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A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 11:41 am
by benben
There was a time not too long ago that Spyderco knives were THE only knives I’d have, buy, own, carry, etc! I’ve always kept between 40 & 45 Spyderco’s only in my sock drawer.
Get ready, this may be a little long…
Lately I’ve been on a tear buying other brands….
Medford
Hinderer
Pro-Tech
Zero Tolerance
Microtech
Every one of these knives above are excellent, just fantastic knives that have their own unique quality about them.
So there’s three other brands on my mind that I’ve never owned, and these three are the ones I’m most interested in to round out my collection of non-Spyderco knives, and it’s these….
A McNees MAC2 3.5
A Spartan Harsey
And a Chris Reeve Knife??
On the McNees, really don’t hear too much about them here. My paint rep came back from Blade Show this year with a MAC2 3.5 and I was pretty impressed with it, he’s since bought a Dixon, also impressed with it although I like the 3.5 much more. I said pretty impressed….he’s brought the 3.5 back in several times, I’m much more impressed with it now, it’s a very cool knife! The action is slick as glass, it’s one dialed in knife!
Spartan Harsey, one of my body techs just got one of the ones in S45VN they were blowing out for $340. Super nice knife that’s pretty big, just spy of 9”. But it feels fantastic in hand! It was a little gritty, and wasn’t all that sharp. My tech has his dialed in now and it’s a very nice knife now that it’s broken it, he loves it! Every time I hold it I kick myself for not grabbing one when they were on sale!
And Chris Reeve, I’ve told myself I’d buy one someday, but it was always on the back burner. And I’ve still got to say, every time I handle one, I’m just not blown away! For me it was always gonna be a Inkosi Insingo, but regardless of which model, it’s definitely gonna be the Insingo blade shape!
So here’s that $600 question….which model?? As I said, I thought I wanted a Inkosi but I’m not sure now? I’m only gonna buy one CRK, one, do I go old school classic and get a Sebenza, or go with my first gut feeling and get a Inkosi, go plain titanium only, or go with the Micarta inlays?
There’s a shop about 20 miles from me that has a Sebenza 31 Insingo with black Micarta inlays, it’s a pretty phenomenal knife! And also for that one only, can’t forget about the Umnumzaan?
So to the guys here who have multiples, if it were your $600 CRK to choose one, which one?
Thanks guys!
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 1:43 pm
by Mk-211
I have a Inkosi drop point, I want another but with a tanto blade.
They all pretty much have the same blade length. Just comes down to which model you want.
They're nice knives, I resisted for years, then gave in when the price was right. Picked mine up used like new condition, with a magnacut blade.
I agree, it's a lot of money to shell out, if you buy new. You won't be disappointed if you pick one up.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 1:46 pm
by Mk-211
Here's a pic of mine, with his Tuff brother.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 2:04 pm
by Naperville
I have 2 Spartan Harsey folders, and possibly 3 Hinderer XM-24 and an auto bowie. May be selling the Spartan Harsey folders because the tip is not acute enough, but that idea has been kicking around for a long time and I still have them.
I have not purchased a Chris Reeve knife because they are not long enough and the tips are not acute enough.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 2:36 pm
by Ankerson
benben wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 11:41 am
There was a time not too long ago that Spyderco knives were THE only knives I’d have, buy, own, carry, etc! I’ve always kept between 40 & 45 Spyderco’s only in my sock drawer.
Get ready, this may be a little long…
Lately I’ve been on a tear buying other brands….
Medford
Hinderer
Pro-Tech
Zero Tolerance
Microtech
Every one of these knives above are excellent, just fantastic knives that have their own unique quality about them.
So there’s three other brands on my mind that I’ve never owned, and these three are the ones I’m most interested in to round out my collection of non-Spyderco knives, and it’s these….
A McNees MAC2 3.5
A Spartan Harsey
And a Chris Reeve Knife??
On the McNees, really don’t hear too much about them here. My paint rep came back from Blade Show this year with a MAC2 3.5 and I was pretty impressed with it, he’s since bought a Dixon, also impressed with it although I like the 3.5 much more. I said pretty impressed….he’s brought the 3.5 back in several times, I’m much more impressed with it now, it’s a very cool knife! The action is slick as glass, it’s one dialed in knife!
Spartan Harsey, one of my body techs just got one of the ones in S45VN they were blowing out for $340. Super nice knife that’s pretty big, just spy of 9”. But it feels fantastic in hand! It was a little gritty, and wasn’t all that sharp. My tech has his dialed in now and it’s a very nice knife now that it’s broken it, he loves it! Every time I hold it I kick myself for not grabbing one when they were on sale!
