Man your reviews are my favorite! I think the community is missing out since you have stopped reviewing regularly. Wish you all the best and great job.
This review was a total pleasure to watch. Peace and blessings to you as well my friend. Always dreamed of owning a Large Sebenza 31, you're so right, they're as close to the perfect production folder as you'll find anywhere. I recently worked for a week on 24/7 call for my job, and I got so rocked with calls all week that the overtime and doubletime piled up like crazy. That paycheck also happened to include my longevity bonus, and it dropped right when all my bills were already paid. The next day I got a state tax rebate I wasn't expecting. And that's when I got the alert on ebay that my dream variant, a brand new large Sebenza 31 with Macassar ebony inlay, manufactured on Sept. 6, 2022 just went up for sale. The most I'd ever spent on a knife was $350 for a Reate Coyote, but I knew it would be a long time before my financial stars aligned like this again, so I ignored the Sebenza's price and just went for it. It arrived today. Total dream come true. What a knife.
Great review! I have an enormous fondness for the 21 model and I consider giving up the pin alloy that was just in the 21 as a step back. Besides, ceramic detentball, different clip angle, no hole on the cover - that's super fine. And it's nice that CRK took these goods from Inkosi and Umnumzan. Even so, I think they should just keep producing the 21. As for the Sebenza - there's nothing better than the 21. Was time when I was sick on the Sebenza 31. But then i took my Large Inkosi im my hand and I understood one thing - THIS is the best folding knife ever. For me of course;) Due to simpler construction - fewer parts, a bit stronger structure, better thumb support, two pins as standard, clean design, no unnecessary holes. Today I am the happy owner of only one folding knife from CRK - Inkosi - and I do not regret the decision a bit. Greetings from Poland!
Thanks for review, I think The clip was repositioned across frame lock to prevent one accidentally due to grip putting pressure on the frame lock before deploying
Came across a video with Tim Reeve and Blade HQ in April. The stop pin is now made with 416 stainless and heat treated to low 40's HRC instead of softer 303 stainless in the 21. Supposedly less "squishy". His words, not mine.
Hi rob! I love your videos and I sometimes watch them twice. After watching this video again I don’t think the stop pin change was to save cost from hearing Tim talk about it it was to use a stronger stop pin. Owning both the 21 and 31 I have noticed a huuuuuuge difference is the length of time for the 31 to break in is much longer than the 21. Now 2 months later since my last comment my 31 is finally fully broken and it’s smoothness is sebenza 21 smooth. I think that bigger ceramic ball takes longer to create its shiny detent track compared to the normal detent in a 21. I’m absolutely in love with 31, but I will always own a 21 as well! My favorite change is the bigger chamfer in the thumb opening. I have more space on the 31 to slide my thumb in to open my 31. Once you compare them both side to side you can notice that difference otherwise it’s such an easy change to not notice. Rob thanks for your videos I definitely respect your knowledge and I appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos!
I don’t know if anyone has already mentioned this, but I believe the reason for the canted pocket clip was so it could function as a lock bar over travel stop as well. Great review.
There are many theories about the clip, but I don’t think the “over travel stop” theory makes much sense. The clip used to be on the lock bar only, and didn’t rest on the frame at all, so when you moved the lock bar, you were always moving the clip out of the way. So that same clip obviously couldn’t function as a lock bar stop. The other theory I’ll call incorrect is the one that says moving the clip reduces the tension it puts in the lock bar, making the action lighter and smoother. Trust me - it ain’t the clip causing that tension, but rather the lock bar itself. I’ve been tuning Sebenzas to drop free and flick open for years, and part of that process is to reduce tension on the lock bar. I’ve never had to touch a clip to achieve perfect tuning, so it must not play much of a part in lock bar tension. Here’s what is true about the canted clip: The first Inkosi, called a Sebenza 25, with the added second finger groove, had the Sebenza 21 clip placement. It created a hot spot in that second finger position, and a bad one. So when the 25 became the Inkosi, the clip was canted to eliminate the hot spot. I believe the engineers and customers alike approved of that position - it was very well received. So when it was time for a Sebenza 31, CRK just went with it. It looks fine, and there’s zero chance of the clip creating a hot spot in virtually any hand. I think other theories amount to after the fact marketing points.
