Recommendation? Where do I go from here?

S

SuzukiGS750EZ

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Dec 30, 2008
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I owned a large 21 CF knife art exclusive and sold it years ago. I miss it but they’re hard to come across (I’ll get a CF 31 eventually!).
Currently I own a red micarta large inkosi insingo and a large 21 ladder Damascus salted beech.
I’m thinking I may want a plain 31 but I’m unsure at this point. I’m not looking for variety as I don’t collect but more so a general user. I need something that can take the wear and tear like my inkosi. I enjoy the inkosi because it’s hard use but I’m not crazy about the pivot and the weight for EDC/work.
 
I would be using the knife to cut down cardboard, tape. Maybe some rubber tubing. Sharpen pencils. Cut up soft foods. If I become enough attached to it I may use it for Turkey hunting as well as fishing. I haven’t really grown attached to my CRK’s as I did my spyderco military but I do enjoy them. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy carrying them, I just haven’t used them enough to really make a bond with them in the way I have a few of my other knives.
I enjoy the pivot system of the sebenza line and the ease of assembly and disassembly. I don’t mind either blade shape as I see utility in both. For EDC I like the insingo but for woods or other general use like sliver removal I like the clip point. I guess I’d probably go with another clip. I love the look of the Damascus especially as it wears but am curious about s45. I have s35 in my inkosi and like I mentioned previous, ladder Damascus from 2017 (bought new from a dealer in 2021). I think I’d go plain handles as nothing can really damage them… but if there is a hard wearing inlay besides micarta I’d go for it. The micarta on my inkosi started off grippy and ended up somewhat slick. They stick out too far for my liking. But when wet you can beat them!
 
I'm afraid I don't know enough about hunting or fishing to contribute intelligently. I'm also still in the honeymoon phase with my 31, so bring out a few grains of salt. What I can tell you is that my PJ 31 shares in the Inkosi's feeling of solidity. True, the blade is thinner, but it's more than adequate for my purposes. As much as I like my 21, it has wood inlays and polished titanium. I've always thought it was handsome, but I've never thought of it as tough. I originally bought the Inkosi because of it's hard use reputation, but I've never loved the pivot mechanism. For me, the 31 combines Inkosi strength with Sebbie engineering. I also don't have any feedback yet on the S45. I'll post my thoughts somewhere as time goes on.
 
Cardboard and tough cutting are made easy with a Serrated blade(partial).I keep one in my shop for that work. If you can find one on the secondary market, jump on it! Large, by the way.....I don't think I've ever seen an Inkosi or 25 serrated.... Anybody????,Sebenza only....
 
^ Seconded. The "Zaan" is not something I think anyone could ever call slick. Certainly hard use, plenty of handle and a very usable blade profile (as a drop point). The nits I sometimes hear are the opening (search Zaan thumb) and the lock bar. Neither of which bother me in the slightest - and my personal sample opens VERY smoothly.

I don't know that it will top an Inkosi for you, especially since you mention weight; but I'm lost on that one, as CRK's are not something I consider cumbersome - then again I have 4 Medfords LOL.
 
bart1 said:
Cardboard and tough cutting are made easy with a Serrated blade(partial).I keep one in my shop for that work. If you can find one on the secondary market, jump on it! Large, by the way.....I don't think I've ever seen an Inkosi or 25 serrated.... Anybody????,Sebenza only....
Click to expand...

Correct, Sebenza only for serrations. I thought I read that they are no longer doing a serrated blade.
 
Yes .. Serrations, discontinued,, may be some on dealers shelves, IDK.....
 
Just got a SMALL cf 31 and I love it slicey and it carry’s awesome. If u don’t need a big blade I highly recommend
 
I've got small/large 21's and Inkosi's, no 31 yet, but I'm thinking it should split the feel difference between the 21 and Inkosi. The Inkosi feels like a tank compared to the 21's to me, and I like that feel. Both my Inkosi's are plain Ti, no inlays. I much prefer inlays over the plain Ti versions, the Ti just looks too boring and I find after long time use it gets a little slippery as the bead blast wears down. I know I can send in for the spa, but just prefer inlays for grip and asthetics. If you like the Inkosi's beefyness and don't want to keep your pimped 21 for formal use and looking for something inbetween both, go with the 31. As far as scales.. guys love the plain Ti, but I'd opt for inlays, for grip and looks.
 
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