I get all the hype now. It took me a while to get here. A couple years ago, I would never have considered buying a knife that would have been the cost of a laptop or a decent watch. I know you can splurge on a device or accessory that are in the thousands, but my budget is relatively modest. Even hearing and reading all the accolades of the Chris Reeve brand, I had to think about this purchase. When I received the notification from WMK letting me know it was available, I checked every night to see if it was still in stock, while I debated if the expense was something I could truly afford.

I pulled the trigger after about week. The box from WMK came promptly. I bought the Tactile Dreadeye, too, and they came together in the box. The Dreadeye was a fabricated tool that will get some use. It elicited little excitement. Seeing and handling the Inkosi was a completely different experience. Someone cared to create a beautiful knife. Everything is put together so nicely. Nothing is off.

But you know this. You know the hype is matched and surpassed by the execution. You know a buyer does not get less than what he or she purchased.

I do not know if I can say anything that has not been said before. The scales texture is an adjustment, but I feel they will sand down ashy palms to baby softness. Could probably do without the lanyard, but not committed to chopping it off just yet. Why the Tanto, you may ask. There are very few use-based tantos out there. Most look like they are going for an Asian aesthetic, which seems corny most of the time. This blade on the Inkosi looks like a stout piercer. Plus, to me, the silhouette reminds me of a colonial viper from Battlestar Galactica. Yes, nerd, here. Chris Reeve knives suit nerds well. It is the exactness of their knives. The opposite of a gas-station knife is not custom with radian inlays costing 4 figures. It is a Chris Reeve knife, something bedrock-reliable that will perform its task and endure to be called into service again. I will be enjoying mine for a long time. Had a lot of one-night stands with Kizer and Kansept. I will still dip into my pocket for those and other brands, but my Inkosi is the one I will go home to.