1: Does the pocket clip angle make if ride better in pocket? 2: KISS. No need for the ceramic ball. 3: Fixed a not-broke stop pin setup. 4: It's okay to say you like the 21 better. A lot of us do. The less-than enthusiastic and abbreviated review says it all. Please more reviews and technical/disassembly videos!
@User 2389 argument from authority. Does the ceramic ball improve the action enough to offset an introduced point of failure or is it simply a cost-saving measure to eliminate the carbodizing of the lockbar in the production process? What makes a ceramic ball better than a steel insert. If you dont explain why, then you are just stating opinion, not fact.
I got this exact 31, the large with natural micarta. I love it! I’ve got the large 21, and large inkosi. The 31 feels like the perfect combination of the two. I realize a carburized lock face is tried and true, but the ceramic lock face/detent ball just gives me more piece of mind. One thing I noticed, after taking it apart, and putting it back, is just to tighten the pivot screw until it stops, and not put too much torque on it. It stays in place just fine, but if you tighten it too much, it’s quite a bit harder to open. And there’s absolutely not blade play, or lock rock. My only criticism, is the blade steel. S35vn is just fine, but I kinda would have liked 20cv. It’s probably a misguided criticism, considering my knives don’t see particularly hard use.
Hi mike. I swapped my phosphor bronze washers from my 21 to my 31 and now my 31 is super smooth and I don’t have an issue with pivot tension. Sebenza’s are meant to be cranked down tight and true and if it impacts your action then your washers are getting pinched. You can possibly polish your washers or send it back to Crk for them to refit the washers. As they wear your issue will go away! Another possibility is they could have taken too much off of her pivot bushing in final adjustment with makes the washers stand super slightly proud in its dimension. That could impact your pivot tension. I super love both the 31 and 21. I forgot to mention after I swapped the washers my 21 has your same issue now where if I tighten the pivot it impacts the action so I’m sending my 21 in to get refit and hopefully I’ll have two awesome Sebenzas a 21 and 31! There is a reason why this same knife has been in production since I was in elementary because it’s awesome!
I love my small 31 with natural micarta scales. I love the layout on the micarta in the 31. The small just melts into my hand. I went with the Lynch deep carry for the clip. It’s a perfect setup for me. It’s not the same as the 21 for sure. But I think it’s a much better improvement vs the 25. Maybe they will redo the 21 down the road and release it as the new classic. Who knows. CRK still sets the bar on quality IMO. Great review, my friend.
@TheApostleP - Hey Rob have a bit of a question for you about the stop pin you might not be able to answer but might as well! Basically if they can take a 21 and put the new stop pin assembly from the 31 into the 21 doesn’t that mean the 21 stop pin lap isn’t that special? Or am I wrong
Large 21 in micarta for me. Had it for around 12 years and use it everyday at work. Later bought a naked small insingo for street carry. Both bangers. Peace.
I never had a 21 but I just got a large 31 drop and I love it. just watching you opening it I can feel the buttery smooth "glass on glass with a layer of vaseline in between" feeling of my own blade coming out. Now that I have mine I want to find a large 21 insingo but I can't find one anywhere.
I’ve been drooling over sebenzas for a long long time and now put an order in for 31 and second guessing myself on 21. I’m sure I’ll end up with both after I handle it lol.
I just got my first 31. I definitely agree with you on the stop pin. I have had many chris Reeve knives and they all had perfect blade centering. My large 31 and others I am seeing, the blade is not centered. I didn’t get a good look but it almost looked like one of your 31’s had the same issue. I haven’t seen anyone talk about this issue.
The small Sebenza 31 With a Micarta inlay is my new edc. My wife didn't like my Microtech Ultratech OTF . It was too scary for her and very hard to close for me only. She likes my new knife and I can open it in public with her present! It is a true gentlemen's knife. Steve from Missouri Please comment
Im carrying a "live free or die" small 21, I just ordered a small 31 "come and take it". I really like the natural micarta variant 31. Take care Steve, your neighbor in w ky
I'm still digging coins out of my sofa and other people's sofas just to try to purchase the 21's I want. So now I guess I'll be at intersections holding a sign, "Saving for Sebenza's please help!"
