Sharing my perspective on, and appreciation for Chris Reeve Knives
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Nothing ground-breaking here, but my thoughts on Chris Reeve knives, why I love them, dispelling the stupid "flicking voids your warranty" rumor, and more.
In case the annotations aren't working, I did add this edit:
Sorry guys, I was distracted when I shot this. The Small Sebenza is actually a REGULAR (not a Classic) and the Large Sebenza I have is a CLASSIC. I do not own a Sebenza 21. The difference between a Classic and a 21 is minor and involves additional bevelling on the front end of the knife. The Classic was an improved version of the ORIGINAL Sebenza made. They retired the original, made the REGULAR, then went to the Classic, then the 21.
"Do the damn job right or don't do it at all" (Chris Reeve)
I've been carrying a UMNUMZAAN now for about 3 weeks and let me tell you----- I see, feel, and have experienced the quality in craftsmanship and manufacturing. You absolutely get what you paid for!!!! I live my umnumzaan!!!!! Great vid Jim! Love your honesty and bluntness. I agree with the whole wrist vs. thumb flick!! Any knife if you build up enough force and velocity with your wrist can cause wear on it, CHRIS REEVE is exactly what you said, a forward thinker. He's built what I consider are generational products. A knife that one day my grandchildren will own as it is past along to them!
Rene Chavez Chris would save money if he implemented a hardened steel lockbar insert and it would be easier for the owner to address and fix lockbar wear.
Really enjoy your reviews, Jim.
I watched your video half a dozen times and decided to make the leap. I bought a large Sebenza 21 with snakewood inlays and basket weave damascus. I wanted my first Chris Reeve product to be something special.
That's a beautiful collection you have there. I've heard the same things about Chris Reeve, thank you for clearing that up. I've been intrigued by his knifes since I've heard of them and that interest grew with your video. Great video, thank you for sharing.
Ok, I'll buy it, tommarrow! Really. I was on the fence between Winkler and Reeve. After hearing you, its deffinitly Reeve! Thanks!
Absolutely great video! Extremely informative! I have no problem not flicking the blade or with Chris Reeve telling me that wrist flicking wears things quicker. He is simply giving us info to help us enjoy our knives longer or without interruption.
Thanks for taking the time to post a really nice review. Also I appreciate you addressing the "flicking" thing, hilariously saying that doing so will "irk 6 people out there". Love that. I've seen some white-hot angry YT videos and comments about CR and his purported snobbishness which I have never experienced. Funny how Chris Reeve lays his factory open to cameras, and the 2 part factory visit, as well as other interviews with Reeve can be seen online. He's as accessible (if not more so) than any other knife maker I've dealt with at this time, he publicly shows the world the absolute precision of the engineering and his designs, and still you get the detractors. I think you just can't please everyone. Anyways, great video, really enjoyed it and will hopefully be adding to my CR collection soon.
Only issue I've had with CRK: the person who does the sharpening (edge bevel) in the past few years grinds them unevenly and misses the belly to tip area. So the edge apex is off-center occasionally and the area from the belly to the tip does not shave arm hair. Missing the apex is more of an issue than the not getting the belly to tip sharpened. 8/10 are prefectly sharp and the edge apex is fairly centered. 2/10 have sharpener-related issues. Aside from that, they are mechanically perfect. The bushing pivot is genius. Well thought out knives.
I finally bought my grail knife. My first Chris Reeves knife. The large inkosi with insingo blade carbon fiber edition. I finally understand. 2 things I think now after handling my first Chris Reeves knife. Quality over quantity. Why would I purchase any other makers knife.
Great Review. From someone that has owned dozens and dozens of CRK, I could not agree more. Again, great Review.
Been watching since the summer of 2013. Have my first true high quality purchase on the way right now, small 21 spalted beech dual gold lug with polished slabs and millit clip. Looking forward to it.
That small sebbie's called a regular Jim
the unique graphic you got there is a classic..
the classics, are 21's more or less, but it's got classic ingraved on the top of the backside..
really liking the unique you have there, and again a great video!
my sebenza is duller towards the tip and that is the way i got it which might piss some people off but it makes me happy because i know that they are sharpened by hand.
The only thing I do not like about CR knives is their edges are a little thick and sometimes they do not come sharp at the tips particularly in the Umnumzaan. I think the new Sebenza 25 addresses that a little bit though. The fit and finish is near perfect and tolerances are the best in the industry.
Yes, recently watched them after seeing your comment. GREAT vids!!!! They did highlight that machine i was talking about that shaves down the slabs to the same specs across the board. They did a great job on those vids.
