Some thoughts on a Saturday night.

[kidcongo]

I was pondering why CRK can ownership become an “addiction”. It’s pretty common to see a new person here buy their first CRK, and then within a month or two, buy four more, then 10 more, etc.

What I think it is, is that with what SEEMS like so very few models available from CRK, we believe we can actually own one of each. Once you go down that road, you start to notice the subtle differences within each model, and your mind changes, and you now “need” an inlay Sebenza, then you need an Insingo for Food prep, then you get your first Damascus for weddings, and so on. Next thing you know, you own 20 CRKs. My favourite is when right-handed people “need” a lefty for the other pocket.

My CRK collection is far from complete, but it’s much larger than I would ever imagine it would be starting out. I was going to buy only one Sebenza! Now I own 12 or something.

Considering a brand like Spyderco, which I also like, I don’t have the same urge to own one of every model, as I know I could never achieve that. Spyderco comes out with dozens and dozens of models each year, and hundreds of new variations of existing models, so the idea of having a complete Spyderco collection is so far-fetched, my brain rejects the idea of a complete Spyderco collection before the thought is even formulated.

With CRK, especially at the beginning, I figured I could complete my collection with the CRK knives I “needed”. Now I realize that it is kinda like a “bait and switch”. CRK slyly only seems to have a few models they offer.......but once you get that first one......there is no hope for you.

Anyways......just some thoughts. Hope everyone out there is having a decent Saturday night in these strange and troubled times.




Pic of the knife I “needed” to cut this pear.

 

[Ragsdale]

I agree completely! I said it when I got back into collecting and carrying CRK’s again. I’ve owned a lot of knives from 3 dollar kissing crane slip joints to mayo’s and such. All I own now are CRK’s, one Emerson (it was a gift from a good buddy) and three customs, and I’m always looking for the CRK I ”need”

 

[Jsega51]

Had a small 21 and never warmed up to it, got a large 31 which I love and that lead me to play catch up and buy 5 large 21’s. I also now own 2 Nayalas. Damn rabbit hole.

I’ll be waiting for another 31 to catch my eye in the future. Gonna prob be wood inlay and damascus

 

[Ajack60]

It wasn’t until I actually started using a CRK, that I understood that they work for me. I’ve never thought of CRK having the perfect knife, but they’re perfect for me. It’s the first expensive knife I owned and the first time I took it apart and reassembled, it went back together without me feeling like an idiot. They bring a smile to my face, I’m not intimidated whether they’ll hold up under the jobs I put them through. I appreciate CRK’s customer service.
And yes, the different offerings of the same knife is a temptation that is easily given into. I mean, the insingo is so well discussed, how could you not want one. The tanto is just sexy, the Wilson Combat speaks for itself. The Damascus is just stunning and it just keeps going.

 

[Cowboyfromhell666]

I just picked up my 3rd CRK- a LG inkosi insingo w/black micarta and double silver lugs. I will agree with these fine folks above. You can't have just one, it's inevitable. My next will be a mnandi...been thinking about trading my small inkosi for one...Will see.

 

[Bobby Dylberg]

I was pondering why CRK can ownership become an “addiction”. It’s pretty common to see a new person here buy their first CRK, and then within a month or two, buy four more, then 10 more, etc.

Really enjoyed your post. I'm new to CRK and pocket knives but have been a collector of other things so I get the psychology. Trying very hard right now to stay on the "if I buy it I'll use it" end of the things and keep the "fill the void and collect all variations" impulse to a minimum. Probably a lost cause but we'll see. Anyway, as a noob, here's what I like about CRK - I have small Sebenza and small Inkosi btw:
- It's a high quality product. It feels great in the hand. It works. It's built to be used as a tool but is also a really satisfying object. It will last a lifetime if taken care of.
- I can break it down and reassemble and understand exactly how it all works. This is fun.
- If you are slightly patient you can actually buy the product. As opposed to, say, Rolex, if anyone follows that lunacy.
- The company is here to stay. They will always support their product, you will always find parts. The brand and branding are solid.
- The product line is simple and understandable. There are some collectors' items, but they are not following the Instagram-driven hype machine and sprint run craziness of other companies in the space.
- They have a dedicated and passionate user base not afraid to share advice and opinions!
- Made in the USA, sorry, Idaho. ;-)

 

[XL883N]

It has nothing to do with CRK. You just chose knives and this specific brand to needlessly waste your money on buying multiples much like someone else was drawn to Spyderco...or that other guy who collects toy cars, or stamps, or coins.

One thing I have generally noticed about collectors who aim for complete collections or one of each is they often get board when that collection is complete, sell it off, and start again with something else. Thrill of the chase.

I have 15 CRKs and maybe 15 others but I don't see my knives as a collection and I'm not trying to achieve anything. I just buy knives I like, stick 1 or 2 in my pocket everyday, and grab one when need to cut something. They're just knives, nice knives, but just knives.

My Sunday afternoon thoughts.

 

[Evany]

I was content with one large Sebenza for more than a decade. Somehow I now have 4 21s, 1 Inkosi and a Nyala. I kind of miss just having one--you don't have to decide which one to put in your pocket each day. Problem is, I can't figure which one to keep as the one and only. So I guess I have to keep the ones I have or maybe buy more...

 

[TRfromMT]

I've had 3 CRK at the most at one time, and maybe 12 total pass through my hands. My interest in knives swings between fixed blades in carbon steel, and folders. I keep my knife spend limited to a few dollars I make from custom knife scales, so I don't tend to accumulate multiples of similar pieces.

So I recently (3-4 months ago?) got a L21 and a L31 at the same time to see for myself the differences. I really like them both but just this week sold the 31. One CRK is enough at the moment. My decision was based on the idea that in a couple years I'll get another L31, hopefully in s45VN and an insingo. I figure I can get L31's for the rest of my knife-pursuing life, but not so much the 21.

So my take on having several CRK is, "Yes! Absolutely a must." But only 1 or 2 at a time.

 

[dan35]

I am about to get a second CRK. I have a large Micarta Insingo 21. Considering a small 21 while they are still available new. The CGG models remain in stock at several dealers. Trying to decide which one. I do consider a small Inkosi as well. I know I don’t need it I just like that CRK feel.

Ordered a CGG small 21 chainmail.

 

[Jsega51]

I probably should have expounded on the basis for my recent CRK buying plunge. I have a pretty good size collection of handmade knives, all slipjoints, hand forged hunting knives, and Loveless pattern hunters, with a few bowies and others mixed in. Most of these knives share a pattern, a blade style, a certain blade steel, etc, because it’s what I really like.

With the amount of knives that have passed through my hands as my using and collecting progressed, I became much more appreciative of the work that it takes to make such a nice knife. With CRK, the knife parts are machine made but I can appreciate that they’re fit and finished by hand to achieve the product that they put out with pretty good attention to detail. With all of the variations out there, how can you not want more than one!

 

[tomsch]

My CRK collection is like an accordion. I end up buying more than I find myself actually using so I trim back down. I see the next CRK shiny object that I need to have and it continues going up from there. I do feel like I'm at a level now where I carry and use "most" of them but there are still a few that just hang around in my knife drawer. Right now I'm down to a small Sebenza 21 Insingo, large 21 Insingo, large inlay Inkosi, old style Mnandi, and have recently picked up the outgoing Nyala Insingos. I do tend to use the large Sebenza and Inkosi by far the most but the small 21 also sees some use when I just want to drop it in my pocket in the leather slip. The Mnandi really never sees use and I'm still not sure what I'm going to use the Nyala for but I just felt I needed one