Chris Reeve Knives

CRK to me is just a rare combination. It's the consummate "working man's" knife. Perfectly at home on the job site, and will still turn heads among the enthusiast crowd due to the heritage, quality, and general desirability that's built in. Though arguable, I really don't think there is a US manufacturer that comes close to matching the combination of qualities here.
 
Favorite tool I use every day. And I use lots of tools daily.

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Docscoot said:
Very similar experience for me, I had a pj small 21 years back and it never really did it for me. Then I got a large sebby with inlays last year, and it finally clicked. Have become fully addicted. :)

And here’s todays carry:

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Holy shit thats a good lookin' Sebenza!
CyberRacer said:
CRK to me is just a rare combination. It's the consummate "working man's" knife. Perfectly at home on the job site, and will still turn heads among the enthusiast crowd due to the heritage, quality, and general desirability that's built in. Though arguable, I really don't think there is a US manufacturer that comes close to matching the combination of qualities here.
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Very very well spoken. 👏
 
I own a small 21, acquired in a trade a few years ago. It flat out works, doesn't draw attention to itself. Not impressive to look at but just chugs along, handling any task. I have several 'good' knives and the 21 is usually in my pocket or vehicle. I'd like a large 21 and have been keeping an eye out. That's my highest endorsement, I guess.
 
I’m a fan for a few reasons.
- Simple, effective design
- They hold value like few others
- Good warranty
- Easy user maintenance
- Sebenza pivot bushing

This was the first brand that really got me into $200+ knives. My CRK collection is the most cherished part of my knife collection and the only knives I truly regret selling are the few CRKs I’ve sold.

A user from 1995. Still a solid, great knife.
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unwisefool said:
I find your lack of tantos...disturbing
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anthonycastorena2014 said:
LMAO man I genuinely look forward to your posts popping up. Long time fan buddy. I actually don't have a single tanto anymore besides a vintage cold steel gunsite 4" . Believe it or not I accidently bought a tanto Zaan. I ended up trading it for a 31 natural micarta Inlay s45 and $100. Then I bought the drop.
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LOL, he traded his S45VN Tanto Zaan to me for one of my 2 large Sebenza and $100. I should have paid only $50 or gotten an even trade, but I wanted the Zaan more than he wanted the S31, so I offered the extra cash up front just so I didn't lose his attention...

Edit to stay on topic - I like them because they feel like a well oiled machine, pun intended. Well made, tight tolerances, good form and function, and can be something to collect or to use. They don't feel anything like a Benchmade or Spyderco production knife, but those cheaper knives are still good users and often-times faster to deploy.
 
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I've got me a few at this point. I got my first, a small 21 micarta like this one, but a Classic and without the hole mod. I fell in love with them at that point years ago. I sold most all of my knives years after that and always regretted getting rid of the CRKs. I've gotten more since and they are my favorite knives out of my collection. If you don't already know, to take one apart, clean it and relube it, all you have to do is take out the pivot and pull the blade and washers out. You don't have to mess with the body screws which actually saves a lot of time and makes it easier to keep up on maintenance. And I love knowing that I can send them in at any time and get them re-blasted and looking brand new. One thing I'd recommend is getting one with double thumb studs. Being able to open a knife easily with both hands is a "requirement" for me to use it everyday. I'm about to send in the tanto to get double thumbstuds put in. I think I'll hold off on re-blasting it though because it has a lot of nice patina.
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I agree with much that has already been said here. I’m a big CRK fan. I’ve had a few Sebenzas (some of which I foolishly sold) that got me hooked. And I have a new Inkosi on the way right now (my first glass blasted CRK). I know they’re a little on the expensive side but when you look at the quality , tolerances , simplicity , spa treatment and customer service for the life of the knife , it’s really not that expensive at all. All this stuff matters to me. Everything’s relative.
 
My experience with CRK as a company is that they were responsive to the needs of our warfighter5s in the early days (and later) of the War on Terror, by dropping their one-piece line and bringing out the "Green Beret" models. These were/are serious combat ready utility knives designed and built for use in heavy and abusive service by fighting men in harm's way.

