Second CRK... need some help

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Hello Blade Forums.

My name is Joe. This is my first post, but I have lurked for a long time. This is actually a repost from another forum, but I know how active the CRK room is on BF, so I knew I'd get some great feedback here. Here is my issue...

I posted a pic of my first CRK a couple weeks back; a silver small 21. I was warned it would not be my last. I freed up some internet dollars, and I am ready for #2. I have some thoughts, but I could use a nudge in the right direction.

Option 1- Large Silver 21. I like the big brother/little brother thing. I did not know what a pivot bushing was 4 weeks ago, now I can't imagine buying a folder without one. BUT, I just sold my Dauntless because I found it too large to carry M-F. The large Seb will be relegated to weekend carry.

Option 2- Small Silver 21 Insingo. Everything I love about the design and form factor of the small 21, but with a new blade shape that many love. It would also give me a good swap knife if I have its brother in for service/sharpening. BUT, it is basically the knife I already own with a slightly different blade shape. This brings me dangerously close to collecting, and I am trying really hard not to be a collector.

Option 3- Small Silver Inkosi. A well spoken of knife on several forums. This knife had my eye for some time, but I went with the 21 because it seemed like my first CRK had to be a 21. Like the size. It is a little different from my 21, so it would be fun to own both and do a little compare/contrast of the two designs. BUT, No pivot bushing (see option 1) - I can't tell if this... and Finger choiles, and aggressive jumping, and ceramic ball interface, and smaller size, and blade grind, and angled clip, and floating stop pin... improves the Inkosi in every way compared to the Sebenza, or makes it worse in every way compared to the Sebenza. Will the Inkosi be around in 10 years? Why is it the only TNK exclusive still available?

Option 4 - wild card... Professional soldier. I kind of want a small fixed blade that I can just romp on with no regard. The price point is low risk relative to the other choices. BUT, its use will be limited to yard work, home improvement, and day hikes. Also, I know this is stupid, but I wish CRK would have called this knife anything other than the Professional Soldier. I am the furthest thing from being a professional soldier, so me carrying something designed for high speed/low drag is insulting to actual professional soldiers everywhere. Also, there are like 4 reviews of this knife, and only two of them are in English, so I can not get a great concensus.

Thanks for indulging my ramble. I think I am leaning, but I'd love some thoughts from the community.

 

The Ti-Lock is something I Have been looking into. So different. The G&G Hawk heritage plus CRK manufacturing is a pretty interesting combo. One thing that keeps it off the top of my list is the bearings. I prefer bronze washers. Not ruled out.

Micarta inlays are supposed to be pretty nice. Also nice that they can be refinished. But I don't love the premium, and I think that plain scales appeal to me more.

You guys are enablers... I list 4 knives that interest me, and you add two more to the list.

 

Thanks for the input. The knives I am referring to as "silver" are dealer exclusives that come with a silver thumb stud and silver hardware.

 

So here is where I am...

PS is out for now (maybe forever). It is not me, I do not know if the style will hold up, and it's use will be extremely limited.

Small Insingo is out. Nice knife, well liked, but it is basically the knife I have.

So I am down to Large 21 (PJ silver) or Small Inkosi (PJ silver).

I see a possible future with S/L Sebenza and S/L Inkosi, so I am not going to fret much when narrowing down these two. I can also see myself continuing to EDC my small 21 through the work week (it is a perfect knife), and flipping to a large 21 or large Inkosi on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

In every scenario, there is a large 21 in my future, so that is how I am leaning for now.

 

Anarchy84 - that is the one! Call me crazy, but the blue anodizing always turned me off, but I love the silver.

Currently out of stock on the large 21, but I am going to try wait it out. If the money starts burning a hole in my paypal pocket, then I will pull the trigger on the Inkosi. I think it is a win win.

 

Well, some funds freed up last night, and the money burned its way right through....

Small Inkosi is on order.

I will try to do a little comparison thread once I've had some time with the Inkosi.

Thanks for all the input

 

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I have liberated the Small Inkosi from its packaging.

While looking superficially similar to my Small Sebenza, IMO, these are very different knives.

I am loving the smooth and intuitive action, and lock up is equally perfect to the Sebenza.

I'll follow up after I carry this thing for a while, but I predict that it will be a keeper.