Taking a look and disassembling the Chris Reeves large inkosi and the large sebenza 21 two very similar knives in appearance but under the surface it's a different story
Little late to this video but wanted to clarify for those just now watching this video. The lateral stresses on the pivot are greatest at where the threads meet. Therefore having greater surface area across the threads would make for a stronger pivot. That is why the screw is so large. That being said the 21 pivot is more than adequate enough for hard use and the blade would probably shear long before either pivot system would fail. Like your videos though! Keep it up!
Both screws are clamping down on the handle scales. The shape of the screw head isn't affecting how much they clamp down, that's what the threads do. There's a lot of good stuff in this video but then there's some stuff you just make up that doesn't make any sense.
although there's a lot of review about these two Sebenzas, your video is without a doubt the best I have ever seen at what makes these two knifes work and what's going on inside each, its no wonder the 21 is so popular! because it works, maybe people will stop asking why are my washers spinning on there 21's! I may add you have exlent mind sir, and thank you for sharing .
Couple little things I don’t agree with but whatever... overall this is by far the best and most illuminating, nuanced review of these knives I’ve seen. And I think I’ve seen them all, lol. Thank you.
With respect I disagree. The bushings in the Sebenza don't move a notable amount during a single opening or closing, sure they might over hundreds of cycles, but I have seen them first hand remain stationary for months and thousands of cycles. As for the clearance of the body screws, they definitely make forceful contact with the scale before they bottom out in the spacer. If it's centering you are concerned with just look at how tight the Inkosi is to reassemble. Dead on nuts, piston in a cylinder perfect. Grease is sticky, and as it is slowly consumed between the blade and the bushings new fresh grease will be pulled in behind it. And making the threaded portion of the pivot smaller does not increase it's strength. If you did the outer shank of the pivot would increase in strength, but the male side that is made smaller would be substantially weaker. The male and female sides need to be as close to the same size as possible to match each other's yield strength.
Picked up a 2015 large sebenza 21 in mint condition with unique graphics and tiger's eye inlay, my first crk. Love how easy disassembly and reassembly are, really foolproof. Got a new umnumzaan a couple of weeks ago and haven't taken it apart yet. My next crk will be a large inkosi with insigno blade. People that say these knives are all hype, imo, really don't know what they're talking about. Are they overpriced? Probably. Are they still worth it to me? Definitely!
I want to get a Chris Reeves knife but I have to sell a couple balisongs first. After watching several disassembly vids, I'm impressed with the relatively straightforward construction, which is great. I've also detected something interesting. People tend to handle these knives like they paid over $400 a pop for them, as opposed to say an Emerson knife that people tend to treat pretty roughly when they're doing these disassembly videos. I like being able to treat my knives roughly, but I don't think I'll ever be treating any Reeves knives I get that way.
Does the triangular metal piece on the lockbar, wrap around to the lockbar interface? I always thought the lockbar interface was carbidized, but my Sebenza 21’s look like the metal wraps around to the lockbar interface.
Not really clear as to what your overall point is here but I like the large bearing area of the Inkosi pivot. The screw size is rather incidental once it's assembled & I don't see it as an issue in terms of strength. I've owned several CR knives and don't currently have one. Never really understood their relatively high prices. To be honest, I've only bought them when I was sure I could resell them for more. They are, indeed, well made knives but overpriced in my opinion. Much money is spent for the name alone.
Yo Lugermonger could you do a video on the CRKT Homefront? I know CRKT to be a great company and I'm looking for a new carry knife that I can also hunt with. I just want to here the opinion of somebody really into knives and probably knows so much more than me.
I think the reason the scales of the Sebenza were hard to get apart (much harder than most knives) is because of close, probably zero tolerances... a mark of quality.
the washers on a sebenza don't rotate. I'm not sure I've seen any washers on a folder where the pivot was tightened rotate. They stay still as the blade rotates.
