Sebenza 31 Fail?

Gilbert G

Gilbert G

Joined
Oct 3, 2019
Messages
612
Howdy all,

First let me say thanks for all the great posts on the Chris Reeve sub-forum and Bladeforums as a whole. It's why I recently had no question about renewing my paid membership a week or two ago. I've been in the "CRK game" awhile when the Regular Sebenzas were the prices of the current 21's. A lot has happened since then, mainly the new Seb 31. Interesting stuff when thinking how the Umnumzaan stirred things up in it's debut.

There's over 62 pages on lock rock/stick etc on the new 31 and just don't have time to sift through it all. The caution must be real though so to those of you fine folks who have experience with both, is the new 31 fundamentally flawed compared to the original 21? I'm looking to pick up a Large Damascus and wondering if the older 21 is the way to go. I personally like the smoother ceramic ball on the Umnumzaan but always wondered how a ball that rolls, digs in and makes contact with 1 point is any more secure in the long run that a bigger flat surface on surface lock. Lock fail seems more of a possibility because of this aspect too. Then there is the slight pocket clip re-position, is this a major plus even though aesthetically it may take some getting used to?

Cheers
 
Gilbert G said:
Howdy all,

First let me say thanks for all the great posts on the Chris Reeve sub-forum and Bladeforums as a whole. It's why I recently had no question about renewing my paid membership a week or two ago. I've been in the "CRK game" awhile when the Regular Sebenzas were the prices of the current 21's. A lot has happened since then, mainly the new Seb 31. Interesting stuff when thinking how the Umnumzaan stirred things up in it's debut.

There's over 62 pages on lock rock/stick etc on the new 31 and just don't have time to sift through it all. The caution must be real though so to those of you fine folks who have experience with both, is the new 31 fundamentally flawed compared to the original 21? I'm looking to pick up a Large Damascus and wondering if the older 21 is the way to go. I personally like the smoother ceramic ball on the Umnumzaan but always wondered how a ball that rolls, digs in and makes contact with 1 point is any more secure in the long run that a bigger flat surface on surface lock. Lock fail seems more of a possibility because of this aspect too. Then there is the slight pocket clip re-position, is this a major plus even though aesthetically it may take some getting used to?

Cheers
Click to expand...


So you don’t have time to read the other thread and want someone to do it for you?

If a CRK thread reaches 64 pages, there’s probably some worthwhile content. If this one is too long for you,
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sebenza-31-lock-rock.1718273/

this one is shorter
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/why-is-the-sebenza-21-better-than-the-31.1753179/

As is this one https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/16-months-later.1757159/

and this one:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-impressions-of-the-sebenza-31.1744974/

And this one:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/new-31-vs-lightly-used-21.1741227/

and this one:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/thinking-of-selling-my-31-for-a-21.1750873/

and so on.
 
Last edited:
BD_01 said:
So you don’t have time to read the other thread and want someone to do it for you?

If a CRK thread reaches 64 pages, there’s probably some worthwhile content. If this one is too long for you,
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sebenza-31-lock-rock.1718273/

this one is shorter
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/why-is-the-sebenza-21-better-than-the-31.1753179/

As is this one https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/16-months-later.1757159/

and this one:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-impressions-of-the-sebenza-31.1744974/

And this one:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/new-31-vs-lightly-used-21.1741227/

and this one:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/thinking-of-selling-my-31-for-a-21.1750873/

and so on.
Click to expand...
I like bladforums because it’s much less of a shitshow than the more popular versions of social media. You couldn’t pay me to participate in FB or Twitter etc. I value my brain too much for those cesspools.

What I’m saying here, is hey........not everyone thinks the same way. If you think OP’s question is a waste of time, don’t answer it. That’s fair.

I just hoping not to see this place also fall into the abyss of human behaviour.
 
The only 31 fail is CRK diehards who keep calling it lock rock due to poor tolerances and not Chris's knife.
 
I think for the most part it came down to personal preferences rather than defects. There were some defects it seemed, but they likely fell into the normal range for such. While I would go 21, you very well may be happier with a 31. The only way to tell is to try a 31. Some think they are junk(due to the flex) and others the best CRK out there.
 
