Share Your FIRST Chris Reeve Knife Memories......!!!

[nyefmaker]

Lets share our first CRK Memories. What finally pushed us over the edge to take that plunge into what we now know as CRK Perfection.....!!!

Looking back, I believe it was aprox. 10 + years ago that I bought my First CRK. I had a small laptop, but it was not super fast, so when I wanted to look up something, it was an evening chore. I never even knew there was knife forums where I could talk to others about such things. Growing up in the Rambo Survival Knife era, the thought of such a knife was super cool. I remember buying knife books, ( the big annual volumes ) and seeing all the survival knives, etc. I bought a Buck 184 and always thought that was the ultimate hollow handle knife at the time. It looks nice and cool and all, but even though I still have it, its just not for me, but being super rare, its a keeper...........Anways, I remember seeing articles and pics of the CRK One Piece Knives. I looked up as much info as I could on them. Seeing that they were made in USA, had legendary status and were one piece which were virtually unbreakable being that there was no joint, I had to try one. I always love things that are overbuilt and tough as nails. I looked them up and the prices were way more than I ever spent on a knife at the time. I was used to $30 Buck 110's. I looked all over the internet and ebay and decided to give one a try. I figured if I did not like it, I could always sell it at a small loss and be on my way. Better to have tried it and not like it than to never have purchased one and wondered. After looking non-stop it seemed, I finally settled on the small CRK One Piece Knife Shadow III. It was the cheapest of the OPK at $175.00. Remember at this time, nearly all the CRK OPK were readily available....I instantly fell in love with it. I have carried it quite a bit since then and is one that is unsellable. From that point on, I guess you could say that I was hooked. The quality was simply amazing. Plus, the sheath was every bit as heavy duty as the knife itself. I love it and its one of my all time favorites. Shortly after and completely blowing the bank, I bought the Huge Tanto I for $350. I later on bought several more until I had 15 CRK OPK before I tried the mighty Sebenza........................................But that little Shadow III will Always be My First & Favorite

 

[machine26]

About 4 years ago I finally had the fun money to spend for a "high priced" knife, so I went to my local pawn/gun shop and got the owner(awesome guy) to order me a Shadow IV. Had it in my hands about 4 or 5 days later, absolutely awesome, love that knife. :thumbup:

ETA: A few months after that I received my 2nd CRK for my birthday from my mom, a mountaineer 1, I was like How cool is that? (Obviously I never "scraped the change together" for that mountaineer 1)

ETA 2: I just searched my forum posts, knew the very first post here I made was about my Shadow IV, and you were the first response in that thread nyfemaker, lol. Here it is.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/672808-First-post-and-first-CRK

 

[humblerodent]

It was the Sebenza that caught my attention first. But as for many, it was the price that caught my attention. The first time I really bothered to look into it I just googled "sebenza" and chrisreeve.com was the first result. I looked at the specs and the not so impressive pictures, and thought, that's it, I don't get it. I think I even laughed.

Then, as time went on, I saw more and more about the Sebenza and how people swore by it. I saw more than once the suggestion to get one in your hand to really appreciate it. So that's what I set out to do. Just because I could really, I still didn't expect much. I ended up trading a beautiful Brian Andrews Bushcrafter with Ironwood handles (took a lot of faith to send that knife away) plus a little cash for a large Sebenza Insingo.

They day it came I was excited, but not expecting much. When I opened it for the first time though, it clicked, literally and figuratively. I was hooked. I ended up selling that one and getting a large plain jane 21, which I've had ever since. I've had 30 or so CRK's go through my hands since then. I have more CRK's than any other brand. I'll never be without one. Now when people inquire about the Sebenza, I tell them the same thing that did it for me, get one in your hands before you make any decisions about it either way.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

My first CRK was a small Insingo 21--I still have it and carry it regularly. Of course, I spent the first months of my knife journey buying less expensive Kershaws, Spydercos, Benchmades, etc--all of which I appreciate in their own rite. My main complaint with any folder I bought was the blade play on nearly every folder I bought--I developed an absolute disdain for any blade play of any kind--almost OCD over it! When I got my Seb I showed my wife (who didn't think much of it) and told her "THIS is exactly what I wanted and needed in a folding knife!" The more I carry it and use it, the more I love it!

