New to CRK buy a Sebenza 21 or wait for 31

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kimbersm

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I carry a Spydero PM2 and want only one large Sebenza for EDC .I am a light user and not a knife collector [I collect guns].Please advise :buy the Sebenza 21 now or a 31 when its out? Plain or CGG or wood inlay?
 
Difficult question
I have placed an order for a PJ 21 last week and I am waiting for the micarta 31 to be released ... as you can see I have applied the usual “get both” to myself ;)


the 21 is a good user.
The 31 keep the same ergonomics and the same blade so the performances will be identical

the evolution to a ceramic ball lock interface can be perceived either as a plus or a minus, depending on personal taste.
It should change the feeling but not the performance of the lock up. the angled pocket clip is good but I have never had problem with the clip on the21...

i want to give a try to the 31 but not because I expect a revolution from it.

To answer your question:
IMO plain Jane is a good wait to go for a user because it should be easier to clean
Unless you don’t like snail trails, you don’t really need the inlays
The 31 looks like a positive evolution over the 21 so it may be the best choice, but keep in mind that performances will be identical

If you want to save some money you can look for a second hand plain Jane 21
 
If it were me, I’d buy a Sebenza 21 and carry it for a month or so. They are readily available, and you will get a good idea of whether or not you like the Sebenza design to begin with. I find that the 31 is not much different in terms of carrying for daily use, so by getting a 21 you’ll be able to determine if you like it or not, and you won’t have to wait for a 31.

You can always sell/trade if you decide the Sebenza is not your style.
 
I just purchased a Sebenza 21 Madagascar Ebony, drop point, small today for $400. The manufactured date is November 27, 2019 so they are still producing 21's. The store has a Sebenza 31 large and prefer the 21 wood inlay

Edit: Found this from Chris Reeve - Can I still order a Sebenza 21? As of June 6th, 2019, 11:59 PM, the Sebenza 21 has been discontinued and new orders will no longer be accepted. All Sebenza 21 orders before this date will be fulfilled.
 
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00u812 said:
I just purchased a Sebenza 21 Madagascar Ebony, drop point, small today for $400. The manufactured date is November 27, 2019 so they are still producing 21's. The store has a Sebenza 31 large and prefer the 21 wood inlay
Click to expand...

What store has a 31?
 
The 21’s aren’t being produced anymore. The plain 31’s are going to hit the market first. Then the various inlays and graphics will follow. Don’t know when that will be. Right now, there’s an excellent variety of 21’s to be had.
If you don’t want to wait, get a 21. I’d opt for a natural micarta inlay, not because I’m partial to the micarta inlays, but because it’s a practical choice as a user rather than a CCG/Unique Graphic or wood inlay. Some people can’t bring their self to use the graphics or wood because they feel it’s too gorgeous to use. Some folks don’t have a problem, but they usually have more than one, like me.
 
I swooped up another Large 21. My own personal opinion, but I don’t like the move of the pocket clip on the 31. And the 21 is just timeless. Can’t go wrong with either though!
 
Well...that is a tough question.

I carry a large 21 PJ most days, and I own a few inlayed 21’s.
I do have to say, in my personal experience, the 31 inlays are more comfortable than the 21 inlays. Cant wait for my new 31 inlay to arrive. :)

I would say, go with a PJ 21 see if you like it...and go from there. :) They are fairly easy to resell for not much of a loss.

Go for it! :D
 
Therom said:
the evolution to a ceramic ball lock interface can be perceived either as a plus or a minus, depending on personal taste.
Click to expand...

I can't see how this could be perceived as a minus. Ceramic Ball is a massive improvement and alone would be well worth upgrading.

I can't see you going wrong with either the 21 or 31, but the 31 is definitely a better knife. It's going to be less available immediately because it's new, but I expect over the next 6-12 months it will calm down.
 
Josh K said:
I can't see how this could be perceived as a minus. Ceramic Ball is a massive improvement and alone would be well worth upgrading.

I can't see you going wrong with either the 21 or 31, but the 31 is definitely a better knife. It's going to be less available immediately because it's new, but I expect over the next 6-12 months it will calm down.
Click to expand...

Exactly, just like the Impinda. They were hard to find when they were first being produced. But now, they are readily available.
 
If you’re planning on buying a new PJ from a dealer, I’d wait for the 31. I like that the clip on the 31 does not rest on the lockbar. I’m also of the opinion that the ceramic ball is an evolutionary improvement, but for me personally, it’s not world changing. (That opinion might change when I get one in hand.)

Go for the 21 if you prefer the parallel inlays (and you don’t want a micarta Inkosi).

If you’re fueled by impatience, buy an Umnumzaan off the Exchange and wait for the 31’s to become readily available.
 
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Ajack60 said:
The 21’s aren’t being produced anymore. The plain 31’s are going to hit the market first. Then the various inlays and graphics will follow. Don’t know when that will be. Right now, there’s an excellent variety of 21’s to be had.
If you don’t want to wait, get a 21. I’d opt for a natural micarta inlay, not because I’m partial to the micarta inlays, but because it’s a practical choice as a user rather than a CCG/Unique Graphic or wood inlay. Some people can’t bring their self to use the graphics or wood because they feel it’s too gorgeous to use. Some folks don’t have a problem, but they usually have more than one, like me.
Click to expand...

Per Chris Reeve Can I still order a Sebenza 21? As of June 6th, 2019, 11:59 PM, the Sebenza 21 has been discontinued and new orders will no longer be accepted. All Sebenza 21 orders before this date will be fulfilled.

Guess I got one of the last 21's (11/27/19 per the build card). That would be sweet.
 
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00u812 said:
Per Chris Reeve Can I still order a Sebenza 21? As of June 6th, 2019, 11:59 PM, the Sebenza 21 has been discontinued and new orders will no longer be accepted. All Sebenza 21 orders before this date will be fulfilled.

Guess I got one of the last 21's (11/27/19 per the build card). That would be sweet.
Click to expand...

Any CRK is sweet, no doubt yours is one of the last batches that were already committed. I believe they were winding down in December.
 
00u812 said:
https://castlegate.com/other-great-knives/chris-reeve-knives/

Go figure they are 15 minutes away. Only three authorized dealers in CO.
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I’m in Salida and have family in Monument and have driven right by this store several times avoiding 25. I’m always with my wife who hates shopping for things for herself let alone my stuff. It would probably be worse to go in with her than just not go in. But I think I’m gonna have to drag her in next time we pass through Sedalia.
 
Ajack60 said:
Any CRK is sweet, no doubt yours is one of the last batches that were already committed. I believe they were winding down in December.
Click to expand...
9813C32C-6BBB-4BE9-9CAF-191A21F6BA80.jpeg That was my newest purchase. It came direct from Crk and I got it a week ago. I didn’t order it I just happened in to it by accident. But it is December 9, 2019. I’m assuming as well they’re winding 21s up, or getting close
 
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