Would You Tell Me What is So Special About Chris Reeves Knives?

midnight flyer said:
Me, neither. If I get a knife that filthy, I have dropped it into a bucket of cleaner, paint, or something else as a mistake. I routinely clean my knives to remove commercial adhesives or sealers, unknown sticky stuff, tar, etc. using lacquer thinner, mineral spirits or charcoal lighter fluid. I had never heard of or known the terms of "routine maintenance" "routine cleaning and adjustment" until I joined BF. My knives get the dirtiest when I cannot get to the preferred tool for the task. That being said, they still get pretty messed up sometimes.

With 50 years active in the trades myself, I have never seen anything more pricey than a Benchmade out on the job. Too many things happen to "tools" when you routinely use them on a job site or probably any other strenuous work where cutting instruments are involved. Hand tools get misplaced even if it is you yourself that does it. My CASE stockman has been left next to the miter saw many a time, not missed until I need again when fitting another piece of trim. I have had different knives slide off a high slope 2 story roof when I was more worried about my balance than my knife. I have seen my CS American Lawman rattle across a sidewalk when the guy I lent it to dropped it off a third tier of scaffolding (a small dent in the G10, no damage to its operation).

I would cry real tears if I had a knife that cost as much money as they do get exposed daily to job site rigors. I appreciate the fact that CR knives are truly icons and were for their time real ground breakers. Owning a CR knife to me is like owning a little piece of a legacy. And although they would no doubt acquit themselves well in the field, there is a reason that in the 50 years I have been in the trades I have never seen one (or any other $500+ knife) used by plumbers, electricians, concrete placers, brick masons, carpenters, etc.
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Cool response, very real and practical.
 
For me, CRK hits a sweet spot that other makers don't. Very high-quality left-handed non-flipper folders from other makers exist, but they're pretty rare. (Who woulda thunk limiting yourself to 10% of an already small, finicky market would have a sales impact?)

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midnight flyer said:
Me, neither. If I get a knife that filthy, I have dropped it into a bucket of cleaner, paint, or something else as a mistake. I routinely clean my knives to remove commercial adhesives or sealers, unknown sticky stuff, tar, etc. using lacquer thinner, mineral spirits or charcoal lighter fluid. I had never heard of or known the terms of "routine maintenance" "routine cleaning and adjustment" until I joined BF. My knives get the dirtiest when I cannot get to the preferred tool for the task. That being said, they still get pretty messed up sometimes.

With 50 years active in the trades myself, I have never seen anything more pricey than a Benchmade out on the job. Too many things happen to "tools" when you routinely use them on a job site or probably any other strenuous work where cutting instruments are involved. Hand tools get misplaced even if it is you yourself that does it. My CASE stockman has been left next to the miter saw many a time, not missed until I need again when fitting another piece of trim. I have had different knives slide off a high slope 2 story roof when I was more worried about my balance than my knife. I have seen my CS American Lawman rattle across a sidewalk when the guy I lent it to dropped it off a third tier of scaffolding (a small dent in the G10, no damage to its operation).

I would cry real tears if I had a knife that cost as much money as they do get exposed daily to job site rigors. I appreciate the fact that CR knives are truly icons and were for their time real ground breakers. Owning a CR knife to me is like owning a little piece of a legacy. And although they would no doubt acquit themselves well in the field, there is a reason that in the 50 years I have been in the trades I have never seen one (or any other $500+ knife) used by plumbers, electricians, concrete placers, brick masons, carpenters, etc.
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Well, unless you've seen Dcdavis Dcdavis 's posts.
 
midnight flyer said:
Me, neither. If I get a knife that filthy, I have dropped it into a bucket of cleaner, paint, or something else as a mistake. I routinely clean my knives to remove commercial adhesives or sealers, unknown sticky stuff, tar, etc. using lacquer thinner, mineral spirits or charcoal lighter fluid. I had never heard of or known the terms of "routine maintenance" "routine cleaning and adjustment" until I joined BF. My knives get the dirtiest when I cannot get to the preferred tool for the task. That being said, they still get pretty messed up sometimes.

