I did a review of the Professional Soldier and have a pic of the PS next to the large regular sebenza.
I have this posted on the CRK Forum, but thought I would share it here as well as it will be right at home here, plus its my first review......Enjoy !
Chris Reeve Professional Soldier Review
We had a yardsale last weekend and I did pretty good selling alot of stuff I no longer need or have too much of. I kept thinking what I could do with the money or what CRK I could buy next. I have always wanted a CRK Professional Soldier but with so many other CRK I have my eye on, getting one has been put on the back burner, but when I came across one for the bargain price of $125, Now was the time to get one and with yardsale money no less made it that much sweeter !!! I went to the post office this afternoon and my new PS was there waiting for me !
Sitting here this evening and admiring my latest addition to my CRK family, I thought I would spend some time and write a review on what I think of the CRK PS. It rained all day outside, so I am confined to an indoor review, though I can update it with my thoughts putting it through use outside.
I have made it a practice to open a new CRK purchase with another Chris Reeve Knife, so my NCIS Sebenza had the honor of opening up my newest CRK.
Upon opening my new PS, I was surprised how small, thin and lightweight it is. It would serve as a excellent neck knife or backup knife for those looking for such a knife, though I can find many other uses I will mention throughout.
The overall length of the PS is 7 1/2". Blade length is 3 3/8". Weight is a mere 3oz. The Whole Knife is made from CRK's Legendary S30V Steel. I am sure it will hold an edge just as well as the sebenza. It comes with a Kydex sheath as well as a long lanyard. An amazing knife is such a small thin package, especially for a fixed blade.
The handle of the knife fits my hand beautifully. I wear size large gloves, so my hand is on the large side and it is not too small for me, the handle design is to fit three fingers anyways and it works. The handle area is also rounded slightly on the edges so during use, it will be comfortable. I purchased a similar knife years ago and it looked like it was stamped out of a steel plate and had the sharp edges to prove it. NOT with PS, the design was very well thought out. There are several rounded grooves where you place your thumb and where your ring finger rests proving a comfortable secure grip and help keep the knife from slipping while in hand.
The knife also has a long lanyard which you can use for many things. For me, if it was a bit longer, I could wear it as a neck knife. I held it up over my chest and it lays perfectly and due to its light weight, you would hardly know its there. I like the lanyards CRK puts on their knives, but this one seems longer than the ones on the one-piece line. After tinkering around, I found a way to tie it nice and tight around the handle which keeps it out of the way until its needed. I wrapped it around the handle several times and brought the knot through the opening in the handle and back through towards the end. Kinda like how the lanyards are tied to begin with. This worked perfectly and is very comfortable. It in No Way interfears with the sheath and looks good to boot.
The PS comes with a slim heavy duty Kydex Sheath. The knife fits very tight in the sheath with no sliding around while in it. It also has 6 holes around it to attach it in various ways. It has a hole drilled into the area where the knife tip is to allow drainage in case the knife is submerged which will help aid in corosion resistance. I thoought that was a great idea.
The PS is coated with the very durable K G Gun-Kote. This is the same coating CRK has put on its One-Piece line for many years. It is very wear resistand and is non reflective.
I can see this knife used in the field as a hunting/fishing knife as it is so lightweight and due to its simplicity, Very Easy To Clean. It is small enough to easily fit in your fanny pack or tackle box...... It would also serve as a great hiking/outdoors knife due to these reasons as well...... Due to its easiness to clean, would serve well in the kitchen for food prep also.
I know this knife was designed as a military knife, but from my experience today, I think it would be a great EDC for those looking for a slim, lightweight fixed blade knife. Since I got it this afternoon and once I wrapped up the lanyard, I have been carrying it in my left shorts pocket ( my NCIS sebbie rides in the right pocket ). I have been running erands around town, driving, crawling around in the attic and the PS has never gotten in the way. I think I will carry it around for awhile like this and see how I like it as an EDC.
As for a side by side comparison with my other Chris Reeve EDC, a Large Regular Sebenza and a Mnandi, I find it fits somewhere right inbetween them. Its about 3/4" shorter than my large sebbie, but about 1" longer than my Mnandi. I am thinking it would be about the same size as a Small Sebenza.
I will probably never use the handle on a shackle, but since its designed for military use, the option is there for those who need it. For me, I see the handle opening as a way of lightenig the knife, helping create balance, and a way for my tying my lanyard and keeping it out of the way, but there when I need it !!!
I am going to EDC it for awhile and see how well I like it. From what I thought about carrying it around this evening, I think it will work out Great.
I take my hat off yet another Great Chris Reeve Knife design. It was well thought out and it is made from the steel that has made the Sebenza legendary. Plus being coated with their durable KG Gun-Kote. An awsome knife. I can only imagine how well it could be put to use in the Military as thats who it was designed for. For me, I hope to make it a regular in my EDC rotation. ENJOY !!!
