Thinking about my 1st CRK purchase

B

Billyspey

Joined
Apr 3, 2013
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For a 1st timer what CRK would you recommend buy? What is important about the build date? I have seen CRK in very few stores but the price has scared me off but after being on this forum being changing my mind. HELP
 
I just bought my first and third CRK's this year.. If you are looking for something that you can work hard and not be too big to frighten people away when you take it out, a small sebenza is a great knife.. I started with a large 21 Insingo, realized it was kind of large to carry at work, bought a small uniwue graphic 21, which I carry at work now.. Then followed by a Mnandi just because =)

The small sebenza is just the right size to carry everyday and not be too big for "non-knife people"
 
Hi Billyspey. The basic Sebenza 21 would be ideal. You have the choice of sizes : large or small.

As for the build date. Each Sebenza comes with a card that tells you the model and the date of manufacture. Sort of a "birth certificate" if you will. Aside from that it's serves as a guarantee that you have an authentic CRK and not a counterfeit.

Price is a huge factor especially to a first time buyer, but I can guarantee you that you will not find another production knife or mid-tech knife with the same fit/finish and immaculate construction as a Sebenza. There are even some expensive custom knives that don't come close to a Sebenza. Chris Reeve puts out a lot of effort and attention to detail in the manufacturing of his knives which, in my opinion, justifies the cost.

[video=youtube;4QiEnhA3n0A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QiEnhA3n0A[/video]

[video=youtube;Nj6p8p6vfZQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6p8p6vfZQ[/video]
 
I'll toss some ideas out there:

If you're more of a traditional slipjoint or swiss army knife-type user, then the Mnandi is the perfect option.
If you're more used to carrying an Endura/Delica or Native Spyderco sized knife, then the small Sebenza is similar in size.
If you're more of a Paramilitary or CQC-8 Emerson sized knife then the large Sebenza seems similar in size to those.
If you're more of an XM-18 Hinderer or SMF Strider type user, then the Umnumzaan would be more in line for you.

This is just my idea and others may feel free to correct me.

At any rate, enjoy your fact finding mission and ultimately that 1st Chris Reeve knife purchase! :D
 
This.

lisantica said:
I'll toss some ideas out there:

If you're more of a traditional slipjoint or swiss army knife-type user, then the Mnandi is the perfect option.
If you're more used to carrying an Endura/Delica or Native Spyderco sized knife, then the small Sebenza is similar in size.
If you're more of a Paramilitary or CQC-8 Emerson sized knife then the large Sebenza seems similar in size to those.
If you're more of an XM-18 Hinderer or SMF Strider type user, then the Umnumzaan would be more in line for you.

This is just my idea and others may feel free to correct me.

At any rate, enjoy your fact finding mission and ultimately that 1st Chris Reeve knife purchase! :D
Click to expand...
 
lisantica said:
I'll toss some ideas out there:

If you're more of a traditional slipjoint or swiss army knife-type user, then the Mnandi is the perfect option.
If you're more used to carrying an Endura/Delica or Native Spyderco sized knife, then the small Sebenza is similar in size.
If you're more of a Paramilitary or CQC-8 Emerson sized knife then the large Sebenza seems similar in size to those.
If you're more of an XM-18 Hinderer or SMF Strider type user, then the Umnumzaan would be more in line for you.

This is just my idea and others may feel free to correct me.

At any rate, enjoy your fact finding mission and ultimately that 1st Chris Reeve knife purchase! :D
Click to expand...

Great Post Lisa :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Lisa's post is spot on! I will add that I find the knives in the three inch size very usable and convenient to carry. However, I have always found knives in the 3.5 inch size fit my hand better in actual use. And they are pretty easy to carry too. This is especially true with crk due to the straight and thin profile in the pocket. The 21 is great either large or small. If you do settle on wanting a large, the Sebenza 25 is amazing and very much worth a look.
 
In some ways I think you can throw darts for your first one, because you will want a second, and maybe third. My pocket knife sees most daily duty in food prep. I always have an apple or orange in my lunch, so look forward to cutting those up. For me the insingo is a better food prep blade, so if you have similar tasks think about that. I dont break down a lot of boxes, but I also find the drop point of the insingo better for cutting tape etc. My first CRK had inlays as I wanted something that had all the CRK features, but over time my tastes have gravitated to the plane jane. The feel of the precisely flat TI slabs, the thinner profile in pocket, and the functional appearance are things I now appreciate. Based on my experience, I would suggest a plane jane insingo either large or small. I have not owned a mnandi but I know thats a temporary condition!!
 
