Which model is the best "first" CRK ?

kaput said:
Can someone answer or link me to the explanation of the Sebenza line of Chris reeves are handmade "custom knives" vs. mass produced? Or the history of, because I believe they once were. Just curious and where they are made type info. Thanks ;)
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CRK are not custom made knives they are indeed factory made knives. They are made in Boise, Idaho... I doubt that anyone on the planet makes a better folder than the CRK Sebenza... My personal CRK Sebenza was made in 2001 and is still as good as the day I bought it and it gets used every day... Some members on this forum say that they wear out the lockup bar but I think those guys have a severe case of OCD
 
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So, I got a large Starbenza for Father’s Day. I was trying to post a pic, but I’m having a hard time figuring it out.

I absolutely love this knife. I am officially a CRK fan boy.

I have also modified my order with CRK for an Inkosi with insingo blade.
 
Awesome set to have. I’ve been eying those Starbenzas too. I’m also a Police Officer and with my recent purchase of the Large Micarta 25 Sebenza it instantly kicked out my prior edc. We’re lucky at my department to have cargo pockets so that’s where I have my Sebenza and Skeletool for when I need them. It keeps it from getting in the way of my holster and from worrying about off side carry.
 
batosai117 said:
Awesome set to have. I’ve been eying those Starbenzas too. I’m also a Police Officer and with my recent purchase of the Large Micarta 25 Sebenza it instantly kicked out my prior edc. We’re lucky at my department to have cargo pockets so that’s where I have my Sebenza and Skeletool for when I need them. It keeps it from getting in the way of my holster and from worrying about off side carry.
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This is the only CRK that I have. I always carry my knives opposite side from my firearm.

I’m not going to lie. It’s taking some practice opening this one with my left hand. I have a little process now and there isn’t an issue opening it left handed.

This one was tight out of the box. It just took opening it several times to loosen up.
 
exusarmyranger said:
I am just getting into buying high-end knives. I wanted a very nice knife that I could use for a variety of tasks.

I was actually looking at a Hinderer and CRK. What happened for me to settle for a CRK? The customer service. I am a police officer and would get 10% through Hinderer and allowed to order direct from them; however, they just aren't as responsive to e-mails like the people at CRK. I am getting lightning fast same-day responses from CRK as opposed to a three or four day turn-around from Hinderer.

So, which CRK would be a decent "first" in the CRK line? I do need to be able to open the knife with both hands. At work, I always carry my knife in my left pocket since I carry my firearm on my right.

I'm liking the main three (Umnum, Inkosi, and Sebenza). I really like the Umnum for work but can it be opened with both hands? I see it has two thumb-studs on it.

Thank you for any assistance.
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If you haven’t already purchased CRK does offer 10% off for first responders as well.
 
As long as the knife has studs on both sides, it can be opened with both hands. Some people can even flick open a knife with a stud on the opposite side of whichever hand they normally use. You can find Sebenzas with studs on both sides. Think about closing the knife, also. A knife may be right or left handed based on which side the frame lock is.
 
The Inkosi comes with Loctite already applied to the pivot from the factory.

And the Sebenza does not require Loctite at all.

Is this correct? I can never remember.
 
exusarmyranger said:
I was trying to post a pic, but I’m having a hard time figuring it out.
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I looked at what you had in the IMG tags, but it didn't make much sense. Easiest way is to use a photo hosting site (I use imgur), upload your photo(s), and select the BBCode. I found the service a little frustrating at first; but that was short lived. (The are a few tutorials on this site that will walk you through it)
 
Wolverine666 said:
The Inkosi comes with Loctite already applied to the pivot from the factory.

And the Sebenza does not require Loctite at all.

Is this correct? I can never remember.
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Supposedly correct. The Sebenza has the bushing pivot so one can crank the pivot all the way tight. This often means the pivot won’t back out on its own when opening and closing the knife. However I have seen Sebenzas with both pivots that will back out despite being all the way screwed in and ones with pivots that will be super tight if you crank them down completely.

Andrew R said:
As long as the knife has studs on both sides, it can be opened with both hands. Some people can even flick open a knife with a stud on the opposite side of whichever hand they normally use. You can find Sebenzas with studs on both sides. Think about closing the knife, also. A knife may be right or left handed based on which side the frame lock is.
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I need my Sebenza to be fully broken in to be able to middle finger flick it with my left hand. On less broken in ones I can get the blade most of the way open with my middle finger and then use my thumb against the flat of the blade to finish opening.

Also I usually carry my folder in my left hand despite them being righty knives. It is not difficult for a lefty to unlock a righty frame/linerlock at all.
 
Lapedog said:
Supposedly correct. The Sebenza has the bushing pivot so one can crank the pivot all the way tight. This often means the pivot won’t back out on its own when opening and closing the knife. However I have seen Sebenzas with both pivots that will back out despite being all the way screwed in and ones with pivots that will be super tight if you crank them



I need my Sebenza to be fully broken in to be able to middle finger flick it with my left hand. On less broken in ones I can get the blade most of the way open with my middle finger and then use my thumb against the flat of the blade to finish opening.

Also I usually carry my folder in my left hand despite them being righty knives. It is not difficult for a lefty to unlock a righty frame/linerlock at all.
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Interesting. How about the Inkosi? Does it come with loctite already applied from the factory?

The Sebenza seems more “legendary” , thus making it my choice for someone’s first CRK. But not necessarily the best CRK. It’s all relative.
 
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Wolverine666 said:
Interesting. How about the Inkosi? Does it come with loctite already applied from the factory?

The Sebenza seems more “legendary” , thus making it my choice for someone’s first CRK. But necessarily the best CRK. It’s all relative.
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Yes the Inkosi has a pivot that comes loctited at a certain setting. Since it doesn’t have the bushing you can’t just crank down the pivot screw or the pivot will seize up. However they use purple loctite which is even easier to unscrew than blue loctite. In my experience purple loctite is the best choice for knives.

It would be nice if Sebenzas came stock with a double thumb stud. It’s 2018 come on CRK!
 
Lapedog said:
Yes the Inkosi has a pivot that comes loctited at a certain setting. Since it doesn’t have the bushing you can’t just crank down the pivot screw or the pivot will seize up. However they use purple loctite which is even easier to unscrew than blue loctite. In my experience purple loctite is the best choice for knives.

It would be nice if Sebenzas came stock with a double thumb stud. It’s 2018 come on CRK!
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Haha nice. I like a more somewhat stiff and hydraulic feel to my knives opening and closing. I’m a fan of strong detent.
 
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