With 50 years active in the trades myself, I have never seen anything more pricey than a Benchmade out on the job. Too many things happen to "tools" when you routinely use them on a job site or probably any other strenuous work where cutting instruments are involved. Hand tools get misplaced even if it is you yourself that does it. My CASE stockman has been left next to the miter saw many a time, not missed until I need again when fitting another piece of trim. I have had different knives slide off a high slope 2 story roof when I was more worried about my balance than my knife. I have seen my CS American Lawman rattle across a sidewalk when the guy I lent it to dropped it off a third tier of scaffolding (a small dent in the G10, no damage to its operation).

I would cry real tears if I had a knife that cost as much money as they do get exposed daily to job site rigors. I appreciate the fact that CR knives are truly icons and were for their time real ground breakers. Owning a CR knife to me is like owning a little piece of a legacy. And although they would no doubt acquit themselves well in the field, there is a reason that in the 50 years I have been in the trades I have never seen one (or any other $500+ knife) used by plumbers, electricians, concrete placers, brick masons, carpenters, etc.
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I work a maintenance job about half the year and use mine frequently. It cuts conveyor belt, clears grease zerks, opens whatever. You name it it does it. The key for me was learning how to sharpen well. I have no fear or beating on my CRKs because I can always restore the edge and even get a blade replacement if needed.

I think using expensive tools at work is smart. I became aware of this with pens. I use to always use the free pens at work but always lost them and never had one on me. I decided the solution was to buy an expensive pen this way I would care enough about it to actually keep up with it. It worked, now I always have a pen on me. This works with knives too, carry somthing nice and you won't lose it or abuse it beyond what it it can handle. If your always losing or breaking knives it's because your not spending enough money on them.
 
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MrStabby7 said:
This works with knives too, carry somthing nice and you won't lose it or abuse it beyond what it it can handle. If your always losing or breaking knives it's because your not spending enough money on them.
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Since that was aimed at me, you are off track. I spend exactly as much money as I need to for a job to be completed in the most expeditious and professional manner. I am not a maintenance man for half a year. I am a custom cabinet maker, master trim carpenter (ever put up three layer crown molding in an out of square room or build ornate stairs?) and have at this time about $30K in hand tools alone. My sliding trim saw was $1000. My battery tool combo pack that I take on repairs was $800. I have 6 routers I use because they all do something different, and hundred in bits. Too many nail guns to count. 4 different miter saws. The list would fill up the page. I found out years ago (you know... like 45 or so?) when I committed to learning the trade that cheap tools are almost their own punishment.

But I also learned respect for tools and how to take care of them. PRICE has nothing at all to do with it. When you start at the bottom of the trades, you can't afford the best. And your tools have to last, especially if they are paying your bills. You aren't cavalier or abuse inexpensive tools if they are all you own and have to last until you can afford better. Personally, I never had to buy (or could afford) to buy really expensive tools just so I could challenge myself not to lose them or abuse them. I have expensive tools now, but I also have inexpensive tools I have had for years that with careful care still perform well.

To finish that thought (and to speak I guess to my upbringing) I still have my very first knife. Given to me at the age of 5, he later took it back because he thought I didn't respect it. So in 1961, he gave it back to me with a stern warning about proper use. That "scout knife" was a inexpensive Montgomery Wards knockoff, and I learned to sharpen, oil, and how to use a knife carrying that around as my only knife for another 7-8 years. Even as a child in first grade I never lost it. It has camped, "adventured", hiked, hunted and is still with me to this day, 60 years later.

If you like your Sebenza and hit hits your sweet spot, that's all that counts. Non one here owes anyone an explanation about their personal preference. I hear it all the time; "hey, Robert, how much did you tell me you paid for your Swiss made router?" "$600 about 15 years ago. Why?" "LOL... I just bought this DeWalt set (not a fan of DW tools myself) that has two bases and case and does pretty much everything yours does and I only paid $249 on Amazon!" I wouldn't buy it or own it, but I congratulate them! I like to see someone invest in themselves and their future. Besides, it may be absolutely all they can afford. Most of the guys I am around are family men and have several mouths to feed. I cannot imagine trying to explain to them that they need to spend a lot of money on a tool just so they will take care of it or not lose it.