I like your message pertaining to, staying true to Jesus... amen for that brother, question. I believe in 2014 you published a video about a sebenza 21 that had the symbolic wood inlays. the symbolism was from Darkness to light and that only happens through the blood. Awesome symbolism I will say, and do you still own that sebenza or did it move on to someone else. And then finding out you service sebenza to only make them better. Is good information and when I'm ready to have mines done how can I get ahold of you. Sincerely brother in the faith Manny Lopez.
I realize that was the official explanation, but I’m not sure I believe it totally. I lessen lockbar tension on 21s quite often when tuning actions, without touching the clips. The pocket clip isn’t the determining factor - the lockbar is. That said, the clip tension is more consistent with it resting in the frame rather than the lockbar.
@@TheApostleP how do you lessen the lockbar tension I may need to get this done when I send my knife into you is that part of the spa treatment and what method do you use to go about lessening the lock bar tension on my crk inkosi
At around 23:20 you suggest the larger diameter ceramic bearing should be smoother - could you explain that? Curvature is greater for a sphere with a smaller radius, so I would think the point of contact would smaller, and thus smoother, for a smaller diameter object.
Hard to say at what diminished diameter a ball riding over a surface becomes a stylus, catching in the surface imperfections of the blade. As it’s perceived by the user, it would be the point at which the lessening of frictional effort is superseded by the “catchiness” of the ball in those imperfections. TBH, I don’t really know when that happens. But as a perception, I’ve always thought my Umnumzaan and Inkosi feel smoother along their opening arc than by Sebenzas. Since the detent ball is the only component under tension against the blade, my intuition tells me that’s the difference. But I don’t know for sure.
@@TheApostleP Ah! I hadn't considered that at a certain size the sphere would experience more resistance from any inconsistency in the surface. The same effect is seen when you have a 29" bicycle wheel vs the conventional 26"-not only is angular momentum greater in the larger diameter once at speed (not relevant to detent balls), but rough surfaces are also more smoothly traversed by the larger diameter wheel. Very cool and interesting. Thank you for the response.
The action has considerably more variation on my 31. It still has a premium feel, but it doesn’t compare to the 21 I purchased a month after my 31. Thinking about sending the 31 back, but I use them anyway so it’s not the biggest deal. You can tell the difference. It’s not the lock bar tension, it’s the variation in the feel during deployment. Could be a cost cutting or production efficiency decision. Wait times on a new order are ludicrous because people always want them, and they obviously take the time to build a quality product. The knife still works and it’s still a Sebenza. But it’s not THE STANDARD Chris Reeve started with. However I now have the inkosi, 21, 31 (all larges) and an umnumzaan on the way.
I glad rob brought the stop pin issue to our attention. That was the first time I heard about thanks. I have one coming I kind of feel a little bamboozled
But tbh the stop pin is factually stronger on the 31 compared to 21. It is a stronger steel to begin with and is heat treated, also it’s one piece which seems more solid to me than a pin going through a sleeve
@@anthonyb2990 to be honest it may break easier because of the corner cuts and it's as said by rob, not as precise on all fronts, so the old pin might have less play than the new one, which also contributes to how solid the overal construction is going to be.
Thanks Ron. I am now a loyal sub. Haha.. Maybe one day I will even "Win" one of your purchase opportunities : ) Watching your vids and trying to pull the trigger on DLT for a CRK. Tempted to just get a Damascus Blade. Any knife I own will be used.
Your point at 22:36 I have owned 3 large 21, micarta, insingo, and standard.. and now I own a standard large 31. The wear in time is sooo much longer for the bigger ceramic ball to create that smooth track into the harder blade. Atleast in my experience is the wear in period is a lot longer but it does eventually get there just like the tiny ceramic detent ball of the 21. I love my 31 just as much as the 21. And my understanding that the stop pin was changed to improve strength. Not sure if it’s heat treated to a higher level. That I don’t know. But I do remember reading that it had to do with strength of the stop pin. I swapped my pivot bushing and washers from my broken in large 21 to my large 31 and now that the ceramic interface has worn in its track shiny as can me-- omg Sebenza smooth!! I do see your point on the dimension! Also I have a big fat thumb, the increased space behind the thumb stub is a welcomed change! The 31 is slightly larger in its finger choil compared to a 21. It’s super hard to see unless you have both of them side to side. I will always have a 21 and a 31 in my collection!
