I do not have an inkosi, but i do a umnumzaan who does share similarities such as pivot style and ball lock system. I still prefer the 21Large due to its simple construction thus much easier to maintain. The best is to have both and you will love them, however there will be a favourite.
Large Inkosi vs Large 21
- Thread starter nickj79
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 2,154
I really like both so I'm probably no help. Here is what I like in one over the other.
What I like about the 21:
- The 21 is a little thinner and less bulky in the pocket
- The 21 has the pivot bushing, so once broke in, it's set it/forget it.
What I like about the 25/Inkosi:
- I can open the 25 with both hands (truly ambidextrous)
- The ergos on the 25/Inkosi are a bit better for my hand (Large gloves).
What I like about the 21:
- The 21 is a little thinner and less bulky in the pocket
- The 21 has the pivot bushing, so once broke in, it's set it/forget it.
What I like about the 25/Inkosi:
- I can open the 25 with both hands (truly ambidextrous)
- The ergos on the 25/Inkosi are a bit better for my hand (Large gloves).
Speaking of breaking in. How long did it take you to break in your 21? My small 21 is still not all the way broken in after a couple months.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 2,154
It takes time.. don't rush it, it will happen. Just make sure to keep cleaning and re-lubing and it will butter in real nice. Keep in mind that Sebenza's aren't "flickers", at least not to me. I know mine are broke in when I push the lock bar when facing down and the blade will release and drop 90 degrees.
Last edited:
i suggest that you take it apart, clean it well and lube it with a small amt of finish line extreme fluoro grease and then see what happens after you open and close it a few dozen times
My small Insingo is still a little stiff after more than a year of regular use and cleaning compared to my 4 other 21s. I have no trouble opening and closing and it's a very smooth hydraulic feel but it's not free falling like the others. Funny thing is that it now feels normal and maybe a little more "solid" to me. These are fitted by hand and I suspect reflect the taste of the workman.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
lamanian
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2016
- Messages
- 336
I have a plain jane large 21 a small insingo 21, and a large micarta insingo 21, a small inkosi with ball groove, and a large micarta inkosi without groove. Yes I spend too much money on knives. Also, as far as lock bar goes, with blades opened I can move lock bar on all of them in either direction with enough force (about the same for all of them) and have never had a lock failure or any other issue because of it. Personally I like the small 21's and the large inkosi's. Would prefer a thinner blade on inkosi, but that ceramic ball interface cuts out that moment when blade falls off detent onto lockbar causing a small hiccup in smoothness of action. Admittedly before I actually had a large inkosi in hand I thought I would prefer the 21 but now that I own one I am definitely an Inkosi "fanboy"
I did have initial concerns about whether or not the ceramic ball might wear to large a groove in tang causing blade play, however after extensive searching internet I have not been able to find any complaints other than the umnumzaan being opened too slow causes early lockup but I believe that is due to the rubber o-rings not the ceramic ball. I'd say its passed the test of time with flying colors.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2013
- Messages
- 175
Another +1 for the Seb 21. It's my primary EDC, and will be for the year, at least!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2014
- Messages
- 5,179
I would choose the Inkosi, very rugged.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2013
- Messages
- 381
If you think you need the added girth of the Inkosi blade vs a 21 blade for a particular task, then you'reusing the completely wrong tool to begin with.