Which Sebenza did you start with and which do you currently prefer for EDC?

Which Sebenza did you start with and which do you currently prefer for EDC?

  • Always have carried the small

    Votes: 18 30.5%

  • Always have carried the large

    Votes: 22 37.3%

  • Started with the large and transitioned to the small

    Votes: 5 8.5%

  • Started with the small and transitioned to the Large

    Votes: 8 13.6%

  • I carry both the large and small equally

    Votes: 6 10.2%
  • Total voters
    59
C

Calier

Gold Member
Joined
May 24, 2020
Messages
229
I just ordered a Small PJ Sebenza with Insingo blade. With so many choices, I wasn't quite sure which Sebenza to go with for EDC.

Although I was tempted to order a large, I have owned a large in the past and felt it was too big to carry so I quickly sold it.

I really enjoy the look and feel (in hand) of large Sebenzas, but feel that they are just a little too big for daily carry.

I haven't even received the new small yet and am already contemplating ordering a large DP Sebenza! 😂

Which size Sebenza do you carry most? Is there anyone who started with a small and then switched to the large or visa-a-versa?

My ideal blade size in a folder is 3.2 - 3.3" like the BM Bugouts. Unfortunately, CRK wants us to buy both a LG and a SM instead of producing 1 size to rule them all!

EDIT: Drop the deets and pics down below! 👇 👇 👇 👇
 
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My first Sebenza was a small 21 with African blackwood inlays, I think I got it in 2009. I loved everything about it; it was my first folder beyond the Spyderco/Benchmade realm and I loved how premium it felt in comparison. The ~3" blade size definitely dominated my collection at the time. Shortly after that I acquired a large regular and it just felt too big so I didn't keep it long. These days I have two large 21s and one small, the small having african blackwood inlays just like my very first CRK. Honestly if it wasn't for the nostalgia it brings me of thinking back to being an 18 year old saving up and splurging on my first CRK, I probably wouldn't own a small. I carry the larges regularly and rarely carry the small...most often either as a gentleman's/date night carry or something small and light around the house when I'm wearing gym shorts or sweat pants. Not that I have anything against the small, and not that any of my cutting tasks couldn't be handled by the small just as easily, but the large is just my preference for now. Who knows if and when that will change again in the future...
 
My first CRK was a small Blackwood Classic, I bought a large shortly after. Since them I've carried larges the vast majority of the time, but sometimes carry a small or a Mnandi. My EDC has changed a few times over the years, has gone from Sebenzas to Inkosis and currently back to Sebenzas. Here's my current carry, the 21, with a Classic that often rides along and gets the lighter use.

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Large Classic was my first, and still carry a Large 21. Smalls seem like miniature novelty knives in my hands. I carry a small only when visiting Illinois, and only due to knife laws on blade length. I can see buying smalls if you are collecting a lot of graphic designs as they are cheaper.
 
Started with a Large Reg. Have carried a pair of Small Sebs . Am now toting the Umnumzaan.
I still own all of my CRK knives.
 
Started with a small and carried it for a while. Bought a large to quickly find it's larger than I prefer to carry. Thus I'm in the "medium Sebenza, please" club thinking it would be that sweet spot the Rat 1.5 seems to have found.
 
A small 31 Insingo was my first. Then a small 31 DP in raindrop damascus. A year later a Large 21 in ladder damascus and shortly after a Large 21 with solid CF handle.
All the knives are used, some are carried more than others. I particularly like the lightness of the 21 CF so it prolly sees the most use.
 
I started out with a WC Umnumzaan RH, didn’t like it because I couldn’t open it with my left hand. Then it was a large RH double lug and didn’t have any issues with either hand opening. Started finding left handed models and it’s been downhill since then. Picked up a few smalls along the journey, tried to carry them. Found out, I like a large better. Mostly now, it’s either a 25 or Umnumzaan. I do use a 21/31 from time to time. I use to think the Mnandi was too small, but with time, I like them, carry for casual outings and own three.
 
I started with a lefty Reg ..think it was a Spear in Grass Silver Contrast? Pistol strong side , knife weak side, but found out I am more comfortable with a righty after all .. Always a large...I have all of the variations, except an "H" .. Grail knife for me... small just seems too small ...
 
Started it all in 2014 with a plain jane Sebenza 25. Now in 2025, almost 130 Chris Reeve Knives later, I carry a large MagnaCut Inkosi with black micarta inlays and glass blasted frame with a blue dot bead bucky blue lanyard.
 
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I started in 2004 with a small PJ drop point. Carried it as a true EDC for about a decade. I went on to get a PJ insingo 21, two black micarta 31s - one s45vn , one ladder damascus.

Smalls just fit the bill for me - legal in all areas I travel, HR approved for all company offices, a full four finger grip (barely), and light enough to run with without the knife bouncing around.

If I need more knife, I go fixed blade.
 
Started with a Small PJ 21 Insingo, and have always carried Small 21/31’s since then for the simple reason that they fit my hand (and my pockets) better than the large. Same with the Small Inkosi. On the rare occasion that I carry a Large Sebenza, it’s usually in a sheath on my belt.
 
I started with the small 31 Insingo. I hardly carry it, it’s a bit too small for me. I mostly carry a large 21 but love to switch it up as we all do.
 
A small 21 came and went. But when I got a large 21 inlay it all made sense in hand. The small is really small for me. The large is basically the perfect size knife IMO.
 
Started with a Large Sebenza 31 (black micarta) and added a large PJ Inkosi Insingo. I carry the Inkosi more often than the Sebenza. Small CRK's are laughably small in my slenderman hands. My next CRK will probably be a large Zaan.
 
I started with a small Gabon ebony 21 followed by a large black micarta 21. Sold both. I then a few years later bought a small and large red micarta 21s. Sold both of those. I now have a large 31 with natural micarta and raindrop damascus that I'll not be selling. I regret selling the red micarta 21s though.
 
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