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First time CRK buyer (maybe today)

C

chandlerkj

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2025
Messages
19
Lurked on this site from time to time and recently took the plunge into a paid membership. Recently got into some OTF and auto knives (I know next to nothing) and now I am seeing a problem develop. I am fortunate in that I live in Boise. My local knife store, Northwest Knives gave me a pretty good rundown on various aspects the last couple times I have been there. Forgive me, but yes, I have heard of the name Chris Reeve but wasn't really into knives enough to know anything. Well it turns out they are right in my backyard. Now I have to have one after looking at several in the store!

So I see the Sebenza and the Inkosi. Then I see large and small versions of both. When I was there yesterday, they had a couple in store only (maybe a few left) of a Inkosi with inlays in a custom 'Cold War Grey' cerekote. Pretty sweet but also it's not a exactly a small pocket knife. I saw a few Sebenzas with beautiful engraving and artwork that also popped out to me. I went down the rabbit hole last night late and found 'UFO', 'Night Sky' and my fav, 'Area 51' type artwork. I'd love to find one of those someday.

So my question is, what should I start with? What should be my first Chris Reeve knife? As basic sebenza? The limited edition Inkosi in Cold War Grey? For reference, I tend to carry a Microtech LUDT 95% of the time. I DO like the autos but have in the past carried folders. The guys in the store are NOT pushy and want it to be a memorable purchase. I just can't decide!
 
The Unique Graphics you described, such as the Night Sky and Area 51 are mostly discontinued. They haven't taken orders for them in several years, and the artist who does them is retiring. You may find one on the secondary, but be prepared to pay collector prices. (A small Night Sky will run around 1300 and a large closer to 2k.) If you can find a UG in stock, it's a heck of a piece. Otherwise, if you're planning to really use it harder and want the ability to bring it back fully with a spa, go with a plain titanium or a micarta inlay. For something more refined, but greater limits to spa treatment, the wood inlayed models or UGs are awesome.

They're all pretty great though. I currently own 16 of their folders and 6 if their fixed blades.
 
C chandlerkj , welcome to BF !!!! Enjoy your stay and don’t expect anyone to dissuade you from going down the rabbit hole.
Yes, start out with a basic plane jane CRK. The size is your choice. I prefer a large because they work better for what I do IMO.
That will give you a feel for the knife, not everyone winds up liking them. If you decide CRK is not for you, moving it shouldn’t be difficult. There’s just something about a plane jane that makes it stand out, especially when you make it your own with personality. That comes from use.
The Uniques and special runs are mesmerizing and something to adore, but most don’t really use them and even move them because they can’t bring themselves to use such a sexy knife.
you can always go on the hunt for a rare one while you’re deciding if the plane works for you.
 
You can carry and use any of them, and you should buy what apeals to you. That said some fit the user profile and some the collector profile better. Imo the plain jane and micarta inlay make the best users. . Something like the night sky a better collector item- both due to possible damage to the graphic and rarety.
But the choice is yours. I certainly wouldn't concider it wrong to carry a night sky
 
I agree with what others have said. If something speaks to you, that’s the one!

It seems you’re in a place where you can handle Large & Small Sebenza & Inkosi. You’re lucky!

If you’re stuck, I’d say the first decision is large vs small. Some people will say start large for the “real” experience. I disagree with that. If small is what you’re into, you’ll get all the same CRK quality, and probably end up carrying more.

I have a slight preference for smalls, but I think that may be a little atypical.

The next decision point is whether or not the “finger cutouts” on the Inkosi are a turn off. Personally, they neither detract nor enhance the grip ergos, it’s just a different flavor. Some people hate ‘em though.

Be prepared for multiples, wherever you start!
 
Thank you for all the kind words. To be honest, I don't think any choice would have been wrong. Super happy and I can't stop fiddling with it. One of the posters above asked what I thought about it now that it is in my hand. I'll say that I have now or have owned mostly ZT, Benchmade and in the last year, Microtechs. I've got a few of each. My EDC is usually a M/T LUDT. All great knives in their own respect. I do feel I have developed a 'crutch' so to speak with an OTS auto as my EDC. I feel at a disadvantage with the stiffness and the manual nature of the Sebenza. That is all on me. My local knife store (LKS? Same as LGS?) warned me about CRK thumb and that is a thing while playing with it.

Outside of my own limitations and lack of experience, this knife is superbly constructed. It is beautiful both aesthetically (why I chose it!) and mechanically. I believe every word my LKS guy discussed with me. Each employee in the store was carrying a CRK. I believe both Sebenzas. They both let me play with their knives which were well broken in and you could tell, well used. In a good way. That speaks volumes. I have purchased multiple Benchmade, M/T and kitchen knives from these guys and at no point in time in the couple dozen times in the store did they try to sell me a CRK. Only when I asked and showed a hint of 'hey, tell me about these' did they even bring any out of the case. I believe he purposefully didn't introduce them and give me the full 45 min CRK 101 until he could tell I was ready. That sounds cheesy but it is a great store.

It must be by design that I just happen to live in Boise and CRK is right in my backyard. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn about them and I already have my eye on a few more. My wallet is NOT, however!

