Pack the 21 or the 25? How do you decide?

DrtyHarry

DrtyHarry

Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
367
Well, I just bought my first Large 21 the other day….I was going to get a 25 but so many guys I spoke to told me to go with the 21 instead. So I did. Scored a Large 21 with a polished blade and scales with ebony inlays. Now, other people are telling me that the 25 is the way I should have gone and blah blah blah….whatever. I have the 21. I am so impressed with it, I really don't mind picking up just ONE more for my collection…so I decided to pick up a 25. Now, I didn't know this but Chris Reeve makes some Wilson Combat models of the Sebenza and I am a huge fan of Wilson Combat pistols…and it only seems fitting to get a Wilson version…..I think. I really like the polished scales on my 21…and sadly, there is not a Wilson variant that has polished scales. So, the "Starbenza" comes in a 21 and a 25 and I will obviously be taking the 25 path. But damn…polished scales should have been an option.

But…here we are. No polished scales. Just the Ti scales with the star pattern G10 grip that is on the pistol. Yes, it looks nice.

So hopefully, I will have a Large 21 and a 25. OK…when I am wearing one of my Wilson sidearms, I can see wearing the 25 for it has the grip and it matches. For the sake of beauty I guess.

That aside, for those of you who own both a 21 and a 25…how do you decide what you will wear that day? You know, just a normal day at the office and putting on your EDC knife. I also carry a Spyderco Military ALL the time…but that means nothing. How do you pick what to carry? Why the 21 and not the 25? Why the 25 and not the 21? My understanding is that the 25 is a bit more of a workhorse…and perhaps meant to take a bit more abuse. But..I will only use my Sebenza for light chores, whatever they are. If anything needs muscle, I'll whip out my Millie (or my PM2 I have tucked away). So like I said, I won't be doing anything labor intensive with either the 21 or 25….with that said, I don't know if I should even get a 25 and maybe stick with the 21 in a different variant. I have read almost every post here trying to decide….any help would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I had a rule of thumb a while back….I wouldn't EDC and use a blade worth more than $500. But the fact that CRK has such a awesome warranty and they repair and more or less do whatever you ask them to do, I'd consider it. Right now, I'm torn between the "Starbenza 25" and a Large 25 with polished scales and CF inlays…but that's an additional $100+….not sure if it's a) worth it, b)worth doing it since I have Wilson Combat pistols, c) worth getting something that looks so much like the 21 I currently have.

Pardon all the questions!!! Thanks!




Harry
 
Go to the store and Handel them both. Or buy them both used and resell the one you like least.
 
Sounds like you're a bit in a quandary.
At this point, do what makes you happy, the rest will come in due time.
If another 21 to your likings make you happy, then that's what you get. Otherwise, you'll go through several and still end up with what you wanted from getgo
 
The knives are so similar in ability there is no real reason to carry one over the other other than personal tastes. Neither model has ever been more or less than I need for any job I use a folder for, and I use my knives a lot being a trades person.

My suggestion: buy a 25 as it is worth it to have something different than the large 21 you already have, or scrap your whole idea and get a large Insingo, which will be a better blade all around for the 'light duty' uses you describe.
 
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I have fat thumbs and its easier for me to access the lock bar on the 21, on the 25 its just a little bit hidden. I suggest you go with the 21 and then a few months, weeks, days, hours, minutes later buy a 25.

As you can see from the picture the 21 with wood inlays has the best and biggest access to the lock bar.




CRK.jpg
 
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I just posted this pic in LW's pocket-sheath GAW, but it is my WC 21 and WC 25:

GEGDX6f.jpg


They both can handle hard, tough work, but the lock-up on the 25 sounds more authoritative. I think it has to do with ceramic ball lock interface, but they are different enough that they feel like different knives.
A 21/25 EDC rotation is like two different interpretations of one knife. They share obvious lineage, but feel different enough that they couldn't be mistaken for the same knife in hand. I have no doubt that they could withstand the same amount of work, though
 
I think the 25 might be a little heavier duty. I suggest the 21 for EDC and the 25 when you have a project going on (plus when shooting). SIDE NOTE: I see more CRKs in your future....
 
Ccc said:
I just posted this pic in LW's pocket-sheath GAW, but it is my WC 21 and WC 25:

GEGDX6f.jpg


They both can handle hard, tough work, but the lock-up on the 25 sounds more authoritative. I think it has to do with ceramic ball lock interface, but they are different enough that they feel like different knives.
A 21/25 EDC rotation is like two different interpretations of one knife. They share obvious lineage, but feel different enough that they couldn't be mistaken for the same knife in hand. I have no doubt that they could withstand the same amount of work, though
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Yes, the 25 makes a single "clunk" as the ball falls off the blade, while the 21 makes a "click,click" as first the detent ball, then the lockbar, fall clear of the blade.
 
I don't think the 21 and the 25 are really comparable as the same knife like either or. They just aren't.

Way different lock up mechanisms, pivot vs bushing, different washers by far (maintenance needs), different ergonomics. You have to have solid examples of both to say which you like better.

Some hate the positioning/length of the pocket clip on the 25. But for me it fits perfectly between 2 fingers. Where some people say it should end 1/8th an inch shorter etc it would be right into the middle of my finger. So I wouldn't like that obviously. I wear size 10 or large gloves.

