Chris Reeve project I/II

M

Mountaineer

Joined
May 18, 1999
Messages
5
I see a lot of people raving about the Sebenza folder but I haven't seen a lot of
talk on the one-piece Range. Anyone own a project one or two? if so i would like to hear your experience with it?

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Somedays you eat the bear....somedays the bear
eats you.
 
Mountaineer: I have a CRK Project one in spear point. It is the best fixed blade that I have uesd. It is exceptionally strong and practical. Remember that the purpose of the Project I is survival and utility. It is first class, I recommend them. Hope this helps.

Doug

 
I too own a Project 1. WONDERFUL KNIFE! `Nuff said.

`Cuts and chops like there's no tommorow, sharpens easily, tougher than Hell. I would like it even without the hollow handle. Speaking of which, some people say the checkering on the handle will make you sore after a while. Well, maybe for some. I'm not particularly calloused, and I've chopped down 8" thick trees without a complaint. It'd take one hell of a knife to make me give it up.

If you like good working knives, and you'll actualy put it to use, BUY A PROJECT! You won't be disappointed. Go for the Project 1 if you're anal about tip-strength. The Project 2 if you're anal about penetration.

I have never owned a Sebenza, though I'm sure they are excelent knives. But for me, the one-piece range is what it's all about.
 
I own both a sebenza and a Shadow IV. In short, if you have a sebenza and are thinking of a fixed blade with similar characteristics, I believe that almost any CRK fixed blade will offer it. I especially like the spear point fixed blades, I think about getting a Shadow III in the near future. So I can carry a CRK fixed blade as much as my sebenza.
 
Thinking seriously of getting one and looking for opinions as to 5.5 inch vs 4 inch blade size....any thoughts, suggestions etc....

I already have a nice sized fixed blade(Cold Steel Recon Scout) and am very happy with it.
Is the smaller one easy to carry and use or is it better to get the larger one.
I too, am looking to carry it daily and am leaning towards to smaller.

E-mail me with comments if you would please.
myshane@hotmail.com

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God bless!

Romans 10:9-10

"Military" Fans Unite!!



[This message has been edited by William Johnson (edited 28 May 1999).]
 
Doug & Snickersnee:
Do you find the serrations useful, or do they get in the way some of the time?

Do you like the upper guard? I do not feel it is necessary for my purposes, but it is small enough it has not gotten in my way. If I want to stay with a spearpoint I get the upper guard.

Mr. Blonde, W. Johnson, etc.:
I love my Shadow III and its spearpoint. I admit I have not really put it through its paces, but what a GREAT piece of workmanship. I still look at with amazement.

It comes with a well made sheath, but if you intend on daily carry I am concerned with the security of the pancake sheath. I may be worrying about nothing, but at least on my example the handle rides to high for my mental comfort...I worry about it falling out.

I suppose it started when I first got it...the mailperson [mailman] recognized me and stopped me on the way over to a friends house and gave me my package.
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I did not want to leave it in the trunk, and I had it tucked in a cargo pants pocket. When I went to pull the knife/sheath out, only the knife came.
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I raised this point, I believe in the Chris Reeve forum, but as far as I know did not get too many answers. I assume that CRK feels it is relatively secure, since they sell enough knives
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without us losing them, but I would like more imput. Hmmm there was a warning about clips in the Sebenza boxes, but not sheathes...!! Any knifeknuts have any comments re the pancake sheath?

As far as size goes, I only have the 4" so do not have a good frame of reference. Blade use would be the primary concern, but I would also be influenced with respect to interior handle size. Can one of you 5.5" blade or 7.5" Project owners give me some input on this? If it is too much trouble to measure, I would specifically like to know if a Photon Micro-Light would fit in any of the larger handles. It does not fit in my Shadow III.

Thank you for your attention,
Donald.

[This message has been edited by Donald (edited 28 May 1999).]
 
Being a Western stylist I have a preference for a double gaurd for combat duty, however the gaurd on the Projects is pretty small, it does provide a certain degree of protection for bridging though. I also like it for dispatching game since I'm also a primitive hunter. I can drive the point home better with a double gaurd to brace against, which is important when driving through the tough hide of my prefered prey. I don't find that it gets in the way for utility uses, as I don't use the "thumb against the spine" method to choke up on a long blade. I hold the blade with the thumb and index finger and balance the handle on my pinky and ring finger. For anything finer I use my folder(not a Sebenza, a Buck if you were wondering). If anything I wish the double gaurd were a bit larger.