The washer shouldnt rotate, only the blade should rotate while the brass or silicone washers reduce the friction on the sides of the blade. Also making the male side smaller on the pivot would make it weaker. More likely to break off the head of a thinner male than a female fitting. But other than that solid review i didnt relize they changed the desing so far from the 25s
Justin McGinty I agree. If it’s rotating then there is friction between the blade and the washer which is not right. I’m sorry but this theory of the washers moving is incorrect. If you look at knives like cold steel, they only have the Teflon disk on one side which is the blade to washer mating area. In fact, you don’t need to put any grease or lube on any knife between the washer and the scales. The scales finish is porous and rough. A washer is more smoother. The washer puts a smooth consistent material against the blade. Polish the washer with 1 micron or less and it functions even better. They refer to the sebenza feel as being “hydraulic”. It’s more of the perfect machining , their proprietary washers and also the ptfe like grease which is greasy but also sort of makes it a thicker slightly slower smoother feel much like a hydraulic but of course not exactly like a hydraulic. Regarding the preference between the 21 and 25. 21 definitely cost Chris reeves knives more money because they need to be manually sanded for the perfect fit. It’s great fit and finish. But I do prefer the 25. It’s basically the ceramic on the blade lock face is such a great feeling. The ceramic ball actually can rotate within the lock bar it’s inside of.
I don't want either. A good knife would be a combination of the 2. They are individually not worth the price of admission for either of them. That Inkosi is a budget version of the Sebenza. That stop pin being free floating is a cheap out. the only thing keeping the spacing in that knife are the washers and the bottom bushing? That is a cheap out. To me the Sebenza is a superior knife. If they combine the beefy blade, bad ass washers, pocket clip set up and ceramic detent ball of The Chief with the bushing spacing set up and screws of the Sebenza you have quite possibly the perfect pocket knife. As they sit I would not spend $450 on a knife I wish was better...
That is why there are so many knife manufacturers with different styles and price points. Most of us who own Chris Reeve knifes are willing to pay the price for the quality. No doubt most knives will last beyond our lifetime and most people will buy one knife and might spend $20 and it will serve their needs. Anyone who buys a CRK probably owns dozens of knives. We just wanted one or more of them. Now I have both, my Inkosi is much smoother than my Sebenza. It is my favorite knife although I have spent 3 times a much for another knife. I'm sure with your value system, you are happy with your knives choices. You probably have more than one too. What is your favorite knife?
3p1cand3rs0n balisongs are generally regarded as unorthodox and have become unpopular compared to transitional pocket knives, such as the Spyderco offerings or the Benchmade Griptillian. The knife market has developed to be more geared towards rugged EDC and hunting knives. If your looking for ballies, look at bladehq.com. Great website, all knife enthusiasts use it for online knife shopping.
As far as I can figure it - they're banned in Canada outright and can carry steep jail time if caught carrying - it's because too many stupid teenage boys have cut themselves trying to show off over the years. Because there is no way they're intrinsically more dangerous than most other knives I own.
4:29 That's irrelevant. The screw/pivot assembly becomes one piece in terms of strength when the screw is fully torqued inside the pivot casing. You can argue that a thinner pivot won't last as long in terms of wear, but by that point, you've opened the knife so many times that the blade will have been worn and jiggly and the knife would be long past due for maintenance and you'd probably be long dead by then unless you spend all day opening and closing your knife.
Red LהטΛ I had originally intended the channel to be about guns hence Luger 9mm Luger and I didn't know what Monger meant at the time I thought it meant an advocate of it really means a Salesman of and I definitely don't sell lugers
Honestly I don't care about non balisong knives really, i'm just a flipper. But I watch all of these because I like hearing to talk passionately about stuff xD
$200 yes Inkosi was a serious improvement over the 25 but the 25 still an excellent knife especially for the price as well for collector reasons they were only made for a short time if it's in good shape or you get a spa treatment done the value may increase over time
rufus gillespie my bad it's been tough my company is being sued and my dog just had surgery and needs another shortly I promise I will be back at it soon
4:15. Mmmmm u do know that once you insert the stew that essentially the part becomes whole. You sounded ridiculous making a big deal out of absolutely nothing.