Both routers do basically the same thing; they cut and shape wood and plastics. Both routers are repairable if needed. Both routers have a good life expectancy. But; my Swiss made router is a joy to use, I smile when I turn it on, I like the way it feels in my hands when I use it, and it is completely reliable even after all the years of good service. I bought it because I wanted it, I use it because I like it. The end.
 
Chris Reeve invented the titanium frame lock (RIL), which about a thousand other companies now use. I've personally never owned a CRK folder but his impact on the knife industry has been profound. But maybe I'm just biased because he comes from the same town as me. ;)
 
One other thing that somewhat sets CRK folders apart from a lot of current market offerings is the blade grind. And it is that blade grind that keeps my Large Inkosi in pocket so often - their hollow grind is absolutely fantastic. Spyderco's Gayle Bradley (1 & 2) have similar, but so many others have gone FFG, which while nice, will thicken much more rapidly with resharpening.
 
midnight flyer said:
Besides, it may be absolutely all they can afford. Most of the guys I am around are family men and have several mouths to feed. I cannot imagine trying to explain to them that they need to spend a lot of money on a tool just so they will take care of it or not lose it
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I think the principle self adjusts to income levels. Im not saying everyone should go buy a Sebenza. The point is buy somthing expensive enough that you will take care of it. Everyones financial situation is different.
 
MrStabby7 said:
I think the principle self adjusts to income levels. Im not saying everyone should go buy a Sebenza. The point is buy somthing expensive enough that you will take care of it. Everyones financial situation is different.
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I understand your point, for example I always lost my cheap sunglasses, when i bought very good ones, they were not cheap, I could see better and I may have broken a pair or two but never lost them again
 
Sorry, I didn't have a chance to read the whole thread, but I was just wondering if it's been mentioned yet that the Sebenza's inferior lock is amongst some of the weakest you find, regardless of price, and that Cold Steel's testing showed it produced one of the worst results they've ever recorded, with the lock collapsing under a mere 45lbs, and the knife closing on the very first spine wack? Was it mentioned that magnitudes of far "inferior" and vastly cheaper knives have much stronger locks than the Sebenza? Titanium on titanium lockup is not good engineering, no matter how many fanboys say otherwise.

Now, I'm certain the typical flood of strawman's are going to start flooding in, things like "Sebenza's lock is strong enough for whatever anyone would ever realistically need", or "those tests are unrealistic and have no value", blah blah blah. Imagine the responses if the Cold Steel failed and the Sebenza survived the test.

The supposed "tight tolerances" of the Sebenza are another talking point we see regurgitated time and time again at nauseum. All that's required is a simple google search and you will see the laundry list of Quality Control issues that appear on these knives, seemingly more in recent years, The "tight tolerances" are nothing more than a myth, at least now that is. Maybe there was a time when that was true, but far, far too many Quality Control issues pop up far too often.

The reality is the Sebenza is an overpriced POS with an inferior lock that gets massively outperformed by knives costing a fraction of the price, both in overall strength as well as heat treating of the steel. It's a knife that became and stayed popular not because of substance, but because of hype.
 
DayofReckoning said:
Sorry, I didn't have a chance to read the whole thread, but I was just wondering if it's been mentioned yet that the Sebenza's inferior lock is amongst some of the weakest you find, regardless of price, and that Cold Steel's testing showed it produced one of the worst results they've ever recorded, with the lock collapsing under a mere 45lbs, and the knife closing on the very first spine wack? Was it mentioned that magnitudes of far "inferior" and vastly cheaper knives have much stronger locks than the Sebenza? Titanium on titanium lockup is not good engineering, no matter how many fanboys say otherwise.

Now, I'm certain the typical flood of strawman's are going to start flooding in, things like "Sebenza's lock is strong enough for whatever anyone would ever realistically need", or "those tests are unrealistic and have no value", blah blah blah. Imagine the responses if the Cold Steel failed and the Sebenza survived the test.

The supposed "tight tolerances" of the Sebenza are another talking point we see regurgitated time and time again at nauseum. All that's required is a simple google search and you will see the laundry list of Quality Control issues that appear on these knives, seemingly more in recent years, The "tight tolerances" are nothing more than a myth, at least now that is. Maybe there was a time when that was true, but far, far too many Quality Control issues pop up far too often.

