Is a CRK still the same quality?

Popsickle

Popsickle

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Jul 25, 2010
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this is not a bashing thread.

I’m simply asking a question.

Since Chris Reeve retired.... is the same quality still coming out of CRK? I’m considering a Sebenza and just wondering.
 
I have purchased some CRKs several years ago and a couple recently ... I see no difference in quaility or function ... I would think they know they have such a highly respected product they wouldn't change tolerances or anything on models that they have been producing ...

I can't speak on their new slipjoint model ... but I haven't heard anything bad about it.
 
From what I’ve read, Ann Reeve still runs the company. So I would imagine the quality standards are the same.
 
My first CRK was a large regular Sebenza back in 2002. I didn't buy another CRK until 2011, and my last (so far) was in 2016 or so. IMO, my later ones were overall better than my first one from 2002. So no, I do NOT think CRK has gone downhill.

YMMV.

Jim
 
Standards and quality at their finest...still to this day. :)
 
IIRC, the QC was largely driven by a guy they brought over from Boeing. Reeve did the design work and set the company’s direction, but other people ran production.
 
And honestly, I think if anything quality had continued to improve incrementally over time at CRK (esp the steel HT). All my Sebenzas are post 2013 and they’re the best examples I’ve had to date.
 
I would say yes , but if you have any concerns at all buy an older version. They will even re-furbish it for you, if needed.
 
I have 3, from 2013 to 2018 and they are all perfect in every way. So I say the quality is still exactly the same, if not better.
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Some have speculated that Anne was running the business long before Chris retired, so, yes the quality of the knives have remained the same. IMO, the Inkosi is the smoothest knife out of the box that CRK makes today and I’m a proponent of the 25, but I have to admit the Inkosi is a better design than the 25
 
Popsickle said:
this is not a bashing thread.

I’m simply asking a question.

Since Chris Reeve retired.... is the same quality still coming out of CRK? I’m considering a Sebenza and just wondering.
Click to expand...

Quality is relative, you need to define what quality is.

For example is their new slipjoint less of a design than others in the CRK stable? Not for me. Looks great.

Is the Inkosi a better knife than the Sebenza? I'd say they are equal, but the Inkosi is less CRK and more market driven than the Sebenza. But that's to be expected it's a more competetive market now.

Is the fit/finish better, worse or the same? Per complaints, it seems about the same.

If you define quality as value/price, CRK raised prices. The plain jane Impimda is more expensive than the plain jane sebenza and inkosi.

One change I don't like is the removal of the Sebenza takedown and cleaning instructions from the corporate site. Looks like they don't encourage it anymore.

From what I've read the turn around time for spa/repair is still unapolegetically poor. Buck recently revamped its repair group and is quicker. William Henry is lightening fast in comparison to CRK and they have parts for discontinued knives. CRK has stepped back from the lifetime repair concept.

More intersesting to me is "where's waldo?" Chris Reeve is a great guy, his input was fun/exciting, why'd he disappear?
 
I've owned examples from 2012-2017 and have not seen any difference in build quality. I actually prefer later production 21s (2015-present) as they seem to have a slightly stronger detent.
 
I purchased a 2018 Sebenza and a 2017 Inkosi and they are as fine an example of production quality you can get.

They still include the tools in the box. Tim Reeve has video tutorials on his Youtube page.
 
As stated above there has been a transitional period;
- so I think it's safe to say they deliver the same (high) quality.
BTW: Their Warranty is still in effect.
hope this helps.
 
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