No more CRKs for me

Status
Not open for further replies.
John Brown's Body

John Brown's Body

Joined
Dec 21, 2018
Messages
141
First off...Reeve knives are made of quality materials, can withstand hard use, and carry a pretty amazing warranty. The insingo blade just might bear my favorite profile; and I haven't found a frame lock that matches those I've experienced in the half- dozen Sebenzas and couple of Inkosis I've owned, in terms of that special "clunk" one hears upon locking up and the smoothness of the release.

Despite these plaudits, CRK folders suffer two flaws I just can't get over: they're fugly, with the ergonomics of titanium bricks and their thumb studs are the worst opening mechanism I've experienced in comparable folders.

No matter how you bedazzle or anodize or engrave a Sebbie, well, it's still a Sebbie. Even the gaudiness of the designs used to create the UGs can't hide the general lack of aesthetic creativity in the overall design.

The stepped, peaked thumb studs are uncomfortably sharp, and lead to slippages in wet or gloved conditions. The rounded barrel-type studs seen on Benchmades or the opening apertures we see on Spydies, Ferrum Forges, etc, are far superior to the Sebbie's little thumb torture devices.

By contrast, the Calavera Cutlery Patron I recently picked up, is simply a superior tool. The looks, ergos, steel (mine is PD1), and opening mechanism (they came in either flipper or aperture models) make the Patron a much better buy on the secondary market.

I even heavily prefer my Spydie Shaman over the Sebenza, due to the former's smoothness upon opening and ergos. It's boring, to be sure. But if I want to jazz it up, I can just glue some fool's gold to it, and call it a "Unique Graphic!"
 
Last edited:
So, if you've owned over a dozen CRK's and haven't liked any of them, why keep torturing yourself????? I've always thought any hobby is about having fun. The knives that appeal to me, I buy, if when in hand I dislike the knife for whatever reason I move on and don't consider that brand again no matter how tempting it is at times. Oh, there's been times when I thought I would give one another look, but when there's so much to chose from that itch is scratched with something else. Right now, choosing a knife with all the offerings is worse than a kid being in a candy shop trying to pick one piece of candy.
 
To each his own. Pretty much everything you dislike about CRK folders are things that I really like about them. Everyone has different tastes. There are a lot of knife makers that I don't care for as well. Not going to waste the effort to make a big "Dislike" thread about them, but whatever.
 
I’ve bought stuff I’ve tried to like and failed too. For me, a Nagao Higonokami. Just not for me. I don’t know how I would get 8 of them, though! You’re much more committed than I am.

At least you can move on in confidence. I haven’t bought a Hinderer specifically because I expect it to turn out like you describe above.
 
Last edited:
aleforme said:
To each his own. Pretty much everything you dislike about CRK folders are things that I really like about them. Everyone has differential tastes. There are a lot of knife makers that I don't care for as well. Not going to waste the effort to make a big "Dislike" thread about them, but whatever.
Click to expand...
I wonder how you got lost and found your way to the reviews thread? Had I written favorably of the Seb, would you still question wasting time writing about it? My guess is youd have praised my praise in the reverent tones used by CRK stalwarts.
 
Last edited:
John Brown's Body said:
I wonder how you got lost and found your way to the reviews thread? Had I written favorably of the Seb, would you still question wasting time writing about it? My guess is youd have praised my praise in the reverent tones used by CRK fans.
Click to expand...

Just my opinion. Others can form their own opinions about your post, it's tone and your intentions.
 
I think this looks pretty classy
knife-chris-reeve-knives-small-sebenza-blue-carbon-fiber-1_2000x.jpg

There's is even a little swell/ curve in the handle at the bottom for your fingers that's hard to see.
The chamfers in the front on the scale make it easy to slide in the pocket. The blade is beautiful and the grind is very scientific.
Very easy to open and close with the right technique. Makes really nice curvy shavings and cuts well if you take your time to actually sharpen it properly. And so on...
 
Geez...CRK fanatics are a devoted bunch! I even began my take on the Seb with a whole paragraph of warm fuzzies. I like the Seb, I just don't "like it, like it." And unlike a lot of folks I've seen who can afford to keep a quiver of safe queens, I don't keep anything I don't love.
 
