I am a bit surprised. I purchased my small Sebenza in, I think, in '94. I do not collect them, bought mine for carry and use. In thirteen years I have never been without it, I would feel naked. Deep in the 'glades, underwater in the ocean, work everyday, riding my old line rigid, no matter, if I have pants on I have my Sebenza. By the by, I have never " almost lost it", it stays put, just like Chris designed it. I have, however, given about eight to family and workers as gifts and this brings me to my decision to write this post. I placed my order direct with Chris, when the knife arrived I was so impressed I felt compelled to call them and let them know that in a world where everything is less than advertised and what you expect, my Sebenza was all that Chris said it would be and more. That's right, more than my expectations. It was one of the finest pieces of hardware produced anywhere. Sharp as a straight razor, smooth as ice and finished as though it were a Mercedes. I can't express enough how impressed I was, I am not easily impressed. Now, I read posts stating " rough, gritty", " needs to be cycled to break in", " must reprofile the blade edge", I enjoy this one the best " I bend my clip", etc. It was the late Col. Jeff Cooper that enlightened us to the concept of PII, preoccupation with inconsequential increments. Now I ask, is it really the knife or you all just looking to hard for something that is not there. I understand that change is the only constant, so who knows, perhaps. Personally I do not care for the aesthetic of the new clip. You know, anyone that would carry a Sebenza and complain that the clip chaffs their jeans would be questionable in my book. Thoughts?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Chris Reeve Quality
- Thread starter pugio
- Start date
Well, I can only speak for myself, so I'll throw my 2 cents at ya...
First of all, I love CR knives. Their quality and customer service are second to none on the planet. I have had at least a dozen different models of the Sebenza since 1999. That being said, I know well what to expect from a new Sebenza from CRK. And I will say that recently there have been a few small issues. My lastest purchase was a Large Classic. The one I purchased ended up having a lock issue that wasn't repairable by CRK. The clip on this one also would only barely sit down in the recess. I used jewelers files and secured the fit. But, since CRK couldn't repair the brand new knife, they replaced it with another brand new one. This one was extremely tight out of the box. I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it. When reassembled, it was still darn tight. As I would work the action, to break it in, the pivot and stop pin screws would loosen up. When they would, I thought that the knife was getting broken in, due to it being more smooth. But every time, it was just that a screw had loosened up. , and I'd have to resnug it. Then, it would be too tight on the action again. It appears, after a month of cycling everyday, that this loose screw issue has slowed down. The knife is now smooth cycling, but occasionally a screw still does loosen up. This one has taken the longest of any of the Sebs I have owned, to break in and smooth out the action. Also, the clip on this one is too loose in the recess. If I don't REALLY snug it down, it has very noticeable side to side play in the clip. So when you REALLY snug it down, the allen wrench starts eroding the screw head, so you risk stripping the screwhead. As far as this clip screw issue, we know CRK is aware of it and they are seeking a solution.
Once again, CRK makes the best knives on the planet, IMHO. But nobody, or no thing is perfect. So sometimes issues are going to pop up.
And for my own personal record, it doesn't bother me if my Sebenza clip tears up my pocket!
First of all, I love CR knives. Their quality and customer service are second to none on the planet. I have had at least a dozen different models of the Sebenza since 1999. That being said, I know well what to expect from a new Sebenza from CRK. And I will say that recently there have been a few small issues. My lastest purchase was a Large Classic. The one I purchased ended up having a lock issue that wasn't repairable by CRK. The clip on this one also would only barely sit down in the recess. I used jewelers files and secured the fit. But, since CRK couldn't repair the brand new knife, they replaced it with another brand new one. This one was extremely tight out of the box. I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it. When reassembled, it was still darn tight. As I would work the action, to break it in, the pivot and stop pin screws would loosen up. When they would, I thought that the knife was getting broken in, due to it being more smooth. But every time, it was just that a screw had loosened up. , and I'd have to resnug it. Then, it would be too tight on the action again. It appears, after a month of cycling everyday, that this loose screw issue has slowed down. The knife is now smooth cycling, but occasionally a screw still does loosen up. This one has taken the longest of any of the Sebs I have owned, to break in and smooth out the action. Also, the clip on this one is too loose in the recess. If I don't REALLY snug it down, it has very noticeable side to side play in the clip. So when you REALLY snug it down, the allen wrench starts eroding the screw head, so you risk stripping the screwhead. As far as this clip screw issue, we know CRK is aware of it and they are seeking a solution.
