Sebenza 31

R

RAU

Joined
Jul 16, 2013
Messages
18
I’ve wanted a sebenza for decades but could never afford. I’m finally in a position to buy myself 1 for my 50th Birthday present to myself but I just can’t pull the trigger. This lock rock/flex issue or “feature” as some call it just sounds gross to me and I know it’s going to bother me. This is a $500 knife advertised as having bank vault lock up.

My sub $225 para 2s and 3s are rock solid, heck even my Chinese $50 Tenacious is rock solid.

Maybe this isn’t the place to ask this considering this is a CRK fan section and there’s already a 91 page thread on here somewhere that’s already beaten this issue to death but I’m going to anyway.


What’s another $500 or less titanium folder with the same simple utilitarian looks as the sebenza that locks up rock solid? Think Tim will ever do a run of 21s without the ceramic ball anytime in the future?
 
No, there will never be more 21s. They are plentiful on the secondary though. I also think the lock rock/flex issue or "feature" was overblown, and was pretty limited to earlier production of the 31. People with problems always rush to complain...people without them rarely share their experience. If you conducted a survey you'd find far more satisfied 31 owners than dissatisfied. I think if the Sebenza is the knife you want, that's the knife you should get.
 
ctClIG3.jpg
 
I have never heard about this until now. I have a Sebenza 25, and the only issue I've ever had with it is the pivot grease responding poorly to years of the dirt of a working man's lifestyle and eventually getting gunky, thankfully an easy fix since these things are a cinch to take apart and put back together.

After owning one I seriously can't recommend CRK enough. 100% worth the cost to someone who can appreciate quality down to a minute level.

I consider ZT to be of comparable quality, however. I can recommend the 0462 thanks to years of experience with it.
 
+ 1 on Inkosi

I’ve had a few 31’s - One had a little lock wobble if really cranked on, the other was solid.

The Inkosi feels like a fixed blade when locked open. The S45VN from CRK seems to hold an edge longer than their S35VN as well.
 
If you purchase a Sebenza and decide you don’t like it, there is a robust secondary market and, provided you don’t damage it and keep it like new, can probably recover most of your investment in a sale.

+1 for Inkosi, though. Just received my first the other day and it’s rarely left my pocket since receiving it. Don’t know why it took me to long to try one but I’m glad I did.
 
Try a CRK Inkosi or Arno Bernard iMamba as alternatives. I have a 31 as well, but I have no issue with the manner in which it locks up.
 
RAU said:
I’ve wanted a sebenza for decades but could never afford. I’m finally in a position to buy myself 1 for my 50th Birthday present to myself but I just can’t pull the trigger. This lock rock/flex issue or “feature” as some call it just sounds gross to me and I know it’s going to bother me. This is a $500 knife advertised as having bank vault lock up.

My sub $225 para 2s and 3s are rock solid, heck even my Chinese $50 Tenacious is rock solid.

Maybe this isn’t the place to ask this considering this is a CRK fan section and there’s already a 91 page thread on here somewhere that’s already beaten this issue to death but I’m going to anyway.


What’s another $500 or less titanium folder with the same simple utilitarian looks as the sebenza that locks up rock solid? Think Tim will ever do a run of 21s without the ceramic ball anytime in the future?
Click to expand...
Check out the Spartan SHF 😉
 
Never had an issue with my 31's.

But I have Lock stick issues with my P Sebenza, Classic, Regular and occasionally depending on how hard it locks up - my 21. So take that as you will.

Maybe instead of taking everything you read online as gospel, go handle one at a dealer?

Anecdotally, the Inkosi and Umnumzaan will also "rock" the same way a sebenza 31 would if you push hard enough and not use the knife as its intended purposes.
 
Thanks for the info everyone . As for the warranty Chris reeve actually says this blade movement is a “feature” and they’re in spec. I have an email from them from last week saying

“The lock flex in our Sebenza knives is very minor and not noticeable at all. Our Sebenza's have a very secure lockup”

I’m sure it’s secure and would never fail but my gosh from a $500 folding knife I expect more.
 
RAU said:
Thanks for the info everyone . As for the warranty Chris reeve actually says this blade movement is a “feature” and they’re in spec. I have an email from them from last week saying

“The lock flex in our Sebenza knives is very minor and not noticeable at all. Our Sebenza's have a very secure lockup”

I’m sure it’s secure and would never fail but my gosh from a $500 folding knife I expect more.
Click to expand...
one-punch-man-ok.gif
 
RAU said:
Thanks for the info everyone . As for the warranty Chris reeve actually says this blade movement is a “feature” and they’re in spec. I have an email from them from last week saying

“The lock flex in our Sebenza knives is very minor and not noticeable at all. Our Sebenza's have a very secure lockup”

I’m sure it’s secure and would never fail but my gosh from a $500 folding knife I expect more.
Click to expand...
If you don't set your knife on the table and then reef down on the spine you wouldn't even know it was there... We're not talking about an insignificant amount of force to get the blade to move.

Who comes up with these tests anyway?

Once more we see a prime example of people taking the word of people who have nothing better to do than come up with unrealistic things to do with a knife than those that actually take the darned things out and use them to cut stuff. 🤷‍♂️

Obviously you have yourself talked out of it, do yourself a favor and put the 500 dollars into your 401k.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top