There was a tendency for people to squeeze the clip while trying to unlock the knives, thus putting pressure directly on the lockbar. This made the knives difficult to unlock. That is why they changed the clip to partially rest on the frame.
Great question Bob! The short answer is that I’m not selling any 21s to buy 31s. The one-piece machined stop pin has too much variability in the effective length dimension. It affects the parallelism of the scales and makes the action feel odd, not smooth, and kinda crappy actually. The old process used 3 precision ground bushings - pivot, stop pin and tail. They had a height tolerance of +- .00015”. A CNC lathe simply can’t do that, and it is essential to making a Sebenza feel like a Sebenza.
My small 31 has terrible up and down play, and it’s been in for warranty and still came back the same way! I would love to send you the video of the play on Instagram it’s really bizarre
@@anthonyb2990 but if it isn't machined properly, you're going to run into issues like many have seen with the 31. This analysis (The ApostleP's) explains a lot of the issues people are having with this knife. BTW, I haven't broken a single 21 or Regular Sebenza stop pin in all the years I've owned them.
I've herd that they canted the clip to remove excess lock bar pressure . people complained that when resting their fingers on the clip it caused deadlock .
I know how detailed you are. I have a slim midi Medford and I'm thinking about trading it or selling it for a Chris. Not happy with fit and finish. I can see .005 on account of my old job.
I'm a hard use knife kinda guy. I use my zt 804 as a pry bar and its never broke. I've used it as a screw driver more than once. I've actually thought about breaking off the tip.
Two issues... 1) Lock Rock...Push down on the joint while supporting the front and rear of the knife and there will be movement.. 2) Inferior steel to much cheaper and other mid level knives.
In my experience as an owner of 17 Chris Reeve and 18 Medfords that Chris Reeve are phenomenal BUT I have experienced 18% of my CRK’s with very slightly off center blades - I returned them - big pet peeve of mine. So far not one of my Medford knives have strayed from total perfection. I still love both and are the onion knives in my collection.
Do yourself a favor a change playback speed to 1.75X for this video.
Man your reviews are my favorite! I think the community is missing out since you have stopped reviewing regularly. Wish you all the best and great job.
This review was a total pleasure to watch. Peace and blessings to you as well my friend. Always dreamed of owning a Large Sebenza 31, you're so right, they're as close to the perfect production folder as you'll find anywhere. I recently worked for a week on 24/7 call for my job, and I got so rocked with calls all week that the overtime and doubletime piled up like crazy. That paycheck also happened to include my longevity bonus, and it dropped right when all my bills were already paid. The next day I got a state tax rebate I wasn't expecting. And that's when I got the alert on ebay that my dream variant, a brand new large Sebenza 31 with Macassar ebony inlay, manufactured on Sept. 6, 2022 just went up for sale. The most I'd ever spent on a knife was $350 for a Reate Coyote, but I knew it would be a long time before my financial stars aligned like this again, so I ignored the Sebenza's price and just went for it. It arrived today. Total dream come true. What a knife.
I have watched this video 4 times over the months. Each time, I smile and enjoy it due to your expert reviewing. Great..Bravo...and thank You Sir.
Been waiting for this one. Great review.
Great review! I have an enormous fondness for the 21 model and I consider giving up the pin alloy that was just in the 21 as a step back. Besides, ceramic detentball, different clip angle, no hole on the cover - that's super fine. And it's nice that CRK took these goods from Inkosi and Umnumzan. Even so, I think they should just keep producing the 21. As for the Sebenza - there's nothing better than the 21. Was time when I was sick on the Sebenza 31. But then i took my Large Inkosi im my hand and I understood one thing - THIS is the best folding knife ever. For me of course;) Due to simpler construction - fewer parts, a bit stronger structure, better thumb support, two pins as standard, clean design, no unnecessary holes. Today I am the happy owner of only one folding knife from CRK - Inkosi - and I do not regret the decision a bit.
Greetings from Poland!
Thanks for review, I think The clip was repositioned across frame lock to prevent one accidentally due to grip putting pressure on the frame lock before deploying
Came across a video with Tim Reeve and Blade HQ in April. The stop pin is now made with 416 stainless and heat treated to low 40's HRC instead of softer 303 stainless in the 21. Supposedly less "squishy". His words, not mine.
