Seeking advice

VermontEdge

VermontEdge

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Messages
1,144
Hey everyone. Long one lurker of the CRK sub forum but I'm still sebenza-less.

Had a conversation with my wife last night and she said that it's finally time that I sell some knives to go toward a sebenza. I'll need to sell three knives that I like but don't really carry.

However, as I sat down last night to place my order something held me back. Partly it was the price and knowing that I'd be selling other knives to help fund the purchase. Not that I'm new to selling knives but the thought of turning three into one was a little hard for me to accept.

Besides that, I found myself absolutely paralyzed by choice. Small or large? Regular or insingo? Inkosi or 21? What about carbon fiber from Knife Art?

I have and love a spyderco slysz Bowie and spydiechef so I was thinking maybe a small because I already have two larger ti frame locks. But then I was thinking maybe a small would be too small?

I know I'm not really asking any direct questions. I guess I was just hoping that all of you might lend me a little encouragement about what for me is a big moment. Also, if anyone has any thoughts about size or configuration of a first CRK I'd really appreciate it.

Also, I'm headed on vacation a week from tomorrow so I'd love to make a decision quickly enough that I can take it with me!

Thanks!


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I'm already feeling like that first post was too rambling and not specific enough. Let me see if I can paraphrase:

I'm confused because looking at pictures a large CRK seems way to large but a small seems borderline too small.

Being that I have two larger ti frame locks that I really like I'm thinking maybe a small might be the best move?

This would be an edc item used for typical edc tasks. Opening boxes, opening the mail, maybe on a picnic slicing cheese and apples. And I guess whatever else a day throws at me.

Other questions:
Regular or insingo blade
Sebenza 21 or insingo

Please help! And thank you in advance.


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I'll probably get hated on for this but my advise is keep the three knives you like and skip the sebenza altogether. I was in your shoes and lusted after a sebenza to the point that I finally bought one. Although it was a nice knife I was underwhelmed by it and ended up selling it. I was a tool and die maker for almost 20 years, so I understand what it takes to make precision parts and was willing to pay the price for that. When I finally got my sebenza I will admit it was a good solid knife with nice fit and finish but it did not shine or stand out over other knives that I own that are half the price. I think you could find a very nice custom for what a CRK will cost you. Check out Carothers Performance Knives in their sub-forum. Nathan is in the process of designing and producing a folder to add to his portfolio and his work is amazing. I believe CRK marketing is their real strong point.
 
I'm already feeling like that first post was too rambling and not specific enough. Let me see if I can paraphrase:

I'm confused because looking at pictures a large CRK seems way to large but a small seems borderline too small.

Being that I have two larger ti frame locks that I really like I'm thinking maybe a small might be the best move?

This would be an edc item used for typical edc tasks. Opening boxes, opening the mail, maybe on a picnic slicing cheese and apples. And I guess whatever else a day throws at me.

Other questions:
Regular or insingo blade
Sebenza 21 or insingo

Please help! And thank you in advance.


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This has been discussed to death all over the www.

If you have med or med/small hands I'd go for small for sure. Med/large hands is bit of a tweener. Large hands, large Sebenza for sure.

The other options, again discussed to death and back, is pure preferrence if you ask me.

I went with plane small 21 and don't regret that one bit, fantastic pocketknife.
 
Hey VE! I find the large Sebenza comparable to the Slysz Bowie. The large is longer than the Bowie but thinner, so it kind of balances the overall sizes.

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I got my Sebenza on Tuesday and in order for me to justify it I sold five knives. I have medium/large hands and since I picked up and sold within hours last month a small 21 I knew a small was just to small for me heck I had bigger slip joints than the small. I bought a KA large 21 Insingo, it's a nice knife whose only flaw was it was about as sharp as my finger nail. I don't like small knives all that much but the large is smaller both in hand and look than my Endura and TR-4 the large just isn't all that large IMHO.


I would not recommend talking yourself out of it, I did more than a few times but I always came back to wanting it si I finally just sucked it up and did it.
 
So knowing that you already carry larger knives, especially the Slyze, I would oppose your midset of "I already have a few larges, let's try a small." If you are already used to carrying a large, I think you are going to be happier with a Large Benz. Now of coarse this means more money then a small. If I were in your shoes, and I was not too long ago, I would simply get a plain jane Large Inkosi. This will require the least investment and proudly shows off most all of CRKs features of it's long traditioned Benz line. I can not overstate enough how large of a difference the changes to the Inkosi over the Benz make it a flat out smoother knife.

To your other concern in 3 for 1, if you had 3 Kershaw Leaks and somebody offered to trade you a Slyze for those three would you do it?

So my recommendation is to read as much as you can between the similarities and differences between the Benz and the Inkosi, buy a plane jane and get in for as cheap as you can. Even if you decide to only keep 1 and want a different inlay/material design...etc. You're going to get 90-95% back on what you paid originally for the knife. The opening the box hit in value is significantly less then most other knives on the market today and that is a statement that plays out everyday on the trade forums if you just watch.

Of coarse I would also pick my first one up off of the trade forum if you want to get in even cheaper, but that's just me. I don't mind a used knife, while others do.
 
Ta2ude said:
I'll probably get hated on for this but my advise is keep the three knives you like and skip the sebenza altogether. I was in your shoes and lusted after a sebenza to the point that I finally bought one. Although it was a nice knife I was underwhelmed by it and ended up selling it. I was a tool and die maker for almost 20 years, so I understand what it takes to make precision parts and was willing to pay the price for that. When I finally got my sebenza I will admit it was a good solid knife with nice fit and finish but it did not shine or stand out over other knives that I own that are half the price. I think you could find a very nice custom for what a CRK will cost you. Check out Carothers Performance Knives in their sub-forum. Nathan is in the process of designing and producing a folder to add to his portfolio and his work is amazing. I believe CRK marketing is their real strong point.
Click to expand...

