{"id":81997,"date":"2017-11-08T03:53:01","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T08:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=81997"},"modified":"2017-11-08T03:53:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T11:23:06","slug":"small-inkosi-insingo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/small-inkosi-insingo\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Reeve Small Inkosi Insingo – Full Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Chris<\/a>

The Small Inkosi Insingo with carbon fiber handle. A KnifeArt.com exclusive offering.<\/p><\/div>\n

This is not really a review so much as it is a brag sesh (session). What I mean is don\u2019t expect objectivity because you\u2019ll get none. I\u2019m a Chris Reeve fanboy<\/a>, through and through. And I\u2019d rather be upfront and honest about this than try to pretend otherwise over a 1,000-plus word \u201creview.\u201d<\/p>\n

I was sold on the Inkosi when I first saw it at Blade 2016<\/a>. As I said back then, \u201cI\u2019m going to wait to grab my Inkosi (haven\u2019t made the decision on large or small just yet) once they start taking orders for special graphics and\/or handle material.” At the time, they only offered their standard, plain Jane titanium handles.<\/p>\n

Well, now more handle and blade options are available. So, the decision\u2019s been made. Enter the KnifeArt.com exclusive Small Inkosi Insingo<\/a> with carbon fiber front handle.<\/p>\n

Why the Small Inkosi?<\/h2>\n
\"Chris<\/a>

My two Chris Reeves. On top is a Large Sebenza 21 with a ladder Damascus drop-point blade and handles featuring snakewood inlays.\u00a0 On the bottom is the Small Inkosi.\u00a0 You’ll notice the over-sized pivot in the Inkosi as one of the main differences between the\u00a0two knives.<\/p><\/div>\n

I went with the Small Inkosi because I already have a Large Sebenza. I didn\u2019t want a replacement for my Sebenza, I wanted a companion. That\u2019s what I got in the small Inkosi. It’s a little brother. Chris Reeve also makes a Large Inkosi and a Small Sebenza, just FYI.<\/p>\n

Inkosi means \u201cchief\u201d in Zulu. Sebenza means \u201cwork\u201d in Zulu. A fun little fact, Chris Reeve is from South Africa. And, the Zulu naming convention runs throughout the entire Chris Reeve lineup.<\/p>\n

The Sebenza\u2019s been around for nearly three decades. I believe it was introduced in the early 90s.\u00a0 While the Sebenza\u2019s undergone a few small changes over the years, including periodic upgrades in blade steel, the design has generally remained the same.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/a>

I love the look of this knife.\u00a0 The carbon fiber handles set against the satin, stone-washed Insingo blade is a sight to behold.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Inkosi, at least in my mind, is the natural evolution of the Sebenza. A more perfect successor, if you will. Upgrades on the Inkosi include oversized phosphor bronze washers, an angled pocket clip, a larger pivot, double thumb lugs, an 8 percent thicker blade (compared to the small Sebenza), and a ceramic ball end lock.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/a>

Jimping and a detent on the spine help to improve grip.<\/p><\/div>\n

Those bronze washers are oversized for a reason. To prevent any lateral blade wiggle. Moreover, they are replete with lubrication holes that not only reduce surface friction but allow users to generously apply fluorinated grease for a buttery smooth blade deployment.<\/p>\n

Unlike the Sebenza, the pocket clip on the Inkosi rests on the back face, not on the lockbar. Knife nerds argue that having the clip resting on the lockbar may compromise the Integral Lock (frame lock) over time. The cant in the clip is also supposed to make it more carry friendly.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/a>

Here’s the back side of the knife, you can see how the pocket clip cants to rest on the frame, not on the lockbar.<\/p><\/div>\n

The larger pivot is the anchor of the knife\u2019s action and is a departure from the Sebenza\u2019s bushing-centric design. Depending on who you talk to this is an upgrade in terms of its robustness but a downgrade in terms of its ease of taking out the blade without having to deconstruct the entire knife.<\/p>\n

Double thumb lugs are a cosmetic improvement more so than a functional one, in my opinion. They are a way to satisfy one\u2019s desire for symmetry. Made of anodized blue titanium, they are eye-catching, like two sparkly ornaments adorning a tinseled Christmas tree. As a righty, I find myself only using the top thumb lug to open the blade, never the bottom.\u00a0 This may be because I’m used to the one-lugged Sebenza.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/a>

There are double thumb lugs on the Inkosi and only a single thumb lug on the Sebenza. It’s more of a cosmetic change than a functional one.<\/p><\/div>\n

The most important upgrade is the ceramic ball end lock that\u2019s been heat treated to 97 RC. Because the most vulnerable part of the knife is where the lock bar meets the base of the blade, this little 1\/8-inch ball ensures the knife holds its integrity when the blade is deployed. That little ball also drops into an internal detent when the knife is closed, securing the blade in place.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/a>

That little ceramic ball at the top of the lockbar. It ensures the Integral Lock will last for decades.<\/p><\/div>\n

SPECS<\/h2>\n
\"Chris<\/a>

You can see the double thumb lugs on both sides of the blade.<\/p><\/div>\n