New Member - CRK Sebenza 31...worth it?

I'm hemming and hawing also. I have a small grey micarta Insingo and want a large. Last I looked, I could get red, natural or grey micarta. Not sure what to get. Grey to match my small, red for a little flash or beautiful natural? I'll probably wait too long and end up with nothing.

Good luck making your decision. Large Insingo is the way to go, no question, if going new. Used large drop points were widely made and although it might not be new and it might cost more later, used ones will be available in the future.
 
JG416 said:
Size? (So your post just assures me that the 21 is the way to go but still deliberating over small v large and drop v insingo)
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Large micarta. I wanted to love the 31 so much... it's a very pretty knife and the ergos are great! But I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my knives and the lock rock just annoyed me enough that I couldn't enjoy it. If a guy wasn't a stickler it would be a great knife... but I just found annoyance at the price point. Action out of the box is slightly better then the 21... but as a 21 breaks in, it's still a very wonderful thing and comes close :-)

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I live in Illinois so while blade length isn't technically restricted most places, the stupid ambiguous laws state that over 3" blades on public property is considered a deadly weapon or some garbage. I really wish they just made a medium Sebenza haha. Does anyone feel that their large is too large? Like now im leaning toward the small......but I wonder if its TOO small. I like my rat 2 and Para 3 LW and my 940 seems like a bigger knife to me.....ugh. Also tempted to just forgo the 21 and just get that Quiet Carry waypoint.....
 
The large is not too large in my opinion. The small is a little too small for me but I still like it.
 
It's mostly preferences, spend your funds as you please. I've held on to a large 21 insingo with micarta. I had an umnumzaan but sold it due to the scales being to aggressive. Sold the 25 cuz of the pivot.

I like the feel of the 21. I like the way it locks up. I like the small details, the tolerances. It's a lot to spend on a knife. Worth it is ultimately up to you. If you don't like it, you'll probably be able to sell it for slightly less than you paid which is nice.

I like the looks of the 31, but never handled one. If they took the ceramic ball out of it, I'd buy one asap. I love the way the 21 locks up. I debate internally if the lock rock on the 31 is as bad as some say, since people in general like to complain on the web. Or maybe it's not the feel they are used to / expected... idk?
 
Alberta Ed said:
Chris Reeves knives are made to use like Ferrari's are made to drive.
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Yes but CRK's are actually reliable. If I were to compare them to a "super car" it would be a Porsche. Tried and true, simple design.

I was not a huge fan of my large 21, but hear me out.

It was a very fine knife, and I see why people like it. Very, very well made. Just a bit too simple for me. I'm a fidgety person, and it just did not do it for me fidget wise.

When a new model comes out, I am always hesitant to buy it. There always seems to be some bugs to work out. I'd go with a 21, and maybe a "Like new" one to save some pennies.

Another thing to note, at least from what I've heard, that Mr. Reeve is not as involved in the company as he had been. This could mean that the design of the 31 was in other peoples hands, thus making the 21 even more desirable.
 
The Sebenza isn't even close to my most expensive knife. If I had to live with 1 folder, I'd feel pretty confident if it were a Sebenza. But like most things that move up in price where there are much cheaper alternatives, it may take some experience with other knives before you can appreciate the subtle differences that makes the price point worth it for many CRK owners. That said, some people never see the price point being worth it. It really depends on your needs and what you look for in a folder. I only have the Small Sebenza and I'm currently looking at CRK for my next purchase

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I do not think the Sebenza is worth the asking price, but the secondary market prices are much more reasonable. More in line with my perception of what a CRK is worth, that is. There is a big different between the large and small, and you’d be the only one to make that decision. I won’t consider getting a 31 until they reach the pricing of a used 21..
 
shqxk said:
CRK bump the hardness up to 59-60 since 2014...
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Actually since mid 2013.

K.O.D. said:
Another thing to note, at least from what I've heard, that Mr. Reeve is not as involved in the company as he had been. This could mean that the design of the 31 was in other peoples hands, thus making the 21 even more desirable.
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Chris Reeve has been completely out of the business for many years.
 
Nice! I’ve really grown to like the insingo blade shape.
 
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JG416 said:
So....just got a small PJ insingo 21. Hoping the wife doesn't kill me haha. I have been saying I will stop buying knives lol.
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I got the exact same knife myself.

IMO it's the GOAT of CRK for sure, so best decision you could have made IMO.

:cool::thumbsup:
 
I bought an Inkosi after owning a BM 940. I was kinda disappointed in the action of the CRK, it is really smooth, but it takes way more effort to open than the 940. Otherwise, the Inkosi is better in every way. I have no experience with the Sebenza though.
 
Thanks! Figured I’d better grab a new one while I can.
 
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MBG said:
I bought an Inkosi after owning a BM 940. I was kinda disappointed in the action of the CRK, it is really smooth, but it takes way more effort to open than the 940. Otherwise, the Inkosi is better in every way. I have no experience with the Sebenza though.
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Pretty much how I felt about my first large Sebenza. You'll get used to it. CRK knives are known for their hydraulic smoothness, not ease of deployment or flickability like Axis or spydiehole folders. But TBH the thumb lugs of CRK suck.
 
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