I understand your predicament, having been on the same place two months ago and have also been collecting for a couple of years now. Obsessed, really, with knives, and it came on all of a sudden.
I like reviews from people that actually have experience with something, whatever it is, and are not just armchair-quarterbacking. So since I actually now own three of his knives, having bought them within the last 70 days or so, I'll give you a quick rundown from my own experience. My credit card is still reeling, and trying to recover from my impulses.
Sebenza 25:
This was my first Chris Reeve knife purchase. One could not find them anywhere, it seemed, all the normal outlets were in sold out/backorder/preorder status. So I went to the Chris Reeve website, looked up dealers, and started calling.
I narrowed them down by seeing which dealers had their own website, which told me they could be larger in nature and more likely to have one in stock. And 22 calls later, I found one! This was on a Monday, he had received three of them the previous Thursday and he had one sole remainder. So I snatched it up, and felt very lucky to have done so. Tracked that sucker all the way to the house, with great anticipation. Finally (only three days later, but seemed like an eternity) it arrived.
My collection includes numerous Benchmades and Emersons, so I am used to robust blades. I also am very particular about things, and was very impressed with the quality of my unit.
PROS: Not a flaw or mark anywhere. Blade centered 100%, which I am also very particular about. It is a heavy-duty version of a regular Sebenza, and built like a tank. It looks like a "gentleman's" tactical knife, albeit a very refined one. It definitely will impress and with such a solid lockup it is confidence-inspiring. I like the ceramic blade-handle interface over the regular Sebenza, I bet he adds it to an upgrade of the Sebbie 21 in the future. They both lock-up absolutely solid, though, don't get me wrong. Great gimping, dual blue thumb studs a nice addition as far as appearance is concerned.
CONS: Handle shape is in a way less comfortable than a regular Sebenza. For me, the pocket clip needs to be lengthened so the indentation in it is right over and even with the 2nd finger groove. It would then fit more naturally in your hand, especially holding the right-hand version in one's left hand. Let's face it, we might use a knife in either hand whenever the occasion calls for it, and the regular Sebenza has no issues with this at all. It feels great in either hand, whereas the pocket clip lifts up your middle finger off the handle when it is held in your left hand. Another 10mm in length would be perfect on the 25 pocket clip, for then your middle finger could grip the handle as it should.
This is nit-picking, however. If you want/desire a user you can really count on, and not just a safe queen, go for the 25 if you can find one. They are out there, grab it when you see it though or someone else will.
Sebenza 21:
I purchased a left-hand, micarta-inlaid, large Sebenza with the regular blade next. I'm left-handed, and was very pleased they make them at all, and that they do not charge more for them. It too was flawless in almost every way, but the blade was closer on the left side than the right. I had to correct that issue, and so I took it apart and played with the orientation of the torx screws on it, turning them around in the handle in various ways until I was able to center it correctly, with no blade play. I then lock-tighted the pivot screw in place with some of the purple lock-tite that came with the 25, and it has not moved since. It is still perfectly centered, and I'm happy. I would have sent it in to CRK if I could not align it properly.
PROS: VERY ergonomic handle shape. Micarta adds grip and looks very nice, adds to the overall look of the unit. Amazing work with the overall quality feel, just like everyone says. Handles well in either hand.
CONS: A little less robust than the 25, lacks the ceramic-ball blade/handle interface. Gimping not as pronounced as on the 25. $485 realistic pricing.
Sebenza Insingo, micarta-inlaid, large right-hand model:
My third CRK purchase in three weeks. Maxed out the credit card, but HAD to have an Insingo due to the blade shape. Same overall great quality, flawless in execution again.
PROS: Insingo blade shape! Awesome slicer, very useful and unique in appearance. You'll find that people either love the blade shape, or are "so what" in their opinion of it. I am in the "love it" category. Just looks and feels like a great tool that would be very useful in everyday tasks, more so than the regular blade shape. I cut items (tape on boxes, fruit/vegetables, plastic when opening things all the time it seems) more so than being in a situation where I might have to defend myself. Don't get me wrong, I like all kinds of knives and blade shapes, and own a little of everything if you looked at my collection.
The Insingo is one of my favorite knives for some unknown reason. Looks like a Toucan from the side.
CONS: So pretty you might not use it when you should be doing so. It is a tool, right? But this is a tool you can find yourself staring at for lengthy periods of time, just because it looks so cool. Looks like a Toucan from the side, which some people dislike. I am not in that camp.
SUMMARY: The 25 is a solid knife that can stand up to any knife out there in my opinion. I am totally confident I could lash it to a long stick and use it as a spear if needed (can't see that ever happening) and it would not fail one time, it would not close on me. Ti handle grips well too, the way they have bead-blasted the unit. If you buy one, use it! Life can be short sometimes, and if it gets beat up, CRK's "spa" treatment (my Insingo has already been there and back to me) will make it look brand-new again for $15.00, awesome!
The 21 Insingo has a unique blade shape, and with the belly they added to the Wharncliff-style blade shape functionality is increased. A good daily user as well. I prefer the micarta inlay for sure, save up for a little longer if you get a 21 and you'll be rewarded with both increased grip (seems to fill the hand a little better) and improved appearance, IMO.
You will not go wrong with whichever one you choose. Just be careful, they are addictive and now I rotate all three.
Lastly, the $25 slip case is a pretty handy thing to have. It keeps my spa-treated Insingo looking like new, and I've carried it a lot over the past few weeks. It looks like it just came out of the box.
So Charr, let me sum it up: if the house were on fire, the Insingo is the one of these three I'd grab running out the door. Even if I'm left-handed and it's a right-hand knife.
