Your first CRK

Bought my first CRK. It is a Sebenza Large 21. While it's a nice blade, unsure if it was worth the price.

Initial thoughts:

Pros
*Very precise/smooth opening mechanism
*Secure Locking Mechanism with Nice Sound
*Scales Feel Very Nice

Cons:
*Price
*Not the easiest knife to open and detent seems pretty strong

More pros than cons. I can not say that I like this blade better than my other folders at this time. I am not interested ever in sending the knife back for spa, sharpening services, etc (doesn't impress me). Maybe price/performance ratio is what I am concentrating on. I can't say that I like it better than my other folders. Has a CRK grown on you? Any general suggestions for it to grow on me? I do not rule out a catch and release, but will give it a little time before moving on the initial impression.
 
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linuxology said:
Bought my first CRK. It is a Sebenza Large 21. While it's a nice blade, unsure if it was worth the price.

Initial thoughts:

Pros
*Very precise/smooth opening mechanism
*Secure Locking Mechanism with Nice Sound
*Scales Feel Very Nice

Cons:
*Price
*Not the easiest knife to open and detent seems pretty strong

More pros than cons. I can not say that I like this blade better than my other folders at this time. I am not interested ever in sending the knife back for spa, sharpening services, etc (doesn't impress me). Maybe price/performance ratio is what I am concentrating on. I can't say that I like it better than my other folders. Has a CRK grown on you? Any general suggestions for it to grow on me? I do not rule out a catch and release, but will give it a little time before moving on the initial impression.
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The only thing I'd suggest is to take it apart, clean it and put fresh grease on it. I was impressed the first time I took one down and put it back together without any hiccups. Just remember a little grease goes a long way and you can put too much grease.
 
Just got my first CRK small sebenza yesterday. Everything is great with it. Lock bar is a little tough but I'm sure that'll break in. Overall, I'm pretty impressed. It's a real nicely finished knife.
 
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My first was a small Starbenza. It was too small for my hand so I sold it shortly there after. Couldnt get over how well built it was and its smoothness so I ended up buying a Large 21 Tanto. Hated the Plain Jane scales and bought a Micarta Large Tanto. Fell in love and here I am today with more CRKs than I need, but still searching for my next one.
 
First one was an umnumzaan. I didn't even know knives could feel that secure. I got a big insurance payout after some equipment was stolen in transit and wanted to get a really nice pocketknife. After months of reviews and slowly understanding the levels of quality I decided to go for it and fell in love. CRK is still my favorite brand, but I think the large 21 is my favorite model.

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My two favorites are these unique graphics (top one courtesy of Ghostwalker)

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My first and only CRK is a 25 I got at Blade from the company table right after it was first introduced. I was very impressed by the quality and the feel of the knife even though the blade was slightly off center when closed. Opening the knife was somewhat stiff at first but this broke in nicely pretty quickly. Generally not a fan of metal handles, but I like these. I like how sturdy it feels.
My biggest limitation with this knife is my own shortcoming. I can t bring myself to carry such an expensive knife for hard every day use! Maybe I ll change.
 
My first, and so far only, was a small snakewood 21. I'm very impressed by the overall solidity and feeling of quality. I have to say, though, I'm having trouble seeing it as a user, as I shudder to think about scratching it. I'll probably end up selling it and getting a plain jane or micarta that I won't feel bad about using.
 
My first impression is how good the knife fit in my hand. It felt were sturdy and seemed to be very well made. I love the Damascus blade and it is still my favorite knife.

Here are both my Sebenzas
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First one was a small plain jane reg in 2007 (still got it). I am bias toward CRK as far as modern folders go. Ive given a couple away here lately but I just counted 23 Chris Reeve folders in the safe.
Been into GEC here as of late but anything with a clip on it is CRK.
Did not warm up to mine immediately took about 6months then I slowly gave my axis locks etc away.
Enjoy the holidays and the children in your family
 
To put it simply I was impressed as far as the build quality was concerned. It was smooth but tight, minimal hardware, simple design and robust. I wasn't blown out of my seat though, I had higher expectations. I wish it came with a traditional v grind as well. If I had to do it again, I would have put my 455$ towards one or two other knives. Sad to say but I've barely carried it. Large Sebenza 21 CF from knife art. I carry my spyderco paramilitary 2 99% of the time.
 
ubejane skinner and then i became a CRK dealer, cuurently the only CRK dealer in the state of maine
 
From where I am from, its difficult to get premium folders. And when they are available at our local resellers, its few and far between. To get from overseas, the risk of losing it is always there. Anyways, I finally got me first Umnumzaan. Exceeded my expectations. There was also a large 21 but I settled for the Umnumzaan. Carried it for a few weeks and it was a learning curve for me with the umnumzaan. Then I bought the Large 21 and hey its my go to folder now. The design is so simple, solid in the hand, cleans easily, pocketable and a joy to use. With the calf skin leather sheath, its very comfortable in the pocket.
 
DGI said:
My first was a small Starbenza. It was too small for my hand so I sold it shortly there after. Couldnt get over how well built it was and its smoothness so I ended up buying a Large 21 Tanto. Hated the Plain Jane scales and bought a Micarta Large Tanto. Fell in love and here I am today with more CRKs than I need, but still searching for my next one.
Click to expand...

So the small starbenza coming my way was was possibly yours at one time?
 
DGI said:
My first was a small Starbenza. It was too small for my hand so I sold it shortly there after. Couldnt get over how well built it was and its smoothness so I ended up buying a Large 21 Tanto. Hated the Plain Jane scales and bought a Micarta Large Tanto. Fell in love and here I am today with more CRKs than I need, but still searching for my next one.
Click to expand...

So the small starbenza coming my way was was possibly yours at one time?
 
My first was a small plain Jane. Sold that and shortly after bought the knife art insingo, then a large plain Jane then a large micarta serrated (which has been sold) then a small micarta and a knife art 25. Nothing to crazy but they work for me.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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A large plain 21 was my first. As soon as I put it in my hand I knew that my Benchmades and most of Spydercos were going to new homes.
 
Smooth_Operater said:
I love the feel of the titanium and micarta in my hand. I spend more time rubbing on it than actually using it.
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Exactly. I carry this small, plain 21 all the time and constantly rub it. It's more worry stone than knife. The 25 is carried and handled a lot too.

By the way, my first was one just like this small and did not live up to the hype for me. Not sure why, just something to do with that knife. I sold it but already had a few others. Now I have about 15 CRKs of various varieties.

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This is my first CRK. I did a lot of research, both here & on the CR website before buying it, because it was a big step up from my usual $120-200 knives. This is what I decided on & it's still my only one because I can't imagine anything that would better suit my needs. I may add a small sebenza sometime down the road, but I'm not in a hurry.
 
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