The kinda unspecified CRK talk thread.

Question for y'all. I've been packing both a large 31 DP and a random Hinderer for the last couple weeks to see which one I tend to reach for when needed. It turns out that I usually reach for the 31. It's a wonderful slicer. The pointy tip is very useful as well. I've never carried a knife with such a sharp point and didn't know how important it is for opening bags and such.

However, I do miss having a false edge for scraping and abusing. Am I right in thinking my next purchase should be an Umnum? It looks like it would give me the hollow grind for slicing, a pointy tip for piercing, and a false edge for abusing. Is that so?

For a couple of years, a small Insingo was my pocket pal. It was great, but now I want a pointy tip too.
 
If you're looking for scraping/abusing, perhaps a tanto would work there. It would be a real edge, but a strong one. My large tanto Inkosi seems to slice very well. Where the two edges meet is almost like a super-sharp belly.
53219693983_7dce6ebb20_b.jpg
 
TimButterfield said:
If you're looking for scraping/abusing, perhaps a tanto would work there. It would be a real edge, but a strong one. My large tanto Inkosi seems to slice very well. Where the two edges meet is almost like a super-sharp belly.
53219693983_7dce6ebb20_b.jpg
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The only tanto I've ever owned is an old Regular Nica, but it's never been used. Still has the factory edge on it and is the only CRK I own that I haven't sharpened. It's sorta valuable these days so I'm afraid to try it out. May be I'll give it some light duty to audition the blade shape.

Tantos are certainly easy to find new. Are the blades on the Inkosi and Umnum as "slicy" as the DP 31? Thicker behind the edges?
 
Here is a comparison of blades between my large Sebenza insingo and my large Inkosi tanto. The Inkosi has a thicker blade overall, including much heavier jimping, and that thickness runs nearly to the end where the tanto edge starts making that even stronger.
53236547679_6df8f1c92e_b.jpg

Edit: Just looking at this image, it seems the frame is thicker on the Inkosi also. See the area next to the jimping; seems bigger on the Inkosi. It's just a bit beefier knife than the Sebenza.

And, since I already have it, here is a side view comparison.
53219693933_8065cc1041_b.jpg
 
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Blues said:
A better comparison would be a 31 tanto to a zaan tanto or Inkosi tanto as the blade profiles (above) are significantly different. Unfortunately, I only have one and cannot offer comparison shots.
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For sure. I've got a zaan tanto coming but, unfortunately, it's not in hand yet to make that photo. Maybe someone else already has that pairing. Makes me curious as to how that will be. 🤔 :p
 
Ajack60 said:
I’ve tried several others but migrate back with the grease provided by CRK. Haven’t noticed a difference in any of them. What I have learned is that you can put too much which will make the knife feel wonky.
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I always use the CRK's lube.
 
jacobconroy75 said:
Question for y'all. I've been packing both a large 31 DP and a random Hinderer for the last couple weeks to see which one I tend to reach for when needed. It turns out that I usually reach for the 31. It's a wonderful slicer. The pointy tip is very useful as well. I've never carried a knife with such a sharp point and didn't know how important it is for opening bags and such.

However, I do miss having a false edge for scraping and abusing. Am I right in thinking my next purchase should be an Umnum? It looks like it would give me the hollow grind for slicing, a pointy tip for piercing, and a false edge for abusing. Is that so?

For a couple of years, a small Insingo was my pocket pal. It was great, but now I want a pointy tip too.
Click to expand...
Yes, Yes you are!
 
jacobconroy75 said:
Thanks. I keep coming back to the Umnum. If I could only find one.

I guess CRK doesn't do a run of these very often? I tend to avoid buying used knives. Might have to in this case.
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If something doesn’t work out with Kettleman, keep an eye on the exchange - they’re always showing up there.
 
Or, you can sign up for inventory notification from some vendors. I did that with several vendors. That was how I came to order my magnacut zaan tanto from KSF. I received the email and immediately placed the order. I had originally intended to get the drop point version, but grabbed the tanto while I had the chance.
 
jacobconroy75 said:
And you are! That's the best one right there, second only to the old Annuals IMO.

Very nice! That one doesn't even look to have any bluing missing on the stud.
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It’s in exceptional shape, even better than I thought when I bought it.
 
mrknife said:
neat! congrats on that, saw another one of those oldies but goodies the other day but seems to have moved on, was wondering if you had claimed it
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If I hadn’t been on the trail of this one I sure would have.
 
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