My first was a small Sebenza, kind of in the middle since I could not decide. I have since bought several mnandi and 2 zaans......and at least 20 variations of the small!! My favorite knife by far, and a great place to start in my opinion.:thumbup:
 
I bought a small first then as time when by I started to feel it was a little too small. I think it is important to decide what size you would like. My problem with the small (which I still love and won't sell) is that the handle is just a little smaller than the palm of my hand. Using Lisa's guide above as an example I do feel better with a Para 2 or CQC7 sized knife so I have ordered a large Micarta Insingo and think that won't be too big or too small it will be juussst right.

With that out of the way you might want to decide is to go with inlay or no inlay.
 
I bought the umnumzaan for my first. It is a big knife. It has very much grown on me though. It looks bigger than it feels in hand. If that makes any sense at all. I bought it because I liked the incorporation of the thumbstuds and polyurethane rings as stop pins. Plus the unsharpened swedge really does come in handy for opening packages and other things you dont want ripped through. The lock up is the most solid Ive ever had on a knife and I now understand why people rave about the quality of Chris Reeves knives. Id love to have a sebenza or a mnandi one day just to diversify my collection. I need to hold off for a while though...Im rambling i apologize.
 
Spot on

lisantica said:
I'll toss some ideas out there:

If you're more of a traditional slipjoint or swiss army knife-type user, then the Mnandi is the perfect option.
If you're more used to carrying an Endura/Delica or Native Spyderco sized knife, then the small Sebenza is similar in size.
If you're more of a Paramilitary or CQC-8 Emerson sized knife then the large Sebenza seems similar in size to those.
If you're more of an XM-18 Hinderer or SMF Strider type user, then the Umnumzaan would be more in line for you.

This is just my idea and others may feel free to correct me.

At any rate, enjoy your fact finding mission and ultimately that 1st Chris Reeve knife purchase! :D
Click to expand...
 
lisantica said:
I'll toss some ideas out there:

If you're more of a traditional slipjoint or swiss army knife-type user, then the Mnandi is the perfect option.
If you're more used to carrying an Endura/Delica or Native Spyderco sized knife, then the small Sebenza is similar in size.
If you're more of a Paramilitary or CQC-8 Emerson sized knife then the large Sebenza seems similar in size to those.
If you're more of an XM-18 Hinderer or SMF Strider type user, then the Umnumzaan would be more in line for you.

This is just my idea and others may feel free to correct me.

At any rate, enjoy your fact finding mission and ultimately that 1st Chris Reeve knife purchase! :D
Click to expand...

Just found out that I am the 4th one down :D ....spot on Lisantica.
 
lisantica said:
I'll toss some ideas out there:

If you're more of a traditional slipjoint or swiss army knife-type user, then the Mnandi is the perfect option.
If you're more used to carrying an Endura/Delica or Native Spyderco sized knife, then the small Sebenza is similar in size.
If you're more of a Paramilitary or CQC-8 Emerson sized knife then the large Sebenza seems similar in size to those.
If you're more of an XM-18 Hinderer or SMF Strider type user, then the Umnumzaan would be more in line for you.

This is just my idea and others may feel free to correct me.
Click to expand...

Did you just make this up???
You're like Yoda.
Such wisdom...
 
Thanks all for the support of my thoughts on CRKs.

I have owned most of the ones I compared the CRKs to at one time or another, wish I still had them in order to do a side-by-side photo shoot.
 
lisantica said:
Thanks all for the support of my thoughts on CRKs.

I have owned most of the ones I compared the CRKs to at one time or another, wish I still had them in order to do a side-by-side photo shoot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, seems like once you start buying CRK knives the others start evaporating...
 
Honestly can you go wrong with any of them? The Umnumzaan gives of more of a "tactical" look. Starting with a small or large sebenza is always a great way. Depends on your budget as to which version or design you want, but the small inlay is going to cost less than a large inlay if price is a matter.
 
Large and Small Sebenza is a very good pair. You can start with either.
CRK is very addictive. If you buy one and then will be followed by another...:) Sometimes because you want it and not because you need it.:D
 
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