Great, thorough, fair review. Thank you.

Great Video. Inkosi is next on the wish list!

I've had a large Sebenza 25 for a couple years. Out of my 75 or so Folding knives, it is my only Chris Reeve knife. Thinking about getting this one. Looks great.

Rob this was a most anticipated review for me as you probably know and you nailed it as always. Thanks. Unfortunately I couldn't wait and took my knife apart a few days prior to the release of this video. I encountered exactly what you went through. Even with removing the pivot first it's tough to get the scales apart but my biggest problem has been after reassembly the adjustment of the pivot screw to achieve smooth action vs. blade centering. I got the pivot screw just right, opened and closed the blade a few times and it's as though the pivot screw tightens a smudge. I finally added the lock tight got it where I wanted it and put the knife away. I will get it back out later today and see if it's better

Just ordered my first inkosi and CRK can't wait to get it!

I think your lives are excellent. Congratulations.

I feel like the floating stop pin is done to allow a smoother action. All of knives require adjusting both the pivot and the body screw closest to the pivot to get a perfect smoothness while keeping everything tight, maybe the floating stop allow allows the slabs around the washers to stay parallel regardless of how you set the pivot.

Got one...love it...

Thanks a lot.

Very nice folder! :)

nice! got the same exact one love it!

After all my nit picking this knife then buying the lg 21 after a little tlc I'm happy to say this has been my edc for a week now and I'm very pleased. Think it'll be replacing my para 2. At least for a while

Thank you for your honest opinion but I'm still happy with my large sebenza, thank you for the vid.n keep uploading .😀😀

Hey Rob, great video! I might be picking up a large Inkosingo when its released. What are your thoughts? On a side note, if I'm interested in your sharpening service, whats the approx. turn around time nowadays??

Hey Rob great review as always. Thanks for being honest and pointing out the flaws. I've had an Inkosi before and although it felt strong near the pivot, when I put light pressure with my hand on the spine near the tip I noticed there was some Veritcal blade play. I don't know if this is because of the ceramic interface or the floating stop pin. I stupidly kept my fingers in the blade path and applied a little more pressure not thinking this strong CRK knife would disengage but it did shockingly easily. I basically gashed my finger open almost exactly like you did with that Emerson knife Rob. I also did not enjoy putting this knife back together and found it very finicky. In my opinion CRk shouldn't fix what isn't broken, unless they feel the 21 is broken or outdated 🤔 Imo the 21 is a stronger knife but that ain't saying very much because we all saw how easily that lock failed during the cold steel testing. The only reason I would want a CRK is for ease of maintenance and longevity with the warranty. Although many other companies have better warranty IMO. And the new red micarta 21 from knives ship free is sexy just too pricy for what u get.

Rob- great overview and insight. New boxing is an improvement. I totally agree that the micarta and other materials put on the scales are done poorly. It always looks like an afterthought. Great knife.

I picked one up with the red linen micarta inlays and it's hands down my favorite knife I own. I've got quite a collection too so that's saying a lot. I also prefer this over the 21. However I forgot to mention that it came quite dull out of box which was disappointing but I fixed that immediately. That shouldn't be the case when your paying 400 plus for a knife

Watching this while I wait for mine to arrive tomorrow: my first chris reeve knife Excited!

Was going to ask you if you knew Chris Reeve Knives had switched up their packaging again but I see I don't have to ask. I just got my first Sebenza, a large 21 insingo who's birthday is March 30th 2017. I got it on Saturday and I'm already in love! 😊

looks real good!

Well I'm going to have to purchase a lg. Sebenza 21 to compare myself. If the lock pin were in a fixed position I agree totally with you Rob, I think it would have made a world of difference but for me that's not just picking. I think the strength would be most improved as well as the consistency of the action. I can feel the movement in the scales as I open the knife. We'll see when I have something to compare to. I like the sm. Sebenza 21 I own better but am losing interest in smaller knives. I hope you have a lg. 21 in the sale tomorrow night because it'll be off to the races. Practicing my email typing speed tonight. Lol 😂. Thanks for portraying the inkosi very honestly and accurately and I hope you enjoy yours. I am still pleased to own and have collected one.

The notch at the top is so you can't see the transition from rounded spine to flat, because that's where its easiest to tell if the spine is misground

Oh lord, I should've bought a sabenza instead of a benchmade phaeton...... been regretting it.

Rob, I loved the video. You inspired the start of my CRK collection. Really want to get an Inkosi. I tend to use 85W Nano oil on my Umnumzaan pivot and the Nano grease on the washers. I just wonder if a little lubrication on the pivot might have helped the action?

Great vid

I will be picking up a small Inkosi with the insingo blade in the near future! It would go well with my standard Sebenza (with BG42 steel).

Very fine. I have the CF Large Inkosi. Debating selling it, though, for the Insingo Inkosi. Nice review as always.

Hey , I recently got my First CR Large Sebenza Lefty burled elder. Love it, my first high end non-flipper. Your review of that knife helped me make that decision. What do you think is the Best CR LARGE Knife. ? Thanks. Bob C.