And Chris Reeve, I’ve told myself I’d buy one someday, but it was always on the back burner. And I’ve still got to say, every time I handle one, I’m just not blown away! For me it was always gonna be a Inkosi Insingo, but regardless of which model, it’s definitely gonna be the Insingo blade shape!
So here’s that $600 question….which model?? As I said, I thought I wanted a Inkosi but I’m not sure now? I’m only gonna buy one CRK, one, do I go old school classic and get a Sebenza, or go with my first gut feeling and get a Inkosi, go plain titanium only, or go with the Micarta inlays?
There’s a shop about 20 miles from me that has a Sebenza 31 Insingo with black Micarta inlays, it’s a pretty phenomenal knife! And also for that one only, can’t forget about the Umnumzaan?
So to the guys here who have multiples, if it were your $600 CRK to choose one, which one?
Thanks guys!
None of those brands, knives would take a rich person to buy them.
You have 40 to 45 Spydercos?
You could have bought multiples of all of those brands.
That said as far as which CRK to get would be the one that YOU like the best as they are all good.
Handle as many as you can and pick the one that just speaks to you.
Rich people knives, well they run in the 5 figure range and up.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 2:56 pm
by benben
Ankerson wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 2:36 pm
benben wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 11:41 am
There was a time not too long ago that Spyderco knives were THE only knives I’d have, buy, own, carry, etc! I’ve always kept between 40 & 45 Spyderco’s only in my sock drawer.
Get ready, this may be a little long…
Lately I’ve been on a tear buying other brands….
Medford
Hinderer
Pro-Tech
Zero Tolerance
Microtech
Every one of these knives above are excellent, just fantastic knives that have their own unique quality about them.
So there’s three other brands on my mind that I’ve never owned, and these three are the ones I’m most interested in to round out my collection of non-Spyderco knives, and it’s these….
A McNees MAC2 3.5
A Spartan Harsey
And a Chris Reeve Knife??
On the McNees, really don’t hear too much about them here. My paint rep came back from Blade Show this year with a MAC2 3.5 and I was pretty impressed with it, he’s since bought a Dixon, also impressed with it although I like the 3.5 much more. I said pretty impressed….he’s brought the 3.5 back in several times, I’m much more impressed with it now, it’s a very cool knife! The action is slick as glass, it’s one dialed in knife!
Spartan Harsey, one of my body techs just got one of the ones in S45VN they were blowing out for $340. Super nice knife that’s pretty big, just spy of 9”. But it feels fantastic in hand! It was a little gritty, and wasn’t all that sharp. My tech has his dialed in now and it’s a very nice knife now that it’s broken it, he loves it! Every time I hold it I kick myself for not grabbing one when they were on sale!
And Chris Reeve, I’ve told myself I’d buy one someday, but it was always on the back burner. And I’ve still got to say, every time I handle one, I’m just not blown away! For me it was always gonna be a Inkosi Insingo, but regardless of which model, it’s definitely gonna be the Insingo blade shape!
So here’s that $600 question….which model?? As I said, I thought I wanted a Inkosi but I’m not sure now? I’m only gonna buy one CRK, one, do I go old school classic and get a Sebenza, or go with my first gut feeling and get a Inkosi, go plain titanium only, or go with the Micarta inlays?
There’s a shop about 20 miles from me that has a Sebenza 31 Insingo with black Micarta inlays, it’s a pretty phenomenal knife! And also for that one only, can’t forget about the Umnumzaan?
So to the guys here who have multiples, if it were your $600 CRK to choose one, which one?
Thanks guys!
None of those brands, knives would take a rich person to buy them.
You know that was a play on words!
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 3:28 pm
by Darklight111
I own quite a few folding knives, including models from CRK, Hinderer, Microtech, Spartan Blades, and a number of custom knives. Although I love Bill Harsey's designs at Spartan Blades, CRK knives are ultimately higher quality, retain their value, and offer excellent customer service.
If I had to keep just one, it would be a Large Regular Sebenza, but these are no longer manufactured. For affordable knives, I would choose a Sebenza 31, which is similar in spirit to the Sebenza Classic. I would choose either the standard full Ti version (with dual studs) for its “tool” aspect or the micarta version for a neo-vintage look (watchout, it's a tad thicker model in the pocket). For me, a Sebenza is a tool, and a tool of this type must be pointy and therefore versatile, which is why I exclude the Inkosi models from the outset.
