How good are the Chris Reeve Sebenzas?

23uA9imk
 
As soon as Sebenzas can be assembled and disassembled so easily and all parts have been identical to very high tolerances, I wonder if CRK would ever offer user replaceable blades in different steels.
 
brancron said:
There isn't much information out there on Sebenzas or Chris Reeve Knives, here on Blade Forums or elsewhere. They're a bit of an unknown as far as quality, fit and finish, etc.

Just kidding! There is a mountain of info out there, making it a little difficult to sort through. Below are the opinions of two reviewers I trust, as well as a really nice shop tour produced by Blade HQ that will give you some insight into how the knives are made and the attention to detail:

Everyday Commentary: http://www.everydaycommentary.com/2011/03/small-sebenza-21-review.html

Blade Reviews: http://bladereviews.com/chris-reeve-large-sebenza-21-review/

CRK Shop Tour, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QiEnhA3n0A

CRK Shop Tour, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6p8p6vfZQ
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Thanks for he links, a picture really is worth a thousand posts.
 
ma tumba said:
As soon as Sebenzas can be assembled and disassembled so easily and all parts have been identical to very high tolerances, I wonder if CRK would ever offer user replaceable blades in different steels.
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The grinding and filing of lock face is done by hand to fit each knife . So nope. But they could do it. Watch the shop tour videos to see this.
 
I don't like the look of the hole in the handle. I also don't like thumb studs. If I could get one with a Spyderhole and no handle hole I'd do it. The design doesn't appeal to me. But the good news is there's plenty of options out there for everyone. There's way too much butthurt on internet forums over people liking different things. If you like it and you can afford it, then get one. If you don't like it, sell it. It's just a knife.
 
I can only speak from personal experience, having "built my way up" to CRKs (Spydercos, ZT, Benchmade, etc.) and "let them all go" in favor of higher end full customs. Full circle, you will appreciate the quality when CRK is a "step up", but when you "step down" from a higher end custom, CRK's quality will impress you even more. The ONLY thing I dislike about CRK is their factory edge, other than that...it's a damn near perfect knife with some of the best customer service.
 
BellaBlades said:
The grinding and filing of lock face is done by hand to fit each knife . So nope. But they could do it. Watch the shop tour videos to see this.
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BB, you are correct about the fit, but CRK does offer the option to send your knife in and have a damascus blade fit to it while keeping the S35VN one.
 
Blues Bender said:
BB, you are correct about the fit, but CRK does offer the option to send your knife in and have a damascus blade fit to it while keeping the S35VN one.
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Ohhhh, did not know that. Sweet!

Do you know if that goes for the tanto and Insingo? Or just the drop point?
 
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benchwarmer380 said:
Ohhhh, did not know that. Sweet!

Do you know if that goes for the tanto and Insingo? Or just the drop point?
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You probably need to call. I can't remember exactly how this goes, but believe in some circumstances they only will go in one direction. Say you have Y blade, they will make an X blade for you, But if you have X they will not make a Y.

Most likely it is they will make a clip point , but not other grinds for your clip point.
Never hurts to ask, all they can say is no, and they are very nice people to talk to, and answer the phone
 
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Blues Bender said:
Good Lord you're so full of crap! I clearly remember several posts of yours stating that you own a Seb and that it was "subpar" etc..

Nobody should ever listen to this guy, and I really don't understand why he's on a knife forum when all he does is spread negativity about nearly every knife:rolleyes:

The Sebenza is a great knife, end of story.
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That is being far to kind. :D
 
I've owned about 25 CRK's, small and large size, although I only have two at the present. I think it's the best knife in that price range, and you can sell it immediately for about the same money if you don't like it. The machining tolerances are so meticulous that you'd have difficulty finding a similar manufacturer that produces such great quality...over and over.
 
Watch those shop tour videos, and youll see what goes into these knives. I don't carry mine much but the times I do I forget how nice an edc it is...
 
As a showpiece of fit&finish it's great.

As a tool it's an average knife neither better nor worse than many knives. Nobody can prove that only CRK knows how to grind decent tools and how to do good heat treatment.

Considering materials, it was great 15 years ago, but now it's average. Many knives have titanium handle, framelock and premium steel with great heat treatment.

So if you know all of this and you like that design buy it if it's ok for you to pay $400 for production knife.
 
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I gotta say I love the s35vn at the new 59-60 treatment. It takes a ton of use and abuse . I've never had a chip or anything in a year of edc. Its performing like cpm-154 for me but more uniform final edge. Same on my Buddy's Hinderer. Pretty good stuff. And really resistant to water and chems.

For a show piece anyway. ∆∆ I'm happy with my one and only knife. A Crk. ;)
 
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ourgon said:
As a showpiece of fit&finish it's great.

As a tool it's an average knife neither better nor worse than many knives. Nobody can prove that only CRK knows how to grind decent tools and how to do good heat treatment.

Considering materials, it was great 15 years ago, but now it's average. Many knives have titanium handle, framelock and premium steel with great heat treatment.

So if you know all of this and you like that design buy it if it's ok for you to pay $400 for production knife.
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Yes,there is lot of knives with titanium handles,premium steels and they are framelocks but it is all in the small details,design and tolerances.It's like saying now day cars all have LED lights,aluminum wheels,cameras,etc.. but you can clearly differentiate from mitsubishi and BMW.They are all knives and we buy what we like and spend how much we want or how much we can.For me in production world and wider, CRK is the best value and overall quality.Cheers.
 
While it's true there are many knives available with the same materials......how many of those companies offer a warranty to match?
Some companies making them don't even have a stateside location for warranty.
Joe
 
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