CRK: Old vs New

M

Mish_Mike

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Mar 7, 2017
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239
So...

I'm newly addicted to knives. My wife is thinking, "Great! Like he needs another obsession." Oh, well.

I don't chase the wake of Mr. Jones in wanting the multi-million dollar home or a Lambo in neon green; not even close. But I enjoy higher end...stuff. As a result, after my intro thread, I jumped straight into the CRK sub-forum. So, after a day or two in Forum > Manufacturer's Forums > Chris Reeve Knives, it's clear that there are many who love this brand. It seems like CRK's longstanding favorable reputation has been rewarded with a faithful following. And as the following grows, it seems like CRK's production has increased to fulfill the needs of the market, which may or may not be a good thing. Now, I haven't been around long enough, or haven't read obsessively enough, to determine whether a CRK purchase is a "safe bet." Meaning, there are a couple of threads right here in this sub-forum about the QC issues that seem to be plaguing CRK. Of course, we need perspective here and not expect perfection from anything or anyone. However, in lieu of reported off-center, badly ground, unsharp blades, as well as gapped inlays, should I be looking for an older model CRK instead of a new one? Where should I put my money?

What say you?

-Mish Mike
 
I have 6 CRKs none of which are older than 2013. All mine are fine. The only one I had any concerns with is the oldest of the bunch (purchased recently from a dealer who happened to have it in inventory) and it's just a blade that is ever so slightly a hair off center and is slightly longer than it should be. Neither issue is worth sending it in and I bought 4 more after getting that one. I don't have older ones but I haven't seen anything in the ones I've purchased to make me chase them just for QC reasons. The warranty is still there and if you get from a dealer just send it back if there is an issue out of the box. The older ones can be very pricey and will of course be used which IMO carries more risk than any of the new ones coming out of Boise.
 
The real crux of the issue is this. When there isn't an issue, nobody knows any better or says anything.
When someone has an issue such as the blade being off center, then everybody takes it to the rooftops.

Take that for what it is; The number of people that experience an issue is in the extreme minority.
Now, if the people on this forum were the only people that comprised the purchases of CRK products, then the resultant complaints would actually mean something. That's not the case.
 
I wouldn't worry about it at all, but if you do just buy off the exchange ,ask ?'s & get photo's. You should be able to determine exactly what you will be getting and it will still have full warranty
Save some $'s also
 
I have one of those threads with an issue. The very nice people here in this forum tried to help me diagnose and solve the problem. I couldn't remedy the situation on my own, so it went back to the mothership where I'm sure they will.

That being said, I have zero concerns about QC issues at CRK. They make their knives to insane tolerances/specifications. Getting a CRK (and subsequently several more) completely altered my perspective of what a knife could be. However, I would try a few other knives first. I am glad a CRK was not my first knife, as I don't think I would have appreciated it as much.

Just one man's .02. Take it or leave it as you choose.
 
QC issues are certainly not "plaguing" CRK, and i think they are a safer bet than any other brand on the planet. My personal advice would be to try out a Sebenza 21 👍

Sent from my SM-G360G using Tapatalk
 
I prefer the older designs myself. It's just a personal thing. Quality than and Quality now. Nothing has changed.
 
I appreciate the feedback and opinions. I'm going to take the plunge and check out the CRK exchange forum for a good deal on a large sized CRK. I'm going to hijack my own thread a little bit and ask if you guys would prefer a Sebenza/Inkosi or a Umnumzaan as a first Chris Reeveereeve (rēˑvēˑrēv) purchase. :)
 
Mish_Mike said:
I appreciate the feedback and opinions. I'm going to take the plunge and check out the CRK exchange forum for a good deal on a large sized CRK. I'm going to hijack my own thread a little bit and ask if you guys would prefer a Sebenza/Inkosi or a Umnumzaan as a first Chris Reeveereeve (rēˑvēˑrēv) purchase. :)
Click to expand...

Get which one you think you will like the most, you're going to get them all anyways.

I'd tell you Inkosi as will many others, others will tell you 21....etc.
 
Mish_Mike said:
I'm going to...ask if you guys would prefer a Sebenza/Inkosi or a Umnumzaan as a first Chris Reeveereeve (rēˑvēˑrēv) purchase. :)
Click to expand...
Choice #1: Umnumzaan
Choice #2: Umnumzaan
Choice #3: Umnumzaan

But that's just me...YMMV...
 
I like Sebenza's in general and older ones specifically. Nothing to do with the quality issue. Some of the regular CGG's are just fantastic IMO, and I like Classic MM's also. I started in that era of Classic MM and regulars, so I am sure that has something to do with it.
 
My favorite CRK is the Umnumzaan and the 21 and the 25 and the Insingo .......... uh, maybe I'm not the one to ask.
 
My first and only one is a small inkosi. Had it about 3 months and no issues so far, just keeps getting smoother and smoother!

Andrew
 
After trying a few, I've settled on the Umnumzaan (specifically, the Wilson Combat variant...I like the scale pattern better).

These knives have their ergonomic and functional quirks. But they're classics for a reason.

I heard someone say that CRK knives are like Rolexes. When you first learn about watches, you think Rolex is the best. Then as you get into watches, you start to crap on Rolex because there are so many "better" choices for the same money. But after a while, you come back to Rolex because of the way they're built etc. I think that captures CRK pretty well.
 
Nothing plaguing CRK,thing is when even only one out of a thousand is slightly off that's the one that gets a lot of attention. Lol, now if you ever visit the bench made forum make sure all your shots are up to date.;)
 
skyhorse said:
Nothing plaguing CRK,thing is when even only one out of a thousand is slightly off that's the one that gets a lot of attention. Lol, now if you ever visit the bench made forum make sure all your shots are up to date.;)
Click to expand...

I'm vaccinated against Rabies, will that be enough?
 
Well thanks for the reassurance, everyone. I did go ahead and purchase a small Sebenza 21 with some type of inlay. Northeast is getting hit with a blizzard, so I imagine it'll be a while till I get it. Patience is a virtue.
 
Oh, and the date is April 2015. I'm not sure if that's the latest iteration of the Sebenza or not.
 
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