Hi rob! I love your videos and I sometimes watch them twice. After watching this video again I don’t think the stop pin change was to save cost from hearing Tim talk about it it was to use a stronger stop pin. Owning both the 21 and 31 I have noticed a huuuuuuge difference is the length of time for the 31 to break in is much longer than the 21. Now 2 months later since my last comment my 31 is finally fully broken and it’s smoothness is sebenza 21 smooth. I think that bigger ceramic ball takes longer to create its shiny detent track compared to the normal detent in a 21. I’m absolutely in love with 31, but I will always own a 21 as well! My favorite change is the bigger chamfer in the thumb opening. I have more space on the 31 to slide my thumb in to open my 31. Once you compare them both side to side you can notice that difference otherwise it’s such an easy change to not notice. Rob thanks for your videos I definitely respect your knowledge and I appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos!
Great video sir! Thanks for sharpening my 21. Now I want a 31 double lug with these inlays.
I don’t know if anyone has already mentioned this, but I believe the reason for the canted pocket clip was so it could function as a lock bar over travel stop as well. Great review.
There are many theories about the clip, but I don’t think the “over travel stop” theory makes much sense. The clip used to be on the lock bar only, and didn’t rest on the frame at all, so when you moved the lock bar, you were always moving the clip out of the way. So that same clip obviously couldn’t function as a lock bar stop.
The other theory I’ll call incorrect is the one that says moving the clip reduces the tension it puts in the lock bar, making the action lighter and smoother. Trust me - it ain’t the clip causing that tension, but rather the lock bar itself. I’ve been tuning Sebenzas to drop free and flick open for years, and part of that process is to reduce tension on the lock bar. I’ve never had to touch a clip to achieve perfect tuning, so it must not play much of a part in lock bar tension.
Here’s what is true about the canted clip: The first Inkosi, called a Sebenza 25, with the added second finger groove, had the Sebenza 21 clip placement. It created a hot spot in that second finger position, and a bad one. So when the 25 became the Inkosi, the clip was canted to eliminate the hot spot. I believe the engineers and customers alike approved of that position - it was very well received. So when it was time for a Sebenza 31, CRK just went with it. It looks fine, and there’s zero chance of the clip creating a hot spot in virtually any hand. I think other theories amount to after the fact marketing points.
its nice to see you agin hear, what ever you do! I would hang on to your 21 as its a outstanding CRK, I own the same knife, thanks rob.
I have quite a few regulars and 21’s... neither are leaving the collection... excellent review as always my brother!
1: Does the pocket clip angle make if ride better in pocket? 2: KISS. No need for the ceramic ball. 3: Fixed a not-broke stop pin setup. 4: It's okay to say you like the 21 better. A lot of us do. The less-than enthusiastic and abbreviated review says it all. Please more reviews and technical/disassembly videos!
@User 2389 argument from authority. Does the ceramic ball improve the action enough to offset an introduced point of failure or is it simply a cost-saving measure to eliminate the carbodizing of the lockbar in the production process? What makes a ceramic ball better than a steel insert. If you dont explain why, then you are just stating opinion, not fact.
I got this exact 31, the large with natural micarta. I love it! I’ve got the large 21, and large inkosi. The 31 feels like the perfect combination of the two. I realize a carburized lock face is tried and true, but the ceramic lock face/detent ball just gives me more piece of mind. One thing I noticed, after taking it apart, and putting it back, is just to tighten the pivot screw until it stops, and not put too much torque on it. It stays in place just fine, but if you tighten it too much, it’s quite a bit harder to open. And there’s absolutely not blade play, or lock rock. My only criticism, is the blade steel. S35vn is just fine, but I kinda would have liked 20cv. It’s probably a misguided criticism, considering my knives don’t see particularly hard use.
Hi mike. I swapped my phosphor bronze washers from my 21 to my 31 and now my 31 is super smooth and I don’t have an issue with pivot tension. Sebenza’s are meant to be cranked down tight and true and if it impacts your action then your washers are getting pinched. You can possibly polish your washers or send it back to Crk for them to refit the washers. As they wear your issue will go away! Another possibility is they could have taken too much off of her pivot bushing in final adjustment with makes the washers stand super slightly proud in its dimension. That could impact your pivot tension. I super love both the 31 and 21. I forgot to mention after I swapped the washers my 21 has your same issue now where if I tighten the pivot it impacts the action so I’m sending my 21 in to get refit and hopefully I’ll have two awesome Sebenzas a 21 and 31! There is a reason why this same knife has been in production since I was in elementary because it’s awesome!
