So far I'm not impressed...

[socom1970]

CRK customer service is tops. They are very nice & will get your problems resolved.

+1 on this. They will help you and get your problems sorted out.

Sometimes I think the more money paid for something, the higher the expectations. I believe perfection does not exist. I expect problems with everything, regardless of price, quality standards, past experiences, past performances, etc... I mean this with all respect and humility to all. I'm greatful to have high quality knives to use that I'm overall very happy with, whether they are 50.00 or 500.00. When I have problems with any product I own and use, I contact Customer Service as often as needed until a satisfactory resolution is reached, no matter which company or individual created the product.

Just my little $0.02, fwiw...

 

[dkblade]

My large 21 was the same way as yours. It also had an ever so slight off centering on the blade. I sent it right back to CRK for warranty work and, though it took 7 weeks to come back, it came back 90% fixed...much easier to open every time and the blade is almost completely centered.

 

[Jimbo75]

I'm curious, have you contacted KSF re the missing birth card? CRK will help you with a re issue but KSF may have the original floating around, being a brick and mortar they have a lot of knives on display or being handled and things could easily get misplaced.

 

[Corytr]

Since the card issue could be an error on CRK's part, perhaps they would issue a new "original" card since they know what dealer got the knife and they will be able to easily look up what the birthday was.

 

[Ravenbrook]

I'm curious, have you contacted KSF re the missing birth card? CRK will help you with a re issue but KSF may have the original floating around, being a brick and mortar they have a lot of knives on display or being handled and things could easily get misplaced.

KSF did not answer the phone on Saturday. I have emailed them and I'm sure I'll be contacted tomorrow by them. I'll ask them prior to asking CRK about it.

 

[Ajack60]

The reason I asked about the bday card is that I had gotten one that sat on the shelf for over a year. It was stiff, I took it apart, cleaned and greased it. It improved the function a lot. It still had a strong detent, took a bit for it to get smooth. The cleaning/greasing helped the break in time.
So, yeah, you are the exception, it's very rare not to have a new Sebenza without a bday card.

 

[LarryM]

I'm sorry..It was a moment of weakness to try in my previous post in this thread (could not finish as the forum is having some issues lately.)



That's why you are on a knife enthusiast forum..to extoll the virtues of knives..Good to know



Not much experience with customer service I am assuming? The first post out of the gate is to run to the internet rather than to call up the manufacturer to see if there is a real issue or a perceived issue...To see IF there was an issue, if the manufacturer would be given an opportunity to take care of it.



Im sure nobody here cares about a different opinion as we have ours. I definitely have an opinion...Just not sure why someone who hates expensive knives would choose to spend so much time in this sub?



I have bought alot of new CRK folders- Never had one that didn't require a break in. Not one
Even some of the used ones needed some cycling to glide open as I expect them to.

I have been a Sales Rep for a Engine Parts Distributor for 20 years . So maybe you can teach me about customer service . From you posts in this tread you seem to be an expert on just about everything . Larry

 

[unit]

I have been a Sales Rep for a Engine Parts Distributor for 20 years . So maybe you can teach me about customer service . From you posts in this tread you seem to be an expert on just about everything . Larry

You have great powers of observation! Bill is an expert in MANY fields. Listen closely, you might be surprised at the insight he can offer!

 

[Corytr]

The thread linked below seems very relevant right about now.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/730951-Some-words-from-Chris

A couple of snippets from the thread:

I am not super-human; I make mistakes, mis-quotes and mis-judgments right along with the next person. I am passionate about my knives and my company. I have been involved in manufacturing for 38 years........

If you have a problem with our product, whether perceived or real, please contact us first. We always respond as soon as we can to email and telephone calls.....

Chris (Reeve)

 

[bhyde]

I have been a Sales Rep for a Engine Parts Distributor for 20 years . So maybe you can teach me about customer service . From you posts in this tread you seem to be an expert on just about everything . Larry

I have been a machinist/Modelmaker/toolmaker for 25yrs- Worked in a motor machine shop for a few years before that... Currently, I serve many many mechanical engineers...I would say, that I can school you as the engineers I work for ARE my customers.

 

[LarryM]

I have been a machinist/Modelmaker/toolmaker for 25yrs- Worked in a motor machine shop for a few years before that... Currently, I serve many many mechanical engineers...I would say, that I can school you as the engineers I work for ARE my customers.

I guess you might have missed that I was being sarcastic .

 

[bhyde]

I guess you might have missed that I was being sarcastic .

Then we both agree- I couldn't teach you anything. That would require an open mind.
Don't bother replying as I won't see it..

 

[Ghostwalker54]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah. When any of my knives start to fall apart, I'll be sure all of you are the first to know. In the meantime, just keep plunking down 500 bucks for knives that don't cut a bit better than mine. You expensive knife guys sure are touchy.