Once again, CRK makes the best knives on the planet, IMHO. But nobody, or no thing is perfect. So sometimes issues are going to pop up.
And for my own personal record, it doesn't bother me if my Sebenza clip tears up my pocket!
Interesting, especially CRKfan. See, that's what I was wondering. Initially, I thought of the old saying "a little information is a dangerous thing", the forums don't ya know. In the old days there was no choice; regular/classic, bg-42/s30v, new clip/old clip, etc. Oh yea, there was no forums either. Plus Chris certainly was more hands on then. Perhaps the larger you grow and the less one is involved, the more the overall quality suffers. Sad to hear of ya'lls problems. As stated, mine is 13 yrs old, carried every day no matter where or what. It was dead on the first day, I never adjusted a thing and it is dead on today. I have had in completely apart at least 4 times a year for cleaning, goes back together exactly the same every time. Oh yea, I do not take it apart the way I have seen posted here, seems to me a most difficult way to get where you want to be. When it dulls up, 27 seconds on the tri-angle sticks and back in bussiness. Things change.
I am also duly impressed with the craftsmanship of my Sebenza.
Despite having uber-tolerances of 1/1000 of an inch in the manufacture of the knife, it does not lose its soul like some over-engineered techno-marvel.
Quite simply a Sebenza is understated elegance. In the plain models the slab of titanium is unremarkable when sitting next to most butter knives; but when the blade is unfolded, the slab of steel previously hidden screams out danger to all passerby.
Like an assassin in a fine silk suit, a Sebenza should not be underestimated by looks alone. To appreciate a Sebenza is to hold it and ultimately open it repeatedly. The reassuring thunk of the liner so perfectly mated to the open blade reveals the care taken to make something so beautifully simple so absolutely precise.
Cuts corners like a Porsche 911 and carries a similar timeless design.
Despite having uber-tolerances of 1/1000 of an inch in the manufacture of the knife, it does not lose its soul like some over-engineered techno-marvel.
Quite simply a Sebenza is understated elegance. In the plain models the slab of titanium is unremarkable when sitting next to most butter knives; but when the blade is unfolded, the slab of steel previously hidden screams out danger to all passerby.
Like an assassin in a fine silk suit, a Sebenza should not be underestimated by looks alone. To appreciate a Sebenza is to hold it and ultimately open it repeatedly. The reassuring thunk of the liner so perfectly mated to the open blade reveals the care taken to make something so beautifully simple so absolutely precise.
Cuts corners like a Porsche 911 and carries a similar timeless design.
Well, my large regular had no flaws at all except that I did have to reprofile the edge. Out of box, the edge was very thick and often would slip off or otherwise not penetrate what I was cutting. This is not a put-down of CRK, which to me is the best manufacturer of knives out there. And I suppose when Chris was more hands-on the edges were more consistently done than more recently (mine was bought in '02). But IMO the edge is the easiest thing to correct as it's not a 'fit' issue.
I feel that if there is such an issue, there's nothing at all wrong with pointing it out. We all have our own different experiences, and it isn't fair to expect everyone's is going to be perfect. If there are problems people are experiencing, then it can only help CRK to know about them; I'm certain they take it very seriously, will take steps to remedy such problem(s).
BTW, I always felt the clip is one of the best I've used. It holds my Seb snugly but seems far less abrasive on my pocket material than lots of other clip designs. (probably because many other clip designs are combined with abrasive handles, too).
Jim
I feel that if there is such an issue, there's nothing at all wrong with pointing it out. We all have our own different experiences, and it isn't fair to expect everyone's is going to be perfect. If there are problems people are experiencing, then it can only help CRK to know about them; I'm certain they take it very seriously, will take steps to remedy such problem(s).
BTW, I always felt the clip is one of the best I've used. It holds my Seb snugly but seems far less abrasive on my pocket material than lots of other clip designs. (probably because many other clip designs are combined with abrasive handles, too).
Jim