Pas de roulement à billes pour des couteaux aussi chers, ils me font rire les yankees quand ils veulent nous faire croire que CRK est la crème des couteaux !! Les chinois font bien mieux pour moins cher et les français également et surtout bien plus beau et qualitatif !
I bought a CRK, but didn’t know which one to get - Sebenza, Inkosi, or Umm? I ended up getting a Large Sebenza 21 black micarta. Which one would you get if you could only have one? Thanks.
Little late to this video but wanted to clarify for those just now watching this video. The lateral stresses on the pivot are greatest at where the threads meet. Therefore having greater surface area across the threads would make for a stronger pivot. That is why the screw is so large. That being said the 21 pivot is more than adequate enough for hard use and the blade would probably shear long before either pivot system would fail. Like your videos though! Keep it up!
His comments with regard to the differences between the washers in each knife and how they operate were quite ignorant as well.
Both screws are clamping down on the handle scales. The shape of the screw head isn't affecting how much they clamp down, that's what the threads do. There's a lot of good stuff in this video but then there's some stuff you just make up that doesn't make any sense.
The BEST review of Inkosi ever. Thank you man, you are great!!!
thanks man, your conclusion at the end was just the thing I wanna hear, btw nice video as usual
although there's a lot of review about these two Sebenzas, your video is without a doubt the best I have ever seen at what makes these two knifes work and what's going on inside each, its no wonder the 21 is so popular! because it works, maybe people will stop asking why are my washers spinning on there 21's! I may add you have exlent mind sir, and thank you for sharing .
Great comparison and review video. Thanks for sharing
Superb analysis and cogent explanation.
Thank you I appreciate that
Couple little things I don’t agree with but whatever... overall this is by far the best and most illuminating, nuanced review of these knives I’ve seen. And I think I’ve seen them all, lol. Thank you.
Great explanation, well done.
With respect I disagree. The bushings in the Sebenza don't move a notable amount during a single opening or closing, sure they might over hundreds of cycles, but I have seen them first hand remain stationary for months and thousands of cycles.
As for the clearance of the body screws, they definitely make forceful contact with the scale before they bottom out in the spacer. If it's centering you are concerned with just look at how tight the Inkosi is to reassemble. Dead on nuts, piston in a cylinder perfect.
Grease is sticky, and as it is slowly consumed between the blade and the bushings new fresh grease will be pulled in behind it.
And making the threaded portion of the pivot smaller does not increase it's strength. If you did the outer shank of the pivot would increase in strength, but the male side that is made smaller would be substantially weaker. The male and female sides need to be as close to the same size as possible to match each other's yield strength.
Great vid! 😄
14:34 I rewound so many times laughing, I love it. I know that feeling all too well, across a variety of tools/situations
I had just got my first butterfly knife trainer and I'm very happy with it it is a late birthday gift
Enrique Ayala heck yeah good stuff
Picked up a 2015 large sebenza 21 in mint condition with unique graphics and tiger's eye inlay, my first crk. Love how easy disassembly and reassembly are, really foolproof. Got a new umnumzaan a couple of weeks ago and haven't taken it apart yet. My next crk will be a large inkosi with insigno blade. People that say these knives are all hype, imo, really don't know what they're talking about. Are they overpriced? Probably. Are they still worth it to me? Definitely!
Glad I watched this. I nearly passed on it. Nice critique.
ozyrob1 thank you I appreciate that
Very informative thank you so much
I want to get a Chris Reeves knife but I have to sell a couple balisongs first. After watching several disassembly vids, I'm impressed with the relatively straightforward construction, which is great. I've also detected something interesting. People tend to handle these knives like they paid over $400 a pop for them, as opposed to say an Emerson knife that people tend to treat pretty roughly when they're doing these disassembly videos. I like being able to treat my knives roughly, but I don't think I'll ever be treating any Reeves knives I get that way.
Does the triangular metal piece on the lockbar, wrap around to the lockbar interface? I always thought the lockbar interface was carbidized, but my Sebenza 21’s look like the metal wraps around to the lockbar interface.