I've been following this thread and I'm still trying to understand why people like this care one way or another what I (or any other member for that matter) might spend on our knives. If a $10 knife cuts, holds an edge, is of quality that YOU are satisfied with that's all that counts. If a member wants to spend $100,000 dollars on a knife I won't lose sleep over it one way or the other. So try not to concern yourself over what another forum member might spend on their collection.

As for the OP's issue with his knife I would have first contacted KSF on the issue of what happened to the DOB card (possibly even request an exchange if another large BEB is available) and contact CRK. Alycia, Heather, Anne and Chris have either taken care of my needs on the initial phone call or, in Anne's and Chris's case, returned my call within 24 hours.

 

[blade man]

Newer 21's have stronger detents. The knife WILL loosen up. You gotta give it a few days. CRK tolerances are super tight, thats what your experiencing. There is nothing wrong with the knife in any way. Like bhyde said, call crk 1st before posting.

See, I keep hearing this, but this has been the opposite of my experience. My three regulars and 2010 Insingo all had stiffer-but-normal detents. Seemed just what I expected, never had any issues. They were heavier than some knives, but no worries, it was part of the design. My 2013 large 21 and 2015 small 21 both have much weaker, more apathetic detents. They open MUCH easier (not in a bad or dangerous way, they just take much less pressure to open).

 

[Jimbo75]

...... My 2013 large 21 and 2015 small 21 both have much weaker, more apathetic detents. They open MUCH easier (not in a bad or dangerous way, they just take much less pressure to open).

Are they both micarta? I have noticed my small micarta 21 has a second lock bar cutout on the out side, located under the clip. This makes it have the lightest detent, smoothest opening and easiest closing of all my CRKs, definitely a favourite!

 

[marthinus]

Probably just some of the CRK grease that became hard. My first Seb was an old Regular that had been sitting in a box for more than 3 years. Nothing surprising really. Had the same issue with many a knife when I buy new here in South Africa as a lot of product sit around for some time.

Warm water and soap and bobs your uncle. I clean my slipjoints like that for years. Same principles apply whether it be a $20 Case or $500 custom that has been sitting around for some time.

It sucks but seems to be the nature of a lot of grease and oils in my experience. A good cleaning and a few cycles will get you smiling and enjoying your knife.

 

[JayGoliath]

My belief is that Bhyde is savvy about 3D renditions than a lot of design engineers out there. I guess he was just being humble.

 

[blade man]

Are they both micarta? I have noticed my small micarta 21 has a second lock bar cutout on the out side, located under the clip. This makes it have the lightest detent, smoothest opening and easiest closing of all my CRKs, definitely a favourite!

Large 21 is Damascus and snakewood, small is plain Jane. That's kind of what I decided. The detent is sufficient to retain the blade, so hooray for easier opening.

 

[okbohn]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I can't say I'm impressed at all with my Large 21 with Box Elder Burl that I just got today. Ordered it Tuesday from KnivesShipFree and they sent it right out. Great company service btw. Got it today and opened it up and went to push the thumb stud and it wouldn't open. I had to grab the blade with two fingers to get it to open. It has relaxed a tad but it's still nowhere near what I would expect from a knife like this. I watched a video on YouTube from 2013 where Chris Reeve himself said he tries to inspect every knife before it went out. NO ONE inspected this knife. No way. EVERY SINGLE YouTube video I watched, and there were many, the knife opens buttery smooth. Most of them even flip the blade open with just thumb pressure. Not this knife! This isn't my first Frame Lock and I'm doing my best to keep finger pressure off of the lock bar when opening it. Blade is perfectly centered and not nearly as sharp as I would have expected for a knife with this type of reputation. I just emailed KSF and asked them what to do. There is no way I'm keeping this knife like this. Am I the one in a million lucky customer to get a knife like this? Or have others had issues?

Thanks,

Rick

Hey, this is Derrick from KnivesShipFree.

I am sorry you weren't pleased with the knife. I am certain that CRK would take great care of you. I don't know why it doesn't have a birth certificate--we don't look for those when we photograph, but I am sure it could have been missed.

In any event, just shoot us an email or contact CRK and we'll take good care of you. Don't let this turn you off CRK knives. They really do live up to their hype.

 

[uofaengr]

I have handled many 21s straight from the factory and fresh from the box as many have here, including ones belonging to my friends and they all vary out of the box. I've never handled one though that would not open with one hand; however, my first Sebenza would not because I didn't know how to open it. Rather than complain, I changed my technique and it's second nature now.

The small micarta insingo I got last week was one of the best out of the box (best goes to my unreal large 21) I've ever handled. No need for any break-in. My small 21 clip took a light washer polish to be smoother though maybe a few years of use would've naturally smoothed it. They're production knives. Sorry it didn't live up to your standards.