Yet another great idea from Chris.....take apart that knife!

kidcongo

kidcongo

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Jan 12, 2013
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I was thinking a bit about how much discussion is created on this forum directly from the fact that we are all encouraged to, and do take apart our knives. The inclusion of the hex tool by CRK was likely a well-intentioned attempt at good customer service, but what a marketing 'tool', and community building 'tool' it has become.

The amount of discussion about cleaning, tuning, lubricating, adjusting, polishing, taking down, putting back together, inspecting, and adjusting, that takes place on this forum would likely be half as much or less if we were not all given those tools by CRK and there was not such an established idea that a Sebenza should be taken apart.

what this results in:

CRK guys likely know and appreciate the inner workings of their knives better than (most) other knife fanboy groups.
CRK guys are more likely to take their knives apart as they do not fear a warranty issue.
CRK guys are more likely to develop a different opinion, different method, or a different observation worth discussing, when it comes to what goes on with the operation of their knife, than guys who never take their knives apart.


Hey, even the inclusion of the hex tool, and the type/brand of hex tool is provided gets discussed from time to time. Whether or not it was on purpose, this is another example of Chris Reeve's marketing genius, at least in my opinion.


Just some thoughts
 
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I always liked the fact that the tool was a hex wrench rather than some expensive tool I had to buy.
 
My insingo was pure beauty in design simplicity. Odds are if you are willing to spend the cash to get a CRK you will appreciate it for what it is and have the ability to service your own tools.
 
I can't say I disagree with any of that. CRK make a tool to be used and not a trinket to behold and that is a large part of that, IMO. Some people say that CRKs are just feel good toys or over priced knives no better than any other, but we all know there are buts. :)
 
Always love the simple design every time I take apart a sebenza. The ease of reassembly, the compatability of parts, it's just, easy. I've put together knives that I wished I would have taken pictures during tear down lol.
A crk, you can put the parts in a pile, and reassemble in seconds.
 
Everything that has been mentioned already played a big part in CRKs becoming my primary choice for a knife...
 
I think it is also that he wants us to be able to not only properly care for them, but if he includes the proper tools to service them there is no reason not to.

And you're not buggering up the fasteners because you have the proper ones from the get-go. Which keeps his knives
looking good while in service, which could be considered a part of intelligent marketing.

He used to race motorcycles, and wrenching on them is a big part of it. Having the right tool for the job is vital, so as a fellow motorcyclist I think that has a part to do with it as well.
 
Did you know medford knives will void your warenty if you take it apart. Tell me that's not nuts. I was going to buy one but when I heard that I ran as fast as I could. I have gone all around the block and have ended up right back at CRK. So far I have not found one High end folder in the 500 to 800 range that is better. Not one and I have bought a tone of them. Just dumped my last Hinderer today as a matter of fact. I took my Hinderer apart and was shocked to see cheap Teflon washers in a $600 knife I mean ya they work but really $600 bucks and you cant put $2.00 phosphor bronze washers in. Its little things you learn about your knife when you take it apart.
 
Mic77 said:
Hinderer apart and was shocked to see cheap Teflon washers in a $600 knife I mean ya they work but really $600 bucks and you cant put $2.00 phosphor bronze washers in. Its little things you learn about your knife when you take it apart.
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Good point Mic77. When you own a CRK you own a metal knife (excluding decorative inlays, and the TiLock). There are no plastic parts to become brittle or gooey, or dissolve in lubricant or solvent. Both slabs and all the parts of the pivot are metal. It's a lifetime relationship, with a lifetime warranty. That alone is worth the premium price.
 
Mic77 said:
Just dumped my last Hinderer today as a matter of fact. I took my Hinderer apart and was shocked to see cheap Teflon washers in a $600 knife I mean ya they work but really $600 bucks and you cant put $2.00 phosphor bronze washers in. Its little things you learn about your knife when you take it apart.
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I'm sorry, but this is just misplaced hate on Hinderer knives. Yes they use Teflon, but it's not as if Phosphor Bronze is "better" than Teflon. They both perform well. And it's not as if you are going to wear out or break the Teflon washers in the Hinderer. Secondly, Hinderers are NOT $600 knives (unless you are talking the XM-24 which I still don't think is $600). An XM-18 3.5 if memory serves, is valued by Rick Hinderer at $385. Which actually makes it $25 cheaper than than a Large Sebenza 21. Just because you paid the inflated secondary market price, doesn't make the knife a $600 knife. It just makes its value $600.
 
oXObsidianXo said:
I'm sorry, but this is just misplaced hate on Hinderer knives. Yes they use Teflon, but it's not as if Phosphor Bronze is "better" than Teflon. They both perform well. And it's not as if you are going to wear out or break the Teflon washers in the Hinderer. Secondly, Hinderers are NOT $600 knives (unless you are talking the XM-24 which I still don't think is $600). An XM-18 3.5 if memory serves, is valued by Rick Hinderer at $385. Which actually makes it $25 cheaper than than a Large Sebenza 21. Just because you paid the inflated secondary market price, doesn't make the knife a $600 knife. It just makes its value $600.
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Wrong answer, no one is putting hate anywhere, it's factual. So, let's keep the facts in line and not personal opinion. The Teflon washers do wear out. I've seen pictures on the Hinderer forum. Replacement washers are sold to replace the worn out ones. Not everyone can purchase a Hinderer at cost. You have to be a LEO, firefighter, EMT or military in order to get one at cost. Everyone else has to pay the inflated price. Go look at the distributers for Hinderer and see how much they are being sold for. The price mentioned is not secondary prices, it's everyday prices. No one is saying Hinderer makes a substandard knife, I own 4 of them and will have the Teflon washers replaced with metal like other Hinderer owners are doing. Remember, in ones opinion, no knife is perfect. If someone states what they are unhappy with in one particular knife does not make that person a hater of that knife.
 
I agree about the tool.

Building on marketing genius, the birthday card is probably the most BRILLIANT idea he ever had. It is amazing how excited I get to see when my new knife was made. I do still wish he hand signed the cards though. I always liked to see his different signatures (not that they changed much, haha).
 
I was not saying I hate Hindere my point is I took it apart and was expecting to see bronze and to be honest and I posted this earlier on there forum so I am not just making this up when I was putting it back together I clipped a good chunk of the washer with the pivot. My whole point is you learn a lot about a knife when you take it apart.
 
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Hinderer/CRK, Start another discussion.

Cody I agree with all your points. CRK has to be the easiest, most painless knife to take apart and assemble that I have encountered.
 
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I know in my experience, many(not all) other knives require some adjustments reassembling.
Whether it be trying to adjust centering, lock up or anything else.

Crk....... Tighten the screws ..... Done...... Gotta love it.
 
Tmack said:
I know in my experience, many(not all) other knives require some adjustments reassembling.
Whether it be trying to adjust centering, lock up or anything else.

Crk....... Tighten the screws ..... Done...... Gotta love it.
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Well said!
 
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How about that you get the loctite and lube as well thats pretty nice to have.
 
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