Good job. I am thinking about a small 21.
Carried my sebenza today excellent knife
Not really clear as to what your overall point is here but I like the large bearing area of the Inkosi pivot. The screw size is rather incidental once it's assembled & I don't see it as an issue in terms of strength.
I've owned several CR knives and don't currently have one. Never really understood their relatively high prices. To be honest, I've only bought them when I was sure I could resell them for more. They are, indeed, well made knives but overpriced in my opinion. Much money is spent for the name alone.
You need three sizes of allen wrench just to disassemble two screws on the Inkosi? Did I hear that right?
Wow!
Yo Lugermonger could you do a video on the CRKT Homefront? I know CRKT to be a great company and I'm looking for a new carry knife that I can also hunt with. I just want to here the opinion of somebody really into knives and probably knows so much more than me.
I think the reason the scales of the Sebenza were hard to get apart (much harder than most knives) is because of close, probably zero tolerances... a mark of quality.
the washers on a sebenza don't rotate. I'm not sure I've seen any washers on a folder where the pivot was tightened rotate. They stay still as the blade rotates.
You're absolutely right. The washers will spin if you don't tighten the pivot enough. They should not spin
Man I wish I had one of those knives so bad
I can relate!
5 years later. Do you have one yet? Wishing is not a strategy.
The washers do not, and are not meant to move in the Sabenza.
Love you
How do you get the lanyard barrel to stay in without the lanyard?
I use a small amount of Loctite to glue it into place in the scale
The washer shouldnt rotate, only the blade should rotate while the brass or silicone washers reduce the friction on the sides of the blade. Also making the male side smaller on the pivot would make it weaker. More likely to break off the head of a thinner male than a female fitting. But other than that solid review i didnt relize they changed the desing so far from the 25s
Justin McGinty I agree. If it’s rotating then there is friction between the blade and the washer which is not right.
I’m sorry but this theory of the washers moving is incorrect.
If you look at knives like cold steel, they only have the Teflon disk on one side which is the blade to washer mating area. In fact, you don’t need to put any grease or lube on any knife between the washer and the scales. The scales finish is porous and rough. A washer is more smoother. The washer puts a smooth consistent material against the blade. Polish the washer with 1 micron or less and it functions even better.
They refer to the sebenza feel as being “hydraulic”. It’s more of the perfect machining , their proprietary washers and also the ptfe like grease which is greasy but also sort of makes it a thicker slightly slower smoother feel much like a hydraulic but of course not exactly like a hydraulic.
Regarding the preference between the 21 and 25. 21 definitely cost Chris reeves knives more money because they need to be manually sanded for the perfect fit. It’s great fit and finish. But I do prefer the 25. It’s basically the ceramic on the blade lock face is such a great feeling. The ceramic ball actually can rotate within the lock bar it’s inside of.
I don't want either. A good knife would be a combination of the 2. They are individually not worth the price of admission for either of them. That Inkosi is a budget version of the Sebenza. That stop pin being free floating is a cheap out. the only thing keeping the spacing in that knife are the washers and the bottom bushing? That is a cheap out. To me the Sebenza is a superior knife. If they combine the beefy blade, bad ass washers, pocket clip set up and ceramic detent ball of The Chief with the bushing spacing set up and screws of the Sebenza you have quite possibly the perfect pocket knife. As they sit I would not spend $450 on a knife I wish was better...
That is why there are so many knife manufacturers with different styles and price points. Most of us who own Chris Reeve knifes are willing to pay the price for the quality. No doubt most knives will last beyond our lifetime and most people will buy one knife and might spend $20 and it will serve their needs. Anyone who buys a CRK probably owns dozens of knives. We just wanted one or more of them. Now I have both, my Inkosi is much smoother than my Sebenza. It is my favorite knife although I have spent 3 times a much for another knife. I'm sure with your value system, you are happy with your knives choices. You probably have more than one too. What is your favorite knife?
ricky gervais The Microtech is great, just wish they had a tip up carry option. I have a Socom Delta and prefer it for that reason.