For me I prefer to EDC the 25 most of the time. But if you want some UGs well you will have to take a 21. That's really where the variety is right now. There are only a handful of models of the 25 available, and with the Inkosi family coming, who knows where that might go.

For me, when I edc a 21 it starts to get dirty in the pivot, and it losses that smoothness. The 25 doesn't seem to.

You have to try a bunch to know. If you can't get your hands on one in a store close to you, you could always try a vendor that allows free returns like Knifeart. Send it back if you don't like it. If all else fails... Luckily there is the catch and release method on the exchange :)

The one thing I would avoid doing, looking at pics of people's collections. That is only going to end up in wallet pain.
 
Wallet pain. Good one. I have both 21 & 25. Toss up which one I prefer, and there is much info on BF detailing the pluses and minuses of each. I carry 21 one week, the 25 the next. Keeps them both feeling needed.
 
All fantastic advice here.

If your a fan of Wilson Combat(i am too) then any Crk/Wilson collab knife is a must get.

Can you really resist the awesome star burst pattern on the scales?

AND , since you like polished scales...look up "scotchbrite wilson startac or starbenza"...most dont like but you may.
 
No no….I have a 21, just got it. I also have a few Wilson Combat handguns….

2h5uurc.jpg




My questions was, what knife do you pick to carry with you as an EDC? How do you decide if you should carry the 21 or the 25? In any case, I thought about it long enough and I have come to the conclusion that I am going to get a "Starbenza" 25. I would have gone with a 21 with polished handles with some kind of inlays, but since I more or less have that in my 21….I might as well get something different. And since I am a huge Wilson Combat fan, I guess it really is fitting to get one of the Wilson variants. Funny thing is, I swapped out the newer G10 grips with the starburst pattern on my Wilsons for the older grips…I liked them a little better. But the more and more I see them on the knife, I'm thinking I made a mistake and should have kept the newer G10 grips on my handguns…AND they would match the knives. Ugh...

So…just going to kick back and see if a Large Starbenza 25 comes around. Someone told me they had one and said they were going to send me pictures and info, but I sent him two messages…only heard back from him once saying that he will send me pics later tonight with all info. That was 4 days ago. Have not heard a peep back even after a second email. I know Wilson gives military discounts, but not sure if the discounts applies to their knives. Do they ship for free?
 
I pick based on which pants I'm wearing, for size and fit, and what activity I'm likely to do. If you are going to sweat, or do something dirty or risky you probably don't want to take a polished wood inlay if you have a plain handle handy.

Don't worry about guys not getting back to you right away. It's fairly common here. I've had guys email back within a couple minutes repeatedly, then take more than 24 hours to reply. In fact I'm going through that right now. 5 minute replies till the money was sent :) I've had guys say I will send money tonight then never get back to me or answer, or guys who make 10 emails 4 pages long to make an offer then renege on it immediately. Par for course.
 
Great decision.
As weight is not a major factor to you, you will love the 25.
The 21 is a cool knife, the 25 is a bit more of everything.
Blade thickness, the ceramic interface and the pivot screw.
This is sure subjective and all, but the 25 pivot screams "confidence".
The opening sound is pretty impressive too and the grind - fantastic.
red mag
 
Well…Wilson Combat was kind enough to give me a %20 discount…so that was kind of hard to turn down. So in addition to the Large 21 with a polished blade and scales with ebony inserts, I also have a Large "Starbenza 25" coming in the mail. I should have it on Friday. I spoke with one of the guys I know there that is also into knives and asked him if he didn't mind looking at a few and see if he could "cherry pick" one out for me. He told me that it will be almost impossible for him to notice a difference…but he will take a look at the few they have left and if one sticks out more than the others…he'll take care of it. They have amazing customer service. So I am now done with my knives. I have just ONE more knife on my list…nothing fancy, but I got most everything I want. I know I'll soon want to get a Large 21 in damascus….and I all ready started thinking about it. I have the 21 in my hand right now and I really can not believe the attention to detail this thing has…can't wait for the 25 to arrive!!!

As for how to decide what to carry…..I THINK I will play it like this. My Spyderco Millie will always be on me…no matter what. The 21 I have is perhaps a little bit on the "fancy" side where as the 25 is a bit more of a work horse and a bit more traditional and somewhat "standard". So…when I have to toss a suit on or get very well dressed for a formal setting, I'll wear the 21. And for EDC with jeans and just running chores and what not…wear the 25. Now…tricky question is when I carry one of my Wilson 1911s….do I wear the 21 or the 25 Starbenza? Hmmm….because if I am wearing a Wilson, it's usually when I'm well dressed in a suit. If I'm running around town knocking down errands, I usually wear a Glock, SIG, or HK. All I need to do now is order the deep riding clips from MXG Gear, send them out to be cerekoted black, install them…and all is well. :)
 
My prediction is the Spyderco is soon gone, replaced by the 25, and you are not done with knives, at all. 😁
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
Nope, he's got the sickness. He just doesn't know it yet. :D
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I already called the factory and told them to run a second shift. With all due respect Drtyharry, in sales, you are what they call "a live one". Have fun and enjoy the journey. You'll likely end up with more CRKs than you need, but each one will be great in its own special way. :)
 
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