Thoughts on the Chris Reeve Cult....

A

allenC

Joined
Jun 18, 2000
Messages
10,763
I recently read a thread that was somewhat perplexing.
In this thread a few folks are willing to buy a knife that they have never even seen.
They have no real ideal of the materials, the blade-design, the size...nothing.
Yet they are willing to make the investment...and the price is'nt even disclosed.

Yes, it is a CR knife.
Yes, CR does make nice knives.
Yes, the Sebenza is a legend here on the forums....but this is a little different.
When the Sebenza comes up in discussion, folks are usually quick to justify why they paid a "custom knife price" for this production knife:
The design of the sebenza is exceptional, the lock is very strong and reliable, the titanium slabs are everlasting, the fit-and-finish is unmatched...etc, etc.
Whether all of that is true or not can be debated, but you simply cannot argue with another person's preferences in knives.

But how does one justify purchasing a non-custom production knife that they have never even seen and have no clue as to the specifics?
 
While I agree with you, this may be the kind of thing you just observe and keep to yourself. I don't see anything good coming from throwing this sort of thing into everybody's face.
 
J85909266 said:
While I agree with you, this may be the kind of thing you just observe and keep to yourself. I don't see anything good coming from throwing this sort of thing into everybody's face.
Click to expand...

I agree. The title of the thread seems to be designed to stir the pot.
 
I remember the first time I held a sebenza. The way people talked, I expected a beam of light from heaven and an angel's chorus. But instead I just got a very nice knife. I think that's how people should talk about the sebenza....it's a very nice knife...beyond that, I don't see it.
 
There are makers and makers and in that particular case i found the title disturbing aswell.

Some ppl. are willing to buy everything, as long as it is praised and the price is high enough. May it be trousers, cars, food or what else, ah, yes, knives.

Guess it is pretty common in our world. That is not Reeves fault.:D
 
I remember people putting advance deposits down at their local record stores for the Beatles' White Album in 1968. Who knew if it was going to be any good (LOL)? It's the same thing. Totally understandable.
 
Johnny11758 said:
I remember people putting advance deposits down at their local record stores for the Beatles' White Album in 1968. Who knew if it was going to be any good (LOL)? It's the same thing. Totally understandable.
Click to expand...


Or just like stores who will put a down payment for X number of a makers next design before they see it. It is trusting the maker, loving his products, and want ing to be in on the ground floor and maybe get a serial number that you are collecting, etc. Can you imagine how special the SN 001 Sebenza or umfaan is to the person who owns it?
 
How do I justify ordering a knife sight unseen?

I havn't paid any money, simply put my name on a list. That's how I justify it. If I don't like it or the price I can just pass. Otherwise it's just covering my bases.

I put my name on Scott Cook's list for a Lachsa befor I had a chance to handle it. When I did I was happy that I got in when I could.

I've found CRK to be a value in the area of high-quality framelock folders. Sure they are not hand made, but how many makers have the same quality at the price range? Not many, and the ones I like are even less. I have a sm seb, umfaan, and a Mnandi, so if this one is something I like I might get it, or just wait for one on the secondary market.
 
Perhaps "CULT" is too negative a word.

How about "Chris Reeve Fanatics"?

And remember "FAN" is just short for "FANATIC".
 
I'm a CRK fan, and it puzzles me too. OTOH, I don't think CRK makes a bad knife.
 
IMO, people can buy the knife in full knowledge that if they don't like it, they can resell it for almost full value.

Plus they can brag that they paid $330+ for a knife. :)
 
You get known for making high quality stuff and people don't need to see a new product to know, or at least assume, that your new offering will be at least as good as the last.
 
Chris Reeve Knives can sell knives because they have a sterling reputation for quality and customer service.

I have at least 5 or more (lost count) CRK knives and everyone of them lives up to their reputation and then some!

If you don't like them, then don't buy any, that just leave more for me!

Ciao 4now
Ron:jerkit:
 
The point is, you send your name to be on the list when it comes out, no money down. If you don't like it, you don't buy it!! No problem!!Nothing to lose but everything to gain.
 
I would think CRK has a pretty good idea of what their customer base is looking for and wouldn't put something into production that was "way out there". As result, CRK fans whom really like the product would have faith in the new product being within their range of expectations and tastes.
I see this thread as stirring it a bit and it also makes me wonder why someone whom has stated in the past his opinions on CRK products would even care to go to the CRK forum and then bring his opinion out here. There's a lot of knives I don't like for any number of reasons , but I don't go into those knife forums to see what's going on there as I don't care. It just doesn't make sense to me other than to stir it up.:confused:
 
crk - busse-spyderco-
they all have a following of lunatics-so what

just watch out for the busse guys they are misserable pricks because they think you want the knife they want,stab you in the back in a instant-

crk guys are easy going,they know another will eventually come down the pike,so they just roll along and enjoy crk pieces -

the spyderco guys,they are the tight fisted cheapwads of all lunatics,because of spydercos price range they try and get 1 of everything ,remember to check your wallet after you talk to one-
 
jokrswylde said:
It is trusting the maker, loving his products, and want ing to be in on the ground floor and maybe get a serial number that you are collecting, etc. Can you imagine how special the SN 001 Sebenza or umfaan is to the person who owns it?
Click to expand...

This sums up my reason for pre-ordering this knife, sight unseen. I happen to collect Chris Reeve Knives, and have been able to get the #20 on the last five new pieces they released. CRK doesn't put out a new design every few weeks or months, the last one came out five years ago. To a collector, this is an exciting event.
 
flipe8 said:
I see this thread as stirring it a bit and it also makes me wonder why someone whom has stated in the past his opinions on CRK products would even care to go to the CRK forum and then bring his opinion out here. There's a lot of knives I don't like for any number of reasons , but I don't go into those knife forums to see what's going on there as I don't care. It just doesn't make sense to me other than to stir it up.:confused:
Click to expand...

flipe8,
I have always been very vocal about my belief that CR knives are overpriced.
But I have also purchased a Sebenza myself (and since sold it) and I think they are fine knives....just overpriced.
I've never stated that I dislike CR knives on the whole.

I'm also a true knife nut and I check out the new threads nearly everywhere in this forum...especially ones concerning a new knife soon to debut.

This thread is not to bash Sebenzas or Bash Chris Reeve or to bash CR knife lovers.
I merely thought that it was weird to sign up for a knife that nobody has ever seen, or know the specs, or the price.
I'm trying to understand the metality behind it all.
 
Originally Posted by jokrswylde
"It is trusting the maker, loving his products, and want ing to be in on the ground floor and maybe get a serial number that you are collecting, etc. Can you imagine how special the SN 001 Sebenza or umfaan is to the person who owns it?"

"This sums up my reason for pre-ordering this knife, sight unseen. I happen to collect Chris Reeve Knives, and have been able to get the #20 on the last five new pieces they released. CRK doesn't put out a new design every few weeks or months, the last one came out five years ago. To a collector, this is an exciting event."

I love CR knives, and I collect them too. CRK doesn't come out with a new knife everyday!! This is very exciting!! I KNOW I can TRUST that whatever this knife is, is going to be incredible. Why do I think this? Because of the other CRK knives I own, and the fact that I trust that CR will always make the finest production knife out there. Yes, alot of us DO have faith in CRK. I think that is an amazing thing to be anle to have the kind of faith that we do in a Company and their products.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top