The handle cavity on my Project 1 is sizable. I'd say four cubic inches, give or take. I mostly keep stuff for making fire in mine. Fire, knife, what more do you need? Oh, I got a Scott Hendrix SB-1 kydex sheath made up, that comes with another four inches of storage in the form of a removable pouch.

I read an article by Chris Nygres in Backwoodsman Magazine(excelent mag!) a while ago, he was reviving the whole "big knife=tender foot" thing again. I have one thing to say about that; BULL $HIT! There is more than one answer to any given problem. I am a big knife fan, I'd be happy if my Project 1 was an inch longer and wider(wouldn't even mind the weight, knives are light), I can disapear into a swamp for any length of time I desire with only what I can carry in a small day pack. I can improvise any of the items I do bring from my native environment. I can hunt all the food I'd ever need, and get all the shelter, fire and water I can stand. I can and do make extended trips into the wilderness. I am ANYTHING but a TENDERFOOT!
 
With regards to the 4" vs. 5.5" storage capacity, I find the 4" in be pretty small for a lot of things. The 5.5" has the same diameter size (storage) as the other large knives (project 1&2) which gives it the nod for many people who want to put a lot off stuff in one besides small fish hooks, matches and, fishing line. When I get a chance this weekend, I'll try to stuff quarters and photon lights in it and let you know.

Sheaths: The 4" inch pancake sheath (like all CRK sheaths) takes a little getting used to. To fully appreciate the design, most people need to use it a little. That said, the pancake sheath is not my favorite. For a 4" knife with the smaller diameter handle, I like a sheath with less bulk. This would make it more pocketable (however, I personally find the 5.5" my knife of choice). For this knife, I would consider getting a good Kydex design that suited my better.

The other sheaths are quality pieces with plenty of leather. The rubber knob that locks the knife in took some getting used to before I fully appreciated but, now I find it to be very good and well thought out for normal around camp type uses.

The 5.5" model is a very good all round knife. This is the one that I seem to have better success selling to military types. Even though it is not as big and stout as some of the other knives that are so popular, I have military guys who report pounding the knife through firewood to split for camp fires and other things of a similar nature. The miliary guys who buy them generally are very insistent on the hollow handle design because of a desire for water tabs, fishing line and such if they get totally separated from their gear and team mates after hacking their way out of an airplane or something similar. These guys definitely plan on using the knife hard and DO! So, far I have had no problems or negative feedback. The 4" is a slower seller as well, with the 5.5" being hottest and, the 7" following up closely.

Size and everyday use/convenience:
One C130 pilot who bought a 5.5" Shadow from me found it to be a little big for a boot knife (their is a lot of leather in that sheath!!!). I think I have convinced him to get a slimmer sheath made of Kydex if he really wants to keep it in his boot. The particular pilot generally keeps the knife in the lower leg pocket of his flight suit with his hat and reports that position works well for him has impressed many a many a man sawing on a piece of rop with small folder of some sort or, struggling to open a wooden crate.

I have sort of starting to ramble on here so, if I missed something or you have questions, let me know.

Sid

p.s. I am CRK dealer so, be aware of that and any bias that may involved on my part.
 
Interesting discussion here. I look forward to more re Photon lights and serrations.

Snickersnee, you just need to take Chris Nygres on a trip into the Everglades.
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If you come across the article I would be mildly curious as to issue, details, etc., but don't go to much trouble as I can bear the suspense...its not like waiting for a CRK knife.

You remind me of the article in March 1998 Blade magazine, called A Bear Blade Barely. Suffice it to say that in the late 1950's the author was just carrying a penknife. A recent article in a hunting magazine had said you could always tell a tenderfoot by the large size of the knife they carried. He knew better, but just to show how "manly" he was and bowing to societal pressure, had a small pen knife. Punch line was that he regretted his affectation, when he used it to skin out a bear....plus the blade broke...part way through the job.

To quote a conversation with Jerry Busse, "You can never have too much knife."
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....of course the Park Rangers might look at you funny with a Battle Mistress or one of CRK's older larger knifes, strapped to your side...but I take it you hit some of the more primitive areas. I wouldn't know the first thing about surviving in the Everglades, except perhaps bringing plenty of insect repellant.

