Bringing Regular back?

WyattCooper said:
CRK said in an email that they are planning on continuing the 25 and 21 as two separate knives. They're just so different that they would lose a chunk of their customers if they removed either knife (mostly the 21). What I hope to see in the 21 next is a ceramic ball-interface, which I imagine he's working on. In my mind, it's the only way I could think of to improve the 21, there's just too much to go wrong with a regular framelock, even when it's done right. Or, he could continue the 25 with the pivot bushing system and take out that transitioning notch on the top of the blade. I don't see the 21 going anytime soon.
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Good news. I like the 21 just fine personally, but I would not hesitate giving a 25 a test drive for comparison.
 
Ummmm ? CRK tell you that the 25 and 21 are different knives going in their own directions, you even aknowledge the they are "just so different". You then go on the say they should cross paths by incorporating aspects of eachothers design ? I'm not sure I get your point here.

You say there is so much to go wrong with a Ti framelock even when done right. What would those large number of problems be exactly ? I have framelocks that are many, many years old and have many, many years still to go. The blade will be sharpened away to nothing before anything else. :)

WyattCooper said:
CRK said in an email that they are planning on continuing the 25 and 21 as two separate knives. They're just so different that they would lose a chunk of their customers if they removed either knife (mostly the 21). What I hope to see in the 21 next is a ceramic ball-interface, which I imagine he's working on. In my mind, it's the only way I could think of to improve the 21, there's just too much to go wrong with a regular framelock, even when it's done right. Or, he could continue the 25 with the pivot bushing system and take out that transitioning notch on the top of the blade. I don't see the 21 going anytime soon.
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In my experience with the small Regular I found it to be less ergonomic than the 21 and did not like the jimping compared to the 21. I also didn't like the slightly smaller blade of the Regular.

In my experience with the 25, I didn't like the finger grooves kind of limiting my grip on the knife and was not a fan of the jimping. I guess that means the 21 is the "just right" Sebenza for me.
 
uofaengr said:
In my experience with the small Regular I found it to be less ergonomic than the 21 and did not like the jimping compared to the 21. I also didn't like the slightly smaller blade of the Regular.

In my experience with the 25, I didn't like the finger grooves kind of limiting my grip on the knife and was not a fan of the jimping. I guess that means the 21 is the "just right" Sebenza for me.
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GOod to know, do you have any preference on blade shape?
 
I have long felt that the regular sebenza is the finest folder ever designed. I can say with near certainty that the regular will never be made again. If you want one, keep an eye out, open up your pocketbook, and jump on one. Thats about the only way you will ever own one. I sold several back in the day. I highly doubt I will ever sell another. They are true Grails In The Hand.
 
nyefmaker said:
I have long felt that the regular sebenza is the finest folder ever designed. I can say with near certainty that the regular will never be made again. If you want one, keep an eye out, open up your pocketbook, and jump on one. Thats about the only way you will ever own one. I sold several back in the day. I highly doubt I will ever sell another. They are true Grails In The Hand.
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I know you know your stuff Nyefmaker, so I don't doubt at all we've seen the last of the "regulars". At the same time, the early sebenzas did reappear as the "Classics", so there is a shred of hope. In this day and age I would guess it would be easier than ever to re-issue the Regular, if only in a limited run. The waterjet doesn't really care what it's cutting, and the CNC milling process doesn't either. The only hardware I imagine they might need to get together, that wasn't just a software re-upload, would be the various fixtures (jigs) to hold the handles if they threw away what they once had.

I would seem to me that the only reason we would never see another regular, is that Chris Reeve himself does not want to make that knife anymore, which does make me question it's place as "the finest folder ever made". I respect your opinion, and am certainly not trying to start a flame war or any sort of argument. I guess I am honestly wondering what your thoughts are on this Nyefmaker? I understand that a lot of guys covet the regular because it's hard to get one, and I personally think it looks like an awesome blade, with the bull-nose and all. But if it's so great, why has it been abandoned by CRK? What makes you think Chris will never produce one again?

I am interested about in your thoughts on this.
 