@TheApostleP - Hey Rob! awesome review/overview of the large Inkosi, it's becoming one of my favorite blades to carry except one thing. My Inkosi has these small dots of rust, 4 or 5 on the blade and I've tried so much to get rid of them and nothing, do you have any suggestions? I'd really appreciate anything.

i will have one, one-day

Thank you Rob, again a great review. Which angle do you apply during sharpening for the Inkosi and the Umnumzaan? Do you use the same angles for the Sebenza 25 and 21 as well?

Thinking of getting an inkosi insingo in S35 but heard crk may be switching to s45 this year. What are you thoughts, should I wait or pull the trigger on a s35 since it’s so refined and the S45VN may need years of tweaking the heat treat like they did with the s35.

Hi, great covering of the knife.May I ask what camera you are using?

this video made me get the large inkosi lh as well. mine's born on april 2018. the detent seems to be more stiff compared to a friend of mine who has it born february 2018.

Seen some lefty models on forums for about $250-$270 for the small inkosi. What do you think of those. I never have spent so much on a knife, but idk if I should pull the trigger.

Back in June I picked up an Incosi Tanto w/Micarta inlay with part of my COVID stimulus check, then lost it at work the same week. My wife was pretty upset and I totally freaked out and obsessively searched for it but I couldn’t find it anywhere, I prayed about it and finally gave it to the Lord, then, today, four months later a customer asked me if a guitar strap came with the pocket knife hanging on it, I have the Incosi back! I have no idea how the knife made it onto the strap but there it was, hanging on the strap. I had to share this little story with you, I know a pocketknife is a trivial thing when the world is so upside down, but it was just one more example out of many in my life of how much God truly loves us. First He loved me enough to send his one and only son to die in my place and pay the price for my multitude of sins giving me the choice to spend eternity in His presence, now He shows He cares enough to return to me something so small, this is a very, very special knife to me now! I really enjoy your reviews and testimony and hope to send this Incosi in for your full sharpening and treatment after I’ve put some more use into it.

You’ve probably figured it out by now, but you did you quite a bit of nano grease, which likely caused the sluggish deployment. You probably only need about half the amount you used, maybe even less-less is more with nano-grease. A better way to apply it would be a thin layer to the contact points on the blade itself instead of in the washer pockets. Hope that’s helpful!

Did you polish the washers? If so, what method did you use?

Wish I could afford a lefty Chris Reeve.

Great video Rob. I never liked the Seb 25 so I've had my eye on one of these since they first came out. 3 steps forward 2 steps back in some ways but I'll definitely be picking one up at some point this year. I think maybe the 85 weight nano-oil would be a better fit than the heavy grease.

Still have my Incosi. 5 years now. It will survive me I think.

For someone buying their first CRK, would you recommend the Large Sabenza 21 or the Large Inkosi?

Maybe the stop pin floats to allow even bushing pressure through the bushing tension adjustment range. Might be especially important with the large diameter bushings.

The Word is sharp Brother and so is yours, I don't want you to cut yourself ....“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

@TheApostleP how about grind Rob, is it more flat like 25, or is it same depth hollow like 21?

Thanks for pointing out the floating stop with no front spacer. That seems like a huge design flaw over the sebenza. I'd be willing to bet side to side forces on that blade torque the case? That also means bad forces on the washer, stud, knife surface, etc. I was leaning towards the inkosi but now I think the sebenza is the way to go.

Would you choose a Sebenza 25 or a Large Inkosi?

Good evolution on the washer compared to the Umnumzaan. I wonder if CRK will make the same changes to the smaller Inkosi.

Have to disagree about the pocket clip being better when slanted. When the blade is open, it doesn't matter if there isn't as much tension on the pocket clip because your never going to be trying to clip the knife while open, that is pointless to point out. I feel as though the clip on the 21's made the knife look WAY more clean and way more aesthetically pleasing.

Rob I had all but written off the inkosi after seeing the small version... but after I saw this review I might just have to pick up a large lefty inkosi of my own! What's the name of that lube you're using on the pivot washers again? Where do you get it from? 👍🏼👍🏼

Kind of off topic but have anyone else use their knife so much and sharpen so much that you can notice the blade is shorter in the frame? My xm and 21 are like this and kind of bothers me but I know it comes with using my knives.

Can the thumb stud be removed from the off side or are they mated together

Good Morning. BENCHMADE 781 or Inkose large? Thank you.

I know you were testing out the nano grease. The knife came with grease and loctite. I would have used the lubricate that came with the knife. Thanks for the video. Perhaps you do a follow up / part two to this video to share your experience 18+ months later?

by yourself a nice set of high end rc type hex drivers.

Now if I could just get an Inkosi with Insingo blade - whow.... gimmy gimmy gimmy!

I own three large Inkosi’s, no Large Sebenza 21’s and no Umnumzaan’s. I’ve never even handled a Large Sebenza 21 or an Umnumzaan...just went straight to the Large Inkosi’s and I love them! I want to buy a Large Sebenza 21 and an Umnumzaan but I’m afraid I’ve been spoiled by the action of the Large Inkosi and won’t like the action of the Large Sebenza 21 and the Umnumzaan. Which knife’s action is closer to the Large Inkosi, the Large Sebenza 21 or the Umnumzaan? Can you rate the three knives in order of your preference? Thank you.

