Chris Reeve Folder

T

Thrustus

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
389
What was the first Chris Reeve folder? When was it released? How much did it cost and what was the blade steel?
 
It was back in 1994 and I actually bought it from Chris Reeve at a show. It cost around $270.00 with tax, still have it.









 
I think it was the Lock 45.

The Deacon said:
A few weeks back, in this thread, someone asked if there was a Spyderco which could compete with the Sebenza. Sal eventually chimed in. His post was primarily a response to someone's skepticism regarding the origins of the framelock. He noted that he had, in his personal collection, a Chris Reeve knife with an earlier lock of Chris' called the "Lock 45". He further noted that it dated back to the 1970's and was the predecessor of the Reeve Integral Lock. That lead to someone asking what it looked like, at which point he suggested sending it to me to be photographed. He also noted in a later post that it was a small knife. It arrived a couple days ago and he wasn't kidding about its size. For the benefit of those who like "dimensional data" it weighs 1.375 ounces (40 grams) has a closed length of 2 13/16" (71 mm), a blade length of 2 7/32" (57mm) with a 2 1/16" (52mm) cutting edge, and is 5/16" (8mm) thick. For those who find photographic comparisons easier to visualize, the first photo below shows it with a Kiwi and my LH Mnandi.

Beyond that, it's an intriguing design. The action is glassy smooth and the lock up is rock solid despite the fact that the blade is only supported from one side. The small thumb stud and smooth handle, thin on the off side, make it difficult to open, but might be less of a problem for someone right handed and with better motor skills. No clip, that was probably not even a gleam in Sal's eye yet. I'm assuming the handle is titanium anodized to a bronze hue but that, and any other questions regarding it would best be answered by Sal, or someone intimately familiar with Chris Reeve's early knives.

crk_lock45_compare.jpg

Closed, "front" side:
crk_lock45_01.jpg

Closed, lock side:
crk_lock45_03.jpg

close up, to show one of the two ball bearings:

crk_lock45_04.jpg

The balls do not serve as detents, just to smooth the action. Only friction holds the blade closed.

Another close up, note the angled locking surfaces on the blade...

crk_lock45_20.jpg

Lock side view, half open. You can almost see the lower ball bearing:

crk_lock45_46.jpg

Top view, almost fully open:

crk_lock45_05.jpg

Fully open, lock side:

crk_lock45_43.jpg

Finally, the design does have one peculiarity, you can fold the blade in the wrong direction, at least until the thumb stud makes contact with the frame...

crk_lock45_47.jpg

Paul
bar_02.gif

My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
Click to expand...
 
Wow the Lock 45 is a funky little knife. That original Sebenza is also quite the beauty. Even when he was not ubiquitous with the frame lock in the knife world his quality was still superb.
 
Chris was making custom folders in the early 80's long before he moved to the US.
 
I always enjoy reading about these early CRK's. The twist style lock Reeves, this Lock 45, the early P series Sebenzas. Thank you for sharing.
 
The original sebenza was the "H" Sebenza made in 1989. The "P" sebenzas followed it later. The "H" was handmade, while the "P" was once the sebenza hit regular production............ The lock 45 preceded both. I have only ever seen pics of the lock 45 and never seen one for sale.

ALL ARE AWESOME...!!!
 
dinokay said:
Never touched it, the sebbie is all original including the edge. I guess they had a different way of sharpening them back in the day.
Click to expand...

My ATS-34 and BG-42 sebenzas all have this blade edge grind. Seemed to change when S30V was introduced. In my experience anyways.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top