This gorgeous knife is the personal property of DaveH of the 'Knife & Gadget Pass-Around Forum'. It's a wood-inlayed Limited Edition model, with a value in excess of $500. Dave offered free inspection/fondling of this knife for a week to 10 people. I know few people with Dave's generosity, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to experience the loan of this fine knife.
This knife is such a combination of precision instrument, elegant engineering, attention to detail and fine appearance that words are wanting. First impressions of this knife are useless - every time I look at this knife I seem to discover another thoughtful feature, unique design detail or finishing touch.
Picture and other description is available here: http://www.chrisreeve.com/annual.htm
This specific knife is tip-up carry for righties. Some CRK folder models are available in 'lefty' version, though I don't know if this applies to the 'Limited Edition' models.
Some physical carry properties:
- Weight is 2.825 ounces, including the weight of the small attached lanyard.
- Frame width under the wood scales is .392".
- Overall width, including scales-width, is .525".
The Blade
Blade material is S30V (damascus option available). The spine of the blade is rounded, a very nice finishing feature that also reduces pocket wear.
Blade-grind is a large-wheel-diameter hollow-grind. The hollow-grind is quite shallow, providing slicing properties very close to that of a double-flat grind.
A serrated thumb-ramp is provided, which, combined with scalloped lower frame-edges for the index and middle fingers, provides excellent control.
The serrated thumb-stud provides excellent traction for blade-opening.
Frame and Lock
Titanium liner/frame thickness is 1/8". The frame structure is quite rigid, held together with 3 screws, including pivot screw and blade-stop, and associated spacers. A fourth screw attaches the titanium pocket clip, which is inset into the frame to prevent any lateral movement of the clip.
The knife exhibited zero blade-play in any dimension, whether open, closed or in between - a truly precision mechanism.
Blade lockup is immediate and secure. I was unable to produce partial-lockup. Frame-locking arm appeared to engage about 50% of the blade butt area. Future wear would appear to produce increased blade butt/frame engagement, increasing lock strength with use.
Lock-lever access relief area in the frame also serves to provide access to the thumb-stud. A perfect relief combination to allow adequate access to the thumb-stud, while not over-exposing the locking arm. Accidental lock-release is not likely - though it is possible.
Linear serrations along the back of the frame add an elegant 'finished' look, and should tend to resist the knife twisting in the hand - a nice touch.
All areas of the outside of the titanium frame are polished except the locking arm. The locking arm is matte finished to perfectly match the matte finish of titanium pocket clip - a nice touch.
The Clip
With most folders, the clip is just attached. With this knife, the titanium clip is essentially 'integrated' into the titanium locking arm:
- Top of the clip is inset into the locking arm, allowing single-screw attachment with no lateral clip movement.
- Finish and material of clip and lock arm are identical - eye candy.
- As the blade is locked open, the arm of the clip is lowered - a novel 'disappearing clip' trick.
The Wood Scales
These scales appear to be Box Elder Burl, and the figure is absolutely select-grade.
Summary
'Stunning' is the word that seems to apply. Precise fit and attention to details is evident in all areas. Finish is meticulous. Lock-up is secure and frame strength is excellent. Carry properties are excellent. This is a zero-fault knife.
The price/value of Chris Reeve knives comes up a lot in these forums. Is this specific knife really worth in excess of $500?
- If you perceive $500 as the equivalent of 5 Spyderco or Benchmade $100 folders, the answer is 'No'.
- If zero-fault quality, elegant engineering and outstanding fit and finish in a frame-locking 'Gentleman's Folder' is your goal, the answer is 'Yes'.
I'm not a 'Genteman's Folder' guy, so this knife is not for me. But the elegance of Chris Reeve engineering REALLY shines through, and my long-time companion Military may soon be replaced by a large Sebbie.
This knife is such a combination of precision instrument, elegant engineering, attention to detail and fine appearance that words are wanting. First impressions of this knife are useless - every time I look at this knife I seem to discover another thoughtful feature, unique design detail or finishing touch.
Picture and other description is available here: http://www.chrisreeve.com/annual.htm
This specific knife is tip-up carry for righties. Some CRK folder models are available in 'lefty' version, though I don't know if this applies to the 'Limited Edition' models.
Some physical carry properties:
- Weight is 2.825 ounces, including the weight of the small attached lanyard.
- Frame width under the wood scales is .392".
- Overall width, including scales-width, is .525".
The Blade
Blade material is S30V (damascus option available). The spine of the blade is rounded, a very nice finishing feature that also reduces pocket wear.
Blade-grind is a large-wheel-diameter hollow-grind. The hollow-grind is quite shallow, providing slicing properties very close to that of a double-flat grind.
A serrated thumb-ramp is provided, which, combined with scalloped lower frame-edges for the index and middle fingers, provides excellent control.
The serrated thumb-stud provides excellent traction for blade-opening.
Frame and Lock
Titanium liner/frame thickness is 1/8". The frame structure is quite rigid, held together with 3 screws, including pivot screw and blade-stop, and associated spacers. A fourth screw attaches the titanium pocket clip, which is inset into the frame to prevent any lateral movement of the clip.
The knife exhibited zero blade-play in any dimension, whether open, closed or in between - a truly precision mechanism.
Blade lockup is immediate and secure. I was unable to produce partial-lockup. Frame-locking arm appeared to engage about 50% of the blade butt area. Future wear would appear to produce increased blade butt/frame engagement, increasing lock strength with use.
Lock-lever access relief area in the frame also serves to provide access to the thumb-stud. A perfect relief combination to allow adequate access to the thumb-stud, while not over-exposing the locking arm. Accidental lock-release is not likely - though it is possible.
Linear serrations along the back of the frame add an elegant 'finished' look, and should tend to resist the knife twisting in the hand - a nice touch.
All areas of the outside of the titanium frame are polished except the locking arm. The locking arm is matte finished to perfectly match the matte finish of titanium pocket clip - a nice touch.
The Clip
With most folders, the clip is just attached. With this knife, the titanium clip is essentially 'integrated' into the titanium locking arm:
- Top of the clip is inset into the locking arm, allowing single-screw attachment with no lateral clip movement.
- Finish and material of clip and lock arm are identical - eye candy.
- As the blade is locked open, the arm of the clip is lowered - a novel 'disappearing clip' trick.
The Wood Scales
These scales appear to be Box Elder Burl, and the figure is absolutely select-grade.
Summary
'Stunning' is the word that seems to apply. Precise fit and attention to details is evident in all areas. Finish is meticulous. Lock-up is secure and frame strength is excellent. Carry properties are excellent. This is a zero-fault knife.
The price/value of Chris Reeve knives comes up a lot in these forums. Is this specific knife really worth in excess of $500?
- If you perceive $500 as the equivalent of 5 Spyderco or Benchmade $100 folders, the answer is 'No'.
- If zero-fault quality, elegant engineering and outstanding fit and finish in a frame-locking 'Gentleman's Folder' is your goal, the answer is 'Yes'.
I'm not a 'Genteman's Folder' guy, so this knife is not for me. But the elegance of Chris Reeve engineering REALLY shines through, and my long-time companion Military may soon be replaced by a large Sebbie.
