chris reeves

[anvilarms]

i have been asking around but still have not received a satisfactory anwser.
so here goes again. i hate to beat a dead horse but.....
why are chris reeve knives considered production and not custom?????

 

[dano]

Interesting question.

In the knifeworld, "Custom" means handmade, not necessarily one-of-a-kind. Production is essentially machine made in a factory or multi-person shop.

Sebenzas would be considered a production knife.

BUT, what would a one of a kind Sebenza be called?

It's like a philosophical riddle.

--dan

 

[alphamaniv]

IMHO, it is because they are regularly made in mass quantites, a set config, with a few available options =mass production. I do believe that they are THE BEST produced folders around, (I dont have any of his fixed blades yet). To me a custom is made by ONE person for ONE person. Anyhow that's my two cent's, i'm sure others will chime in Do you have a Reeve? If yes, which one(s)? Im thinking about a one piece knife, just not sure which one.

 

[DJ _Wolf]

I posted in your thread on KF, if it helps...

 

[TedV]

I consider my Chris Reeve a production knife. It is however hand (flat) ground, hand sharpened, hand fit to the lock, hand signed by Chris Reeve.

Ted

 

[mete]

Perhaps the Sebenza should be called a semi-production knife since it involves so much hand work.

 

[trane fan]

Perhaps the Sebenza should be called a semi-production knife since it involves so much hand work.

I've often thought the same thing. When I call my Sebbie or Mnandi a "production" knife I feel like I do it with tongue in cheek.

 

[PWork]

Compare a CRK to most "customs" and you will wonder even more.

Paul

 

[DaveH]

The knife "Cabal" got all pissy because CRK was using cnc machines and the such for precision, accuracy and production. Much furor over what was custom or not occurred, and that furor is still happening.

So in the mean time his knives got considered "production". Zoom forward a few years and the technique of using standardized processes and machines is being done my many other makers, except now they call it "mid-tech" and it's all hip and cool.

IMO, there's only one way to judge knife and that is by it's quality, which can encompass many things. The terms "custom" and "production" exist more as a description to the size of the company, or perhaps to the amount of production.

 

[squid meat]

Dave is right on, with computers / CNC's floating around, who's to say what is & is not a "custom" knife. Quality / fit & finish can vary all across the spectrum.
CRK could still be considered a "production" company, but taking into account his QC, you still get more bang for yo' buck than many "custom" makers. (IMHO, of course).

 

[Geode]

I would classify the Reeve knives as Midtech because Chris is deeply involved in the design and manufacture of the knives and daily operations of the company. CRK does it's own heat treat, the last time I checked. However, he does not solely produce each knife himself.

It seems that numerous custom knife makers use CNC machinery for handle, blade, and part work. Additionally, screws, clips, bushings, thumb studs, etc are probably often purchased from vendors. Often, the heat treat is done by a party other than the maker (e.g. Paul Bos). However, even when machine aided, and in posession of parts purchased from others, the custom knife maker is pretty much the sole author.

Gets pretty grey sometimes.

 

[Danbo]

Reeve knives are considered production, because they have won awards at the Blade show for Best Production knife. I don't care what they call them, I like them.