Chris Reeve Knives -what's the difference?

[allyourblood]

I understand that a .000 of whatever can throw something off but then where is that consistency?

That's precision. The consistency is in the high level of precision that results during production, not the ability to randomly swap out parts. Those other items mentioned can be swapped so easily because their tolerances aren't as tight as CRK's.

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

You're looking at this backwards. Interchangable parts does not equal tight tolerances, quite the opposite. That suggests that the parts are loose enough to work in any knife.

All CRKs are hand fitted, each blade to each lock, to each bushing to each washer. It's this hand fitting that allows for the extremely tight tolerances.

It's much like most super cars being built now days. The parts are cast and then literally hand fitted into the engines. You can't just go cast another exhaust manifold and throw it on. Doesn't work that way.

Not really. You can swap parts from mustang to mustang. You can swap scales from one Spyderco to another. Supposedly not so with the Sebenza. This is the part I don't understand. They are said to be manufactured to the tightest tolerances consistently, but you can't swap a blade without CRK hand fitting the stop pin sleeve, bushing, or washers. I understand that a .000 of whatever can throw something off but then where is that consistency?

 

[hardheart]

I believe what he is getting at is that if the production is at such a high degree of precision, that the parts would be interchangeable because they are each produced to the same spec. Say if all Sebenzas locked at 50% of the lock bar thickness, that would mean all the blade tangs were ground at the same angle at the same distance from the pivot, the lock bars were all cut to the same length and the faces all also cut at the same angle, all the blade and handle stock at the same thickness, etc. A level of precision equal to that is way out there, like the infi-lock or a zipper blade.

 

[bearcut]

As far as the “It’s a knife I can pass down to my children so they can use it” argument goes;


Does anybody’s son really want the “greatest” folder that their Dad bought 20-50 years ago?
Heck no, except for sentimental reasons maybe.


They want a modern knife. They want the better steel, the better locking mechanism, the better materials, etc.


Knives, and everything else, evolve. Almost no product is so good at its inception that it remains essentially unchanged, and unchallenged. (OK, a 1911 is a major exception)


The idea of “passing the knife down to my sons and grandsons”, with the idea that it will gleefully replace their modern folder, is wishful thinking at best.


I don’t think my Dad’s (state of the art, 1967) Case is a better knife than anything in my current collection. It may be an heirloom, but it sure isn’t very good to use anymore. It has inferior blade steel, inferior F&F and inferior design. What is appealing about those traits in an EDC? I can buy a $40 Kershaw, Spyderco or Benchmade that will blow it out of the water.


Titanium framelocks are a dime a dozen now and many inexpensive ones are very good. The Sebenza isn’t a unique design anymore. It’s only a grail and legend to those who make it that way. Good knives, but not all that.


There have been a few folders that I regret giving away or selling. I really liked these folders, despite the brand, cachet, or cost. Most of these I have re-bought. The Sebenza and Umnumzaan are not among them simply because I didn’t like them that well.

 

[flipe8]

I've read the entire thread with great interest and have found it to be a pretty good read. One question comes to mind, though. What production knives would forum members absolutuely drop at least $350 on, as many production folders have MSRPs closing in a CRK prices? If yes, would they mind naming them?

 

[maximus83]

I've read the entire thread with great interest and have found it to be a pretty good read. One question comes to mind, though. What production knives would forum members absolutuely drop at least $350 on, as many production folders have MSRPs closing in a CRK prices? If yes, would they mind naming them?

Good question. There's one production folder that comes to mind that I'd CONSIDER dropping that kind of coin on: the new Lion Steel SR1's, with the titanium and the Sleipner satin blade. Those things are beautiful knives to me, and retailing for nearly $400. Problem is, they use a lock-type that is RH biased, so despite a knife that is nearly perfect in every OTHER way, I won't get one as I'm a LH user.

 

[jill jackson]

I think that the CR folders lock-up better than a lot of the cheaper production ti-frame locks. Not any better than similarly priced mid techs and most production in the same price range. But, from what I've seen they seem tighter locking and tend to stay that way, than many of the cheaper ones.

 

[Ankerson]

I think that the CR folders lock-up better than a lot of the cheaper production ti-frame locks. Not any better than similarly priced mid techs and most production in the same price range. But, from what I've seen they seem tighter locking and tend to stay that way, than many of the cheaper ones.

That's were engineering and those extremely tight tolerances come into play along with that hand fitting.

 

[flipe8]

Good question. There's one production folder that comes to mind that I'd CONSIDER dropping that kind of coin on: the new Lion Steel SR1's, with the titanium and the Sleipner satin blade. Those things are beautiful knives to me, and retailing for nearly $400. Problem is, they use a lock-type that is RH biased, so despite a knife that is nearly perfect in every OTHER way, I won't get one as I'm a LH user.

I had one and was an awesome knife. The most stout knife I've owned(including Hinderers,ZTs and Striders), but it was simply too heavy and slick for my tastes. I'm really hoping the SR1 Mini does it for me. The question is more for personal interest and not knocking anyone. For example as I just checked the MSRP on a Sage2 and it's $274. Would someone pay that?

