What is the big deal about Chris Reeve?

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I know you're new here and all, but there is a search function where this topic has been discussed ad nauseam.
 
Are expensive cars worth it? Or expensive houses? Or expensive anything?

Each of us have a point where a good value turns into a poor value. As a knife enthusiast it's up to you to determine whether CRK's are worth the cost. A little suggestion though - you probably shouldn't have a Sebenza 21 listed as your favorite knife and then ask this kind of question... :p
 
Well let me put it this way. I have owned almost every folder you can think of and I always come back to CRK. My 2 cents
 
Well, the Sebenza is one of the finest folders ever designed, imo.
Try one and see if they are for you.
rolf
 
I don't get it about the Sebenza either. My "Sebenzas" for me were their 8 3/4" one-piece knives, and they stopped making those on a regular basis long before they stopped the one-piece range altogether... I couldn't believe it, around 20 years ago, when they first stopped making the bigger ones, which were only moderately more expensive thant the smaller ones. I assumed the big ones would naturally be their best sellers... In 1995 the Rambo craze was only around 5 years in the past. I could believe it even less when they stopped the one piece range completely... I thought when you pay $300-400 for a knife, it usually means a big fancy knife with unusual extra features, not a small plain one that can get scratched up in the pocket...

The only folder I ever really enjoyed was and is the Spyderco Civilian, a classic among classics. Way too Mall Ninja for Sebenza fans for sure... The new Civilians are much better than the old aluminium handle (infinitely better pivot)...

Gaston
 
What part of Louisiana are you from, I'm in Southwest La.
It's not really a big deal about CRK's, they're not for everyone. For some, it's a hate/love thing. For others, they've been around the block with other brands and realize the proven quality of a CRK. Personally, I carry two knives most days, one being a CRK and the other a Strider. From time to time I swap out the Strider, but always have a CRK. You have to have one in hand to understand why folks love them. They're truly an amazing knife to have. Their customer service is among the best, you can send one in and get back a new looking knife, they hold a reasonable resale value, they are in demand.
 
You can only understand it if you own one. There is one thing if you are a person who thinks that quantity over quality is better or you order the special for lunch even when its not what you want but its cheap you will not like or get the CRK. There is always going to be those who say well my knife is good enough and it cost $50 why spend $400 and its true a standard old school buck will get it done and did for years. But for knife nuts looking for the excalibur of knives there CRK makes them happy because attention to every single detail no matter how small was addressed. It is a near perfect simple tank like folding knife. There are also those who will hate something just because it is expensive. My father in law has an army of cheap cordless drills that he constantly throws out batters or drills for home use but he so many and they were cheap. I Have had the same two cordless drills for years for daily construction and have never replaced anything but they cost me a mint.
 
Outstanding fit & finish. Probably the best blade to handle ratio out there. Great grind for longevity and slicing. Blade stock is thick enough for tough work, but not so fat that it adds excessive drag while slicing. Good quality steel in CPM S35VN.

Probably simultaneously the best and most overrated folder on the market.

It doesn't really do anything for you that a number of other folders won't do for substantially less money. At around 1/3 to 1/2 the cost, you can get into folders that deliver the same or comparable steels. Fit & finish stops actually aiding function at levels well below the CRK price tag.

I appreciate CRK knives for what they are. Having handled a bunch of them, I am also comfortable saying that I don't care to own one.
 
it seems more like a jewelry item knife that somebody wouldn't use hard because they spent over 400 dollars on it....I would never buy a knife for 400 dollars anytime soon, that amount of money is what I would rather spend on a gun, plus the equipment I need for my job when the old equipment breaks cost 200 to 500 dollars at a time so I really can't afford a $400 knife.
 
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It is just a knife, a well made, put together, great functioning folder.quality items well taken care of last and in the end are cost efficient.
I own lots of knives and the CRK's are the ones in my pocket all the time. The ones I own are what most people call "plain jane" but to me they are a good plain functioning tool
 
^^LOL.

I think they're very bland. No design of any kind. The Umnumzaan has a touch of style to the spine of the blade. Not enough though. It's not the price that bothers me cuz I'd jump on a ZT 0888 or 0777. Does any one remember "ice milk" around the 70s? Ice Cream made from milk instead of cream. CRK style is like vanilla ice milk. Bland....
 
I feel they are bland as well.
I have never owned a sebenza, I don't have a problem spending $350-$450 on a knife, but I think I would like something with a bit more style and exclusivity. Every other for sale thread on the forums is a CRK There must be a ton of them out there.
 
I don't care what anyone says, there are much much better knives out there than Chris Reeves flashy crap. I have custom bucks that were around the200 range that will out perform anything he will ever put out.
 
Let me put it different, production and vintage bucks that will out do them. There way way overpriced.
 
Some things Sal Glesser (owner of Spyderco) had to say on the matter:


Originally Posted by Sal Glesser

Well, I cannot speak for Chris Reeve Knives, but I will offer an opinion.

I've known Chris and Ann for many years. We worked together when Chris was in South Africa.

A CRK knife is not a custom knife, nor is it a production knife. They are in a class by themselves. They've taken many years to develop their reputation.

Each piece is custom made by skilled custom makers. CRK tolerances and standards are the highest I've seen in processes like surface grinding and heat treat. There is a limit to their production capacity.

Chris is pretty anal on quality. "Quality is time. = Time is money". He pays his craftsmen a fair wage, and he charges a fair margin, he gives the world a product like no other. Chris and Ann work hard and they make a good living. "Enormous profits" is an inside joke that Chris and I laugh about. Frankly, I think they'd feel guilty if they made too much money.

The "Market" will determine if his business strategies work, regardless of what they are. If they don't work, adjustments are made....that's how businesses survive.

BTW, the flip side of a "bargain driven" market is manufacturers are forced to import product (export jobs) from China to compete in the need for the "lower price". More complications.

sal






Originally Posted by Sal Glesser

Hi Dulleddown,

More profit is usually associated with higher price. That's normal. Profit is usually a percentage of sales price. To think that a high priced auto should garner the same proft as a low priced auto is not in accord with business. It might be the same percentage, but being more expensive, it will be more profit.

Unless you are a manufacturer, familiar with close tolerance manufacturing of heat treated steel & Titanium parts, you are not likely to be able to see all of the differences between one of Chris' knives and others. For example; CRK keeps 0.0005 tolerance on surface grinding. That's one sixth the thickness of a hair. Do you have the knowledsge and equipment to discover that tolerance?

In the end, it's all about trust. CRK took many years to build and maintain their repuation. Built with consistent focus. Even those trying to make a "cheaper" version must "leave out processes" or "soften their tolerance", or they will cost as much.

Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bullshit sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for.

sal

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Just because you can't see the difference doesn't mean it isn't there, it just means you can't see it.






Originally Posted by Sal Glesser

Hi GWLee,

The benefit of tight tolerances is usually for long term durability as well as smooth function. Long term durability is difficult to determine in a short term decision. That's why reputation is important.

sal





Originally Posted by Sal Glesser

Nice video.

High dollar knives are high dollar because they cost more to make. It might be materials (Titanium, unubtanium, etc.), it might be tolerances (Chris' has lotsa zeros after the decimal before hitting numbers), it might be labor (carving, engraving, etc.).

Sometmes those differences are difficult if not impossible for even the trained eye to detenct, generally impossible for a new student.

Just because you can't see the difference, doesn't mean it isn't there, sometimes it just means you can't see it.

sal
 
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