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

[BeGoneBaizuo]

Hey gang, I am new here on the BladeForums, but I am not a noob in regards to knives. I own, use, have bought and sold Hinderer, Spyderco, Medford and others. I am very discerning and picky with my knives. However, I want to ask this question, with genuine curiosity, and would like to hear from others. What the heck is so special about CRK? I bought a Sebenza 21, I think it was, many years back. Took it out of the box, handled it and returned it immediately. I could not stand the wimpy pocket clip, which laid right on top of the frame lockbar, which I don't like, and it just did not impress me for the money. Can any of you experts enlighten me? I would appreciate it!

I honestly feel like they are riding on history and branding. They did first what alot of companies do now. Make quality user knives that are consistent. I love their insingo blade, and think it's one of the most utilitarian blade shapes around. Really wanted a PJ 31 in MagnaCut. However, I think they're punching the upper edge of price for alot of their stuff. I mean nearly 1/3rd extra cost for some micarta inlay. They just raised their prices across the board today if I'm not mistaken. I love supporting American manufacturers, but it's getting harder when Chinese and (especially) Taiwanese companies are really putting out quality at a lower price.

 

[VorpelSword]

As present day marine, admittedly in 29 palms I carried my winkler which is a coated blade, but I've never heard of anyone not being allowed to take their knives to the field for being too shiny. I definitely saw some uncoated knives out there, and I don't think anyone would have had anything to say even if I had an ultra polished blade but who knows. Anyways, now that our anticipated theater of operations is the pacific theater, I don't know how big of a difference a shiny blade is going to make in a tropical environment, would probably rust real quick but I doubt anyone would have anything to say, especially since the thing is gonna be sitting in a sheath 99% of the time. Anyways, if your son was in around 2005 he probably saw some of the worst fighting in Iraq, dudes probably one hard motherfucker, much respect and hope he's doing alright, sorry to hear of your negative experience.

Thanks for your kind words and thanks for your service.

The issue of shiny vs coated was probably some training cadre thing back at 29P, and not an established policy.

In '04-'05 our son was deployed to Iraq for the "surge". His LAR unit saw action in Hit, Ramadi and Fallujah. where they assaulted the bridges to open the battler.

He is out now, married with two great kids and a cat. See him online as Pastor of Oak Ridge Baptist Church in San Antonio: https://www.orbcsa.org/

 

[kafolarbear]

Thanks for your kind words and thanks for your service.

The issue of shiny vs coated was probably some training cadre thing back at 29P, and not an established policy.

In '04-'05 our son was deployed to Iraq for the "surge". His LAR unit saw action in Hit, Ramadi and Fallujah. where they assaulted the bridges to open the battler.

He is out now, married with two great kids and a cat. See him online as Pastor of Oak Ridge Baptist Church in San Antonio: https://www.orbcsa.org/

Yeah in the marine corps you’ll get yelled at for something one day and then get yelled at by someone else for not doing it the next, that’s just the way it is, a lot of rules are made up on the spot. It’s always good to hear when guys do well after getting out, glad your son is doing well!

 

[Herr geiser]

I have a few small sebenzas

Only general purpose folder i need

I like them for a number of reasons, but main ones being that I've liked the design for around 10 years now and still like it so assume i still will like it in 10 years, and I have seen people's photos of 20 year old sebs they are still carrying and using amd enjoying... how do you think you'll feel about your reate in 10 years?

I also hate the feel of bearings so i don't consider those an upgrade and couldn't tell the difference between s35vn and m390 etc in actual use - so all these it's overpriced for materials, behind the times complaints, nonsense, I'm paying for a design not a piece of steel... crk will still be here in 10 years because they have become classic designs with everything in the right place... can't say that about 90% of knives on the market

 

[DavidABQ]

I don't know if they are worth the asking price for most people, but I do know that I REALLY love my Mnandi and if I lost mine I wouldn't hesitate to go buy another one.

 

[Wild Willie]

I don't know if they are worth the asking price for most people,

They're definitely a knife for knife enthusiasts. Whenever someone who isn't in the know asks me about how much I paid for mine they look at me like I have lobsters crawling out of my ears.

 

[DavidABQ]

They're definitely a knife for knife enthusiasts. Whenever someone who isn't in the know asks me about how much I paid for mine they look at me like I have lobsters crawling out of my ears.

I know what you mean. I told a buddy of mine how much I paid and he pointed out that I could have bought a rifle for the same amount.

