Does anyone else make folders like Chris Reeve?

I

iamsmiling

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Nov 14, 2006
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I have an interesting question. Not having several thousand dollars to spend or the time to haunt knife shops or shows, I come to your collective knowledge base for an answer.

I am very impressed with the Chris Reeve folders, both the Mnandi and the Sebebza, and I was wondering who else has a similar approach to blade tensioning; you know, the handles tension against the bushing, not the blade?

I have several Emersons I like and a Benchmade Vex. None of these or the other inexpensive (relatively) knives I have seen or handled seem to use this feature.

Your experience?
 
The only one I know of was the Microtech LCC, and I'm not sure if it worked the same. But that will cost you at least 250.00 nowadays.
 
Most blade tension is set by how tight the pivot is, some people use teflon or other low friction bushings in there, in the end the blade has tension on it, wether applied to the blade or a riding bushing.
 
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The Bradley Alias is similar to the Sebenza in construction (monolock, titanium handles) and has phosphorous bronze bushings.
 
Unless something has changed the Bradley does not have the same blade bushing system as CRK, Bradley is just a pivot tension thing like everyone else.

I'm sure there are some custom makers like Wilkens for example have a bushing system.
 
Believe it or not, the Buck 110 uses a roughly similar bushing. IIRC, Buck introduced the bushing in the early 1980s. I wish I had a picture to post -- maybe one of the Buck folks will come along and post one. Basically, in the 110 a brass barrel fits into the blade, and the pivot pin runs through the brass barrel. Instead of washers, the outside bearing surface is the brass (or sometimes nickle-silver) bolster.

I own numerous 110s, and a few Sebenzas, and I can't say that Buck's bushing system is made with the precision that goes into the CRK product. For example, its not unusual for a 110 to have some play when folded that gets "locked down" when its open.
 
Misapplication of the term "bushing" is confusing the conversation here. KeithAM explained it: the bushing is the barrel that holds the handle slabs at a set distance, and the pivot pin fits inside it.

The washers are the circular buffers on either side of the blade, which reduce friction and may adjust spacing. The Sebenza has a stainless steel bushing and phosphor bronze washers.
 
I agree re: Bradley vs. Sebenza. I have and use both, and although they are both made out of the same materials in general (titanium and s30v), they definitely are not made the same way. The CRK is far smoother to open and close, and locks far more distinctly. In fact, I find the Bradley somewhat stiff and actually quite uncomfortable to open in early use. I have tried to ease opening on the Bradley by using graphite, and its a bit better, but still, no comparison to the CRK Sebbie, which just totally rocks - especially in the annual limited editions.

You know, from examining the Bradley, it seems like the thumblug is located too close to the pivot point, requiring increased force to open the folder. It may just be my limited eyesight, but I feel if the lug was even a mm or 2 down the blade (tipward), less leverage would be necessary for a smooth open. Of course, that could be a bunch of bull and all that is needed is a bushing system like the CRK - but I'd be curious if anyone else has noticed similar difficulty in opening the Alias....
 
You may be correct that I wasn't accurate enough in my initial description but I believe I have my answer . . . there isn't much out there like the CRKs unless I want to get into custom work.

Oh well, I guess I'll just stick with my Sebenza.

Thank you all for your advice here
 
KeithAM said:
I own numerous 110s, and a few Sebenzas, and I can't say that Buck's bushing system is made with the precision that goes into the CRK product. For example, its not unusual for a 110 to have some play when folded that gets "locked down" when its open.
Click to expand...

I had a Buck 110 for a number of years but gave it up because of the play that developed in the blade and my distaste for that bowie-like clip point shape. It must be something deep in my subconscious but every time I carry a knife where the point doesn't drop to some degree, I hurt myself with it.
 
The Surefire Delta folder uses a bushing. You can probably pick one up for a lot less than a Sebenza. I've got one and I'm very happy with it.
 
But none of these are S*E*B*E*N*Z*A*S !!! :D

Actually, Darrel Ralph and R.J.Martin and many other custom makers will put together as beautiful and reliable a knife as Chris Reeve. Prices vary, quality is astonishing. It would be hard to find anything much less expensive than a Sebenza, though, that falls in its class, with or without CRK technology.
 
Hinderer makes a very nice quality folder for less or right at CRK price.
 
I think Rick's prices are a little higher than a standard Sebbie right now. Close though. Availability is an issue also. Took me quite a while to come across an XM-18 that I wanted, and I paid more than I did for my Seb. Rick's knives are top notch though, and worth every penny and then some. :thumbup:

-Dan
 
YES!!!!
The two Timberline Lightfoot models both employ BUSHINGS! And they are supersmooth too! AND they are both to be had for UNDER $100!
They come with decent materials, not great, but good enough to last for a long, long time. It seems that not too many people around here own them, but everyone that I've found that owns them likes them a lot.
 
Walking Man said:
YES!!!!
The two Timberline Lightfoot models both employ BUSHINGS! And they are supersmooth too! AND they are both to be had for UNDER $100!
They come with decent materials, not great, but good enough to last for a long, long time. It seems that not too many people around here own them, but everyone that I've found that owns them likes them a lot.
Click to expand...

When I looked online I found three Timberline models being credited to Lightfoot. Could you be a little more specific about which two models.
 
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