Which Large 21 User?

Tyd450

Tyd450

Joined
Jul 25, 2015
Messages
743
Hi All,

I apologize if this has been asked before but I have a question about the Large Sebenza 21 in general. I have a plain jane small insingo which I love and carry all the time. I also had a Large Starbenza for a bit which I really liked but ended up selling a few weeks ago. It was really nice and all but for some reason I think I just prefer the plain Ti over the starburst pattern.

Well now that my CRK background is out of the way, here is my question.

I want to pick up a plain jane Large 21. I just want to find a good user on the exchange so I don't feel bad about dinging it up (and can save a few bucks). I almost pulled the trigger on one from 2008 with S30V, the old style screws and no "Idaho Made" stamp but I hesitated and missed out on it. Doing a little research it seemed like a lot of people preferred the S30V over the S35VN, at least the S35VN before they increased the heat treat in mid 2013.

How does the recent 59-60 S35VN compare? I know I had a recent Starbenza but I didn't have it long enough to use it much and I didn't sharpen it. Hypothetically, If you could find a S30V Large Sebenza for let's say $290-300 or a Post-2013 S35VN for $350, which would you choose?
 
Well, finding a large Sebenza under $300 is rare. It happens but is not the norm. Now a days, especially with older unmarked 21's, people seem to want them over the newer ones. So your actually likely to see a newer S35VN for $300 instead of the S30V. Just my take and take that for what it's worth............I personally like S30V over the S35VN. I have always felt that it's the best CRK steel. Over the past couple of years I have been able to use S35VN more and realize that it's pretty close to S30V, but if given the choice, I would still opt for the older S30V. I am also not the kind of person that sharpens my knife weekly. I carry my 25 almost daily for 3 years or so and its only seen the sharpmaker maybe 6 times at most and that was only ever on the ultra fine stones with just a couple strokes each side. Edge still looks factory, though now it is more polished. Still very sharp.
 
Thanks for the advice!

Other than going from S30V to S35vn, the difference between a 2008 21 and a 2016 21 is just the screws and perforated washers right? and both of those can be upgraded if I send in the knife to CRK?
 
You are best to check with CRK on the washer issue.

Now that I've had lots of EDC experience with S35VN RC 58-59 and 2.5 years of EDC with 59-60, I prefer 59-60. I also prefer the large hollow ground on the 25 vs the large 21 and prefer the large 21 over the small.

I think for my taste between the two I would take the new heat treat S35VN. On my users, I don't mind the Idaho made at all. I've sold all my pre Idaho made folders but did keep one Nyala pre Idaho made because it looks way out of place there.

I guess I should add my current position to explain my bias. I'm in the process of selling/retiring my 21 users and putting together a group of 25 for EDC rotation. In my experience and for my hand they fit me better and preform better. 21s are still relevant to me because of the bushing, the inlay options, UGs and of course my favourite the older Damascus.
 
JustinFournier said:
You are best to check with CRK on the washer issue.

Now that I've had lots of EDC experience with S35VN RC 58-59 and 2.5 years of EDC with 59-60, I prefer 59-60. I also prefer the large hollow ground on the 25 vs the large 21 and prefer the large 21 over the small.

I think for my taste between the two I would take the new heat treat S35VN. On my users, I don't mind the Idaho made at all. I've sold all my pre Idaho made folders but did keep one Nyala pre Idaho made because it looks way out of place there.

I guess I should add my current position to explain my bias. I'm in the process of selling/retiring my 21 users and putting together a group of 25 for EDC rotation. In my experience and for my hand they fit me better and preform better. 21s are still relevant to me because of the bushing, the inlay options, UGs and of course my favourite the older Damascus.
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I am about to pick up a large 21 plain Jane for $300, DOB is in 2014...I think that is a pretty good deal.

Btw, If you happen to have a large insingo that you want to part with, let me know! Preferably one with micarta inlays
 
I would stick with something that is S35vn and has the newer RC. It might take a while, and you will have to be patient, but you can certainly find them for under 300$. Even if the scales look a little rough, you can always send it to the spa.
 
There is a new Large 21 graphic tiger eye BNIB going for $350 on Facebook.....I would get that right away if I had the funds. PM if you want a link.
 
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