Which CRK Folder First? (Seb 21 vs 25 vs Umnumzaan)

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MatthewSB

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I'm ready to admit to myself that my expectations are too high to be met by most production knives, and I'm going to sell several to fund a few CRK folders. I know that they're all great, and that different people prefer different knives, and that I should get all 3 (and I will!) but my question is:

Which one should I get first?

If the Sebenza 21 is discontinued and limited to stock on hand, I'll get that first, but if they're going to be made for a while my decision is going to be harder. Eventually I'll try them all and decide which one works best for me :D
 
The 21 is not discontinued or going to be anytime soon as far as I know.

I would go with the 21 for its simplicity as a first CRK folder and should you want more, then you will have the 25 and zaan there waiting for ya.....!!!

I started with a large plain regular sebenza and went on from there.
 
First of all, your expectations are probably too high for CRKs also. They are great, but they will not likely result in pyrotechnical display emanating from your backside.

If you expect a very well made folding knife that cuts no better than a knife 1/5th the price, then order one up. Seriously, I think these things are fantastic and I love mine a lot, but I see too many guys buying them expecting a huge wow factor after trying a 100 dollar benchmade or spyderco, and honestly, it takes quite a bit to sense the differences between a nice production knife and a CRK.

That said, I would recommend the 21 first. I did the Umnumzaan first and got one of the earliest models (highly desirable now), and I was coming off a production knife buying spree and wanted the WOW that I read about. I was underwhelmed. Yeah the knife was a bit smoother than the Spydercos I bought, but it worked no better in use. Simply put for a knife I was using blindly, it was not worth 4X the price to me at the time...so I gave it away.

Now, I feel a bit differently. I like the feeling of holding, fondling and using a knife that has subtle hints of a man's life passion. I like knowing that a design team did not work on this knife for 6 months prior to putting it into production, rather a man built knives by hand for many years and evolved a design over 21 years to arrive at the refined version I hold in my hand...and yes, I enjoy the (slight) exclusivity that the knife has. I even enjoy the idea that 99% of the world can not possibly understand how I can see the value in this knife.

Think of it like the difference between a 20 dollar cigar and a 100 dollar cigar, or a 50 dollar bottle of wine, and a 500 dollar bottle, or sipping a beer from a frosty mug vs drinking it from the can. There are subtle differences, and the returns are arguably highly diminishing, but if you take the time to understand the differences, it might be worth more that the price to you...or not.

Do any of these examples strike a chord? You can get coffee in a lot of places, can you contemplate how a hand pulled espresso is preferable to some over a cup of Joe from the nearest quick shop? A lot of people cannot.

I say the 21 because I believe it is the prototypical CRK with the bushing system, and it is available in the most options. I think a person should look at them all and pounce on the one that speaks to him/her. limiting your search to what is in stock, or what you can afford at the moment might be limiting your experience.

I do not expect the 21 to be going anywhere anytime soon....but who knows.
 
unit said:
I like the feeling of holding, fondling and using a knife that has subtle hints of a man's life passion. I like knowing that a design team did not work on this knife for 6 months prior to putting it into production, rather a man built knives by hand for many years and evolved a design over 21 years to arrive at the refined version I hold in my hand...and yes, I enjoy the (slight) exclusivity that the knife has. I even enjoy the idea that 99% of the world can not possibly understand how I can see the value in this knife.

...

Do any of these examples strike a chord?
Click to expand...

Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I loved my Para2, but the lock feels a bit cheap and the bevels varied from 15 to 25 degrees on one side. I love my ZTs, but they are on the heavy side. My Al Mar SERE 2000 was the closest to perfect I've ever seen, but the cheap nylon washers made the blade feel squishy. The best Spyderco/Benchmade/Emerson/ZT/Strider/Whatever production knives I've had all felt like something (significant) was missing either in the design or production.
 
MatthewSB said:
Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I loved my Para2, but the lock feels a bit cheap and the bevels varied from 15 to 25 degrees on one side. I love my ZTs, but they are on the heavy side. My Al Mar SERE 2000 was the closest to perfect I've ever seen, but the cheap nylon washers made the blade feel squishy. The best Spyderco/Benchmade/Emerson/ZT/Strider/Whatever production knives I've had all felt like something (significant) was missing either in the design or production.
Click to expand...

Sounds like CRK may be for you!

I prefer the 25 by a mile, love the ergos and how rock solid it feels.

Good luck with your hunt!
 
I'm new to midtechs and "real" collecting as well, but the knife that started it all for me was a small CRK CF Sebenza Insingo. After debating and obsessing about it for months I couldn't commit to the price. When I finally bought and received it...it was amazing to me. The Sebenza was soooo much nicer than I expected. IMO, nothing about it gives the impression of being cheap. For me, the retail value on this knife was an amount that let's me still use it without worry. I know it will depreciate, but I LIKE IT! Even better that it gets used. It's always in my pocket. Granted, I don't use it "hard". Every time I need to open a box or envelope or take a slice of salami I get all giggly like a little girl. These tasks weren't special with run-of-the-mill knives. Now I'm always searching for excused to cut stuff.

The small 21 doesn't battle with my pocket. Doesn't seem to scare sheeple. While I love the Insingo, sometimes I wish it were a bit more pointy. In hindsight, an all-Ti model would have been my first choice because heft is a good thing. The carbon fiber model is pretty light.

I think my next CRK will be a Mnandi. So...you might consider a small 21. I have never regretted paying for it, and I plan to keep it. Just my dos centavos.
 
Get a Sebenza 21. It's a classic for a reason. And large or small makes no difference. It just depends on what you're comfortable carrying.
 
unit said:
I think . . . I love . . . I feel . . . I like the feeling . . . I even enjoy . . . .
Click to expand...

Mr. Unit well captures the psychology of buying and using CRK knives. People carry them to feel better, though it is almost never characterized as such. So in that vein, you should buy the one that makes you feel the best. But you were going to do that anyway, right? :) I've done the same thing four times with CRK. I think the 25 made me feel the best of the lot, but its a close call. You are good no matter what, so no worries.
 
All three are exceptional knives, everyone should have a 21. I'm a big fan of the 25, took me a while to warm up to the Umnumzaan, once I got the correct one in hand (lefty) I carry it more for work than the 25.
I know the CRK's aren't eye candy, have the best edge retention or anything else folks look down on in a knife. They are simply the best made all around knives,that are the most dependable I have ever owned. IMO my CRK is my trusted friend that will not fail me when called upon.
 
Ajack60 said:
All three are exceptional knives, everyone should have a 21. I'm a big fan of the 25, took me a while to warm up to the Umnumzaan, once I got the correct one in hand (lefty) I carry it more for work than the 25.
I know the CRK's aren't eye candy, have the best edge retention or anything else folks look down on in a knife. They are simply the best made all around knives,that are the most dependable I have ever owned. IMO my CRK is my trusted friend that will not fail me when called upon.
Click to expand...
Well said!
 
Before I purchased my 25 I had never seen, or handled a CRK before. I chose the 25 sight unseen because it sounded like it had some upgrades I wanted, so I took a chance. I really like it, and am very impressed with its smoothness, and fit, and finish. I like larger knives, so it is just the right size for me, and really carries well. For me it was really between the 21, and the 25, and I figure either would have been great, but I am glad I got the 25.
 
^ :thumbup:

I feel the EXACT same way. I got my 25 in the exact same manner, never held aSebenza before and the 25 was all the rage but hard to find as they were newly out.

I stayed up literally all night, finally found one at a small shop in Maryland about 7:30 and got it 2 minutes after he opened over the phone at 8:00. He had ordered two of them eight months or so earlier, got them in the day before, kept one and I got the other.

I still have it (of course!) and now a 25 Micarta as well. I've got all three that you mention, including three 'Zaans (old and new pivot) and hopefully before long you will, too. They are all good in their own way.

My advice is get the one that speaks to you the most first. Then start saving for the next one, etc.!

If it came right down to it, and I needed to raise some money and sell them all, I'd still keep the micarta 25. It seems to check all the boxes.
 
I love each and every one of my CRKs, but if I were forced to sell all but one (a prospect I refuse to even consider), I'd keep my original pivot Umnumzaan.
 