I like my Umnumzaan, but it wouldn't be the model I would choose if I had to choose just one.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 3:31 pm
by benben
Darklight111 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 3:28 pm
I own quite a few folding knives, including models from CRK, Hinderer, Microtech, Spartan Blades, and a number of custom knives. Although I love Bill Harsey's designs at Spartan Blades, CRK knives are ultimately higher quality, retain their value, and offer excellent customer service.
If I had to keep just one, it would be a Large Regular Sebenza, but these are no longer manufactured. For affordable knives, I would choose a Sebenza 31, which is similar in spirit to the Sebenza Classic. I would choose either the standard full Ti version (with dual studs) for its “tool” aspect or the micarta version for a neo-vintage look (watchout, it's a tad thicker model in the pocket). For me, a Sebenza is a tool, and a tool of this type must be pointy and therefore versatile, which is why I exclude the Inkosi models from the outset.
I like my Umnumzaan, but it wouldn't be the model I would choose if I had to choose just one.
Thank you sir, very informative post!
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:02 pm
by TkoK83Spy
CRK'S are certainly a good choice. I've cycled through many! Down to a small and large Inkosi Insingo. Here's a pic for size reference with a couple Spyderco's so you can get an idea.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:09 pm
by benben
TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:02 pm
CRK'S are certainly a good choice. I've cycled through many! Down to a small and large Inkosi Insingo. Here's a pic for size reference with a couple Spyderco's so you can get an idea.
That’s a great lineup, I see you also like the Insingo blade shape!
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:13 pm
by benben
Here’s the Senbenza 31 in question.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 6:18 pm
by miohin
I mainly was a Spyderco buyer until this year. I handled CRK, Mcknees, Hinderer, and Spartans at Blade Show. While I liked the Hinderers more than I anticipated, I came home with a plain drop point Sebenza 31. I have not carried another knife in the 3 months since. It feels like a tool, so you don't feel bad using it, but executed at the highest possible level.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 6:52 pm
by benben
miohin wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 6:18 pm
I mainly was a Spyderco buyer until this year. I handled CRK, Mcknees, Hinderer, and Spartans at Blade Show. While I liked the Hinderers more than I anticipated, I came home with a plain drop point Sebenza 31. I have not carried another knife in the 3 months since. It feels like a tool, so you don't feel bad using it, but executed at the highest possible level.
Thank you! What were your thoughts on the McNees?
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 5:09 am
by miohin
In my brief time handling them, it felt more towards the "tool" side than a Sebenza - less refined/polished feeling overall. I do like the look of the knives, but it was my first purchase in that price range, so I went with the known. My interaction with them was pretty short, so take it with a grain of salt.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 5:37 am
by Brock O Lee
I only have experience with Chris Reeve. The inlays are useful if you like a thicker handle with more grip.
However, I have a soft spot for the "Plain Janes".
All of them are simple and bomb-proof. I like that a lot.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:12 am
by benben
Brock O Lee wrote: ↑Tue Sep 09, 2025 5:37 am
I only have experience with Chris Reeve. The inlays are useful if you like a thicker handle with more grip.
However, I have a soft spot for the "Plain Janes".
All of them are simple and bomb-proof. I like that a lot.
Beautiful CRK collection!! So three drop points and one Insingo, I take it you more prefer the drop point?
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:44 am
by Brock O Lee
benben wrote: ↑Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:12 am
Beautiful CRK collection!! So three drop points and one Insingo, I take it you more prefer the drop point?
Thank you!
That's not the whole collection...I have Sebenza Insingo's too.
I like both the drop point and Insingo blade shapes. It is hard to pick a favourite. The Insingo on the Inkosi is not as broad as the Sebenza's, and looks the best to me.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:37 am
by Darklight111
Ohhhh I forgot to mention something that I think is important. CRK is one of the few companies that encourages its customers to take apart their knives for cleaning and maintenance. There are few parts, tools are included and the process is very simple. Big plus in my book.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:56 am
by Paul Ardbeg
CRK's close like a bank vault and are super easy to disassemble and re-assemble. I had Sebenza 21's, however wasn't over the moon with those. I currently only have the Large Sebenza 31 in Magnacut with Bog Oak inlays, however a Zaan will join the party eventually.
Re: A higher end knife question for the rich kids here.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 9:06 am
by SpyderEdgeForever
I am by no means a rich guy in monetary terms. Knowledge, possibly, but we can always learn more.
However, I did have in my hands an actual original Al Mar SERE, one of the 1980s ones with the Kraton scales. Mr. Mar is one of my knife designer and American heroes. Ask sal, he knew him. Mar was one of the greats. I still wish I had that folder. Old School knives were great.