Sebenza or Inkosi

I have had both, both great knives.
Inkosi is like a mini 25, but a hair shorter then the small 21.
Due to size, my vote would be for the 21.
 
The Small Micarta Insingo is a classic for a reason. A Small Micarta Sebenza (clip point) is one of my personal favorite knives. Either, hands down over the Inkosi, with while a fine knife in it's own right, is just not what I think of when Chris Reeve is mentioned. The finger grooves and lack of a bushing pivot are just deal breakers for me.
 
Since you are asking about the small sizes, I would definitely go with the small Inkosi. I also own a small 21 Insingo version of the Sebenza, and though the Insingo is my favorite in large size, in small size I find the Inkosi more ergonomic and comfortable in hand. And while it is smaller than the small Sebenza, the difference feels negligible. When closing the small 21, it sometimes feel like I'm almost going to drop it. Not so with the Inkosi. The Inkosi behaves like a bigger knife. I've even compared my Inkosi to a Delica 4, whose blade is a hair under 3", and the Inkosi actually has more cutting edge length in a shorter blade.

Jim
 
The Small Micarta Insingo is a classic for a reason. A Small Micarta Sebenza (clip point) is one of my personal favorite knives. Either, hands down over the Inkosi, with while a fine knife in it's own right, is just not what I think of when Chris Reeve is mentioned. The finger grooves and lack of a bushing pivot are just deal breakers for me.

I feel the same, and I'm glad CRK isn't calling them Sebenza's like they did with the 25.
Finger groves are a real deal breaker for me on any knife, and I can't see myself ever buying a CRK folder without the Pivot Bushing system. The straight handle(top and bottom), pivot bushing system, and the quality is why I started buying them in the first place.
 
If you're only going to buy one CRK, I would encourage you to get a small Insingo Micarta. It's got a cult following for a reason. The best EDC knife CRK makes, IMO.

If you prefer a very small knife or you're dead set on a traditional drop point blade, I'd go with the Inkosi. It's an incredible all-around knife in a tiny package. Great for unclipped pocket carry.
 
I think I'm nuts. I just ordered the Sebenza 21 Celtic from KC. I have no idea why I did this but I saw the design on the handle and said..."I have Celtic roots"... and all of a sudden I'm giving the very nice woman on the phone my order... I don't even remember dialing it was like a black out...will send pictures when it arrives...Thanks

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk
 
I think I'm nuts. I just ordered the Sebenza 21 Celtic from KC. I have no idea why I did this but I saw the design on the handle and said..."I have Celtic roots"... and all of a sudden I'm giving the very nice woman on the phone my order... I don't even remember dialing it was like a black out...will send pictures when it arrives...Thanks

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

:D

Congrats ! It spoke to you, will have meaning, and I think you'll love it.
And that's a great justification to pull the trigger on a new knife. Us knife nuts are great at coming up with those, and fast. My latest is when I saw a Small Starbenza on the exchange the other day. I bought a Large Starbenza a few weeks ago, and told myself then to NOT start thinking I needed a Small to go with it. What was I thinking, of course I needed the small to go with it, and bought it ! :p
 
I have had lots of Sebenza but my first CRK was the Inkosi and its "better" then any of the Sebenza's I have had. That said the handle shape is not for everybody. Its a love it or hate it type of thing and it takes having one in hand to know which category you are in. Its smoother in deployment and unlocking then any Sebenza model including the Annual I had. That said if you only had a small Sebenza 21, you would be happy with it. You just would not know what you are missing.

The trick to not losing money is to buy one used here on the exchange. If you decide you don't like one of them you should be able to get your money back. If you buy new retail selling it is going to take a hit. Remember you can send most CRK's back for spa treatment and make it like new so used is not as big of risk as you might suspect.
 
I think I'm nuts. I just ordered the Sebenza 21 Celtic from KC. I have no idea why I did this but I saw the design on the handle and said..."I have Celtic roots"... and all of a sudden I'm giving the very nice woman on the phone my order... I don't even remember dialing it was like a black out...will send pictures when it arrives...Thanks

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

You are going to enjoy the knife once it breaks in. No matter what CRK you pick its going to be nice. The first one is the hardest. Now that cherry is broke you are going to find you will add more to your collection. I expect later you will get that Insingo and at some point an Inkosi. It happens to all of us. I started with the Inkosi thinking I never paid that much for a knife that was not custom. Then over the next few months I had 12 CRK's. Currently I am back to 4, but I know as I have more money that will change. I still carry the Inkosi the most.
 
.03$ Worth. Never had the Inkosi, but plan to try a large one someday. Like the Large Seb's, have a 25, and six, 21's, and plan for more. A classic, beautiful design. LionSteel? Have the SR1A. Love it, but find the smooth sides way too slippery.

Pocket carry? Wish more would try it clipped in the strong side back pocket. I can carry something as beefy as the Grayman Satu with comfort. When you sit, the back pocket carry holds the knife in, rather than pushing it out as in the front pocket. Good luck in your decision.
 
I really like the inkosi. Please note its smaller than a small sebenza. I never had a large inkosi before. They are both great knives.
The sebenza just has more options available snce its been around a long time( insigno, damascus, graphics, signle or double studs, tanto...)

Chris Reeve Knives are work horses, you can use them no problem. CRK offers free refurbishing on the inkosi and plain sebenza handle(also micarta) so they will look new again. Free sharpening also included all you need to do is pay shipping. You can also order a new blade or one in damascus if you want if your breaks for whatever reason.
 
You can't do that.
I mean we are not through yet with the discussion and you already decided? ;)

Great choice, enjoy.
 
Back
Top