First 31 impression from a 21 lover

OP said, "Early impression from a 31 skeptic. 21 is my GOAT and I didn't like the canted clip and felt the ceramic lock interface was a needless addition that gives the knife more complexity with no benefit."

My thoughts exactly. And it is interesting that the (very) few reviews I've seen so far on the 31 discuss the new features more like they are explaining them, and how they don't materially detract from the knife, not like they think these features add anything significant to the essential Chris Reeve Folder (The Classic/21, for those that aren't clear :)).

It must be exceptionally difficult to upgrade a product that was already the result of many evolutionary tweaks. The 21 stands out as an almost perfect folding pocket knife in every way.

Think of so many other products that were game changers, and in latter years were tweaked, and features added, that did not improve on the original. As a carpenter/cabinetmaker, I find (at 60) there were so many original products that were changed from ideal to fairly useless by unnecessary changes and "value" engineering.

I have to give credit to CRK for the way they have managed to update the product line while still staying true to their core vision.

I recently added an Umnumzaan to the collection, and while I really really like the knife, and understand some of the changes, it still does not surpass the Sebenza 21 in overall design and engineering. The Sebenza 21 is a marvel of simplicity, and the newer offerings, without the pivot bushing, and multiple tools needed for disassembly, and differing screws and fasteners, IMHO, are not actual improvements on the purity of concept of the 21.

This is not to denigrate the 31. Again, I give CRK full credit for thinking up ways to remain relevant in their field. I've also lusted after a Inkosi, but for now, the Umnum fills that desire. And I am perfectly happy with my four 21s.

Thanks, OP, for a well rounded and interesting review.
 
Want to add an update because I took the knife down to install a new lanyard. One of my favorite feature of the 21, all matching hardware, is gone. The new hardened stop pin is so tightly fit that I did not try to remove the female screw from the lock side or remove the bushing from it. The male screw for that part is also shorter than the rest. The pivot and backspacer hardware is still identical.

Just wanted to throw this out there because I hadn't heard about it yet.
 
kylemiller said:
Want to add an update because I took the knife down to install a new lanyard. One of my favorite feature of the 21, all matching hardware, is gone. The new hardened stop pin is so tightly fit that I did not try to remove the female screw from the lock side or remove the bushing from it. The male screw for that part is also shorter than the rest. The pivot and backspacer hardware is still identical.

Just wanted to throw this out there because I hadn't heard about it yet.
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They are not the same as the 21. They are one piece and have two shorter screws.
CE6F2DE4-8298-44F8-B636-60887C52D75D.jpeg
 
Ah. I didn't turn the lockside screw and just thought it was a really tight fit. Didn't do this is the very best lighting.
 
Anyone notice that the fixturing hole is still present in the show scale, but is covered up by the inlay? When I look from the backside of the scale I can see the bottom on the inlay. Interesting that the hole would be deleted on the PJ but retained on the inlay models.
 
ekastanis said:
Anyone notice that the fixturing hole is still present in the show scale, but is covered up by the inlay? When I look from the backside of the scale I can see the bottom on the inlay. Interesting that the hole would be deleted on the PJ but retained on the inlay models.
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The hole that’s under the inlay is to aid in the removal of the inlay material. 21s with inlays have holes under each inlay as well.
 
Silverstonev8 said:
The hole that’s under the inlay is to aid in the removal of the inlay material. 21s with inlays have holes under each inlay as well.
Click to expand...
Interesting, thank you. I don't remember that on my small 21 micarta but I'll check later just to convince myself. Sure enough there is also a small hole under the inlay on the lock side scale on the 31, at the back near the spacer.
 
A little update. This knife is reminding me of the skepticism I had going from a 92FS to an M9A3. Unsure about the new features, but after having it for a while I don't know that I'd want to go back. Not saying the 21 or 92FS are anything less than classic, but I'm enjoying the refinements in both.

It's gotten to where when I carry my small 21 I miss the closing feel of the large. I'm not going to run out and replace my Small 21, but if I was in the market for a new one I'd look to a 31. I prefer the detent and the closing feel really gives the overall action that last little bump into pure glass for the entire travel. Got a well heat treated blade too. I'm getting incredible edge retention after putting a 19dps V edge on it.

Thumb's up fellas!
 
Tim Reeve stopped by BladeHQ virtually to chat about knives.


Sebenza 31 conversation starts about 14 min to 21 min going over design differences from the 21 and reasons for the changes.

As expected, the ceramic detent was for streamlining the CRK lineup with the best framelock interface they know of. The stop pin is hardened stainless. No blade swaps available between 21 and 31 because of the different detent hole locations.

Aiming for S45vn starting mid-summer; didn't stray too far from the S30V-35vn family because it gave the balancing improvements without having to overhaul all the tooling/grinders and having to re-train everybody in the shop (since there is so much hand-level work). While Tim would prefer just a single steel for every pattern CRK produces, he is testing out 4V for fixed blades as a potential.
 
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