 

[matt1987]

Well, one night I was looking for a knife that had wood handles but wasn't a traditional. I always had a "thing" for ebony wood and found a damascus with ebony Mcusta. I almost bought it but I didn't care for how the pocket clip was designed. So I was looking around and stumbled across a Sebenza with ebony inlays. So I said what the hell, and bought it.

To make a long story short, I somehow missed signing for the package. The mail man at the time was pretty lazy so I think he didn't feel like getting out of his truck to knock on the door. Anyway, the next day I got ready to run over to the post office and of course my truck didn't want to start. So I called for a taxi to take me there. Went to the post office and $60 later I was back home with my new knife.

Honestly it took me a few days to really understand the Sebenza. At first it felt like a dressed up run-of-the-mill framelock knife. But as I started to carry and use it I appreciated differences that other knives don't have. So, I've been hooked since. I try to like knives from other companies but there's nothing quite like a CRK.

 

[nyefmaker]

About 4 years ago I finally had the fun money to spend for a "high priced" knife, so I went to my local pawn/gun shop and got the owner(awesome guy) to order me a Shadow IV. Had it in my hands about 4 or 5 days later, absolutely awesome, love that knife. :thumbup:

ETA: A few months after that I received my 2nd CRK for my birthday from my mom, a mountaineer 1, I was like How cool is that? (Obviously I never "scraped the change together" for that mountaineer 1)

ETA 2: I just searched my forum posts, knew the very first post here I made was about my Shadow IV, and you were the first response in that thread nyfemaker, lol. Here it is.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/672808-First-post-and-first-CRK

I think thats funny, looking all the way back that we basically had a whole thread going as your first BF Post and no one else chimed in.....lol. Glad your still here and a part of the CRK Brothers and Sisters.

 

[machine26]

Thanks, nyfemaker, I'm glad to be here. :thumbup:

 

[BTTLBRN]

BUMP

I know the thread necromancer has been summoned - this being an eight year old thread.

I would like to hear from others about your first purchase/memories.

For me I can directly attribute it to COVID. I have always had a folder on me but it was typically a ZT or Spyderco. Due to ammunition prices soaring and sitting on a more than ample supply; it left me with “play money.” What would have normally been used at the range (around $300-400 a month), I began looking at higher end knives. In all the research I began doing most roads led to CRK. My first purchase was a large micarta Inkosi and well now I own a total of six CRK knives, modest by some accounts. I have branched off into other makers as well (Spartan and Medford to name a few); but CRK remains my top dog for what I like in a knife. I will never forget the first time I opened that Inkosi, the movement was unlike anything I had felt, the level of finish was unlike the others and the overall sense of pride of ownership that came from having it my pocket. Sure just about anything can cut, but the CRK was for me a bit of a status thing - whether right or wrong - it has a presence when pulled from the pocket. I don’t find the CRK gaudy or overdone, simple inlays, nicely finished titanium; but those who know, know.

Of course there isn’t anything “wrong” with ZT and Spyderco, but they sit in the safe these days. Thanks Rona for allowing me to expand my obsessions, and while ammunition is a worthwhile expenditure - knives tend to last longer.

https://imgur.com/a/EbkWoEN

How about you?

 

[SubaruSTi]

My first CRK was a 2006 limited with redwood burl inlay. Perfect knife in every respect. I then bought a 2007 with a yellow wood inlay and the knifes lock bar went all the way to the other side and it was just junk. I was livid and really lost faith in the brand. I know how they are made and someone at the fitting bench let that out of the shop on purpose.

The 2006 might have been from knife art I believe the 2007 was a direct order. I never did send the 2007 back for some reason and I ended up believe it or not throwing it away a good while later. At that time I wasn’t really aware of customer service being what it is today.

I didn’t buy anymore Chris Reeve knives until a few weeks ago I bought a large Inkosi Insingo. Great knife!

 

[Modernflame]

I had my Inkosi unboxing experience in 2019. I hadn't been so delighted by a knife since my father gave my my first locking folder when I was a child. After I used the Inkosi for a while, I decided I wanted to chase fast opening knives and super steels. Still have quite a few, but now I've come full circle. My three CRKs are the pinnacle of my collection. They just make me happy.

 

[Ernie1980]

My first was a small regular that I bought direct from CRK in 2006. Since then, dozens of various models have made their way through my hands, but the small regular Sebenza will always have a special place! I wish I still had that original one (my daughter lost it ) but I have one that is almost identical and carry it from time to time.