At the same time, I was experiencing difficulty getting responsive customer service from another well recognized premium knife maker whose reputation, tradition and mystique extends back to WW-II. I waws pointed or warned on this forum for talking about this with intense conviction, but if you search these forums, there are several threads that give my take on that.

It is my perception that CRK offers cutlery of solid design executed with precision using premium materials. Their guarantee and customer service seem to be well above average for knife makers in general and superior to one big name maker in particular.
 
photoman12001 said:
I’m a fan for a few reasons.
- Simple, effective design
- They hold value like few others
- Good warranty
- Easy user maintenance
- Sebenza pivot bushing

This was the first brand that really got me into $200+ knives. My CRK collection is the most cherished part of my knife collection and the only knives I truly regret selling are the few CRKs I’ve sold.

A user from 1995. Still a solid, great knife.
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Wow!! Now that’s a collection. Still kicking myself for not buying a ti-lock when they were just sitting on the shelf at my local shop, one of my bigger blunders!
 
VorpelSword said:
At the same time, I was experiencing difficulty getting responsive customer service from another well recognized premium knife maker whose reputation, tradition and mystique extends back to WW-II. I waws pointed or warned on this forum for talking about this with intense conviction, but if you search these forums, there are several threads that give my take on that.
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VorpelSword said:
My experience with CRK as a company is that they were responsive to the needs of our warfighter5s in the early days (and later) of the War on Terror, by dropping their one-piece line and bringing out the "Green Beret" models. These were/are serious combat ready utility knives designed and built for use in heavy and abusive service by fighting men in harm's way.

At the same time, I was experiencing difficulty getting responsive customer service from another well recognized premium knife maker whose reputation, tradition and mystique extends back to WW-II. I waws pointed or warned on this forum for talking about this with intense conviction, but if you search these forums, there are several threads that give my take on that.

It is my perception that CRK offers cutlery of solid design executed with precision using premium materials. Their guarantee and customer service seem to be well above average for knife makers in general and superior to one big name maker in particular.
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Lol yes we all know about your experience with Randall. Also, I believe the reason they dropped the one piece line was a supply issue.
 
Well, that is about as delicate as I can be about it and retain posting privileges on this board.

My position n (opinion) remains that Randall knives are as good today as they were in 1945.

I am convinced that CRK is quakirt oriented, innovative, forward looking organization. Wish I could afford a nice Sebenza for myself.
 
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I have found that a CRK is the best all around knife for my needs. I’m not hesitant using one under any circumstance. Most of the time my work is not dirty, but every once in a while mud,sand, and other gooey stuff comes into play. I’ve got other knives that are better slicers, has better edge retention and are fun to fidget with, I typically carry two knives, but I find myself using a CRK more than the second knife I carry.
A CRK is the only knife I’ve gotten complements about when normal people ask to see it. They can’t get over how smooth and tight the knife feels. It’s not enough for them to spend that kind of money, but they’re impressed. I was surprised how many not really knife people don’t care for flippers or holes in the blade. It’s a travesty I tell ya.
 
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For what they charge, one would think CRK could manage to clean the parts before assembling the knives (or after tuning, if we're supposed to attribute it to that). There's no reason one should have to disassemble & clean a factory fresh knife in order to get it to open/close smoothly. Sure - it's easy enough to do, and they supply the tools; but why is it necessary?
 
hhmoore said:
For what they charge, one would think CRK could manage to clean the parts before assembling the knives (or after tuning, if we're supposed to attribute it to that). There's no reason one should have to disassemble & clean a factory fresh knife in order to get it to open/close smoothly. Sure - it's easy enough to do, and they supply the tools; but why is it necessary?
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My impression has been that it's recommended with a dealer bought knife because they can sit on the shelf on occasion and the lube dries out. My small 31 came brand new directly from crk and was fine other than needing a bit of a break in.
 
Wild Willie said:
My impression has been that it's recommended with a dealer bought knife because they can sit on the shelf on occasion and the lube dries out. My small 31 came brand new directly from crk and was fine other than needing a bit of a break in.
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Ditto I’ve had them a bit dry but never dirty or anything like that, sample size a dozen or so
 
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