Chis Reeves makes knives for users that want to sharpen their knives. He doesn't make blades impossible to sharpen like a lot of other manufacturers.
if you buy a CRK, you buy yourself a smile. These knives are guaranteed to please.
sebenzas are like glocks. take ten identical models, take them apart and throw them in a box, shake the box and put the parts back together. everything will fit perfectly!
Tactical X-Rays amen
Tactical X-Rays I paid more for my Sebenza21 than I did for my Glock23 ...lol
Wrong
Tactical X-Rays except there is no need to upgrade all the parts (sights, trigger, grip/stippling, grip angle and under cut...etc). It’s more like a Dan Wesson or STI 1911/2011. CR uses best quality to begin with. That’s why there 101 companies that are there only to fix and upgrade Glocks ie. Salient, Zev,..etc.
Sword Hunter it’s worth a lot more as well. Go and sell them and it will show you what people think about the products worth. The comparing a glock to a Chris Reeves custom is an insult to Chris. Compare him to real custom guns that you don’t have to replace parts on just to make it as good as the competitors.
Great video. Enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I think Sebenza is #1.
I just purchased an Andre De Villiers mini butcher with v milling but I really am considering the Sebenza 25 for my next purchase.
But there is something different about a Chris Reeve, it's hard to describe. You did an excellent job at it do!
Gotta agree with kNife Nut here. I'm considering trading out a portion of my collection in hopes of getting a sebenza, or an sng. looked up youtube reviews and heard all of these ridiculous things about how great the sebenzas are but how they arent worth it at all and I finally watched your review. Thanks for the honest down to earth-no BS review. keep doin your thing cuz you do an awesome job.
Yes it was. I do have a full video just on that knife on my channel
Have 3 sebenzas my first is 20 years old and going strong. CRK have stood the test of time. Also have two of his large hollow handle survival knives. All great stuff...
Dude, you nailed it. The best review I have seen on CRKs
I agree, there is an intangible "thing" about CRK that is hard to put into words and explain to others. There are a lot of high quality knives made to extremely tight tolerances, and may even have a similar design concept.. but only CRK is CRK when it's in the hand
Amen brother! I love my small Sebenza and my Umnumzaan Tanto, I also own some top end customs
Came across your channel quite by accident. I bought quite a few watches when you were on tv, a am excited to find out you are a knife knut as well.
100% truth thanks brother
I may buy a small sebenza this year, stuck between it and a strider ED fixed blade.
His knives are worth every penny...you won't know until you hold one in your hand....its worth it and then some. Its like driving a Ferrari, but for only $400 :)
Love Chris Reeves Knives. He’s great, but I would like some of that quality put into a flipper made by CR.
Would be nice, I agree.
Congrats on the MK&T win!
H2o Kalmar. 3000m diver in titanium, and thank you!
Hey Jim, another great video. Thanks, now I want a Sebenza too. I have to hold one in my hand before I pull the trigger. I just don't "see" the quality that everyone talks about. Also, for you to say that this would be your take to the moon knife, over all your crazy custom blades, what else can I say, I need to check one out.
I have an umnum with very similar anodizing as yours!
Hi, Jim - First an apology to the others who read this, but I hope you don't mind.
I have nothing but production knives under the $200 mark, but I hope to reward myself with ONE higher price knife in the next year as a reward (royalties for publishing my first book). Catch is, I have some arthritis in my hands, so a lot of manual knives hurt to deploy. Assisted knives and even some ball baring flippers seem okay, but I've even tried to open Benchmades and groaned in pain with the attempt. A Spyderco for me is NOT a one-handed opener with that neat little hole - I don't have the strength in my hand, so it's a two-handed opener.
So if I were to get one knife in the $300-800 range that could be my EDC (3-3 3/4" blade, I'd estimate) can you give me a recommendation? Light weight? Yes. Good in hand? Yes. But easy to deploy for a guy who has pain when he opens a knife! You've held and played with all the stuff I drool over - the Sebenzas, the Brouses, what would you recommend to someone with arthritic hands?
Thanks for your time and a very enjoyable CZcams channel.
Bob Jordan
San Diego
You could always go with most of the brous flippers, or you could try to get a bodega, a little bit out of you're price point if you can get it custom, a lot more on the 2ndary market
You could try something with a flipper :)
I'm assuming you'd want a flipper, I own a reate k-3 and I could not find any complaints. I held most reate knives at sydney knife show and they were all easy to open, snappy, and gorgeous looking flippers so I would start there, you get quality and a gorgeous knife for a great price too.
