Which model for me?

[XtianAus]

Hey.
I am looking to purchase my first CRK. This will be my first purchase for a folder over $200 (I am more of a fixed blade guy but recently getting into folders).

I am looking for the model that is built the stoutest, can take the most harder use where necessary and that has a less delicate, thicker tip. Also looking for a model that is the easiest to maintain as I am newish to higher end folders.

My considerations are:
Umnumzaan in tanto.
Inkosi
Sebenza 21 in tanto.

P.s are the frames heat treated? I noticed only the umnumzaan has a overtravel stop.

I had another thrwad in general where some folk provided some great info, but I still can't decide. I am just gathering some more knowledge/advice before I pull the trigger.

Your thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[kidcongo]

If I had to do it all again, and wanted only one CRK, I think I would start in exactly the same place I started: a micarta large 21.....no regrets. I have come to appreciate the other models, and the different sizes, and the fancier and plainer versions of all. But the micarta 21 is that perfect middle ground, and a wonderful knife. Maintenance is dead simple, and Sebenzas have soul. I like the Umnumzaan, and the Inkosi/25, but there is something about a 21 I just can’t get over.......”the first cut is the deepest” I guess.

My two bits.

I’d go spear point, but the Tantos are very cool as well.

 

[Ajack60]

The slabs are titanium, so I don't understand the question about the frames being heat treated. The reason for the overtravel goes back to when the Umnumzaan was first released. People did their own adjustment to the lock bar tension and sent them in after there were damaged. CRK started putting the overtravel stops on to prevent the self adjustments. Earlier models do not have the overtravel stop.
From what you described, the tanto Umnumzaan is your best choice. IMO, I don't think it really matters which style you choose, people that use their CRK's for work and play don't baby them and are hard on them, not stupid hard though

Pictured are left to right, Umnumzaan, 21 and Inkosi

 

[Lapedog]

For your uses Tanto Umnumzaan or Inkosi. Those are both very tough knives. The Inkosi is sort of like a 21 with the toughness of the Umnumzaan. It also has some differences like it doesn’t have the bushing pivot and it has the ceramic detent/lockface ball.

Also when taking apart a crk and putting it back together the inkosi is easier because you can’t pinch a washer.

 

[Wavicle]

I think Ajack60 said it all- go for the Umnumzaan Tanto. You want a hard use folder with a stout tip and the Zaan Tanto takes you there. The overtravel stop is implemented really good and the extra features of the Umnumzaan like milling for texture and glass breaker set it apart from the 21 and Inkosi. As a bonus, it opens quietly with the o-rings on the dual thumbstuds.

 

[kidcongo]

Don’t listen to these crazy guys ^^^. Buy a 21.....you know you’ll have to own one eventually......there’s a reason it’s the flagship model. They are the easiest CRK knife to maintain. I can strip and reassemble 21 in 5 minutes.....no locktite, no tension adjustment, and only one size of Allen key. The only washer I’ve ever pinched was putting an umnumzaan back together, so I am not convinced it’s any more or less likely on any model.

There all great knives, but the experts know the 21 is just ever so slightly better

 

[XtianAus]

Thanks everyone. As beautiful and classic as the 21 is, it seems the inkosi or Umnumzaan suits my needs best. I love the Zaan; but knowing me i will pinch a washer considering I am new ahah so maybe the inkosi...

 

[Ajack60]

Thanks everyone. As beautiful and classic as the 21 is, it seems the inkosi or Umnumzaan suits my needs best. I love the Zaan; but knowing me i will pinch a washer considering I am new ahah so maybe the inkosi...

