Talk me into a CRK

dbla

dbla

Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
1,056
Hey guys,

I've posted a couple other places with this same question, but I am looking to make a knife purchase having sold off some firearm stuff I have a little fun money to toss around. I've consider Strider, I've considered ZT's, and I've longingly considered Hinderers... I'm a fan of the slightly more "tactical" folders... not to exclusion of the more gentlemanly, but it's how my interests trend. (I just got a DDR GunHammer).

I am considering a CRK Large Sebbie, or a Umun... From everything I can tell as a knife collector I need at least one CRK in my collection, this maybe the time to add that to the fold... The biggest snafoo and why I haven't bought a Strider already is that I am a lefty, and I don't like the idea of spending that much coin on a knife that doesn't "fit" me. Something that REALLY attracts me to the CRK line is that they make a lefty version tailored to my needs...My only other thought was to spread my money out across a number of high end, high production knives (ZT, Benchmade, etc...) as opposed to one grail knife if that makes sense....

But now I wanna hear what you CRKers have to say! Do you really hear colors and taste sounds the first time that CRK knife touches your palm and you gingerly flick the blade out? Do the heavens open wide and proclaim all that's good comes from Idaho when you pick up the box for the first time??

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!
 
The first time I held a CRK I honestly wasn't impressed. You really have to use and take apart a Sebenza in order to fully appreciate the knife. It's been almost two years since I put a CRK in my pocket, and I can honestly say I still look at the knife in awe each time I pull it out. There is one thing I do hate about being a CRK owner...since buying one, I seem to notice the flaws in my other brands more. My standards have definetly been warped!
 
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calypso699 said:
The first time I held a CRK I honestly wasn't impressed. You really have to use and take apart a Sebenza in order to fully appreciate the knife. It's been almost two years since I put a CRK in my pocket, and I can honestly say I still look at the knife in awe each time I pull it out. There is one thing I do hate about being a CRK owner...since buying one, I seem to notice the the flaws in my other brands more. My standards have definetly been warped!
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's kinda what I am afraid of...
 
I had been eyeing the Sebenza fro a while, but had pretty much decided I wasn't going to buy one. Then I got a couple of knives that I had ordered and the fit and finish was a huge disappointment for me since they were kind of pricey (not Sebenza pricey, but still). So I said "screw this", returned them and ordered a small Sebenza instead. I'm very happy with it, but I don't think I'd be as happy if I hadn't been let down before.

My general preference is small folders leaning towards gentleman's folders. I might get a large sebenza too.
 
Get a plain Jane small Sebenza to get a taste of what you are getting yourself into. For me that led to a large Seb and then a Mnandi. I sold off my Striders (great but imperfect knives, and more knife than I need) and Spyderco knives (best bang for buck but they lack soul) and I don't miss them.
 
I was into more expensive knives for the most part before getting into CRK.

90% of those customs are gone now and the Sebenza has taken their place. Up to 5 and counting and I don't miss the others all that much.

I vote you buy a large with micarta inlays. Don't over think it when you get it. Use it and enjoy it. If you find it lacking after awhile, sell it here and get your money back.

My money is on you digging it though;)
 
Let me preface this by saying I'm a Chris Reeve knife enthusiast and collector, though I don't think you will like the Chris Reeve line. I only say this because in your post you state that you're a "fan of the slightly more "tactical" folders". For this reason alone, although you admit you don't mind the gentlemanly folders, I think you will be somewhat underwhelmed. I wouldn't be hurt if you prove me wrong, quite the contrary!

I guess the only way to know for certain is to buy then try. Buying on the secondary market then reselling will likely afford you the opportunity to take no loss on the trial.

I do agree with RR84 above that a large micarta would be the one to try.
 
^^^ Lisa speaks with wisdom.

I have a lefty large Sebenza with micarta inlays, it's a fantastic EDC folder. I'd not hesitate to buy another. It's not a tactical folder so may not be your cup of tea.