Those are some great questions and points you've brought up kidcongo. I too would like to here nyefmaker's opinions on this. In fact, I would love to hear what Chris Reeve's opinions on this would be. I wonder what his answers to your questions would be. :thumbup:
 
While I'm one that agrees with Nyefmaker about the Regular, the Regular has gone and that needs to accepted. The same is to be said for the one piece knives, they have had their spot on the books and it's time to make way for new items that are on those books. CRK are a pretty small shop and have limited capacity and just can't keep making every knife they design, as one or two new things appear one or two old things drop off the other end. :)

I would love to see the Regular come back but I'd love to see a number of things that have been lost to old father time come back as well. My youthful physique being near the top of that list. :D
 
Haze said:
While I'm one that agrees with Nyefmaker about the Regular, the Regular has gone and that needs to accepted. The same is to be said for the one piece knives, they have had their spot on the books and it's time to make way for new items that are on those books. CRK are a pretty small shop and have limited capacity and just can't keep making every knife they design, as one or two new things appear one or two old things drop off the other end. :)

I would love to see the Regular come back but I'd love to see a number of things that have been lost to old father time come back as well. My youthful physique being near the top of that list. :D
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Good points Haze,

At the same time, there were other factors that influenced the death of the OPK (discussed at length elsewhere)and it was an entirely different animal to manufacture, requiring a whole seperate production line. On the other hand the Regular is really not much different than a 21 other than handle shape and grind.

I fully accept its gone and don't really care if they bring it back, my outstanding question is that if it is such a fantastic design, why Nyefmaker believes that CRK would never produce it, or say a 'Regular reissue' again.
 
Yea, you're quite right in that the OPK where canned largely because his friend in SA was taking an "end of career break". :p

I was actually a little damaged when the Regular was ended as I am in much the same boat as Nyefmaker. I have 3 so those will last my life time anyway. You are again correct in that they could easily make them again, but we also have to respect their diecision and reasons for ending them. I know I'll contine to support CRK no matter what they do or what happens at the company. They are great people and make a bloody great knife. :):thumbup:
 
Chris will do what Chris wants to do. I would suspect that the biggest impediment would be blade grinding. Reprogramming the CNC machines wouldn't be that big a deal for the frame and steel shapes, but I bet Chris is the only person left in the shop that remembers how to grind the Regular blades.

I do know that the Regulars were discontinued because it was inefficient to have two separate production lines for knives that essentially competed with each other. Now with more efficient and automated manufacturing processes, that may not be the case any longer. I guess that the 25 and 21 lines prove that. Perhaps 3 lines of Sebenza's wouldn't be that big of a leap from 2. ;)
 
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I never liked the 21. Sold mine. The only version I would buy again is a regular.

The 21 thumb cutout hurts my thumb whereas the regular doesn't.
 
I really like the blade design on the regular. However i just bought a 21 and those are pretty great too :D Now got to get on the hunt for a tanto.
 
Have meant to reply, but its been a busy week.

I would love for CRK to bring the regulars back, but honestly just don't see it kidcongo. I have spoken to Mr. Reeve a couple times and he is not about rehashing discontinued designs and it all about looking to the future. The regulars had their day and they are gone, just like the OPK. The annuals were the last remaining regulars made. They have since sold most of the extra blades, scales and such. They did save some for warranty work, but thats it. I asked about flippers, slip joints, not gonna happen. They are done by others. No need for CRK to do them as again, he is about evolving and improving designs.
They "could" do them again, but thats not the point........... Many people state the regular sebenza is the original sebenza, but this is not so. The original sebenza are more 21-like. The regulars and the 25 is actually more non-sebenza looking as the H, P, Original, 21 are pretty much the same, save for some rounding here and there.
They are gone, just like the OPK and we just gotta deal with it. Keep the ones we have and enjoy them. AND, look for what CRK comes out with next.....!!!
 
I find credibility in Chris's neglect for cries of the masses while staying his course and maintaining a (very) strong presence in the industry.

Chris seems interested in making a great knife, I think he will be remembered for that...companies that produce what their fans want (and do a great job of keeping up with trends) may be remembered as great companies, but I doubt any single model will become iconic.

I think what makes CRKs iconic (aside from them being fantastic knives) is that they are timeless examples of Chris's vision. And I think he has demonstrated that it is HIS vision and he won't adopt a new idea (or an old one) just because a lot of people want to. I think his decision is limited entirely to his own thoughts and ideas.



I could be totally wrong, but that is my take (shrug).
 
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