 

[RetiredGuns]

With the exception of a couple posts it has been a great thread. Whenever "measuring stick" knives are discussed, the Sebenza will be brought up and there is a reason. Due to the price of CRKs the discussions will often get a little heated. If a Sebenza was $119, what would it be? Likely lost in the plethora of other $119 (damn good) knives.

 

[Tim616]

With the exception of a couple posts it has been a great thread. Whenever "measuring stick" knives are discussed, the Sebenza will be brought up and there is a reason. Due to the price of CRKs the discussions will often get a little heated. If a Sebenza was $119, what would it be? Likely lost in the plethora of other $119 (damn good) knives.

Incorrect,

Where would it be dt $119?

Back ordered for 5+ years.

 

[snowreaper1]

Theres a reason CRKs garner so much attention, so many of the same threads over and over. Chris Reeve got it right. Its a classic design that hasn't been changed much at all since its beginning.
Yet I would have to say they are at their most popular they have ever been now. In order to produce such high quality folders they have to be done in small batches with a lot of hands on work
with attention to detail.
I enjoy higher end mid tech knives. For me I can definitely tell a difference between a folder costing several hundred dollars and one under $100. And it doesn't have to do at all with cutting performance.
Theres that X factor that can't really be explained in words. It just something you have to experience first hand and have a lot of experience with different knives to know.

 

[RetiredGuns]

Actually the Sebenza is quite inexpensive. I got mine for $1. It's that damn $349 microfiber cloth that will get ya.

 

[seelow123]

Actually the Sebenza is quite inexpensive. I got mine for $1. It's that damn $349 microfiber cloth that will get ya.

It's a very nice cloth and quite worth the $349. And check out that wrench,it's large

 

[RetiredGuns]

Incorrect,

Where would it be dt $119?

Back ordered for 5+ years.

I'm not sure you got my exact point. Sure if the knives were marked down to $119 now they would sell like wildfire but had they always been $119 then there might not be all the hubub. So many folks saying that knives costing 1/3 of the price are doing the same and more so if they were lumped in with the other $119 knives from day one they might just enjoy such stature as a knife like the Paramilitary. However this is not the case, they are not built like $119 knives and 25 years of continued success sells itself.

 

[recon1s14]

Well there are plenty knife companies with superb fit-n-finish out there, for the modern blades I would take a look at Spyderco for sure, but if you appreciate a Traditional slip-joint (and some lockers) then Case xx knives are amazing quality, take a look at that company.

 

[RetiredGuns]

Well there are plenty knife companies with superb fit-n-finish out there, for the modern blades I would take a look at Spyderco for sure, but if you appreciate a Traditional slip-joint (and some lockers) then Case xx knives are amazing quality, take a look at that company.

Check, check & check..

 

[Ankerson]

Incorrect,

Where would it be dt $119?

Back ordered for 5+ years.

They would never be $119 the way they are built with those tolerances etc so that's a mute point.

The price of admission is around $400, either people will pay that price for a new one or slightly cheaper for a used one or they just don't own one.

I don't see what the issue really is here beyond cost that is, there are knives in different price ranges that people can buy, if they have an issue with the price it's the individuals issue, not the knives.

It's almost like some people are saying a $10 flea market knife is just as good as a Spyderco Para 2 or that the Para 2 should really cost like $35.

That's what the comparisons are like here....

 

[Tsujigiri]

Incorrect,

Where would it be dt $119?

Back ordered for 5+ years.

Yeah, people recognize quality. Look at the Spyderco Gayle Bradley; that's about as close as I've seen in a lower priced production folder to CRK precision, and those were sold out most places for quite some time. The Sebenza isn't just a knife that looks a certain way; you really have to use it in person to know why people like it. It's kind of hard to describe to someone over the internet why exactly they should invest in a knife that expensive, but there's no reason why people should rush into the higher end of knives anyway. At some point, most people will develop a taste for what makes a good knife, and be able to appreciate a knife like the Sebenza. If you're not there yet, enjoy the cheaper knives to the fullest extent while you still can.

 

[Ankerson]

Yeah, people recognize quality. Look at the Spyderco Gayle Bradley; that's about as close as I've seen in a lower priced production folder to CRK precision, and those were sold out most places for quite some time. The Sebenza isn't just a knife that looks a certain way; you really have to use it in person to know why people like it. It's kind of hard to describe to someone over the internet why exactly they should invest in a knife that expensive, but there's no reason why people should rush into the higher end of knives anyway. At some point, most people will develop a taste for what makes a good knife, and be able to appreciate a knife like the Sebenza. If you're not there yet, enjoy the cheaper knives to the fullest extent while you still can.

True, one just can't go from something like a Buck 110 to a Sebenza right off the bat because most of them just won't see or know what the differences are, progression is a better way to go.

Hand a Sebenza to ave Joe Six-pack and tell them what it costs and see what happens......