Did you find out if the have different sizes of side pins to use when they hand fit the knife?
I love my small 31 with natural micarta scales. I love the layout on the micarta in the 31. The small just melts into my hand. I went with the Lynch deep carry for the clip. It’s a perfect setup for me. It’s not the same as the 21 for sure. But I think it’s a much better improvement vs the 25. Maybe they will redo the 21 down the road and release it as the new classic. Who knows. CRK still sets the bar on quality IMO. Great review, my friend.
@TheApostleP - Hey Rob have a bit of a question for you about the stop pin you might not be able to answer but might as well! Basically if they can take a 21 and put the new stop pin assembly from the 31 into the 21 doesn’t that mean the 21 stop pin lap isn’t that special? Or am I wrong
Large 21 in micarta for me. Had it for around 12 years and use it everyday at work. Later bought a naked small insingo for street carry. Both bangers.
Peace.
Great video. Thank you
Somehow I liked the old inlay pattern better
It looks better to me
Old inlay pattern is way more attractive.
If you really push on it can you force blade play? That flex or whatever everyone was talking about
Nice review. What would you is now the “perfect” or “best” EDC knife in production?
appreciate the inlay design, the widened cutout to release the lockbar, not sure about the ceramic ball on the lockface..
Fablades That’s ironic, since the larger cut s done for clearance to accommodate the ceramic ball, which protrudes forward of the lockbar.
@@TheApostleP he's talking about the larger chamfer on the show side cutout to disengage the lock. Numb nuts.
I never had a 21 but I just got a large 31 drop and I love it. just watching you opening it I can feel the buttery smooth "glass on glass with a layer of vaseline in between" feeling of my own blade coming out. Now that I have mine I want to find a large 21 insingo but I can't find one anywhere.
Archman had problems with the action on his 31, and the problem was the stop pin.
And I AM a machinist, so I certainly appreciate your dive into the details here.
Never liked the double inlays-the reason why I did not purchase- however that single inlay is nice! Great style review as always Rob!
I’ve been drooling over sebenzas for a long long time and now put an order in for 31 and second guessing myself on 21. I’m sure I’ll end up with both after I handle it lol.
Just bought a sebenza 21 small and large can't wait to get them. I have the small 31 but always wanted the 21
Thank you my friend
I just got my first 31. I definitely agree with you on the stop pin. I have had many chris Reeve knives and they all had perfect blade centering. My large 31 and others I am seeing, the blade is not centered. I didn’t get a good look but it almost looked like one of your 31’s had the same issue. I haven’t seen anyone talk about this issue.
You’re the best reviewer in the game, AP!
Man...this may be the one that pushes me over the edge. Sweet knife!
The small Sebenza 31 With a Micarta inlay is my new edc. My wife didn't like my Microtech Ultratech OTF . It was too scary for her and very hard to close for me only. She likes my new knife and I can open it in public with her present! It is a true gentlemen's knife.
Steve from Missouri
Please comment
Im carrying a "live free or die" small 21, I just ordered a small 31 "come and take it". I really like the natural micarta variant 31. Take care Steve, your neighbor in w ky
Get a new wife.
I'm still digging coins out of my sofa and other people's sofas just to try to purchase the 21's I want. So now I guess I'll be at intersections holding a sign, "Saving for Sebenza's please help!"
I concur entirely 👍
I like your message pertaining to, staying true to Jesus... amen for that brother, question. I believe in 2014 you published a video about a sebenza 21 that had the symbolic wood inlays. the symbolism was from Darkness to light and that only happens through the blood. Awesome symbolism I will say, and do you still own that sebenza or did it move on to someone else. And then finding out you service sebenza to only make them better. Is good information and when I'm ready to have mines done how can I get ahold of you. Sincerely brother in the faith Manny Lopez.
Thanks for the comment, Manny! I absolutely still own “Grace.” I’ll have that one until I go home to be with The Lord.
