Small Insingo: Carbon Fiber or Micarta Inlay?

S

sldk

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Aug 12, 2015
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My next CRK will be a small Insingo, however I'm torn between the carbon fiber version from KA, and the micarta inlay. I initially had my heart set on the micarta inlay, but as I've looked at the carbon fiber version, I'm leaning more that way now. Any major pros/cons for either?

On the off chance that anyone has both, which do you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance. :)
 
Not what you wanted to know.

I bought a very light use ti small Insingo for $75 less than retail. $175 less than retail price for micarta.

I have a micarta large 21 that I really like in hand. I'd go with micarta over cf or spend a lot less for a ti Insingo.
 
You'll end up with both anyway [emoji6].
I have both and find myself carrying the Micarta much more. The small really benefits from the inlays for a better grip.
Don't get me wrong I love my CF CRK's but the small Micarta is my favorite small.
 
micarta feels better in the hand when it comes to the small size. Just my opinion. I wear size m-L gloves.
 
I'm sure this sounds ridiculous, but I don't like the look of the CF inlays quite as much as either micarta inlays or solid CF. I won't rule it out though, if I can find one in stock.
 
I have a small Insingo with carbon fiber scale and just got a small Micarta inlay Drop Point and must say I like the Micarta a lot more. The carbon fiber is great and looks cool but the weight difference - as it feels in my hand and in my pocket - is so minimal that I would say there is no practical benefit to it, it is just aesthetic IMO.

The micarta inlays on the other hand are noticably grippy and the added bulk makes it feel much better in hand than the small carbon fiber.

While I haven't had a chance to handle a large 21 with carbon fiber scale I can infer that it would be a more noticeable weight difference.

If I could have only one CRK it would be the small 21 with micarta inlays.
 
wtlj said:
You'll end up with both anyway [emoji6].
I have both and find myself carrying the Micarta much more. The small really benefits from the inlays for a better grip.
Don't get me wrong I love my CF CRK's but the small Micarta is my favorite small.
Click to expand...

What he said...

I started off with the Small Carbon Insingo, then ended up getting both a Micarta and Plane Jane Ti. :D
 
sldk said:
I'm sure this sounds ridiculous, but I don't like the look of the CF inlays quite as much as either micarta inlays or solid CF. I won't rule it out though, if I can find one in stock.
Click to expand...

Probably get whichever first as you definitely will get both anyway... I mean.. CF and Micarta are definitely winners...

Here's my KA Insingo.. :)

fBKTIdEl.jpg
 
Thanks everyone. I'm going to go handle a small micarta after work. If I really love the grip, I'll go with that. Thanks again!
 
I have one of each and they are both nice and fill different rolls. If i had to choose just one, i'd go with the micarta. The CF is much lighter which is nice if you wearing lightweight pants or shorts. I agree with earlier posts that you'll probably end up with both in the long run. Consider this... If you choose one and don't like it you can sell it and then try the other. My collection is constantly evolving, selling some to try others. It's part of the sickness.
 
It's a pretty personal thing, I think, but after trying both, I stuck with the CF Insingo. I preferred mine lighter and thinner, though.
 
Ravenbrook said:
Where did you get this one from? She's purdy!!!! :-)
Click to expand...

It's a Blade HQ exclusive and yes they are good looking indeed. :thumbup:


To the OP if you have slightly larger hands the micarta is a little more hand filling and just provides that extra traction as well. It's just pretty much a perfect utility carry knife in my opinion.

Let us know what you end up choosing…

Oh… and a pic just because …. ;)

 
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I prefer CF to micarta.
They are both variations of the plain (which is fantastic), but to me, the CF was more interesting than the micarta.
The significant weight difference that the CF provided was more interesting than the extra width and grip that the micarta inlays provided.

I don't think there are cons to either, and they provide just enough difference to justify multiple knives. Have fun deciding, and let us know which you pick in the end!

EDIT: I will add that my favorite variety is the burst pattern of the Wilson Combat Sebenzas. They go on sale direct from the provider often and are cheaper than either micarta or CF. I like the texture and think they look really nice.

Also, here are pictures of the three, because pictures are always nice:

f5lZoPml.jpg


bHm9aANl.jpg


LgYQ2VAl.jpg
 
sldk said:
My next CRK will be a small Insingo, however I'm torn between the carbon fiber version from KA, and the micarta inlay. I initially had my heart set on the micarta inlay, but as I've looked at the carbon fiber version, I'm leaning more that way now. Any major pros/cons for either?

On the off chance that anyone has both, which do you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance. :)
Click to expand...

I look at it this way assuming that its going to be a user.
CF Insingo : Lighter, slimmer profile, Aesthetics. Downside price.
Micarta Insingo : Grippy and cheaper. Downside would be a bit heavier than CF, lower cool rating.
Verdict : I would go for the micarta version, as a user I want the grip which this version could provide and its cheaper.

Ahh hell, get both :)
 
Whichever one is more aesthetically pleasing to you. I don't own the micarta version, got the others and they are fine knives.
I ordered the small c.f. inlay from blade hq and they sent me the insingo blade by mistake, couldn't bring myself to send it back.
Take care
 
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