Best Fit/Finish - Darrel Ralph or Chris Reeve?

J

James Knight

Joined
Nov 30, 1998
Messages
61
I have carried Sebenza's for many years and really like the fit/finish of Chris's knives. I was looking at the Mini Maxx by Darrel Ralph and I really like the design. I'm looking for someone that owns both knives that can compare the fit/finish of the Mini Maxx to the Sebenza.

I had a bad experience with another custom maker and I'm very nervous about purchasing a custom.
 
Chris and Darrel are both friends. You can not go wrong with either or both. (I own a few of each and in all honesty I like my Apogee DA and Nomad quite a bit.) There is not much differnce in quality, but Darrels knives have better ergonomics and a more artful design blended with functionality.
(Just my opinion)

Darrel's customer service is awesome as is CRK's. I gave my Apogee to him for a tune up at the Blade Show, I sure missed it while it was gone, but he got it back in about a week even after I lied and told him there was no hurry
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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
I have yet to be dissapointed with the fit and finish on Darrel's knives.
 
I agree with Gus. Both guys' knives fit and finish are excellent. Both make knives that are 100% functional. Darrel's knives have that "sex appeal" to them in the aesthetics and deisgn.

The Mini Maxx (one of my EDCs) has a very unique look to it. Kind of a fixed blade lok, but its a folder, something the Sebenza lacks. The Seb is also a little heavier than the Mini Maxx. also, Darrel uses the EDI style low-riding pocket clips so the knife sits deep in the pocket. The Seb has tip up carry, non low-riding. The Sebenza is a good production knife, but why not save up about $200 more and just go custom?

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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

Living life on the edge
 
I completely concur with Gus. Both are good but Darrel's stuff just has that extra "something" that elevates it to another level. Could it be because it's a custom?
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I also agree that his service is tops. I have one of the earliest large Maxes and had a problem. I sent it back to him and he said he couldn't get at it for awhile because he was so busy. I had it back and completely done over in less than three weeks.

I will also say that CR's service is also exemplary. Go for the mini Max if you really like it. You can't go wrong.
 
Yeah, that Darryl guy is a sexy individual.
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His knives are quite awesomely finished.

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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gus Kalanzis:
Darrels knives have better ergonomics and a more artful design blended with functionality.
(Just my opinion)
</font>
Click to expand...

No, it isn't just YOUR opinion.
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Ok,
I don't mean to start a war here, but I thnk that Chris Reves has the better fit and finish. Although darrel's knives are dressed up nicely, and have anodized titanium frames, and a different ergonomic look and feel, his blade finishes on his EDC's aren't the greatest. It looks like a 60 grit finish. How can he get his prices for a finish like that? Any other maker would be criticized for such a price with a terrible finish. Yea you can say it is an EDC, but kitchen knives are used everyday come with nicer finishes, and those get used almost everyday.

The only other maker that can get away with that is Phil Hartsfield, and I have handled his knives and have no I dea where he can get his prices from for a knife with that type of finish.
It annoy's me when I put hours in hand sanding to get a perfect finish and get criticism from a collector who would rather buy a Ralph or hartsfield cause they're buying the name.


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A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth
 
60 grit finish, I do not think so (more like 5 to 6 hundred). I am sure your are very mistaken on that and it would be best to make the comparisons based on fact.

Funny the finish on my small Sebenza does not look near as good as the one on my apogee after using them for a year. And there is no comparison as far as the action on the Apogee (much smoother). Lockup is a tie as far as I can tell. No blade play at all from either. (I purchased them about 1 month apart. Darrel finishes these folder blades so that they will look better after hard use and it works. (added later)He pointed that out to me before I ordered the knife.
(I do own and love 3 models of the Sebenza 2 get used often and the damascus one is a safe sitter, but my prefered carry is the Apogee)

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 06-28-2001).]
 
You do have a point though. When new, the blade finish on the Sebes are finer. After use that finer finish shows scratches much more in my actual experience.

As far as fit and lock-up, too close for me to call but the action on my Ralph users is much better hands down.

No war here, just my obvervations.

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
I have owned both and I love both! Want to get that said first thing! Now if you have read any of my posts lately you will see that I have gone banana's over Sebenza's

The one thing that has impressed me the most about the Sebenza is the precision it has. Everything fits on this knife. The bearing that the blade turns on along with the phospher-bronze bushings/washers is what gives it such precision in opening and closing. No matter how tight you tighten the pivot it does not affect the opening and closing since the handles tighten down on the bearing and not the blade. When you add the wood inlays, in my opinion, you have a very unique knife. I have carried my large ironwood inlaid Sebenza almost every day since the Blade Show and am as thrilled today as I was the day I got it. I think it is hard for any maker to beat the absolute precision without resorting to the same equipment that CRK uses.