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of that inlay profile. Perhaps I’ll change my mind if BHQ releases their usual carbon fiber version.
I love this. I'm a loyal subscriber, but this channel needs more knife reviews.
i am missing the knife reviews recently. He was some of the most technical reviews in the community.
I feel like he buys knives, they're not centered, he sells em. Lol. Idk.
I have purchased many of knives because of these reviews.
I agree. Nobody does them better.
Clanting the clip was to remove the added pressure on the lock bar, not te finger. And it functions very well.
I realize that was the official explanation, but I’m not sure I believe it totally. I lessen lockbar tension on 21s quite often when tuning actions, without touching the clips. The pocket clip isn’t the determining factor - the lockbar is. That said, the clip tension is more consistent with it resting in the frame rather than the lockbar.
@@TheApostleP how do you lessen the lockbar tension I may need to get this done when I send my knife into you is that part of the spa treatment and what method do you use to go about lessening the lock bar tension on my crk inkosi
At around 23:20 you suggest the larger diameter ceramic bearing should be smoother - could you explain that? Curvature is greater for a sphere with a smaller radius, so I would think the point of contact would smaller, and thus smoother, for a smaller diameter object.
Hard to say at what diminished diameter a ball riding over a surface becomes a stylus, catching in the surface imperfections of the blade. As it’s perceived by the user, it would be the point at which the lessening of frictional effort is superseded by the “catchiness” of the ball in those imperfections. TBH, I don’t really know when that happens. But as a perception, I’ve always thought my Umnumzaan and Inkosi feel smoother along their opening arc than by Sebenzas. Since the detent ball is the only component under tension against the blade, my intuition tells me that’s the difference. But I don’t know for sure.
@@TheApostleP Ah! I hadn't considered that at a certain size the sphere would experience more resistance from any inconsistency in the surface. The same effect is seen when you have a 29" bicycle wheel vs the conventional 26"-not only is angular momentum greater in the larger diameter once at speed (not relevant to detent balls), but rough surfaces are also more smoothly traversed by the larger diameter wheel. Very cool and interesting. Thank you for the response.
The action has considerably more variation on my 31. It still has a premium feel, but it doesn’t compare to the 21 I purchased a month after my 31. Thinking about sending the 31 back, but I use them anyway so it’s not the biggest deal. You can tell the difference. It’s not the lock bar tension, it’s the variation in the feel during deployment. Could be a cost cutting or production efficiency decision. Wait times on a new order are ludicrous because people always want them, and they obviously take the time to build a quality product. The knife still works and it’s still a Sebenza. But it’s not THE STANDARD Chris Reeve started with. However I now have the inkosi, 21, 31 (all larges) and an umnumzaan on the way.
How would the Sebenza 21 or 31 work out as a hunting knife for field dressing deer?
Very well indeed if you like a folder of this size for field dressing. They’re both easy to clean and maintain (get the blood and guts out).
I glad rob brought the stop pin issue to our attention. That was the first time I heard about thanks. I have one coming I kind of feel a little bamboozled
But tbh the stop pin is factually stronger on the 31 compared to 21. It is a stronger steel to begin with and is heat treated, also it’s one piece which seems more solid to me than a pin going through a sleeve
@@anthonyb2990 to be honest it may break easier because of the corner cuts and it's as said by rob, not as precise on all fronts, so the old pin might have less play than the new one, which also contributes to how solid the overal construction is going to be.
Thanks Ron. I am now a loyal sub. Haha.. Maybe one day I will even "Win" one of your purchase opportunities : ) Watching your vids and trying to pull the trigger on DLT for a CRK. Tempted to just get a Damascus Blade. Any knife I own will be used.
Harder to adjust for pivot tension after disassembly on the 31. 21s go together better, IMO.
How may I contact you? Just got a 21 that I would sharpened...Thanks!
Email me at rob.bixby65@gmail.com
I think the 21 will really increase in value over time. Really dig the 21
It’s already happening 👍
User 2389 I love the 31 now that I have one! ROWLECKS!!! LMAO
Your point at 22:36 I have owned 3 large 21, micarta, insingo, and standard.. and now I own a standard large 31. The wear in time is sooo much longer for the bigger ceramic ball to create that smooth track into the harder blade. Atleast in my experience is the wear in period is a lot longer but it does eventually get there just like the tiny ceramic detent ball of the 21.
