Time for another CRK

[Recon-6]

Hello all,
I haven't posted in a while, but Ive been trying to keep up. I bought my first CR Sebenza 21 about 18 months ago, and it has been in pocket continuously. I have used this knife for everything from cleaning fish to slicing bread. I even field dressed my deer with it last fall. Aside from light sharpening and cleaning, it has been flawless and just as tight as the day I got it.

Well, I have a big birthday coming up so I decided to get my self the perfect gift. Another CRK. I love the basic simplicity of the sebenza, so I thought I'd go for an inlay 21. Then I looked at the Inkosi a little closer (with natural micarta). I have a few questions from those with experience with these two.

Has anyone had problems with the inlays getting loose or coming off? They just seem like a weak link for an edc.

Which would be more durable, sebenza or inkosi or are they equal? I know the inkosi is supposed to be more robust with a thicker blade and larger pivot, which would last the longest without a return to the factory?

Maybe silly questions, but trying to get all the feedback I can.

 

[socom1970]

I don't have an inkosi, so I can't speak for those.

The inlays are fine, no worries. They are a high tolerance fit using 3M VHB tape. Think of it like a chemical welding tape, kind of like epoxy resin. We use it at work. Amazing stuff. The inlays will not come off accidentally. And if they ever do, CRK will fix/replace them. :thumbup:

 

[Ajack60]

The inlays hold up very well. My micarta 25 has been dropped in mud, washed off several times and submerged in water. No issues with it yet.
You may notice a difference in smooth cutting between the 21 and Inkosi. That's due to blade thickness. Just depends how anal you are. I really haven't noticed a big difference between the cutting ability in the 21 and Inkosi.
If, after 18 months of using your 21, you have no need to send it in. I'd bet, it will be a long time before you'd have to send one in for service. Unless you just want to send it in for a spa treatment, mainly to reblast the Ti to make it look new again.
The micarta inlays are the only inlays that CRK will reblast. Go with what you know, and you know what a 21 will do.

 

[blanco112]

Like others said the inlays are fine. I think the tape is used to hold up windows in skyscrapers or something like that. I have both an inkosi (small) and a few sebenzas and I love both. Hard to say which would be the longest without going to the factory. You could own either without ever sending them back. I would agree the inkosi is the tougher of the two but the difference isn't big. The biggest consideration when getting an inkosi are the finger grooves. If they fit the knife is great.

 

[rabbivj]

+1 to the Chief. I just got one and it kicked my large 21 out of the pocket. I just have a plain one, but i love it.

 

[Recon-6]

Thank you all for the feedback. I've decided to stick to the sebenza 21 since I've been so enamored with it. I've been reassured with the inlay and in keeping with the simplicity, I'm going to go with wood. As of now, I'm leaning towards the bog oak. Some of the other wood offerings are stunning but I like the idea of an ancient piece of wood that is "in the early stages of fossilization". Kinda like me.

How many people carry their wood inlays for edc?

 

[T. Erdelyi]

The inlays hold up very well. My micarta 25 has been dropped in mud, washed off several times and submerged in water. No issues with it yet.
You may notice a difference in smooth cutting between the 21 and Inkosi. That's due to blade thickness. Just depends how anal you are. I really haven't noticed a big difference between the cutting ability in the 21 and Inkosi.
If, after 18 months of using your 21, you have no need to send it in. I'd bet, it will be a long time before you'd have to send one in for service. Unless you just want to send it in for a spa treatment, mainly to reblast the Ti to make it look new again.
The micarta inlays are the only inlays that CRK will reblast. Go with what you know, and you know what a 21 will do.

Very Sage advice, I just spent an hour looking for any video, post or comment anywhere someone mentions loose inlays and I couldn't find any. As far as I can recall I've never seen one but I do seem to recall hearing about one somewhere but after the last hour I'm leaning towards urban legend.

That's not to say you can't knock them out on purpose but you're gonna hafta to try and it will be evident to the CSS department. Also like Ajack60 said,

...Go with what you know.

. You won't get hurt.

 

[sph801]

I have a few Sebenzas and I have to say the small Inkosi is my favorite. I've never had an issue with any of the inlays. You can't go wrong with any CRK knife. Enjoy your purchase!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Officer's Match]

Hello all,
I haven't posted in a while, but Ive been trying to keep up. I bought my first CR Sebenza 21 about 18 months ago, and it has been in pocket continuously. I have used this knife for everything from cleaning fish to slicing bread. I even field dressed my deer with it last fall. Aside from light sharpening and cleaning, it has been flawless and just as tight as the day I got it.

Well, I have a big birthday coming up so I decided to get my self the perfect gift. Another CRK. I love the basic simplicity of the sebenza, so I thought I'd go for an inlay 21. Then I looked at the Inkosi a little closer (with natural micarta). I have a few questions from those with experience with these two.

Has anyone had problems with the inlays getting loose or coming off? They just seem like a weak link for an edc.

Which would be more durable, sebenza or inkosi or are they equal? I know the inkosi is supposed to be more robust with a thicker blade and larger pivot, which would last the longest without a return to the factory?

Maybe silly questions, but trying to get all the feedback I can.

I know your choice has been made to stay with the 21, and it is a great choice. That said, I believe the Inkosi line actually exceeds the Sebbie line in regards to the highlighted section of your OP above. I base this upon a lockface harder than the blade, pivot that can be adjusted to taste and theoretically for wear, and symmetrical oversized washers that cannot get inadvertently pinched as many of us have at some time done on a bushing pivot Sebenza (as much as I LOVE that setup).

 

[Recon-6]

I base this upon a lockface harder than the blade, pivot that can be adjusted to taste and theoretically for wear, and symmetrical oversized washers that cannot get inadvertently pinched as many of us have at some time done on a bushing pivot Sebenza (as much as I LOVE that setup).

Your not making it easy on me. I have both a Large Inkosi with natural micarta (love the look) and a beautiful cocobolo sebenza sitting in the shopping cart. I keep bouncing back and forth. I know I'm probably overthinking this but.....

Last question: do you notice much difference in the slicing characteristics between the Sebenza and the Inkosi? As far as the micarta, which I know is porous, will it stain with oils and blood?

 

[blanco112]

Last question: do you notice much difference in the slicing characteristics between the Sebenza and the Inkosi? As far as the micarta, which I know is porous, will it stain with oils and blood?

It will darken with oils but they wash out with soapy water and look like new. They can also be reblasted by CRK. Don't know about blood.

 

[Officer's Match]

Your not making it easy on me. I have both a Large Inkosi with natural micarta (love the look) and a beautiful cocobolo sebenza sitting in the shopping cart. I keep bouncing back and forth. I know I'm probably overthinking this but.....

Last question: do you notice much difference in the slicing characteristics between the Sebenza and the Inkosi? As far as the micarta, which I know is porous, will it stain with oils and blood?

The Micarta washes well as said above. I really don't feel much if any slicing difference between a Large Sebbie and Large Inkosi. I think the Inkosi's more gradual transition from primary grind to the full width flat offsets the thicker stock. For paper slicing I think the Inkosi actually slices better (scissors still beat either ).