 

[pvicenzi]

I was kind of interested in Sebenza's. Then, as a dog person, I saw the dog paw exclusives and the rest is history.

 

[Mick Boardman]

About 15 minutes ago my first CRK arrived via UPS. When I opened the box I was pleasantly surprised. This baby is finished out to perfection. CPM 4V steel and extremely sharp and pointy.

 

[badmatt]

T'was Valentine's Day last year as a gift from my better 3/4's.

It kicked off a whole slew of other knifes some have come and some have gone, but the Inkosi will never leave

 

[rhino]

I remember seeing ads for the first Sebenzas in Blade magazine back in the late 1980s. It quickly became the the knife I wanted, but couldn't have. I managed that through multiple updates of the design, reading about them in articles and seeing more ads over the years. I thought that would be the way it was going to continue, but a few years ago (maybe 5?), my favorite dealer told me he had something to show me. It was a used Sebenza 21 that he had accepted in trade from a customer and he sold it to me for a very reasonable price. Life has been better since then.

 

[TheFactor]

My first CRK I bought from Derrick at Knives ship free and may he Rest In Peace and is so dearly missed.
KSF was only about a mile from my house in Oregon before they moved to Michigan. Anyway it was a Sebenza 21 Mammoth Ivory inlays and what a beautiful knife which is also missed and one I should of never let go . I remember as if it was yesterday when I first layed it in my hands and gazed at its beauty as I felt that buttery smooth action. Then I said to Derrick I want it and he said let me make sure it hasn’t been claimed online I’ll be right back. Minutes felt like an eternity and he returned and said it’s yours. This rush of happiness went threw me and couldn’t stop smiling all the way home . That was my first love and CRK

 

[pvicenzi]

My first CRK I bought from Derrick at Knives ship free and may he Rest In Peace and is so dearly missed.
KSF was only about a mile from my house in Oregon before they moved to Michigan. Anyway it was a Sebenza 21 Mammoth Ivory inlays and what a beautiful knife which is also missed and one I should of never let go . I remember as if it was yesterday when I first layed it in my hands and gazed at its beauty as I felt that buttery smooth action. Then I said to Derrick I want it and he said let me make sure it hasn’t been claimed online I’ll be right back. Minutes felt like an eternity and he returned and said it’s yours. This rush of happiness went threw me and couldn’t stop smiling all the way home . That was my first love and CRK

I almost cried when the left Michigan. They were an ideal hour drive away. Not so close that snap decisions would have kept be broke, but close enough to make an occasional trip.

 

[TheFactor]

I almost cried when the left Michigan. They were an ideal hour drive away. Not so close that snap decisions would have kept be broke, but close enough to make an occasional trip.

The opposite for me they were to close and convenient lol and This was when my knife addiction blossomed

 

[willard0341]

I had seen them advertised in knife magazines for years and in 2007 decided to take the plunge. Nothing is perfect but I have enjoyed the sebenza since then. First sebenza along with my current carry. I’ve got a 31 but have not got around to carrying it as of yet

 

[jumpstat]

My first experience was way back in January 2015. I like knives and in particular folders. And in Malaysia, it is hard to get highend knives such as CRKs. At that time we had to either buy online from wherever and hope it gets to us safely. However the risk was high and so was the shipping costs and insurance etc. I was in the area of my local dealer and I dropped there just to browse on whats to offer. It was pure luck that they had an Umnumzaan and a 21 large on hand. It was 2014 models and I jumped on the Umnumzaan as its style was awesome in the hands. It costs a pretty penny though but at least I had the chance to fondle it prior to purchase. Had to go through the breaking in period with the Umnumzaan and it was great and a week later. I went back to the dealer in hoping to get a sheath for the Umnumzaan. Noticed that the 21 Large was still available and I decided to bring it home also. That was the best decision I made. After the breakin in period, I found that I the 21 Large was the better folder for my edc needs. Since then, I had not purchased any other knife except for a couple of fixed knife, an Esee 6 and Bark River Bravo 3. I have sold most of the knives I had and only maintain the CRKs, a PM2, a small griptilian and a gen 4 RHK 3.5" Spanto. The 21 large is in a CRK sheath and it has been my primary eds since.