I'm in Nashville and we have lots of gun/knife stores, but nobody carries balisongs in stock. Why are balisongs (apparently) verboten in stores?
3p1cand3rs0n wow haven't heard of "verboten" getting used by native english speakers before 😅
3p1cand3rs0n balisongs are generally regarded as unorthodox and have become unpopular compared to transitional pocket knives, such as the Spyderco offerings or the Benchmade Griptillian. The knife market has developed to be more geared towards rugged EDC and hunting knives. If your looking for ballies, look at bladehq.com. Great website, all knife enthusiasts use it for online knife shopping.
As far as I can figure it - they're banned in Canada outright and can carry steep jail time if caught carrying - it's because too many stupid teenage boys have cut themselves trying to show off over the years. Because there is no way they're intrinsically more dangerous than most other knives I own.
4:29 That's irrelevant. The screw/pivot assembly becomes one piece in terms of strength when the screw is fully torqued inside the pivot casing. You can argue that a thinner pivot won't last as long in terms of wear, but by that point, you've opened the knife so many times that the blade will have been worn and jiggly and the knife would be long past due for maintenance and you'd probably be long dead by then unless you spend all day opening and closing your knife.
Wait how did you get your CZcams name?
Red LהטΛ I had originally intended the channel to be about guns hence Luger 9mm Luger and I didn't know what Monger meant at the time I thought it meant an advocate of it really means a Salesman of
and I definitely don't sell lugers
Lugermonger so did you switch to knives because of the absurd Cali laws?
Inkosi is Zulu for Chief
Whats an ideal knife for a twelve - 14 year old?? Besides a Swiss army knife. Under 50$
v2 Solos Ontario rat 1 or 2 Spyderco tenacious a crkt Burnley squid a few of the Kershaw Emerson CQC series are all good bladehq.com
Lugermonger Thanks!
The Knife value just went down $25.00 on s/knife_swap
Honestly I don't care about non balisong knives really, i'm just a flipper. But I watch all of these because I like hearing to talk passionately about stuff xD
RikuInuyasha that's dope thank you I really appreciate that
No problem just keep doing what you love :D
There's so many mad CRK fanboy in this comment section 😂
sebenza
washers do not move
Get a Replicant and make a review
Washers don't spin bruh, is your mind blown.
Dryers do though.
I have the chance to get a Sebenza 25 (which is a lot like the Inkosi) for $200.
Should I do it? Is it worth it?!
$200 yes Inkosi was a serious improvement over the 25 but the 25 still an excellent knife especially for the price as well for collector reasons they were only made for a short time if it's in good shape or you get a spa treatment done the value may increase over time
Reeves?
dude where you gone
rufus gillespie my bad it's been tough my company is being sued and my dog just had surgery and needs another shortly I promise I will be back at it soon
rufus gillespie but thank you for noticing that's dope
ah sorry man sounds pre tough hope it gets better and u get back to knife stuff
4:15. Mmmmm u do know that once you insert the stew that essentially the part becomes whole. You sounded ridiculous making a big deal out of absolutely nothing.
Chris Reeve
michael fowlkes sadly not Batman
if you ever feel like you dont want that Sebenza 21 anymore i will gladly take it off your hands for a whopping $0.00
First
Vincent Zhang no one cares
If your gonna review a knife at least get the makers name correct; REEVE. Not REEVES. Christ.
Maybe its Chris Reeve's? Lol lile CR actual knife?
Pas de roulement à billes pour des couteaux aussi chers, ils me font rire les yankees quand ils veulent nous faire croire que CRK est la crème des couteaux !! Les chinois font bien mieux pour moins cher et les français également et surtout bien plus beau et qualitatif !
Annoying
What?
I bought a CRK, but didn’t know which one to get - Sebenza, Inkosi, or Umm? I ended up getting a Large Sebenza 21 black micarta. Which one would you get if you could only have one? Thanks.
Sebenza