

Just saw your post. Have you contacted CRK, and did they resolve the blade sharpness for you?

I just received mine which is a small Insingo with CF scale from Knife Art with a birth date of 16th November 2015 and it is razor sharp. Just a very light pressure on the knife and I shaved off a patch of hair on my leg.