Last edited:
I bought a large 31 micarta inlay prior to owning a 21. You can flex the lockbar by putting quite a bit of pressure on the blade spine but it’s outside the realm of anything that would occur under normal use.

Since that purchase I’ve bought a handful of 21’s to compare. One, a plain Jane had enough of an early lockup that you could pop the lock free doing the same test. I rotated the stop pin sleeve and it seemed to have helped get the lockup a little later but I still think it could be better. The 31 is perfectly centered while a few of my 21’s are not, but they all have very smooth actions.

One thing I definitely do like better with the 31, because it uses the ceramic ball lockup, the ball is larger and it creates a more positive detent over the 21’s smaller detent ball.

Between the 21’s and the 31, each has its own feel to it but in no way would I say one is inherently better than the other and I would have no issue carrying either generation.
 
Last edited:
^ Well written and completely right IMO. I have long had many Reeves, including 3 31's, two large, one small. All will work a lifetime for you without fail. I actually prefer the 31 over the 21 or regulars of years past. Keep in mind too that new lock ball interface makes a better detent holding the knife closed and allows for better action. Much better. Also when wanting Damascus, CRK is now using Chad Nichols SS Damascus over Devon/Rob Thomas. I like Chad's Damascus better. Just a preference.
 
Opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone's got one. Trying to sift through folks that have an actual issue and those that create an issue is too much in one thread. No doubt there have been problems with some of the 31's, but IMO, it's no different than when other new models have been released. I've got a few Sebenza 25's and Inkosi's, the clip placement hasn't been a noticeable difference between the two for me. Since the 25, Inkosi and Umnumzaan have the ceramic ball and have been proven, I'm not in the least bit worried about the ceramic ball on the 31's.
Is the 31 flawed as compared to the 21, not at all. It's a new model with a few different features, that's all.
I have enough 21's to keep me occupied for several lifetimes, so there's no real reason for me to own a 31. However, when I saw the boomerang Damascus, well I just couldn't resist :p. I got this one a few days ago, and it will be a user. Now, keep in mind, when I took it out, I didn't try to create lock flex or blade play, instead I operated it like I do all my knives. I found it to be a little sluggish, took it apart and cleaned everything like I've done with other CRK's out of the box and put it all back together. Happy to say, it's the same as the 21 in that regard. It's as solid as any other CRK I own.
If you like the new inlays, C.N. Damascus, don't hesitate to pick up a 31. If the D.T. Damascus is what you're after, then a 21 is the way to go. You can still find 21's with D.T. Damascus, but when they're gone, they're gone. Personally, I prefer DT ladder over CN ladder.

g2ZaeR1.jpg
 
I own 21s, 25s, a Zaan and a 31.

They are all good knives. My 31 is no less than any of the other models, and one day I see me owning a 31 Micarta.

In no way would I consider paying that much for a knife that is "inferior" to the other CRK models, so that should tell you something.

Any folding knife can fail, that fact is not limited to CRK 31s. I have Hinderers that are far more robust than CRKs, and I'm not pushing down on the handle on them pretty hard against the lock bar, either. To do so is to invite trouble. Neither are delicate, but designs have limitations.

Buy one, use it as INTENDED, and enjoy!
 
I've owned multiple 31's without issue now. Sample size is still small but I buy/sell/trade a lot and have had atleast 4 31's. Was there "lock rock?" No. Was there the same amount of forced play as with the Inkosi and Unumzaan? Yes. Fortunately my knives aren't used by sitting them on a table top and putting force on the blade. This is my experience.

I have a 31 in my pocket now. I like it.
I have a 21 at home (CF show side). I like it too but the I do prefer the ceramic ball.
 
Usually I wait until my Sebenzas get sticky, or gritty before I take them apart for cleaning. Well, my 31 seemed a little sluggish right away, so I took it apart. The first thing I noticed was that the screws seemed to have been put in by a gorilla, the second thing I found was that there did not seem to be any grease on the washers. I cleaned, and greased it, and put it back together, and it was fine. One thing I did not like, is that there are 2 different sized screws.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top