If you want an infraction, this is how you are going to get one.

Have an opinion? Fine...but don't come here to troll the denizens. Your experience and likes are not the majority..Do this again, and I WILL infract you for trolling
 
The small will do 90% (not scientifically deduced) of all chores. The large can handle almost all if not all chores designed for a knife. I find the small to be a great EDC and handles everything that comes up in my normal day. If heading to the woods I would take the large. It really comes down to the type of chores you will normal need your knife for. A small opens a box just fine, but won't be as good for a long or strong cut.
Inlays will fill the hand a bit more than Plain Seb.-micarta are excellent
I would start with Clip point Sebenza. If only buying one the large probably makes more sense, unless you will be predominantly using it in an office setting-in that case the small may work better, or just like smaller knives(I do).

Of course it would be best if you could find a store to get some hands on experience with the different knives. It's not an easy decision, but we all made it at one time. In the end make your best judgment of what will work for you and jump.
 
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Look at the specs on the small, see if your other knives are comparable to that size, then you'll know if it will be too small.
If you like carbon fiber, get the KA CF Sebenza, or BladeHQ has carbon fiber inlays. The best of both worlds :)
I'd also opt for the drop point over the insigno blade just because I have more drop points and am used to them.
If it doesn't need to be brand new, buy used. But, there's nothing like that new knife smell.
 
Even though I've carried a Small Sebenza far more often than a Large over the years, the Large carries quite well for its size, IMO. I generally prefer the more compact size of a Small for true EDC, as it just feels right to me. I have medium to large hands and both fit my hands fine. I've never felt under-knifed with a Small, but have been in certain situations when the Large felt like a bit much.

Another knife worthy of consideration in the CRK lineup is the Ti-Lock, as it's a better size than either the Small or Large, IMO. Admittedly, it's probably the last knife most think of when someone says "Chris Reeve Knives", though.

Sorry for making the waters more muddy!
 
Great points made by alot of people already and I think it boils down to what size knife you like to carry. I like smaller knives (3" blade and 7"overall) so the small 21 is perfect for me. I went insingo blade with micarta inlays and I love the way it feels in hand and the way it slices. One thing I would like to add that was something I thought about when I bought mines was, was I going to really use a $300+ knife for stuff my cheaper knives could do? My answer has been yes! If your comfortable with using it then I suggest going balls out a getting the one you want, no matter the price. I love my insingo inlays and would have been kicking myself for not going for the one I want.
 
For me, the biggest issue isn't size ... but all the options. Do you want a Sebenza 21, 25, Inkosi, or Umnumzaan?

On some level, they appear to be pretty much all the same. But when you spend some time with them, you see there are subtle differences that add up to a very different feel.

I was never able to bond with my Large Sebenza 21. The way you need to push "out" on the thumb stud (instead of pushing "up" as with most studded blades) was something I could never get used to. The small, pointy stud never felt good to me. There was a certain stiffness to the action that never smoothed out. And the big, flat scales felt a little "unfinished" to me. Overall, it just left me a little cold.

Then I picked up an Umnumzaan. Ergonomically, everything feels right. The thickness and shape of the scales feels perfect. The action feels significantly smoother. The dual studs feel great (to me) and work the "right" way (IMNSHO). The milled grooves in the scales break the monotony, especially on the Wilson Star Tac version I've got. I instantly fell in love with it.

Without handling them, you can't really make a choice.
 
As to your other question about consolidating three good knives into one great one: do it and don't look back.

Life's too short and, hey...you can only use one knife at a time, right? The rest are just expensive drawer clutter.
 
Large... Plain Jane... Drop point... Sebenza 21. IMO this should be everyone's first CRK. When you fall in love with the simplicity and usability you can opt and go through all the variations based on wants/desires and needs.
 
I recently bought my first and went through this same decision. First, I would say if you are fine with a larger knife than get a larger one. I own 5 small CRKs and one large one (the first one I bought) and I still think the best one for the money (at retail) is the large plain titanium sebenza. Mine is insingo but you can pick the one you want and will be happy. If you are really having a hard time making a decision then go with your gut but pick it up off the exchange, BEFORE you sell your three knives if you can. This way if you don't like it you can probably get out for just PP fees and shipping. I will say this, while I love my CRKs there is a diminishing return. A CRK is not necessarily twice as good as a knife that costs half the price.
 
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I'm also consolidating some of my lower priced knives into more expensive pieces that I will enjoy and use more. I prefer quality and uniqueness over quantity at this point. I have large hands and recently got the large insingo micarta. Couldn't be happier with it. I find the blade shape incredibly useful. It's my favorite knife hands down.
 
I understand the financial implications that you are explaining. But other than stated from that guy at #3, the strong point with CRK is not marketing (although they are not doing that bad), but delivering true value for the money.

The combination of a small product range, carefully driven by innovations over the years, strict price control within their dealership, great production quality and outstandig customer service is a package you will hardly find anywhere else. It doesn't help if a list price for a knife is set at 600 $, then street price is 300 $ and once you opened the box a value of 200 $ is left, as this reflects what people are willing to pay for such "high end knife" in case you want to sell it later on. A Sebenza will always maintain a good price level to be achieveable if you are going to sell it one day. So risk of "burning money" even if the Sebenza is not for you, is limited compared to other brands.
 
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