Sebenza 31 vs 21 What say you?

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WangSupreme

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Apr 4, 2026
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New account. Used to be a member years ago but lost my old email and thus my account here. Anyway, I've got a couple older Sebenza 21s from back in 2012 or so. I've been eyeing the new model 31 with magnacut and wondering what everyone thinks about them. Has QC dipped over the years? Gotten better even? Is the 31 an improvement over the 21? How much better is the magnacut vs the old s35vn? Kinda feeling like adding a new Reeve to my collection and just wanted to hear some thoughts. Thanks!
 
For me it boils down to aesthetic's. The 31 PJ just looks wrong without the signature hole in the display slab and the single piece inlay is uglier than a mud fence.
Just out of curiosity, why not an Inkosi or perhaps an Umnumzaan?
 
I have several of each and prefer the look and feel of the 21. The fit and finish is still top notch but I am still on the fence about the angled clip on the 31 and it sits in my hand differently. The 31 is a fine knife, that’s just a personal preference. Why not just get one and test it for yourself?
 
Yes, Magnacut reblades from CRK are possible (9 month wait time and 150 bucks plus shipping.)

21s seem to have smoother action. 31s have a stronger lock. Both are great, depending on your preferences and needs.
 
I have a 21 from way back. Why do the above commentors seem to prefer the 21 to the 31? Yeah, I am out of the loop.
 
abcdef said:
I have a 21 from way back. Why do the above commentors seem to prefer the 21 to the 31? Yeah, I am out of the loop.
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Apparently the 31's take longer to break in. The pivot screw can't be tightened down like on the 21s at first. I just bought a new 31 and have had it like 3 days. Currently I have the pivot slightly loosened. Im hoping over the next few weeks, or months it will be just as the 21. As it should be, all screws tightened down with great hydraulic action.

Looking forward to the performance of the magnacut. Time will tell.
 
I've only recently started to occasionally carry a small 21 but so far I am not getting all the hype over why it's supposedly so superior to the 31. Starting to think it may be more of a large 21 over large 31 kind of thing. My initial distaste has been I don't care for the clip being over the lock bar making it a bit more difficult to not press against the lock bar when opening. It still opens but with slightly more difficulty while the 31 allows me to push against the clip and swing the blade open freely.

And there's no way anyone can say the steel hasn't gotten better. But the lock interface is certainly more solid with absolute zero movement on the 21 while the 31 has that tiny hint of play. It's tiny but it's there. It would likely take my lifetime for it to happen but I'd think the ceramic ball will outlast the Ti on steel lock of the 21.

Maybe I'll eventually find a deal on a large 21 to see if there's a bigger difference there than the small.

I still say the Inkosi is greater than the Sebenza. All three of my Inkosis have been out of the box what people have told me Sebenzas are while all my Sebenzas required break in and tinkering.
 
i JUST missed the 21 boat when I got my Inkosi back in 2019. I really wanted that fit titanium on steel lock up, but the ceramic is fine. I ended up getting a Spartan SHF (two actually) that is titanium on steel tang and in magnacut. Not as smooth as a CRK, but it scratched the itch that CRK doesn't offer any more.
 
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