Everyone finds what they like and what works for them so nothing I say is meant as bad towards the OP ... I hope the OP finds the knives that just hit the sweet spot for them ...

but I think many give up on CRKs too fast because they can take a break in period to become as smooth as they will all become in time ... some I've bought are that smooth out of the box ...

and again nothing personal towards anyone ... but many peoples hands/thumbs are not conditioned and some knives that are tight do cause discomfort to some users ... it is kind of akin to learning to play guitar ... you might have sore fingers for awhile ... but if you stick with it ... you can make some sweet music ...

but to each their own ... there are only a few folders I put in the same place as my CRKs.
 
Last edited:
JJ_Colt45 said:
Everyone finds what they like and what works for them so nothing I say is meant as bad towards the OP ... I hope the OP finds the knives that just hit the sweet spot for them ...

but I think many give up on CRKs too fast because they can take a break in period to become as smooth as they will all become in time ... some I've bought are that smooth out of the box ...

and again nothing personal towards anyone ... but many peoples hands/thumbs are not conditioned and some knives that are tight do cause discomfort to some users ... it is kind of akin to learning to play guitar ... you might have sore fingers for awhile ... but if you stick with it ... you can make some sweet music ...

but to rach their own ... are only a few folders I put in the same place as my CRKs.
Click to expand...
I guess, for me, that's part of the problem, too. For $400-$500, I'd like my knife to not require the development of extra skin just to open it. And lots of comparable knives require no extended break-in period. My PM2s, Slysz Bowie and Shaman all fired open like rockets and dropped shut virtually out of the box.
 
John Brown's Body said:
I guess, for me, that's part of the problem, too. For $400-$500, I'd like my knife to not require the development of extra skin just to open it. And lots of comparable knives require no extended break-in period. My PM2s, Slysz Bowie and Shaman all fired open like rockets and dropped shut virtually out of the box.
Click to expand...

Can't hold that against you ... I know an older gentleman here that liked my Inkosi but he really didn't like it after he tried opening it ...

I like my CRKs ... and I even found the simple look came to be something I enjoy alot ... but they aren't for everyone.

Just find what knives fit your needs best and don't worry about what others like best ... we are all different.
 
The detent is pretty soft on mine it opens really easy. If you treat the space between the scale and top of thumbstud as a spyder hole you won't have to hurt your finger at all. You apply pleasure to the ramp of thumbstud to open it.
 
I bought one based on all the praise, but was underwhelmed. It did not come very sharp and the thumbstud was all but unusable for me. Not sure why I couldn’t get used to it, but I have had issues with other brands in this regard. Awkward angle and strong detent did me in. I will say it was very nicely made, with the exception of the obtuse edge, and I like the looks of them.
 
If you detest CRKs so intensely, your admission that you kept on buying them suggests that you’re a world class masochist. Stop torturing yourself. Go buy yourself a shipping container full of Striders, SanRemus, Opinels or some other brand that you don’t detest. You’ll be in nirvana-paradise-heaven-valhalla-whatever....unless of course you’re just a troll and trying to stir up shit with your CRK hatred BS.
 
Stumpy72 said:
If you detest CRKs so intensely, your admission that you kept on buying them suggests that you’re a world class masochist. Stop torturing yourself. Go buy yourself a shipping container full of Striders, SanRemus, Opinels or some other brand that you don’t detest. You’ll be in nirvana-paradise-heaven-valhalla-whatever....unless of course you’re just a troll and trying to stir up shit with your CRK hatred BS.
Click to expand...
This is a review thread. I had no idea being critical of a knife would melt snowflakes. Here's a suggestion...re-read only the positive things I said about the Sebenza. Then you'll feel like you're in an echo chamber full of ideas that mirror your own. Or, write your own ode to Chris Reeve, while thickening your skin rubbing the thumb stud lovingly.
 
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Opening a CRK doesn't require extra skin on your thumb to do so, although there is a SLIGHT learning curve to opening one. Anyone could get the hang of opening one after playing with it for a bit. Though I honestly think you joining today to post this review and your response here, all have a trollish tone to it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top