I have owned two of Darrels knives and can only say that they are the nearest thing to the precision of the Sebenza that I have handled. The thing about Darrels knives is you get a little bit of Darrel in each one of them! And this is a GOOD thing!

Otherwise I am not so sure that it is a fair comparison between the two. They both make an integral lock, but both go about it a different way in regards to equipment. I think.

Okay, now that I have put my foot in my mouth, somebody come along and straighten it out. PLEASE!

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Honestly. . .you'll find that both will get <font size="4" color="#FF0000">"2 huge thumbs-up !"</font>

The quality, fit, finish and customer service on CRK and DDR knives are tops !
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I think that it would be very cool if CRK would do a Sebenza in 420V though. . .
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Livin' Life ~ Full Throttle
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Striper

About 8 months ago I changed the finish on the all my knife steels. I realized the same thing you are saying. The cpm 420v steel is a very tough steel to finish.
This took some investigation, hard work, and more finish work to change my process.

If you will send the knife to me Ill refinsih the blade to the new finish at N/C if you have one.

Here is an example:
OLD FINISH
edcn1.jpg


NEW FINISH
mase.jpg


The finish is a two tone finish. The bevels are taken to 400 grit finish, then ceramic peened. This closes the pours on the steel and makes for a very scratch and stain resistant surface. This is not simple glass bead or abrasive blasted finish. This is a high cost
finish that leaves the bevels with a very smooth texture that is very high level.

Some of the folks that buy my knives buy them for serious use. So I feel a touger finish like the new finish is best for this application.

I also offer hand rubbed satin as you do . I finish the knives to the customers order and intended use.

Product evaluation is a tough thing to do for a custom knifemaker. Product innovation, design and improvment are number one with me!


Thanks for the kind words striper. You make me want to build better and better knives.


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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
MADD MAXX !


[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 06-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 06-28-2001).]
 
Chris doesnt do any work on his knives, so the question is moot.

Unless you want to compare Darrel's work to the Chris Reeve Knife Company employee who does do the work.

I thought this was the custom knife forum, why are you talking about factory knives here.

Gus, you need to watch this.
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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
 
I dont think you can really compare the two knives one is a custom the other a high end PRODUCTION knife,dont get me wrong here,i think the sebenza is a FINE knife i've owned many but IMO they dont hold a candle to Darrel's work (which i've also owned a few of NOT carry knives through)
take it for what it's worth

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Unless you're the lead dog,The scenery never changes!!!
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Gregg Lane
Peddler,of fine Goods
 
Sorry Les, if you are going to cloud the issue by bringing up facts, you are going to be charged a fee of $5.
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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
I like both Ralph and Reeves knives. I have both (more of Darrel's) and have enjoyed both. I think you should get the Mini Max. I have two of them and I like them alot. If you want one to use as an EDC I would recommend the bowie blade with the non-anodized scales. I have one and it is perfect. I still like my Sebenzas, but I carry the DDR's more.

By the way Darrel, I love the new finish on your blades
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michael

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"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12 &gt;&lt;&gt;
 
I've owned many Sebenzas and now have a small collection of Darrel's work, including a ceramic peened Mini-Maxx. I would recommend the Mini-Maxx. Both are high speed, well made tools, but the Maxx is that much nicer due to it's uniqueness. The Maxx costs more, but you don't get Pepe the Spaniard calling you at home with the Sebenza purchase
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I think customer service is as important as the quality of the knife. Both CRK and Darrel have excellent customer service, but when the guy that makes the knife is the one that answers the phone, there's something to be said about that.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CPR:
The Maxx costs more, but you don't get Pepe the Spaniard calling you at home with the Sebenza purchase </font>
Click to expand...

Darrel, say it ain't so!! You have illegals working for ya???
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Or is it just to make Chris' knife?
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also, the fit and finish of the Maxx knives have to be spot on, especially since the dual thumb studs are used as a positive blade stop. That little rounded protrusion on the handle that houses the pivot (where the studs rotate around when you move the blade) have to be just right and not cause the studs to hang up during blade travel.



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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

Living life on the edge
 
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