Part of me feels like I should really keep this one as a collector's piece given the UG and where that is headed. The other part of me keeps telling myself that I didn't buy this to leave it in the box in the safe. I brought this up to my LKS and he told me a story. Who knows or cares if it is true because the point remains. The story goes, there was a guy, a knife collector, who had run into Chris Reeve at a knife show or event or something like that. The knife collector was so excited to go talk to Mr. Reeve and finally made his way over and introduced himself. He said that he had finally acquired a CRK and was so proud of it. He said that it was his most cherished piece in his collection and therefore he kept it as it was, brand new in its cloth in the case and tucked away snug in the safe. Upon hearing that, Mr. Reeve smiled and asked him how much he had paid for it. The knife collector guy told him what he paid and again, praised the knife. Waiting for that information, Mr. Reeve reached into his pocket and pulled out his billfold and asked to buy the knife back from the guy. Perplexed and confused, the knife collector asked why. Mr. Reeve explained that while he was humbled and honored to hear this, the knife was meant to be used and he wanted to buy it back and give it to someone that will use it.

Again, who knows if that is true or not. Who cares. But the point remains that these were built to use and the employee wanted to make sure I understood that. That was pretty profound and gave me a different perspective about CRK than just pretty knives. He said the guy that comes in with three different kinds of drywall dust on him and dirty boots with a knife with a chip in it is what these are all about. His parting words were that if he could only have (1) knife for the rest of his life out of any of the hundreds in the store, it would be his CRK Sebenza. And with that, he let me walk out of the store and go home and sleep on it without ever trying to sell me the knife. Of course I returned the next day and bought it!

So that is where I am now. Just soaking in as much knowledge as I can. Thanks for the warm welcome to Bladeforums!
 
Last edited:
chandlerkj said:
Thank you for all the kind words. To be honest, I don't think any choice would have been wrong. Super happy and I can't stop fiddling with it. One of the posters above asked what I thought about it now that it is in my hand. I'll say that I have now or have owned mostly ZT, Benchmade and in the last year, Microtechs. I've got a few of each. My EDC is usually a M/T LUDT. All great knives in their own respect. I do feel I have developed a 'crutch' so to speak with an OTS auto as my EDC. I feel at a disadvantage with the stiffness and the manual nature of the Sebenza. That is all on me. My local knife store (LKS? Same as LGS?) warned me about CRK thumb and that is a thing while playing with it.

Outside of my own limitations and lack of experience, this knife is superbly constructed. It is beautiful both aesthetically (why I chose it!) and mechanically. I believe every word my LKS guy discussed with me. Each employee in the store was carrying a CRK. I believe both Sebenzas. They both let me play with their knives which were well broken in and you could tell, well used. In a good way. That speaks volumes. I have purchased multiple Benchmade, M/T and kitchen knives from these guys and at no point in time in the couple dozen times in the store did they try to sell me a CRK. Only when I asked and showed a hint of 'hey, tell me about these' did they even bring any out of the case. I believe he purposefully didn't introduce them and give me the full 45 min CRK 101 until he could tell I was ready. That sounds cheesy but it is a great store.

It must be by design that I just happen to live in Boise and CRK is right in my backyard. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn about them and I already have my eye on a few more. My wallet is NOT, however!

Part of me feels like I should really keep this one as a collector's piece given the UG and where that is headed. The other part of me keeps telling myself that I didn't buy this to leave it in the box in the safe. I brought this up to my LKS and he told me a story. Who knows or cares if it is true because the point remains. The story goes, there was a guy, a knife collector, who had run into Chris Reeve at a knife show or event or something like that. The knife collector was so excited to go talk to Mr. Reeve and finally made his way over and introduced himself. He said that he had finally acquired a CRK and was so proud of it. He said that it was his most cherished piece in his collection and therefore he kept it as it was, brand new in its cloth in the case and tucked away snug in the safe. Upon hearing that, Mr. Reeve smiled and asked him how much he had paid for it. The knife collector guy told him what he paid and again, praised the knife. Waiting for that information, Mr. Reeve reached into his pocket and pulled out his billfold and asked to buy the knife back from the guy. Perplexed and confused, the knife collector asked why. Mr. Reeve explained that while he was humbled and honored to hear this, the knife was meant to be used and he wanted to buy it back and give it to someone that will use it.

Again, who knows if that is true or not. Who cares. But the point remains that these were built to use and the employee wanted to make sure I understood that. That was pretty profound and gave me a different perspective about CRK than just pretty knives. He said the guy that comes in with three different kinds of drywall dust on him and dirty boots with a knife with a chip in it is what these are all about. His parting words were that if he could only have (1) knife for the rest of his life out of any of the hundreds in the store, it would be his CRK Sebenza. And with that, he let me walk out of the store and go home and sleep on it without ever trying to sell me the knife. Of course I returned the next day and bought it!

So that is where I am now. Just soaking in as much knowledge as I can. Thanks for the warm welcome to Bladeforums!
Click to expand...


Use it. You'll never have another first CRK. You can always add another UG safe queen later on.


As for the story about Chris, I wouldn't put that past him.

ChrisHoldingSeb.jpg
 
Love your pick. Like others have said it won’t be your first. I own quite a few fixed blades and carry one daily. I had a few folders mostly Benchmade and I decided I wanted a nice folder. I settled on CRK and bought a plain small Sebenza 31 with insingo blade. Love it. Well that immediately led to a Zaan which led to a large inkosi micarta tanto and then a large inkosi micarta insingo. So I was quickly up to four. In the meantime I sent my Zaan and small Sebenza off to have some laser etching done. Those 2 are on the way back to me now. This path goes deep. Welcome to the forum.
 
Nice choice. You really appreciate them when you take them apart and see how easy they go back together. Chris Reeve is an interesting character.
 
jjg6319 said:
Nice choice. You really appreciate them when you take them apart and see how easy they go back together. Chris Reeve is an interesting character.
Click to expand...
He’s the only knife maker to have been “disappeared.” He used to be on Bladeforums and he brightened things up. I miss his passion.
 
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