 

[cut it out]

I truly get what your saying. BUT after years of owning them I can say carrying and useing them will probably change your mind. Same with Randall made knives. Most collect but not use them but useing and carrying them really opens up the mind about them. CR’s suck if you are a flicker or
Like to fidget with them but otherwise they are great. I have no experience with the newer models so take that for what it’s worth with the new 31

 

[Silvanus]

I’ve owned 9 CRK’s folders of various models and lock interfaces. I purchased my first PJ 21 when I was relatively new to the higher end knife game. I really liked it, and all the other 21’s I owned after it. I also enjoyed the Umnumzaan and Sebenza 25 and found no problems with any of them.

They’re boring to look at, but that’s what I like. Easy to sharpen steel, corrosion resistant scales and pivot construction, easy disassembly, and I nice fine point. They were all constructed well and I felt like they were all worth the price of admission.

That is, until the Sebenza 31 rolled out. I’ve owned 3 and they just aren’t the same build quality as all the models before. In my opinion, if CRK was a brand new company today and their flagship model was the Sebenza 31, I’m not sure if they would be as highly regarded and praised. Now, this is with a sample size of 3 which is obviously not indicative of a mass reduction in build quality. But I am seeing more people bringing up issues about the Sebenza 31’s on various message boards and other similar sites than I ever saw with the models produced before their introduction.

For me, my experience is as follows:

First Sebenza 31, Brand new from an authorized dealer, Large left handed PJ in S35VN - unnecessarily stiff detent, terrible gritty action, blade off centered, horrible lock stick. Sent to CRK for warranty repair and came back in the same condition. Sold for a $120 loss

Second Sebenza 31, purchased as LNIB from Bladeforums Exchange, large right handed PJ in S45VN - Action is beautiful and nearly as good as the best Sebenza 21 I ever handled. A near perfect example of what a CRK knife should be, but there is lock slip (up and down play) and side to side play that can’t be adjusted out.

Third Sebenza 31, purchased brand new from an authorized dealer, large left handed with a boomerang Damascus blade and black micarta inlays, Chad Nichols Damascus - A reasonable action, but the force to get the blade open when it was new was a bit much. I’ve carried it and used it every day for about 45 days straight. It’s breaking in but still stiff. The action got gritty from the ceramic ball wearing a path into the blade so I had to lube the path. If I don’t put CRK grease on the ceramic detent it will become impossible to open due to lock stick. There is now slight up and down play, left to right is still solid

In my personal experience with the knives I’ve owned and used, the new ones just aren’t up to the old standards. Maybe others have experienced differently. I still like CRK knives, but this last 31 will be the final one I ever purchase.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Thanks for your kind words and thanks for your service.

The issue of shiny vs coated was probably some training cadre thing back at 29P, and not an established policy.

In '04-'05 our son was deployed to Iraq for the "surge". His LAR unit saw action in Hit, Ramadi and Fallujah. where they assaulted the bridges to open the battler.

He is out now, married with two great kids and a cat. See him online as Pastor of Oak Ridge Baptist Church in San Antonio: https://www.orbcsa.org/

I bet your a very proud father! I give thanks for his service and for you doing an awesome job of setting him up with the tools to make his time there a little easier.

 

[Hackenslash]

I truly get what your saying. BUT after years of owning them I can say carrying and useing them will probably change your mind. Same with Randall made knives. Most collect but not use them but useing and carrying them really opens up the mind about them. CR’s suck if you are a flicker or
Like to fidget with them but otherwise they are great. View attachment 1932309

That 21 is wearing some beautiful battle scars! Thanks for sharing!

My 21s and 31s continue to perform, in fact I carry my micarta 31 more than any other Sebenza!

 

[dano]

Chris Reeve was obsessed by minute "Aerospace" tolerances. He explains this in The Exquisite Blade and BladeHQ did a factory tour some years ago. The amount of hands on work needed to continue those tolerances exacerbate the pricing of the knife. Does a folding knife need .0001 tolerances? That's for the ELU to decide.

 

[TC]

Chris Reeve was obsessed by minute "Aerospace" tolerances. He explains this in The Exquisite Blade and BladeHQ did a factory tour some years ago. The amount of hands on work needed to continue those tolerances exacerbate the pricing of the knife. Does a folding knife need .0001 tolerances? That's for the ELU to decide.

The experience in #309 above seems to indicate otherwise. Disclaimer: Got no dog in this hunt... all my CRK folders are at least 15 years old. The fixed blades seldom need adjustment.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

The experience in #309 above seems to indicate otherwise. Disclaimer: Got no dog in this hunt... all my CRK folders are at least 15 years old. The fixed blades seldom need adjustment.

There is no conflict between post 309 and the post you quoted . The 31 is after Chris's tenure. Chris was a perfectionist (which can be a blessing and a curse).

 

[TC]

There is no conflict between post 309 and the post you quoted . The 31 is after Chris's tenure. Chris was a perfectionist (which can be a blessing and a curse).

I see the second sentence ("...work needed to continue those tolerances...") as a reference to the present.