I did see a fishing show once where they were wading (in Lake Okeechobee???). I'm not sure I'd want to do that where there could be alligators or crocodiles. [I guess I have not lived in Miami long enough...I almost missed the first double ee in Okeechobee!]
 
Yeah, little knives don't cut it in the `Glades! I think Chris would freak at the idea of only packing 4-5 inches of steel when he sees one of our giant man-eating lizards!(incedently, aligator comes from a Spanish route, el lagarto, meaning litteraly "the lizard") Besides, the bush gets so thick out there that you need something big to hack through, that's why machetes are so popular. Some Crackers think my Project IS small!

The article is in last month's Backwoodsman Magazine. Great mag, even if this article seemed a little silly to me. Barnes and Noble carry it. I think Nygres could hang in the Everglades, but it would change his view.

As to mosquito repelent, yeah it's a must. I don't use the storebought kind though. There's this weed that grows down here, I've always called it ragweed, but I'm not sure if that's right. Anyway, it's litteraly everywhere, and it works as good as anything that comes in a can. The main thing to keep in mind for a comfortable nights sleep is keep all body parts under the blanket. I took a cityboy buddy out one time who didn't believe me. Man! You shoulda seen his face when he woke up! The `skeeters musta bled him dry during the night!

Oh yeah, and you better not sleep on the ground. I'm not saying sleep on a groundpad, I'm saying sleep several feet off the ground AT LEAST, I prefer slinging a hammock WAY up a tree. The snakes and aligators like to cuddle with you when you give them the chance. Many of our native tribes built their villages in the treetops, this also helps get you above the mosquitos. Not to mention we do have tides in the `Glades, it may be dry land when you go to bed, but it might flood later on in the night. And just because you're standing on it and there's trees growing on it doesn't mean it's land. We've got these islands out here that actualy float! It think they're huge pads of algae of peat or something. Some rise and fall as swampgas escapes or builds up under them.

Final word of warning, if you're wading through the water and notice that you've/are about to step on a gator, let HIM slide out from under you, don't try to walk around him or lift your foot up. He'll grab you in those jaws in a flash. Now if HE touches YOU as he passes by, he'll just think you're a log or something and you can go about your business once he's gone. Remember, out here the gators are king. Give them wide berth or his majesty just might decide to take a piece out of you.

If you live in Miami, I highly reccomend going out when you've got several days off. Beautiful country. I've been around the world, litteraly, and I must say nothing I've seen beats Florida's wilderness.
 
Love the comments by Snickersnee! I have long been a big blade user, and would never go into the woods without one. That's why I have a Battle Mistress! I have a Project 2 which I love, but it's just a bit smaller than I like. If you enjoy going into the wilds with a pocketknife, more power to you! I'll take the big blade any day.
 
Snickersnee, any more info on the anti-mosquito weed would be appreciated. By the way, Audobon guides now have one for Florida. Finally, one that has "our" annimals, plants, and a lot more, in it. Highly recommended! COSTCO sells them for a very affordable price, although if past experience is any guide they may sell out. Note, the self-interest here, if you get the guide, you can tell me what the plant is.
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Natural repellants were also a topic on Ron Hood's forum at his survival.com .

Re the Nyerges article. He had an interesting point re carrying garden clippers. I read several posts arguing for small knife/large knife or machete or saw; but this is a first. Makes sense, safer than a big knife, but not as much fun
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....

The Barnes and Noble I went to supposedly did not carry it (per looking and inquiry), but Borders Bookstore did. Considering that I did not find it until I asked for it at Borders and it was somewhere different than where I expected, anyone wanting to see the article might need to be persistant. I note that at Borders they actually looked "The Backwoodsman" up on a list, whereas at Barnes and Noble the sales clerk just asked the magazine supervisor. The article by the way is two pages, 14-15 in the May/June issue.
In addition to his questionable generalization re big knives, I note his caption, "Tim Snider with a Tanto-Style Knife," appears to be incorrect. I would say this clearly looks like a Puukko style knife.
 
What can you stick in a Chris Reeve 5 1/2 inch Shadow?

Well...in addition to the normal stuff like fishing hooks, fire starters, and the like

I tried:
pocket change; Pennies and Dimes - Yes; Quarters and Nickels - No
Photon light - No, reasonably close but just too big.

