I am very new to the world of knives. I have always used them but never paid much attention to what makes one knife any better than another. With the loss of one hobby I am replacing it with this one. So to learn more I have been lurking here for the past couple of months. After some research I now have a modest collection. A Fallkniven S1, a Spyderco Native, and a Spyderco cricket (which I have had several over the past several years), as well as several SAKs. In my lurking you cant help but come across the talk about Chris Reeves Knives. The word on the street was these were the knives to have. This peaked my interest. From there website the knives look decent but whoa
the price tag. I wondered what makes a folding knife almost $380 and why others are charging less than half for there top end models. Upon further research I discovered that Chris Reeve Knives were based in Boise Idaho (my new hometown). So I decided to pay them a visit and see what the fuss is about.
The front of the store/office/manufacturing facility is simple and unassuming (see website). The reception area was a small room with a display case, a receptionist desk, and a table of awards that are displayed proudly but not arrogantly. The receptionist greeted me (sorry but I forgot her name) and I told her why I stopped by. She started showing me all of the knives. At first glance to my untrained eye they seemed ordinary nice knives. I started asking more questions than an investigative reporter (and was probably just as annoying). After a few minutes the receptionist introduced me to Mindy (sp?) and she asked if I would like a tour of the facilities. I didnt want to impose but they seemed eager to do it so away we went. As we toured I was like a giddy schoolboy asking all sorts of questions. Mindy never deterred and answered all my questions thoroughly. She explained how and why things are done the way they are. As we toured the facilities several things stood out.
The first was that the place is not that big. I didnt know what to expect since I have never been anywhere they make knives but it is not a mega complex. This also gave the place a home like feel. It seemed that everyone was close knit and cared about what they made.
The second is the hands on process. These knives are built as close to custom as you can get without actually being custom. Knives are not built until ordered. You can even tweak certain aspects if you so desire. Every knife is handled by a caring person every step of the way.
The next thing that stood out was the control they have over making the knife. I saw the solid bars of steel they receive and the processes they do to make it a knife. An amazing transformation.
Perhaps the biggest thing for me was the attention to detail and quality. Watching them work and seeing the quality control process they have you can understand the cost going into the extra effort of a product that would even satisfy the most demanding person.
After the tour Mindy and I revisited the knife display case. It is now clearer what makes this a great product. I could now appreciate what I was looking at.
It is obvious to me the knives were designed, built, and backed up by some one who wants to make the best possible product. No compromises.
Before leaving she presented me with a DVD all about the company and knife making process.
I dont have a basis for comparison but I would bet my last dollar that very very few non-custom companies put the attention to detail and care into making their knives.
I have to say I now cant wait to get my first Chris Reeve Knife. It was a very positive and enlightening experience.
A couple of additional observations.
I didnt know that Chris Reeve invented the lock that so many others have copied. The frame lock, mono lock or whatever you want to call it is a direct take on the Chris Reeve design. This is done without permission but is technically not illegal.
Chris Reeve co-designed the SV30 steel for his knives.
The Chris Reeve Knife Company supports our troops.
My current folding knives now feel cheap (of course they dont cost as much but so what).
Even though located in Boise Idaho (a very hunting/fishing/outdoor oriented town) it seems that not many people visit them in person.
As much as I like the quality of the Sebenza my first knife will be a Mountaineer 1.
The front of the store/office/manufacturing facility is simple and unassuming (see website). The reception area was a small room with a display case, a receptionist desk, and a table of awards that are displayed proudly but not arrogantly. The receptionist greeted me (sorry but I forgot her name) and I told her why I stopped by. She started showing me all of the knives. At first glance to my untrained eye they seemed ordinary nice knives. I started asking more questions than an investigative reporter (and was probably just as annoying). After a few minutes the receptionist introduced me to Mindy (sp?) and she asked if I would like a tour of the facilities. I didnt want to impose but they seemed eager to do it so away we went. As we toured I was like a giddy schoolboy asking all sorts of questions. Mindy never deterred and answered all my questions thoroughly. She explained how and why things are done the way they are. As we toured the facilities several things stood out.
The first was that the place is not that big. I didnt know what to expect since I have never been anywhere they make knives but it is not a mega complex. This also gave the place a home like feel. It seemed that everyone was close knit and cared about what they made.
The second is the hands on process. These knives are built as close to custom as you can get without actually being custom. Knives are not built until ordered. You can even tweak certain aspects if you so desire. Every knife is handled by a caring person every step of the way.
The next thing that stood out was the control they have over making the knife. I saw the solid bars of steel they receive and the processes they do to make it a knife. An amazing transformation.
Perhaps the biggest thing for me was the attention to detail and quality. Watching them work and seeing the quality control process they have you can understand the cost going into the extra effort of a product that would even satisfy the most demanding person.
After the tour Mindy and I revisited the knife display case. It is now clearer what makes this a great product. I could now appreciate what I was looking at.
It is obvious to me the knives were designed, built, and backed up by some one who wants to make the best possible product. No compromises.
Before leaving she presented me with a DVD all about the company and knife making process.
I dont have a basis for comparison but I would bet my last dollar that very very few non-custom companies put the attention to detail and care into making their knives.
I have to say I now cant wait to get my first Chris Reeve Knife. It was a very positive and enlightening experience.
A couple of additional observations.
I didnt know that Chris Reeve invented the lock that so many others have copied. The frame lock, mono lock or whatever you want to call it is a direct take on the Chris Reeve design. This is done without permission but is technically not illegal.
Chris Reeve co-designed the SV30 steel for his knives.
The Chris Reeve Knife Company supports our troops.
My current folding knives now feel cheap (of course they dont cost as much but so what).
Even though located in Boise Idaho (a very hunting/fishing/outdoor oriented town) it seems that not many people visit them in person.
As much as I like the quality of the Sebenza my first knife will be a Mountaineer 1.
I would kill for the tour!