Handled my first CRK today and Wow!!

[krazichinaman]

I must be weird but I liked the 21 better than the 25, they had the small sebenzas on sale for 330, and I was about to drop the cash but the action wasn't smooth and the lock was sticky, on every one of them I fondled, the large 21 and 25 were perfect, but the smalls weren't, otherwise I'd be posting pics of my new small sebbie...and the fact that the guy behind the counter offered to buy my Brand spanking new spyderco military in my pocket for 70 bucks , when the same model was in the case beside me was selling for $159.99, that made me laugh in his face and walk out.

I was in that store last week. I ended up picking up 2 Hinderer pens from them. That have an amazing selection that is for sure!

But as far as the CRK line goes. I've been edcing a small sebenza (Small regular, small 21, now a small insingo) since 08. They are truly amazing knives and you will not regret your purchase.

 

[mkjellgren]

Also, with regards to the small sebenzas not being as smooth, I thought so as well, until I got one and figured out that it just has a little bit different arc to opening the blade than the large ones which may be a little awkward at first. Also, the blade being less heavy takes away from the "hydraulic" feeling just a little bit. But I assure you, they break in nicely and get just as glassy smooth as the large ones. Mine is now smooth to the point where if effortlessly thumb flicks open (yeah yeah I know Chris Reeve says no flicking, he's referring to wrist flicks, if thumb flicking easily damages a $400 full titanium knife then something is wrong with that knife) and the blade drops by gravity when the lock bar is released. It's absolutely absurdly smooth.

 

[krazichinaman]

Also, with regards to the small sebenzas not being as smooth, I thought so as well, until I got one and figured out that it just has a little bit different arc to opening the blade than the large ones which may be a little awkward at first. Also, the blade being less heavy takes away from the "hydraulic" feeling just a little bit. But I assure you, they break in nicely and get just as glassy smooth as the large ones.

^ He speaks the truth! Once everything settles in, it will be butter smooth.

 

[rnbtexas]

Thanks for the info, I've never heard of the o-rings coming off, mainly just me being paranoid.

My little guy wanted me to buy one at Blade this year, it really is a great looking knife and is very solid and comfortable. I opted for the 25 instead.
There might be one in my future, who knows.

Also, you can go to any Ace Hardware and pick up a couple of the #60 or 61 o-rings. They fit like they were made for it. Did you try the Mnandi?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Yeah the Sebenza is just about the perfect knife. I traded mine for a Strider, and now I'm going back. I've done a few trades, and the Strider is a wonderful knife, I'm sure perfect for a lot of people, but for my purposes the Sebenza is what tugs at my heart strings.

Btw, Striders trade/sell really well. They're really hard to find atm.

 

[mmarkh]

I didn't think Chris Reeve allowed his knives to be marked up. He has a pretty strict pricing policy that the price is what it is. They can't be discounted or marked up. If I am wrong can someone correct me? My Sebenza is about as perfect a knife as I have had. I love it and carry it every day.

Like the title says I went about 80 miles away from home today and stopped at a knife shop, and I handled all kinds of knives, but I had to handle the CRKs to see what all the fuss was about, First was the umnumzaan and man I was in love, then the sebenza 25, It was nice but man I love the Zaan , Then I handled the regular sebenza both large and small , And I now know what a perfect knife is, Of all of them I was least impressed with the small sebenza it wasn't as smooth as the large , or the zaan, but for it's size you get a decent amount of blade. I've heard people say that Striders were hardcore knives and CRKs are gentleman knives, Well I gotta say I disagree, now that I have handled the knife I know what perfection is and I must have one now! I would of dropped the cash for it right then and there but the mark up was ridiculous. I dunno why I made this post but I for sure see what all the fuss is about. I will have an Umnumzaan soon. for sure.

 

[Lycosa]

Wut took you so long, Allen???

 

[Allen R.]

Wut took you so long, Allen???

I had never handled one before, so I was just going off of looks and"toughness" so I bought striders over the CRK's , Now I'm regretting that, I had read the posts and reviews about how smooth they are but my goodness, that first time you have one in your hand and you open it your like oh ok now I get it , and I must have it. as far as wheither or not they are allowed to be marked up I dunno, I know every website has them for the same price, but this paticular brick and mortar store wanted $480.00 for an umnumzaan where everywhere online they are either 420.00 or 425.00 can't remember, the large 21 plain was regularly 430.00 but the "fathers day sale" had the for large for $400.00 and $330.00 that was just for the plain one, they had all kinds with graphics and inlays , and none of them were less than 550 bucks, I wasn't digging the graphics or inlays, plain jain Sebbie or an umnumzaan for me. Or I'll say an umnumzaan for me and maybe a plain jain sebbie my guess is I'll have both and be in the CRK forums all the time...

 

[NjHart]

I had virtually the exact same reaction the first time I handled a sebenza. I was pretty dead set against them, until I handled one the first time. I still love mine, though I may try to swap for an insingo, and I'm not sure I feel as strongly as I did when I first handled it. I will say this- every single time I sit down to sharpen, or oil, or maintain I really marvel at it's simplicity.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I guess they can mark them "up" but not down.

There's a store in town that sells awesome knives at full retail. I never buy the Spydercos, Benchmades, or Kershaws, but I have bought a CRK Mnandi and a William Henry Gentech there at the same price as online. Oh, I guess I did buy a Kershaw Volt at retail, but the going price had jumped to quite a bit more than that due to limited edition and demand.

 

[mjolnir74]

I just bought a large micarta seb. I've wanted one for years, but never held one in hand. The knifestore I was at had one and it's mine now.

 

[mjolnir74]

 

[nyefmaker]

I guess they can mark them "up" but not down.

There's a store in town that sells awesome knives at full retail. I never buy the Spydercos, Benchmades, or Kershaws, but I have bought a CRK Mnandi and a William Henry Gentech there at the same price as online. Oh, I guess I did buy a Kershaw Volt at retail, but the going price had jumped to quite a bit more than that due to limited edition and demand.

From my understanding is that they can mark them up, but not mark them down. Several online dealers have them slightly higher, especially ebay dealers. Would have to be some pretty fancy wood to pay for the mark up for me. Plus, several dealers use stock photo's for the wood, especially with the mnandi, so ALWAYS ask if its a stock pic or if its the actual one.