The approximate cavity dimensions we measure were a total depth of 3 1/2 inches with the last 1/2 inch in the bottom being slightly smaller to accomodate the taper from the handle to the guard on the outside. There is one inch of threads which are cut back from the sidewall of the interior storage cavity. The usable width inner diameter is 3/4 of inch. The cap itself has 1/2 inch of threads with its capacity being 1/2 inch in diameter and 1/2 inch deep.

So, what does this yield? The main cylinder offers an unobstructed space of 2 1/2 inches by 3/4 inches diameter. At the bottom there is 1/2 inch of additional depth about 1/2 inch in diameter. At the top (opening end) there is 1 inch of threads with the cap coming down to take up the first 1/2 inch which leaves a cavity 1/2 inch inner diameter and 1/2 inch deep.

This sounds a little confusing so, I'll try to describe it a second way. The main compartment has two 1/2 inch compartments, one at each end and a 2 1/2 inch center tube 3/4 inches in diameter.

Stay sharp,
Sid
 
Sid, Thanks for the stuff-it info. The reason I was curious about the Photon Micro-Light is that it is not really waterproof, but makes a great small, long lasting emergency light. The handle would have been a good place to keep an extra one....long shelf life too.

My daughter left hers in her blue jeans, through the wash cycle. It still works.

[I did hear of one person complaining about heavy sweat in a pocket causing it to die, but that is the only complaint I recall.]
 
I should get some of the limited run Chris Reeve and Almar fixed blades tomorrow. I will post a pic if you guys want to see one.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com




 
Mike,

Of course we want to see one...I mean several pictures...if you have to ask, just reread the how to tell a knifeknut thread!
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Donald.
 
The latest issue of Knives Illustrated has a short review of the Project I (spearpoint). They certainly seem to be superb knives, but there are a lot of tough knives out there for much less than the CR. Customs, even, and several names come to mind in both ATS-34 and D-2. Anyway, happy hunting!
 
As promissed.
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This is a custom collaboration between Chris Reeve and Al Mar. If members want one they are $399.95 and I will have them at the BladeShow. Actually I will have one and I will ship all prepaid orders post paid.

They a 12 1/2" long and come with a lether sheath stamped with both Al Mar and CR logo's. Only 200 where made and each is serial numbered. They are SWEEEET!

The price is really low for this collectors peice so hop on them.

If you are interested send me an email
chrisreeve@bladeforums.com

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
Nice knife. More belly than a Project 1 or 2. Too bad it's a limited edition. Lose it or break it and you're in bad shape.

Not that I've had breakage problems with my Project...

Chiro;

Yeah, I thought the price was steep when I was thinking about getting mine. I still think it's a lot of money. The other knives I was considering was a Busse Steelheart I think it was, and a Mad Dog Attack.

Well, the Steelheart is really just a bar of steel with two handle scales. For the price, I want something that is a little more distinct/unusual, besides, I found the thinness of the gaurd coupled with the angle it sits from the handle to be uncomfortable from a combative aspect.(Steelheart is also too reminescant of that cheesey Man 'o' War song; "Stand up and fight! Booorn with a heart of steeeeel!")

Then I looked at the Mad Dog. I read some of the fluff, I liked the idea of the hard chrome over carbon steel, I had thought about that myself at one point, but then I saw a picture of one and saw he was selling kitchen knives. Maybe the strongest kitchen knives in the world, but kitchen knives none the less. But, even the asthetics hadn't fully scared me off. I handle one at a show, and later used one that some guy I knew through somebody else had. I can't say it stood out in any way. Besides, the bright blade would spook my game during a stalk.

The Project 1 had a distinctive look, an intresting concept, was a proven design, had a matte blade, and one of the best handles I've ever held. Quite comfortable for both utility and combat.

Yeah, I'd have liked it too be cheaper, still wish it was, but I can't say I regret shucking out the money for it at all. It's done all I could ask of it. The only thing I'd like to change really is to give it a stonger defensive profile, and maybe a smatchet-style blade, in which case I'd lose the serrations. I am considering having a machine shop make me up a flared steel pommel. You know, like a truncated cone.
 
Had to try sticking a photon in the storage compartment. Per other posters it doesn't work unless your goofy enough to use your belt sander to sand each side until you see metal. Its a tight fit but works. Photon still works but I suspect it would void warrenty. If you use a belt sander be careful, I knocked the crust off a couple of fingernails.
 
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