I've owned a lefty DDC Strider (didn't do anything for me). The Hinderer's are great knives, especially the slicers. But not being available as a lefty, I never felt 100% comfortable carrying them (I've owned three).
 
And you guys would all recommend that I get a large Sebbie instead of the Unaman (or however you spell it?)

-s
 
I carry this everyday. It's serves me well in any situation. Rock solid lock-up, no blade play in any direction, little over 3 1/2in blade what more could you ask for. Try it you''ll Like it.

IMG_1309.jpg
 
dbla said:
And you guys would all recommend that I get a large Sebbie instead of the Unaman (or however you spell it?)

-s
Click to expand...

Umnumzaan;)

Given your lean towards tactical that might be the one for you. I think your getting so many Sebenza recommendations because the Sebenza screams CRK:D
 
I had been just getting into knives again. I used to have a small cheap collection as a kid. I always carried a knife as an adult, but it was usually a cheap Wal-Mart Gerber or something like that. One day my little Gerber failed me and the pocket clip just fell off. I said screw this! I had to have a nicer knife. I bought a Benchmade. It was one of the red box ones as I couldn't imagine spending $200 on a pocket knife. From the minute I got it, even though it was a cheaper BM, it was worlds better than what I had. I thought if this was the difference between a $15 and a $60 knife, what would the $200 knives be like? So my Benchmade and Spyderco collection began.
I had gathered a small collection of nice Benchmades and was selling a fairly pricey HK P7M8 (4 years ago or so) and expressed interest in knives as partial trade. A guy came to my house to look it over and had a bag full of Busse and CRK knives. Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the large and small Dog Paw or micarta Sebenzas. I wasn't going to trade one of my beloved guns for a few knives. I ended up trading it + cash for a Busse AD because I really wanted a small fixed blade for my BOB.
I fought the CRK thing for a while longer.
Then I got a large insingo at a pretty good deal on the forum. It was certainly the nicest knife I owned and knew I was hooked (now wishing I would have gotten one or two of the dog paws)!
Fast forward...I have 3 Umnumzaans, a small insingo, still have the large, a large 21 on the way, and a few fixed blade CRK. I met Tim at Blade last year (Reeve's son) and he was very helpful and genuine. I have gone through hundreds of dollars worth of Benchmades and spydercos. Probably thousands. I now have one benchmade (the first cheap one I bought) and one spyderco (Sage II). Do I still like BM and Spyderco? Of course and there are a few models I still want to try or get back. But I am hooked on the CRK line and can't see ever going back.
Sorry for such a long story! Everyone is different and you may or may not like them as everyone else does, but there is no way you can argue with the simplistic quality when you get one and use it.

OH and PS: Go for the Umnumzaan if you want more tactical.
 
dbla said:
And you guys would all recommend that I get a large Sebbie instead of the Unaman (or however you spell it?)
s
Click to expand...

From sales threads that I've followed on the used marketplace, it seems that the large Sebbies, especially ones with micarta inlays, tend to hold their value.
 
Thanks guys. I am like 80% sure I'm getting the Umnumzaan, we'll see if I pull the trigger by the end of day....
 
I agree that the Umnumzaan would be the better choice based on your preference for "tactical" knives. I would recommend that you specifically look at the Wilson Startac Umnumzaan. That would be the one I would get if I were you.
Edit: Just looked and it is not currently available as left handed.
 
I think it's worth pointing out that I like tactical to a point...I don't consider myself a "sheepdog" or am constantly weighing an evaluating my POU.... I tend to just like a substantial knife, however I will say that I recently bought a Cold Steel AK47....and felt like it was ridiculous, traded it for a First Production Benchmade Stryker (not a bad deal...) but I think I am coming more into the mindset that my day to day really only needs a medium use, folding knife whatever that might be... When I wanna get super tacticool I can whip out my HTM Gunhammer and flip the flipper a few times... :emot-yarr:

I appreciate find craftsmanship... but also appreciate the feel of a substantial knife in the hand...if that makes sense? But I don't need night sights on my pocket folder ;-)
 
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