I actually like that washer and stop pin thing on the Inkosi.. Not enough to replace my 25 with an Inkosi, but it looks like an improvement in design. I haven't taken apart my 25 in a few years, so i doubt its that much of an improvement, but it definitely looks better engineered.

Also even though I used the included grease with gun oil I believe I used to much grease

The 25 has a odd ball stop pin anf i dont like the bent washer either mostly because of the cut out for the tab to go in allows more dirt and its just not as nice to clean and just less apealing then it not being there but i still like the 25 over the large Inkosi just because of this floating stop pin set up. Also these washers are so big more dirt will catch them, the 25 are big as well. but just not stupid big. I don't like either washer to be honest and would consider just big round bronze washers and call it a day. The 25 is quirky but solid and just more bolted together which the gearhead in me likes.

I've been watching/enjoying your videos for a while now. I'm a bit surprised at your hating on the 25 though. I think if you had one there to compare with the Inkosi, you would have found more similarities than you mentioned.

You ever going to review the Maxamet Manix? Maybe the PM2 when it's released?

Subscribed cause you’re a lefty!

I thought you already reviewed the susbenza 25 oh wait 🤔

I really like this large inkosi. Never was a fan of the 25 but this one i like alot. I think that i will put any funds for other knives on the side for this big guy. Cool vid brother

Is that the Charcoal color?

Looks identical to my Sebenza 25.....just everything is backwards!

Does the 21 have that ball in the frame lock?

But in all seriousness what do you like more the umnumzaan or inkosi

These criss reaves knives are close to $1000 here in NZ

Do you think it’s a worth the money?

I'm taking a leap into CR knives what should I go with sebenza or inkosi I can't decide

I'm having trouble picking a CRK knives. I'm a hard use kinda of guy who does milright work.

I don’t think those are grease pockets because the washer doesn’t rotate, it’s static. The only surface that needs grease are the washer bronze surface and the pivot surface. Filling the pockets has no purpose. See all that extra goop?

for this price im surprise its S45VN and not M390 or 20CV

one day i shall own this knife. one day.

Cool to learn about folders...the definate direction millenials are going

Use Phil Wood Tenacious Oil. Trust me. Made since 1974. My small inkosi is smoother than any other lube. If you want a bottle i’ll send you one. Free. Dig the channel!!

I am a major fan of CRK's and I currently own 14 of them but this Inkosi review has really put me off pulling the trigger on it.

This video was nirvana.

1:28 there is a typo. “Return the knife to *use*...”

Surprised you didn't review my large Inkosi while you had it in for sharpening

Just give it time to brake in the grease is great

don't like having to rely on Lock-tite

I could grease my truck with the amount you used.

I do not see the $425 on these Knives. When you can have a Todd Begg Botega or Glimpse , SteelCraft made for the same cost . Not on my list of Knives to collect .

I think you did put in too much grease. In my experience it doesn't need a lot of grease.

Are these totally hand made ?

gasp

Chris Reeve Knives, we put unnecessary “grease pockets” in washers but can’t make captive pivots

Sebenza 25 > large inkosi

how does Chris reeve justify downgrading a knife then charging more for it?

“The action is superb…” well, not if the tension of the pivot and the free drop of the blade depend on how tightly you hold the handle! Reeve is making a “feature” out of a “bug.”

My sebenza one of the few knives I really regret buying

only good thing on this knife is C.R. sign

That's a liner not washers .to much friction .

I'm still waiting for a medium Sebenza front flipper in 20CV....

I would buy this knife right now if that stop pin dueled as a distance stand off keeping the integrity of the pressure off that blade.

I’m not a fan of CRK anymore, sold my favorite Large Sebenza INSINGO this summer and haven’t missed it, just too old fashioned and difficult to use. Inkosi is just more of the same yesterdays technology. S35VN is ok but not great and when you’re paying $445 for a production knife you want something special, titanium frame locks are not special. Here’s my three major issues with CRK: First they operate like crap. That old smooth hydraulic but have to push just right to open is old school.. In today’s world of super smooth opening axis locks and flippers having to glide your thumb ALL the way around to get the blade locked just sucks. With an Axis lock just release the lock, snap your wrist and it flies open! CRK even advises against snapping the knife..? What’s up with that? I understand that CRK now has a tension-able pivot and has done away with their famous screw it down tight pivot system. Going backward in quality.. Second, that old fashioned frame lock. It sticks, it drags, uneven detent, wears your thumb.. Nope! Third and most absurd.. that machine milling dent in the spine of the blade! Yep, all that crap about CRK close tolerance manufacturing but you have to have a dimple in the spine of your blade that serves NO PURPOSE except it’s used in the manufacturing process..? $445 but CRK can’t figure out how to make these blades without leaving that hideous dimple behind. I’ll take a Benchmade, or Spyderco, or ZT anyday! They have better materials, closer tolerances, operate better, have stronger locks and at HALF THE COST!

Too much like a Sebenza for me to buy both.