The reality is the Sebenza is an overpriced POS with an inferior lock that gets massively outperformed by knives costing a fraction of the price, both in overall strength as well as heat treating of the steel. It's a knife that became and stayed popular not because of substance, but because of hype.
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Wow! Now that is an ass-kicking reality check. Thank you for your response. Yes, although I love my Spydercos, Medfords, Microtechs, I have been absolutely blown away with the quality of some very inexpensive knives, like Kizer and Steel Will. Thanks for your response.
 
DayofReckoning said:
Sorry, I didn't have a chance to read the whole thread, but I was just wondering if it's been mentioned yet that the Sebenza's inferior lock is amongst some of the weakest you find, regardless of price, and that Cold Steel's testing showed it produced one of the worst results they've ever recorded, with the lock collapsing under a mere 45lbs, and the knife closing on the very first spine wack? Was it mentioned that magnitudes of far "inferior" and vastly cheaper knives have much stronger locks than the Sebenza? Titanium on titanium lockup is not good engineering, no matter how many fanboys say otherwise.

Now, I'm certain the typical flood of strawman's are going to start flooding in, things like "Sebenza's lock is strong enough for whatever anyone would ever realistically need", or "those tests are unrealistic and have no value", blah blah blah. Imagine the responses if the Cold Steel failed and the Sebenza survived the test.

The supposed "tight tolerances" of the Sebenza are another talking point we see regurgitated time and time again at nauseum. All that's required is a simple google search and you will see the laundry list of Quality Control issues that appear on these knives, seemingly more in recent years, The "tight tolerances" are nothing more than a myth, at least now that is. Maybe there was a time when that was true, but far, far too many Quality Control issues pop up far too often.

The reality is the Sebenza is an overpriced POS with an inferior lock that gets massively outperformed by knives costing a fraction of the price, both in overall strength as well as heat treating of the steel. It's a knife that became and stayed popular not because of substance, but because of hype.
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It's okay if you can't afford one. Just calm down.
 
DayofReckoning said:
Titanium on titanium lockup is not good engineering, no matter how many fanboys say otherwise.
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Also, can you elaborate on this ^^^ bit?

For the record, I don't own any CRK knives so I'm not a fanboy.
 
DayofReckoning said:
Sorry, I didn't have a chance to read the whole thread, but I was just wondering if it's been mentioned yet that the Sebenza's inferior lock is amongst some of the weakest you find, regardless of price, and that Cold Steel's testing showed it produced one of the worst results they've ever recorded, with the lock collapsing under a mere 45lbs, and the knife closing on the very first spine wack? Was it mentioned that magnitudes of far "inferior" and vastly cheaper knives have much stronger locks than the Sebenza? Titanium on titanium lockup is not good engineering, no matter how many fanboys say otherwise.

Now, I'm certain the typical flood of strawman's are going to start flooding in, things like "Sebenza's lock is strong enough for whatever anyone would ever realistically need", or "those tests are unrealistic and have no value", blah blah blah. Imagine the responses if the Cold Steel failed and the Sebenza survived the test.

The supposed "tight tolerances" of the Sebenza are another talking point we see regurgitated time and time again at nauseum. All that's required is a simple google search and you will see the laundry list of Quality Control issues that appear on these knives, seemingly more in recent years, The "tight tolerances" are nothing more than a myth, at least now that is. Maybe there was a time when that was true, but far, far too many Quality Control issues pop up far too often.

The reality is the Sebenza is an overpriced POS with an inferior lock that gets massively outperformed by knives costing a fraction of the price, both in overall strength as well as heat treating of the steel. It's a knife that became and stayed popular not because of substance, but because of hype.
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Feel better now? Seems like you needed to get that off your chest.

So, let me get this straight. CRK's are P'sOS, everybody who disagrees with you is preemptively branded a fanboy or strawman, yet we are to believe that your opinion is objective? Get a grip man.

Nobody here is claiming that a Ti framelock is stronger than a Triad Lock (just went and re-watched the Andrew Demko video BTW). "The reality is", however, that there are many who can attest to being served well for years doing hard work with a Sebenza as their cutting tool. You're not a fan, cool, but I'll choose to trust actual experience.
 
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