OP I assume that you noticed that you entered the CRK Temple of Eternal Love. As evidenced by the constant chanting of "CRK, CRK, CRK.........." ;);););););););)

To address your question, the 21, 25 and Umnumzaan are about the same size, so the have about the same form and function. The 21 also comes in a smaller size, making it a different choice. Others can tell you the finer points as to pivots and scale details. I like the larger knife size for carry, so I bought the 25 and then the Umnumzaan. They both serve the same purpose for me EDC. I bought based primarily on aesthetics and knowing that you are not making a bad decision.

"I have tried the rest and now own the best" - favorite CRK Temple of Eternal Love chant
 
Umnumzaan love it I like the thumb studs a bit better and its in my pocket right now. But in truth I like all of them you cant go wrong. I am an options dork so I like the lock bar stop o rings on the studs and that the studs are the stop. And glass breaker not that I break a lot of glass. Its my favorite all time folder.
 
unit said:
First of all, your expectations are probably too high for CRKs also. They are great, but they will not likely result in pyrotechnical display emanating from your backside.

If you expect a very well made folding knife that cuts no better than a knife 1/5th the price, then order one up. Seriously, I think these things are fantastic and I love mine a lot, but I see too many guys buying them expecting a huge wow factor after trying a 100 dollar benchmade or spyderco, and honestly, it takes quite a bit to sense the differences between a nice production knife and a CRK.

That said, I would recommend the 21 first. I did the Umnumzaan first and got one of the earliest models (highly desirable now), and I was coming off a production knife buying spree and wanted the WOW that I read about. I was underwhelmed. Yeah the knife was a bit smoother than the Spydercos I bought, but it worked no better in use. Simply put for a knife I was using blindly, it was not worth 4X the price to me at the time...so I gave it away.

Now, I feel a bit differently. I like the feeling of holding, fondling and using a knife that has subtle hints of a man's life passion. I like knowing that a design team did not work on this knife for 6 months prior to putting it into production, rather a man built knives by hand for many years and evolved a design over 21 years to arrive at the refined version I hold in my hand...and yes, I enjoy the (slight) exclusivity that the knife has. I even enjoy the idea that 99% of the world can not possibly understand how I can see the value in this knife.

Think of it like the difference between a 20 dollar cigar and a 100 dollar cigar, or a 50 dollar bottle of wine, and a 500 dollar bottle, or sipping a beer from a frosty mug vs drinking it from the can. There are subtle differences, and the returns are arguably highly diminishing, but if you take the time to understand the differences, it might be worth more that the price to you...or not.

Do any of these examples strike a chord? You can get coffee in a lot of places, can you contemplate how a hand pulled espresso is preferable to some over a cup of Joe from the nearest quick shop? A lot of people cannot.

I say the 21 because I believe it is the prototypical CRK with the bushing system, and it is available in the most options. I think a person should look at them all and pounce on the one that speaks to him/her. limiting your search to what is in stock, or what you can afford at the moment might be limiting your experience.

I do not expect the 21 to be going anywhere anytime soon....but who knows.
Click to expand...
This is about as well put as it gets. I'd have to say the 21 since it's more the original and you can experience the simplistic functional art that is the original pivot bushing design. Again, don't expect angels sounding trumpets the first time you hold one, but you do realize something is different about it than the knives you're accustomed to. With a little time spent with the knife, one starts to appreciate the work and detail that went into crafting it.
 
Thanks everyone. I ordered a Micarta 25 on Friday, it was supposed to be delievered yesterday (Monday) and I was ridiculously excited, it's Tuesday and the mail came and no Sebenza :eek: Tracking updated and something went wrong, I won't have it until Friday :mad:
 
MatthewSB said:
Thanks everyone. I ordered a Micarta 25 on Friday, it was supposed to be delievered yesterday (Monday) and I was ridiculously excited, it's Tuesday and the mail came and no Sebenza :eek: Tracking updated and something went wrong, I won't have it until Friday :mad:
Click to expand...

The horror!!!!, Hope this will tide you over(if it can) until yours gets in your possession
 
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