Started with an Insingo, now I'm here. What's next?

wisemenofgotham

wisemenofgotham

Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
78
Hello,

I'm new here and just purchased a Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 21 Insingo, 2016 build date. I normally EDC my Leatherman Skeletool CX with a 154cm blade and it's worked great for me with the blade and multitools. I was looking for one life-long user knife for home/outdoors and came across this forum, as well as Chris Reeve. I'm in the "buy once, cry once" camp and figured I'd go with a classic, although I prefer the insingo blade shape. After speaking with Customer Service a few times, as well as reading on this forum, I hope I made a good choice.

The funny thing is now, I'm already thinking about my next CRK, either an Inkosi or Umnumzaan to try the different style action, or another Sebenza with Micarta inlays (small or large). I'm open to all opinions and look forward to learning more from the forum.

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Great choice!

As for your next, I really like the Inkosi..or the Umnumzaan..or the Sebenza 21 with Micarta inlays..

Wait..who am I kidding? You can't go wrong with any of those choices.

Welcome to Bladeforums and congrats! Nice looking Insingo!
 
Thank you! Knowing myself, this year can get pretty expensive by picking up all three options :) Hopefully, one option will stand out in the future, or combine it all in a large Inkosi with an Insingo blade and Micarta inlays.
 
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HAR! As Joe Ambercrombie notes in his marvelous The First Law trilogy, "You can never have too many knives." Can't go wrong with a 21, IMHO.
 
Excellent choice. The 21 Insingo is as good as it gets for me. I have other CRK's, but the Insingos are my favorite. :thumbup:

Edit: The Inkosi is quickly gaining approval among us... it might be a good choice for your next one. I know it's on my radar for sure... :)
 
Bought my first about a month ago. Now I'm up to 3. Every CRK sounds like a good option so enjoy. Just picked a small with micarta and really like it. But I like my non-inlayed ones too.
 
I'm in the same boat. My first was a small plain 21 last month. Got it and knew I wanted to have 2 CRKs. Grabbed a large 21, but ended up selling both. I can't seem to hang on to a blade with stock thickness greater than 3/32". On a whim one day last week I decided to buy an Mnandi, and the day after it arrived I decided to buy a second, which will be here next week. I have thoughts of getting a 3rd, a Spalted Beech, as the first is Macassar Ebony, second will be Bocote, and so I thought getting a blonde would be essential to go with the brunette and redhead. Time will tell if that will happen...

I can say that the small is a very different knife in hand than the large, and were I to own another 21, it'd be another small. I think most of the folks here would encourage us both to buy as many as we can. I hope you love it!
 
My original idea for a first EDC CRK was a small Sebenza 21 Insingo with Micarta inlays. However, I get so much use from my Leatherman Skeletool CX multitool that it's staying as my EDC, especially since the 2.6" 154cm is working well for my daily work tasks. I do hope to experience a small in the future, just to give it a try. Currently, I'm thinking the Inkosi is the newest tech so that might be worth a shot whenever it's released with an Insingo blade.
 
Lovely knife. I vote small Inkosi for your next. A small Inkosi and a Large 21 is about as perfect of a "two-knife" combo as I can think of.
 
I'd go for another 21 with double lugs with regular Sebenza blade and Micarta inlays...probably a small 21...

You'll get the same CRK hydraulically smooth deployment you've enjoyed on your Large, and you may enjoy the upgraded <IMHO> ergonomics the inlays provide.

The Micarta itself looks good in a utilitarian sort of way-- it takes a nice hand-oil patina, and the "feel" of Micarta is quite pleasing to most folks' fingers.

In addition, you'll get to try a different blade shape and a different size at the same time.

Our members here with more "scientific" leanings may say I'm manipulating too many variables at once, but at least you'll have fun experimenting! Keep us updated on your choice! :)
 
Been playing with folding knives since the mid-'90s and finally bought my first Sebenza this year. Mine is also a large Insingo, but I found one with carbon fiber scale.

Personally, I was disappointed in the sharpness. For years, I've been reading about the Sebenza's "appleseed grind" that cuts like a laser. My knife was really quite dull. Like can barely slice paper dull. This seems to be common with recent CRK knives.

More disappointingly, the the action was far from smooth. Everyone raves about the "glassy smoothness" of Sebenzas. Mine needs huge pressure (against a tiny and pointy thumbstud) to open.

I'll have to give it a good sharpening and hope that the action eventually smoothies out...but it's been a big disappointment considering the high cost for such a basic blade.
 
If youre like me, that plain jane will soon enough be sold after you taste what Micarta and/or Carbon fiber feels like in hand.

Then you'll be torn on blade shape.

Then you'll decide you want your favorite scales in each blade shape

Then you'll realize thats just silly and you'll sell off some to buy each different scale offering

Then you'll realize thats silly and sell something to buy a Regular

Then you'll miss previously sold knives and look for "USERS" to justify re-purchasing blades

Then you'll realize your just plain f&%#^d...

WELCOME TO THE PARTY!!!! :D
 
DGI said:
If youre like me, that plain jane will soon enough be sold after you taste what Micarta and/or Carbon fiber feels like in hand.

Then you'll be torn on blade shape.

Then you'll decide you want your favorite scales in each blade shape

Then you'll realize thats just silly and you'll sell off some to buy each different scale offering

Then you'll realize thats silly and sell something to buy a Regular

Then you'll miss previously sold knives and look for "USERS" to justify re-purchasing blades

Then you'll realize your just plain f&%#^d...

WELCOME TO THE PARTY!!!! :D
Click to expand...

This is a near perfect summary of "The CRK EXPERIENCE"....so true, so true...hahaha

...one good thing, since CRK hold their value so well, the experience "tax" is pretty reasonable...at least I've convinced the little lady it's cheaper than bourbon & strippers! ;)
 
Haha hopefully that won't be the case.

And... it's here! First impressions- the slimness makes it a easy option for carry. While I can appreciate that most would want to carry a small, the larger size makes me feel like it's ready to be a a true user for any task at hand. There is something "timeless" about the plain titanium and non-marked blade.

My guess is that a small Sebenza or Inkosi would be a similar size to my Skeletool CX (2.6" blade, 4" length). However, I use the other tools daily so it will remain my pocket EDC. With that being said, I don't mind carrying another knife in my bag. From the suggestions here, I think a small Inkosi or a Sebenza with Micarta Inlays might be the next one. Or a Starbenza. Or Large Inkosi. Carbon fiber? Umnumzaan? I give up, the sickness is real.
 
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Lone_Wolfe said:
Does one of us need to show you your future? ;) :D
Click to expand...

I've already accepted defeat. While this thread is asking about what's next, I'm already plotting how to swing 3-5 CRKs. That way, it's a "rotation" and not a "collection" haha. Just a matter of what to buy.
 
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