BMCGear
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2014
- Messages
- 6,629
This thread was started as an initial review for the CRK Large Inkosi. After owning my first Inkosi for a couple of months I decided to sell it. I regretted that decision and purchased another. I plan to continue to update the thread as I find that most reviews are initial reviews and not long term. I'd like to establish a long term review for people who are considering this fine knife.
Updates:
10/4/16 - #30
10/31/16 - #37
11/14/16 (sold the knife; talked myself out of owning a knife so expensive) - #47
1/23/17 (purchased a new Large Inkosi) - #48
3/30/17 - #61
5/28/17 - #80
2/3/19 - #84
Original Post:
I'd like to start a thread to share my thoughts about the Inkosi having owned several 21's in the past. If you're considering an Inkosi but not sure maybe this will help.
A little history:
Before bladeforums I had never owned a knife costing more than 75 dollars.
I first saw a Large 21 and was immediately struck by the clean lines I learned more about the brand and knife later on.
I was shocked anyone would ever pay that much for a knife. Buying a Benchmade that cost 90 dollars almost killed me.
I eventually gave in and had to try one; a buddy told me that every knife nut owes it to themselves to own a Sebenza.
I bought a small 21. Sold it for a large 21 and eventually sold it.
I've now tried both the Large and Small in the drop point and Insingo blade shape.
Even had a Large Micarta 21.
I somehow always managed to sell the 21's I would get. Mostly for monetary reasons as I still felt guilty carrying such an expensive knife but also because the 21 didn't quite fit my hand as well as I liked. I wanted the precision of a CRK though. The 25 never struck my interest because of the two finger choils. I held a 25 at a knife shop while on vacation and was shocked at the comfort I experienced. The Inkosi was something I knew I had to try.
What I like better about the Inkosi (initially):
The blade shape
The handle shape/design and overall ergonomics
The jimping (I don't remember the 21's jimping being like this; but I could be mistaken)
The clip placement
Double thumb studs (every now and then when the knife is not in my pocket I'll pick it up left handed to use)
The lanyard placement and no "pin" if you remove it.
The smoothness (there was literally no break in period)
I love the notch in the top of the blade.
Larger pivot (I believe the 21's pivot to be plenty strong but I do like the look of the oversized pivot)
I haven't taken the knife apart yet to have an appreciation for the internals and I haven't sharpened it to see how the different grind sharpens.
Overall the Large Inkosi is everything I was looking for in a Chris Reeve Knife.
Updates:
10/4/16 - #30
10/31/16 - #37
11/14/16 (sold the knife; talked myself out of owning a knife so expensive) - #47
1/23/17 (purchased a new Large Inkosi) - #48
3/30/17 - #61
5/28/17 - #80
2/3/19 - #84
Original Post:
I'd like to start a thread to share my thoughts about the Inkosi having owned several 21's in the past. If you're considering an Inkosi but not sure maybe this will help.
A little history:
Before bladeforums I had never owned a knife costing more than 75 dollars.
I first saw a Large 21 and was immediately struck by the clean lines I learned more about the brand and knife later on.
I was shocked anyone would ever pay that much for a knife. Buying a Benchmade that cost 90 dollars almost killed me.
I eventually gave in and had to try one; a buddy told me that every knife nut owes it to themselves to own a Sebenza.
I bought a small 21. Sold it for a large 21 and eventually sold it.
I've now tried both the Large and Small in the drop point and Insingo blade shape.
Even had a Large Micarta 21.
I somehow always managed to sell the 21's I would get. Mostly for monetary reasons as I still felt guilty carrying such an expensive knife but also because the 21 didn't quite fit my hand as well as I liked. I wanted the precision of a CRK though. The 25 never struck my interest because of the two finger choils. I held a 25 at a knife shop while on vacation and was shocked at the comfort I experienced. The Inkosi was something I knew I had to try.
What I like better about the Inkosi (initially):
The blade shape
The handle shape/design and overall ergonomics
The jimping (I don't remember the 21's jimping being like this; but I could be mistaken)
The clip placement
Double thumb studs (every now and then when the knife is not in my pocket I'll pick it up left handed to use)
The lanyard placement and no "pin" if you remove it.
The smoothness (there was literally no break in period)
I love the notch in the top of the blade.
Larger pivot (I believe the 21's pivot to be plenty strong but I do like the look of the oversized pivot)
I haven't taken the knife apart yet to have an appreciation for the internals and I haven't sharpened it to see how the different grind sharpens.
Overall the Large Inkosi is everything I was looking for in a Chris Reeve Knife.
Last edited: