Chris Reeve’s Sebenza 31 is their newest iteration of a hugely popular series of very high-end and high-priced pocket knives.
Considered a “grail” knife for many enthusiasts, the Sebenza is often considered one of the best workhorse knives for the money, before one gets into even higher-priced custom knife territory.
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Se Also: The Chris Reeve Sebenza, a High-End USA-Made Knife – is it Worth it?
I’ve been curious about the Sebenza 31 ever since it came out, wondering again if this new and high-priced knife delivers on its reputation.
These knives start at $375 for the small Sebenza 31, and $450 for the large. Shown above is one with a black micarta inlay. There are other inlays, including with exotic woods, and “unique computer graphics” models with machined and colored highlights that offer striking decorations.
The Sebenza 31 is a new model, with rolling releases taking place over the past few months.
It’s not an easy investment – at least in my opinion – even as an editorial review expense.
My focus on the next few months will be on more affordable EDC folding knife options, but it might be interesting to see what the newest Sebenza 31 offered in contrast and comparison to knives priced far lower.
But oh, the controversy!
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There are several YouTube videos and a long thread at BladeForums, detailing a (new?) “rock lock” issue, where pressure placed on the open blade spine can cause movement of the locking system.
Someone asked Chris Reeve Knives about it, and was told that this is a feature and that it’s perfectly normal.
The community at large seems to find this incredulous, that “lock rock” couldn’t and/or shouldn’t be a “normal” feature or consequence of the different locking mechanism.
It seems that the issue or controversy, or both have led a number of would-be buyers to hold of their purchasing decisions, presumably temporarily until things play out. It’ll likely take a couple of months of enthusiasts comparing notes before that decision trend changes.
What’s interesting about this, is the relationship between Chris Reeve Knives, a small but big brand in the knife world, and users. After reading much of the thread and watching some videos, it seems to me that the direct observations are a part of users and would-be buyers’ frustrations, and the lack of communications makes everything worse.
From what I gather, as I haven’t followed Chris Reeve Knives news, the company founder stepped down and now his son is leading things, with some enthusiasts pointing the finger at him for this situation.
There are grumblings about how the company went from “aerospace tolerances” to “lock rock is a feature by design.”
Complicating things, users are experiencing slight differences, which could indicate they’re testing their new knives in different ways, or poor repeatability between copies.
Controversies seem to be periodic occurrences in enthusiast tool and gear industries, but this one is peculiar, as it’s centered around a brand that’s typically unequivocally loved by users.
I’ll make it a point to check back in a couple of months to see which direction this all heads into.
In the meantime, here are some reviews of USA-made knives, several of which you could buy for the price of a single “plain” Sebenza:
New Benchmade Mini Griptilian Knife with G10 Handles and Better Blade
Kershaw Dividend EDC Knife Review (USA-Made, ~$42) – Still Awesome
Zero Tolerance 0450 Knife Review – a Hard-Use Flipper with Soft Looks
RCWARD
If I’m paying 400 for a knife it better not have any issues at all or it would be going back.
aerodawg
mine get lost far too often to pay anywhere close to $400 for a knife.
Stuart
Lost or misplaced?
aerodawg
you know, 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Usually it’s my wife thinking it needed to be “put up” in some completely nonsensical place
fred
For me, $400 or more for a pocket knife seems to me to put it in the realm of a “knife collector’s purchase” I’m not sure how much a lock-rock issue (or feature as the manufacturer might have it) would impact its desirability for a collector. But it certainly might impact its use as an EDC – particularly if the issue were to grow with wear. Now, if this was a stamp – not a knife and I came by a genuine inverted Jenny for $400 – I’d grab it up – despite its defective printing.
BTW, I’m no knife aficionado or knife collector. I also live in and frequent locales where many knives are not legal (or may not be interpreted as such) for EDC. This said, I can appreciate folks who collect knives or those who buy ones for EDC. For me, what I usually seek in a knife is more in the realm of bang for the buck. So I’m happy with the inexpensive Mora knives that I’ve bought. The most expensive pocket knives that I’ve ever bought were in the $80 range from Spyderco and Benchmade.
Stuart
Sebenzas tend to be in “functional collector item” territory.
Personally, I won’t go out of my way to introduce wear and tear to a high-end knife, but have a “it’s meant to be used” mentality about knives and a lot of other things.
Knives, flashlights, etc can always be fixed, repaired, or restored.
Natural wear adds “character.”
Charles
Agreed. I carry a small sebenza, bought it used for $200 or so several years ago. I rotated with a Benchmade Osborne, but I’m more apt to carry the sebenza. Sharpen on a belt sander, several times a year, the alloy is very functional in holding an edge.
Since I work at home now, I routinely reach for the utility knife in my shop for daily duties, ie package opening. I’d probably do that with any daily carry just to avoid tape residue or dulling, since I can
Stuart
That’s at the heart of the issue – is this a flaw or slop, or is it inherent to the design?
Big brands don’t often communicate on things like this, but smaller more community-centered ones do.
Perhaps Chris Reeve Knives doesn’t want to engage in commentary because they feel “knife community members” are fixed in their opinions and that dialog will only make things worse?
Either way, it seems like a very curious situation.
Jerry
How fortunate one must be if your biggest concern is a folding tool “rocks” while being opened. Now sure if I paid hundreds of dollars for a knife, I’d want this to have limited issues so I can understand that, but after reading some of the responses in various forums, some seem to be exaggerating the severity of this situation.
Stuart
True, can’t argue with that.
I can’t even say what my natural budget would be at this point – maybe still at $75 to $115 or so – enough to buy a small Benchmade or Spyderco.
With tools like the Sebenza, my goal is to answer the question “what do you get when you spend $300/$400/$500 compared to more affordable knives?” I’ve done the same in other hand tool categories, and have a couple of other explorations once our budget allows for it later in the year.
Most people shouldn’t entertain the idea of a Sebenza, but I brought this up because there are quite a few enthusiast and seasoned users here who do appreciate higher quality knives. That’s why I had been considering their latest iteration for review, until I happened upon the controversy and changed directions. We have a budget for entry-level, mid-priced, and high-end review sample purchases each year – I try to balance it for even exposure across the spectrum.
James C
If they’re going to take a page from the playbook of bad customer relations, I would have gone with “you’re holding it wrong.”
RWS34
A pocket knife is a consumable that is easily lost. Best to cap your spending around $50, and there are perfectly good choices in the $30s. Even if you make stupid money, that doesn’t justify stupid choices (that’s an important lesson in life)…like spending $350 on a pocket knife.
Mike (the other one)
Yep. Imagine forgetting to leave it in the car at the airport and it getting confiscated by the TSA.
Sue
If TSA takes your knife it is YOUR issue for not remembering you have it with you. It’s not like it is a new regulation. I live in Augusta, GA. and every year during the Masters Golf they collect boxes of cell phones, knives and other things. They have signs posted way before you get to the gate and info is posted on their website. So if you have it taken it is your fault. Kind of like when you get pulled over for speeding.
Tim D.
It’s always funny to me when people make comments like this. You must drive a 20 year old honda and only wear thrift store clothes. No point in spending good money on expensive clothes or a new car.
Money is meant to be spent, and everyone has items they like to buy that are high quality. It’s amusing to me that you’re posting something like this on a tool review site. Do all of your tools come from Harbor Freight?
Madcapp
Actually Tim, I drive a BMW, thank you for asking…and I have very high quality tools split between older pre-chinese Craftsman, S-K, Mac, and some Snap-on…and I can afford good stuff like that, because I don’t make stupid choices like spending (now that I re-read the article) at least $375 and more on something that isn’t worth it. I have a statistician friend who has this wonderful quote….”You know how stupid the average person is, well half the population is even dumber than that”. Its a brilliant observation, and I know precisely where you fall relative to the median.
Johnny
You sound exactly like a BMW owner… A douchebag who doesn’t get the irony and hypocrisy of his comments lol.
Cgw1984
Problem is, YOU dont get to decide what is and isnt a “stupid” purchase. Only whats a stupid purchase for YOU. its shocking to me people dont understand this. Also, a bmw isnt a flex. Horrid cars. Built poorly. Unless its a lease, and then we can discuss finacial aptitude (although even that isnt concrete, as it sometimes make sense to lease) a Lexus would be the “smart” luxury choice.. so we can also infer where you fall on said quote line.. of your friends stolen quote.
TheBigDick
Yeah not everyone is as cheap as you.
Fred Swanepoel
Believe me,if you pay $575 for a edc you make sure that you won’t loose it.
Eric S.
It sounds like the typical story line. A small Custom maker or a company makes it big then looses what ”made it”. Given the reputation of Reeve’s knives I’m surprised. But
all this controversy could just be a marketing ploy to stimulate sales.
I’m a long time knife nut that’s belonged at one time or another to collectors clubs/associations trying to keep up with the knife industry. Now I only buy what I really like & can afford for all my tools.
For several years I’ve mainly used Benchmade. They fit my preference in what I want but I still find it difficult to pay over $100.00 for one.
Stuart
From the web, Chris stepped down from lead a few years ago but was still the designer/chief designer. Apparently his son, Tim, is now the lead and/or chief designer, again according to just web info. Some people are pointing the finger at him, others are saying the redesign from the 21 to the 31 was done to streamline production with greater similarity with the more recent Inkosi. There’s a lot of rumor, but not much seems verifiable.
All brands tend to have floppy designs every now and then – I have a Benchmade flipper that barely flips – but I think the big issue here is whether the user community is in the wrong, or if the company has or is doing anything wrong.
There are some higher end knife and flashlight brands that are known to have really bad attitudes towards customers, yet their reputation has been built up so high that users and customers generally ignore it. Chris Reeve Knives – to my knowledge – has not been one such company.
What I find most interesting is how a small issue can quickly turn into a big controversy. I was first alerted to this situation in a different forum discussion, where someone dismissed the Sebenza 31 due to reports of blade lock issues, and I then traced the source with some Googling.
From “lock rock” and “that’s normal” to “blade lock issues” happened quite quickly, and from there can be spread to other mentions of “blade lock issues.”
There are a lot of “I heard about…” types of complaints regarding tools of all kinds, and I felt this one to be notable because of the short path as I traced the issue from a statement about “lock issues” to the source discussion.
With bigger brands and tools that sell in much greater volumes, things explode quicker, with more posts and YouTube videos showcasing bad product behavior, but it’s usually unclear what starts all of it.
Eric S.
I totally agree with you. Every group has it’s zealots. I don’t “buy” main stream trends or rumors but I’m still open to what others have to say. That’s why I follow your site.
Bob loblaw
Chris didnt “step down”. He lost the company to his wife in a divorce. Just for clarity. Tim now runs things.
Bob
Different strokes for different folks. I agree there are very functional knives for $30, $40 $50 etc. Personal opinion I think $100ish you can get some really awsome blades in look and function. After that the value proposition starts to really nose dive. These sub $100 are all mass produced knives. No artist’s touch. I agree $400 is alot. But if its functional art? A one off masterpiece if you will?
If you get a smile every time you take it out of your pocket and use it some peope feel the price of admission is worth it.
Also remember that the value on mint condition knives like this goes up after a few years. Even a beat up “user” knife will be worth near what you paid.
By now you’re probably saying you can keep your “soul” and “artist’s touch” and I’ll smile knowing I get to keep 380 in my pocket and use this $20 beater knife. Hahaha. There is nothing wrong with that either. Lots of choices in the knife world.
The high end knives do have some trickle down effects on the budget knives. Innovative locks, once exotic materials now being more common, high end blade steels more accessable, ergonomic improvements etc etc. Luckily someone is willing to shell out for the high end knives and it benefits the value priced offerings as well.
Hon Cho
For me, knives are , first and foremost, tools to be used and misused. That people covet ,collect and spend real amounts of money for some types is nice but a “First World” problem. If you like it and have the money, buy what you want. If it doesn’t meet your standards, return, complain, whatever but I’ll wager that every human being, save perhaps for the people who make a living making and selling these knives, has better things to do with their time and energy than whine and agonize over their expensive pocket knives. These kind of articles really aren’t why I come to Toolguyd.
Steve
I bought a Chris Reeves Mnandi a half year ago. I like it because I always wanted one and it is in my pocket daily, but it isn’t really a better knife than the Gerbers or Kershaws I used to carry. It does make me happy and it stays sharp a long time but in the end it is just a fancy tool, kind of a gold plated hammer. I figured to use it forever but than Benchmade came out with a mini-griptilian that looks ideal . . . .
Austin
Stuart,
Most of the knives on this post are on my best value list. Check out the uncoated Ontario Rat 1 or 2 (great camping knife due to ground spine for hitting firesteels), Kershaw Atmos, the Benchmade Bugout (either size), ESEE Izula, and the Spyderco SpydieChef for a more midtier knife.
Stuart
I bought an Izula a while back, and looking now I see that they came out with two handle styles for it. I’ll have to check those out.
I have a Bugout I purchased with a coupon maybe a year ago. It’s decent, but far from favored, pushing it down the queue list.
Andy
I’ve always found Chris Reeve knives to be Al Mar quality for almost double the price. Maybe Reeve’s uses better steel, but certainly nothing exotic. And because of that, I would expect some world class customer service. Too bad that’s not what we’re seeing.
Bob loblaw
They do have world class customer service, as well as much better materials than al mar (a junk brand). Using “a better steel” is a HUGE issue when its one use is to be a cutting tool. Thats akin to saying “ya my ryobi drill is just as good as my milwaukee. I mean, i know the milwaukee has a better battery, internal setup, and better specs, but they are both drills so ryobi wins!” Asinine thinking there, champ
Frank D
I used to EDC in my younger years, and not once was there any idea that it had to be a $100 … $500 … $1000 knife.
I will spend $400-$500 on a smartphone for the next two three years.
On a pocket knife … ?
Which I may lose, misplace, may be forced to leave behind, … ?
No chance.
I just put a Leatherman and Swiss Army knife in the driver side door of my vehicles and call it a day.
Ben Nalder
To each their own. I’ve gotten much more value out of my knives, lights, boots, etc Than I have my phone. My smartphone or my computer have been essentials but worst value purchases in the last 20 years. My phone loses half its value the moment I open it. Half again after the first year. I now have drawers full of old phones/laptops that aren’t worth the materials used to make them.
But it was a needed cost. I buy some knives and tools (boots are a tool for me) that hold their value and remain functional 10-20 years later. Some of them are excessive. Some are truly investing in a product I can and will use daily for 10k days.
My Alden 405 boots have 5k wears on them. Still going strong. I will expect more than 10k cuts from my sebenza or from my 940. I can justify the cost because I use them. Others justify the cost by how often they look at em and smile. Only you can determine if the value is there.
But your opinion is valid and I respect it.
Diplomatic Immunity
I could never go that high for a pocket knife. For a full tang, big, INFI Busse knife maybe (even though it would be more than that); but I see that as a different category even though far too many people just collect them and don’t use them for anything.
I would expect a $400 pocket knife without exotic steel to be a complete thing of perfection. I would hope that customers get the problem rectified.
Jim Collins
I own a few Chris Reeve Knives and other brands and use them for daily use. many comments were made about the cost, look at people buying a $25,000 Frontier and a $60,000 F150 they both haul stuff.
RKA
I don’t understand the people that criticize it. It is a luxury/specialty item. I think that’s understood. And I’m willing to guarantee those that criticize a $400 knife have some other hobby, fetish, interest or indulgence that I wouldn’t spend my money on. Hopefully they are honest enough not to use the term “investment”. 😛 Just let people enjoy what they want, why the need to pass judgement?
I actually enjoy looking at some of these high end knives. Like anything else made with a high level of attention to detail and precision, it’s interesting. I wish I could hold them in my hands to judge how well they are made. But I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head, so I’ll look forward to Stuart’s evaluation. 🙂
Stuart
I’m steering clear of the 31 for now, as well as a different alternate I had been considering for eval purposes.
If you want a Sebenza, I’d say save up and go for it.
If you want a knife that speaks to you but don’t know if you want a Sebenza or not, there are so many other ways to spend the money.
The good thing about higher-end knives is that the hold their value really well and can be sold without much loss, especially if bought used. A lot of more seasoned enthusiasts or collectors buy, sell, and repeat.
Dan
I do as well. I have been carrying CRK knives since 1993 and the sebenza I carry and use daily since 2012 has been quality. If I did the math right, it has cost me about .15 cents a day.
As for the 31, I know nothing about it and dont own that model
Fred
Look at the number of people that spend upwards of $600 for an iPhone that they replace when the next model comes out. What about Harbor Freight tools vs. the big name brand tools.
Bobby
A sebenza is definitely on my list of “grail” knives. When I added up how much I’ve spent on cheap knives, I realized it could’ve bought one expensive knife, but it’s all personal preference and individual use case. My favorite affordable EDC knife by far is the Kershaw RJ Tactical 3.0. Perfect size, smooth-quick opening, drop point blade, deep carry pocket clip, and has a flipper. Some other greet choices are the Kershaw Leek, and Kershaw Cryo.
Another knife I would love to have is holt bladeworks spectre. At this price point it’s more of a custom or boutique knife. Do I need it? No, but I’ve spent more on dumber things that I don’t even use.
svt
$450 for a knife that cost $60 to make and this happens. What a joke!
Stuart
Can you make a knife like this for $60?
Andy
Seriously. Just price the cpm s35v steel.
svt
Steel is cheap, especially, for Reeve’s who buys in bulk and get a very low price from crucible, because, he help develop the steel.
David Zeller
Luckily, there is no cost associated with design prototypes, handles, hinges, locks, packaging, software, equipment purchase, building lease, employee healthcare, taxes, electricity, marketing, consumables, salary, R&D, ongoing education, website hosting, credit card fees, promotional samples, profit, etc. I’m not saying that that it amounts to $450, but there is much more to the costs than the steel.
svt
Sure, i would if I could sucker enough people to pay $450.
Joatman
I read a post that completely changed my way of thinking a while back when I was researching pocket knives. The person wrote “ I don’t ever want to buy something so nice or expensive that I will never want to use it to its full potential”. ….or something like that. How true is this! We ALL have that coveted tool or knife or whatever, that just sits in the drawer or safe or toolbox…….and whenever we need it, we say “Nope, don’t wanna mess it up or loose it” ……then we grab something else. When I go camping there’s no way I would take a $300 or $400 knife with me. I would take a Kershaw, Buck or Spyderco and not think twice about what I’m using it for or losing it. When I’m 80 years old, I don’t want to be rummaging through my junk drawer or tool box and find something and say “I wish I would have used this, it sure is nice”. The only place for a $400 pocket knife is in a glass case…….
Koko The Talking Ape
Yeah, really disappointing. Chris would never have responded that way.
Sic transit gloria mundi, is all I can say.
Stuart Y
My parents live in Boise Idaho, and on my last visit, my Dad and I visited the Chris Reeve knife manufacturing buildings. Chris’s son Tim gave us a private tour of the whole process for several hours. After seeing all of the steps and processes involved, I have a much greater appreciation for the quality that they put into their knifes. The care and attention to detail is not something you see in cheaper knives. Every detail is focused on. They are hand assembled. Chris Reeve even worked with the metal supplier to optimize the material properties of the knives, he was involved in developing the alloy of steel. I admit that their knives are on the expensive side and I really like my Ken Onion Leek for a much lower price, but I plan to buy one once the finances allow it (kids in college).
I asked Tim about this and he told me that his Dad told him that people don’t have to pay over $300 for a knife. It is a luxury that people want. They are unabashedly focused on the highest quality product. If you have a problem with yours, I would call them and they will work with you to correct it.
Brian M
This stuff happens quite a bit. Build a great name and someone else is brought in and the quality takes a major dropoff. An EDC example would be Kimber.
Jim Felt
I have a friend that frequently carries around (in a case) a Russian/Ukrainian(?) hand machined/made folder he paid over $3K for at a national knife show last year.
I think it’s both kinda ugly and certainly the “value” equivalent of a gold plated Leica. AKA utterly useless.
But it does give him something to obsess over…
fred
Plenty of things that have no or precious little utilitarian value may still be of value to some collector. I ran across a Luftwaffe Leica back in the 1960’s that I should have snapped up as a collector’s item. It did not work (shutter was jammed). Later on I was told that it probably had what Leitz called a “kalt shutter” meant for use at altitude/cold – so it had different tolerances/lubrication – and probably could have been adjusted to work. Anyway a IIIc (Lufwaffe or otherwise) was not going to really supplement the M3 I was using at the time – and would have just sat on the shelf.
Stuart
Shirogorov?
MichaelHammer
As I read the comments here, I can understand the idea of “over paying” for a tool or the idea of never using it out of fear of losing or damaging such an expensive item. The thing is though, I would spend $400 on a knife. Not for bragging rights or to obsess over, but because I have a high appreciation of quality and craftsmanship, especially with a high degree of form and function. It’s not that the steel is “fancy”, it’s that it functions better than other types of steel. It’s not that I have money to burn, I would have to save up for a long while to buy such a knife. And I would use the hell out of it. I would take it camping, fishing, hiking, everywhere except on an airplane. I would do so without fear because I spent that dough for the purpose of using and enjoying that fine precision, that beautiful feel of a tool built to perfection. I would smile each and every time I took it from my pocket and probably would even occasionally linger to enjoy its awesomeness. That, my fellow readers, is happiness. I’ve spent $400 taking the family to a Red Sox game or an amusement park for the day, fun stuff, no doubt, but fleeting. $400 for something I can enjoy and appreciate everyday? That’s not “crazy” or “stupid, that’s money well spent. I would be really sad if anything happened to it that was beyond repair, for sure, but that’s no reason not to get it. To me, that would be like not getting a dog because it’s going to die someday. Some things really are a lot of money because they are worth a lot of money. I guess it just comes down to what you appreciate. I don’t appreciate a Russian knife in a box and some don’t appreciate a higher level of precision craftsmanship that can be used everyday.. As for fear of losing it? I see that one a lot on this forum and I just don’t get it. I got my first knife at ten and have never lost a knife since.
fred
You make some great observations.
If you are so fearful of losing a tool that you can not bring yourself to use it that seems like a serious issue. But, while it is probably better to buy tools that you can afford (not foregoing the essentials of life for you and your family) – If it gives you pleasure to buy a knife for display purposes only then so be it. I for one agree with you – that I can derive most pleasure in the use of my tools and what I can make or repair using them.
Frank D
I typically do not lose things either, as far as carrying, hiking, traveling … but I have on occasion due to circumstances lost a set of prescription sunglasses (airport), been forced to hand over a multi-tool or gadget that was in carry-on to security – TSA before flying, …
I get joy out of using things that I have, not pieces of machined art. I have a don’t care as much saw for outdoor use, loaning to helper and a nice saw. I carefully diversify my powertool selection ( mostly big box common brand – value oriented ) and get a few extra things to get better organized.
If there’s been a guilty pleasure, it probably is my mobile setup using packout. It is far from perfect, and a slow work in progress to go from dumb boxes to pro, just the way I like it. But anyhow, I smile every time I open my primary case that is lined with foam, holding 4 primary tools and then slim organizers with custom cups.
To me something more premium that will be used weekly or daily, holds a lot more value than a super premium display item.
Joatman
Yes, you make some good points that I can certainly respect. I should make sure to include “ in my opinion” in my future posts. It just boils down to value, affordability and appreciation. I don’t think I’ll ever have it in me to appreciate a $400 knife or a $200 EDC flashlight anymore than one for $100…..I’m not sure that would change even if my income doubled or tripled. No disrespect to those who think otherwise. We all have limitations regardless of where they fall.
Cory
As someone who owns a number of Chris Reeve and Spartan Blades knives. I know they are expensive. But I appreciate the quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Plus they are developed and made in the United States. From my understanding Chris Reeve has stepped away from the business completely. But I think Tim and Ann Reeve have done a phenomenal job with their business. Now the original post was about the 31, I cannot attest to this “lock rock”. Because I do not own one yet, but I have faith that it will be an excellent knife. I plan on buying one.
svt
This reads like a typically troll post. Quality, craftsmanship, attention to detail, and of course made in ‘murica, etc etc. lol
Cory
it’s not, I like the knives. I have at least 5 of them. I carry one every day or Spartan Blades. So believe whatever you want. I don’t care. I’ll sleep soundly and continue to use their knives.
Stuart
I disagree.
Your comment – “$450 for a knife that cost $60 to make and this happens. What a joke!” – read like a typical troll post, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt. His post comes across as experience-based opinion.
You think these knives are overpriced and overhyped. You’re entitled to your opinion and personal biases. They own a couple of this brand’s products and shared their appreciation for the designs and products. What’s the problem?
Antagonizing someone for sharing their experience and opinions based on ownership – that’s trolling.
You can express your opinion without attacking others. Should you not be allowed to comment in the future without being baselessly called a troll?
What was the goal of your comment here?
Rob
My friend got way into collecting framelocks and so I’ve handled many many many offerings. I liked his Direwares, he liked his Medfords. Mostly that kind of stuff. Anyway, I went through opinels and spydercos and ZT’s and so on, wearing them out quickly. I ended up buying a large Sebenza 21 with his collection as my showroom and it’s been my only knife for a few years now. I abuse mine it so harshly that I make it a habit to send him photos to share with his weirdo knife hobby friends, just to make them cry. ?. The first year I would routinely clean it, dissemble it, tune it up and all of that. Since then, I’m just like, whatever. It takes what I throw at it. I keep the tip dull since I OFTEN use it as a prybar, a screwdriver, a digging tool…
It’s a great product and it doesn’t have that whole doofy tactical thing going on, which means you can whip it out wherever without looking like a freak.
Oleg K
This is one of the reasons I prefer mass-produced knives, apart from the obvious cost differences you also miss out on reliability and many other sadety and long-term use related things.
Also, I never really understood the fascination with custom-made knives… A knife is a knife, you’ll still end-up scratching and beating it up, what’s the point of spending hundreds of dollars more on a tool that does exactly what a much cheaper tool does for more money and, usually, worse?..
With custom knives, like with anything else custom-made, you should either go big and expensive or go home! Might as well spend your money on something that won’t break or disappoint you the second time you use it but not locking properly or by falling apart altogether.
LarryD
I find myself always going back to carrying a Sebenza. It’s the perfect EDC knife IMO. I started with a simple plain small 21. Then a large Insingo. I have quite a few other knives including many high dollar knives but I always go back to the Sebenza. It’s just well perfect!
Steve
I have several knives in the Benchmade, Pro-tech, micro tech level . Until I got my small Sebenza I was happy as a fat pig. The Sebenza seems to almost radiate quality and seems to be stronger and tighter than most of my other knives. So I carry it daily and take care of it.. whatever value a person puts on his knife is a personal choice. I don’t judge other people’s values. And I don’t care in the least what anyone else thinks of my choices. I doubt the veracity of the loose lock problem..people just seem to pounce on artists like Chris for no good reason. Interesting exchange of ideas here.
Gerry Baillon
I really can’t comment on the Sabenza knife, however, having known Chris since the 1970s, and bought one of his first “Mountaineer” survival knives in 1978, he always paid attention to quality .
I still have the knife, used for many years in my daily job, in the military, and later in Police reaction unit.
The edge always stayed good, despite all sorts of abuse.
After 44 years of use, the Kalguard coating is showing signs of wear, but the knife is still great.
Martian
Also price isn’t quality it’s the worker doing it for proper fit & finish also Cris reeves s35vn is or must be same as sub $100 knives s35vn heat treat to hold edge in use for example.no matter fit ,finish . Spyderco proved this with mine also Benchmade proved as durable as my heavily used 20 some years old griptillian never been in to warranty and still good but finish scared . I can back it up with mine also why have the mentality to show off crk knife when several productions I carry beat crk usability by lots in lasting quality as users if used as suposto. I used hell out of my griptillian and years of use. also look at Spyderco quality as being tough users mine is. Also look any solid knife and heat treat on blades . There’s better blade steels for crk prices and don’t single out one company as best till you use then also crk frame locks are not best lock at his prices triad locks stronger is modified lock back also heat treat and geometry of blade to edge is mostly important for what your going to use it for so it won’t chip and slice better also geometry for slicing easily with less stress on knife to do same cut makes knife last longer thanks for reading my post