Just because our Canadian friends can’t put a Umnumzaan back together, doesn’t mean it’s a difficult task. Trust me, you might be a little nervous at first, but as long as you take your time, they’re a breeze to tear apart and reassemble . BTW, I’ve never used the locktite on my umnumzaan’s, 25’s or Inkosi’s

 

[kidcongo]

Just because our Canadian friends can’t put a Umnumzaan back together, doesn’t mean it’s a difficult task. Trust me, you might be a little nervous at first, but as long as you take your time, they’re a breeze to tear apart and reassemble . BTW, I’ve never used the locktite on my umnumzaan’s, 25’s or Inkosi’s

You try putting the darn thing back together in an igloo with your hands covered in maple syrup.......not easy!!

 

[Wavicle]

Here’s how easy it is to work on an Umnumzaan by Tim Reeve:

Anyone with even the slightest mechanical skills can do it.

 

[Ajack60]

You try putting the darn thing back together in an igloo with your hands covered in maple syrup.......not easy!!

Forgot about the maple syrup Cody , don't ya'll have lights in the igloo's now-a-days ??? Down here on the gulf coast, we even have igloo's that can be heated

 

[Andy the Aussie]

Define hard use perhaps ? The Zann is of my three (21 and 25 as well) the most robust of build but if you are doing tasks appropriate to a folding knife any of them will be fine.

 

[FourD]

The language police in Montreal took my CRK's. Something about Zulu not being in French or something like that.

 

[XtianAus]

Someone please school me. Why is it the umnumzaan have a overtravel stop but the inkosi do not?

 

[Ajack60]

Someone please school me. Why is it the umnumzaan have a overtravel stop but the inkosi do not?

Here’s what I understand, the Umnumzaan came out in 2008. It was first introduced without the overtravel stop. Evidently, people were adjusting the lock bar tension and doing damage to the knife and sent them in for repair. To prevent folks from doing their own adjustments, CRK started installing the overtravel stops. I guess no one really jacked with the other models enough to have to send them in. Don’t forget that the Umnumzaan came out with the ceramic detent/lock face ball, I’d imagine since the lock up looked way late, some didn’t like that and tried to adjust it. That’s my guess.
Or, since the Inkosi elvolved from the 25(which is discontinued), and the 25 didn’t have one, there was no need to put it on the Inkosi. Just another guess

 

[XtianAus]

Thank you. Makes sense. I guess i just have to be careful i dont do the same if i end up with the inkosi.

 

[Wavicle]

Here’s what I understand, the Umnumzaan came out in 2008. It was first introduced without the overtravel stop. Evidently, people were adjusting the lock bar tension and doing damage to the knife and sent them in for repair. To prevent folks from doing their own adjustments, CRK started installing the overtravel stops. I guess no one really jacked with the other models enough to have to send them in. Don’t forget that the Umnumzaan came out with the ceramic detent/lock face ball, I’d imagine since the lock up looked way late, some didn’t like that and tried to adjust it. That’s my guess.
Or, since the Inkosi elvolved from the 25(which is discontinued), and the 25 didn’t have one, there was no need to put it on the Inkosi. Just another guess

I believe a big part of users making adjustments is they did not understand the difference in pushing forward on the thumb studs, which is different from a Sebenza. That's also why the cards that come with a Zaan have a "how to open" diagram explaining that difference. In effect, they thought it was the detent holding the knife closed when in fact they were not applying the correct direction of force.

 

[VermontEdge]

Thank you. Makes sense. I guess i just have to be careful i dont do the same if i end up with the inkosi.

I had a similar worry about over-bending the lock bar on a Sebenza or Inkosi without an over travel stop. In my experience, you’d have to exert a huge amount of force to do that. I’ve never had any issues.

That being said, my advice would be to go with a Tanto Umnumzaan. My favorite knife of all time!

 

[kidcongo]

Forgot about the maple syrup Cody , don't ya'll have lights in the igloo's now-a-days ??? Down here on the gulf coast, we even have igloo's that can be heated

It’s so hot where I live right now.....I actually wish I did live in an igloo!!! I imagine summer on the gulf coast is a scorcher as well.

 

[rexromic]

Easy as a pie and it's done under a Canadian sky.Made a quick rhyme while cleaned my Zaan in time .