I love my 31 just as much as the 21.
And my understanding that the stop pin was changed to improve strength. Not sure if it’s heat treated to a higher level. That I don’t know. But I do remember reading that it had to do with strength of the stop pin. I swapped my pivot bushing and washers from my broken in large 21 to my large 31 and now that the ceramic interface has worn in its track shiny as can me-- omg Sebenza smooth!!
I do see your point on the dimension!
Also I have a big fat thumb, the increased space behind the thumb stub is a welcomed change! The 31 is slightly larger in its finger choil compared to a 21. It’s super hard to see unless you have both of them side to side.
I will always have a 21 and a 31 in my collection!
it is heat treated and it's a different steel (tougher more robust)
There was a tendency for people to squeeze the clip while trying to unlock the knives, thus putting pressure directly on the lockbar. This made the knives difficult to unlock. That is why they changed the clip to partially rest on the frame.
Wrong
Sean H well it wasn’t to solve a hot spot issue so why then? If you’re gonna disagree with someone at least give your reasoning 🤷🏻♂️
They moved the clip to take tension off the lock bar
I’m sure you’ve owned and handled many 31s since you put this video out. How do you feel about it in 2024? Worthy update?
Great question Bob! The short answer is that I’m not selling any 21s to buy 31s. The one-piece machined stop pin has too much variability in the effective length dimension. It affects the parallelism of the scales and makes the action feel odd, not smooth, and kinda crappy actually.
The old process used 3 precision ground bushings - pivot, stop pin and tail. They had a height tolerance of +- .00015”. A CNC lathe simply can’t do that, and it is essential to making a Sebenza feel like a Sebenza.
Well dang.
My small 31 has terrible up and down play, and it’s been in for warranty and still came back the same way! I would love to send you the video of the play on Instagram it’s really bizarre
Nice vid but 21 all the way. I dont like new clip position. And it not sinks in in the handle when the knife is opened.
Not a fan of the redesigned clip placement on the 31. You can't improve on perfection. So glad you found the Achilles heel of this knife (stop pin).
Stop pin on the 31 is heat treated and a tougher steel so if anything it's stronger than the 21
@@anthonyb2990 but if it isn't machined properly, you're going to run into issues like many have seen with the 31. This analysis (The ApostleP's) explains a lot of the issues people are having with this knife. BTW, I haven't broken a single 21 or Regular Sebenza stop pin in all the years I've owned them.
@@ReclusiveMountainMan same here. I agree with you 100%
I've herd that they canted the clip to remove excess lock bar pressure . people complained that when resting their fingers on the clip it caused deadlock .
Time will tell. In the meantime the 31 is a CRK and it dazzles.
with the magnacut in 63-64 hrc, the new sebbies are REALLY a lot better than the old ones, sorry but that's a FACT.
I have the large 25 it's a real great peace
I know how detailed you are. I have a slim midi Medford and I'm thinking about trading it or selling it for a Chris. Not happy with fit and finish. I can see .005 on account of my old job.
I'm a hard use knife kinda guy. I use my zt 804 as a pry bar and its never broke. I've used it as a screw driver more than once. I've actually thought about breaking off the tip.
I sharpen mine with 20° then 22° bevel. It's with a wicked edge.
I agree that it defeats the purpose of a Sebenza. Next they'll make a Zero Tolerance Sebenza and stamp ZT on it. lol
And .0005 is about the best you can achieve with properly set up calipers. Even that is questionable. .001 is maybe more accurate.
Absolutely true.
I'm a Regular kind of guy. No need for all these newfangled designs. Should've stayed with the pinnacle when they reached it.
Two issues...
1) Lock Rock...Push down on the joint while supporting the front and rear of the knife and there will be movement..
2) Inferior steel to much cheaper and other mid level knives.
The joint?
I’m saving money for a Chris reeves large sebenza 31 plain right hand model
£2000 worth of steel
Ego
In my experience as an owner of 17 Chris Reeve and 18 Medfords that Chris Reeve are phenomenal BUT I have experienced 18% of my CRK’s with very slightly off center blades - I returned them - big pet peeve of mine. So far not one of my Medford knives have strayed from total perfection. I still love both and are the onion knives in my collection.