Bob Jordan what knife did you end up getting?
Much as I hate to say it you definitely don't want any Chris Reeve knives then they can be a little painful to open and there is most definitely a learning curve
They really are fine tools. I prefer the basic models; the models without the embellishments. He needs to hire a visual artist to do that. I have yet to see a Chris Reeve knife with graphics that aren't cheesy and in most cases downright ugly. Still, I appreciate your thoughts on these great pieces of metallurgical engineering.
A truly classic knife!
just got a large 21 a couple days ago and really like it it is smooth smooth. but its tight blade will not drop free when lockbar pressure is removed. thus i can not flick it when i flick it opens 1/2-3/4 i hope it will break in or i guess i will have to do the jdavis washer mod. dont want to though lol
Their all so beautiful 😢
not a fan of the graphics. the sebenza with wood inlays looks the best to me.
Great vid as usual. Good points, well spoken, awesome vid quality(HD). Keep it up. You see the Blade HQ, CRK shop tour vids? Good stuff.
Love the crosshairs regular small sebbie.
great review... thinking about getting chris reeve/wilson combat collaboration.... based on unnumzaan with newer style pivot bolt...
I want one now!!!
is it still your favorite top manufacturer Jim Skelton?
I haven't seen any decline in their quality. I'm sure due to the number of knives they produce, and the demand keeps growing, that there are bound to be defects arriving to the consumer at some point. But Chris is adamant about having the smallest defect rate in the business, so I feel confident in saying that he probably has the lowest defect rate (percentage) in the industry for like-quality brands that sell a similar amount of units per year.
I doubt you would need to sharpen it often unless you are cutting through wires or extremely dirty cardboard. S35vn the way Chris treats it is top notch.
Wow, thank you!
@jim - do you still have a Sebenza in your collection?
Oh you know he does
Excellent video. Thanks for making it!
I only played with one for a few minutes and wasn't a fan of the system. Still made to his typical stellar quality, just not my style. It seems like every vid I upload, someone mentions Grimsmo in the comments lately lol. I guess his stuff seems like a good fit for my style, but I don't like the Norseman honestly. Maybe it's the honeycomb that is killing it for me
Hey Jim I just recently stumbled across your channel and the more I watch, the more I gain an appreciation for good quality knives and I decided that I would indulge myself this Christmas and buy one. I was thinking either the Carbon fiber sebenza exclusive from knife art or the sebenza with carbon fiber inlays exclusive from blade hq, so my question would be have you handled either of the blades in question and which one would you prefer? Because you have a vast amount of more knowledge than I do on the matter I would appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Thanks, Nick
nickchang07 idk if ur still deciding but theyre both sebenzas so id go for the one you want more. They both going to be practically perfect
that middle knife looks a bit bad ass, I never looked to purchase one, but that middle knife the "omnomsom" I would take and nomnom that knife
crudkick umnumzaan*
Thanks!!
CRK are The Best,I love my Sebenza Umnuumzan Mnandi above all my other knives,I have yet to see another knife maker to compare with Chris in terms of Perfection in work.Ive got Strider Microtech Hinderer even The highly priced Japanese Rockstead,yet CRK is still my favourite.
His knives are amazing. I just don’t understand the thumb stud.
Is this a good tactical knife in your opinion? It is beautiful but what about the traction and lack of thumb guards? Just wondering.
Dude that Umnum is gorgeous. I haven't finished watching yet so I'm not sure if you answer this but was it done by Chris Martin from Phantom Steelworks?
i go with the crowd your "zann" is astonishing.
but i have a question,some reviewers say that today the quality control on CRK declined a lot compared with past models.
most of all with the big sellers like the 21 and the umnumzaan.dont know how much of it is true but like i said in another video you did im not a "pocket full all the month"kind if a guy so when i think to put so much money on a folder,its scares me the idea of get a fail.even if is a tiny chance that it will happen to me.
Guess I need to buy another one....Jim’s fault again....
@Dick Fageroni yes. Clearly a $30 Chinese knife is every bit the equal of the Sebenza. That's why everyone owns one, and CRK has been forced out of business.
In my opinion - Every knife ( doesn't matter production knife or custom knife ) - should be made well enough to use it.
I don't understand what do you mean abusing stopper ?
I like to open knife hard with a good kick.
I used cheap knives all the time & never broke the blade stopper. Maybe blade stoppers on Cris Reeve knifes are weak.? or made of cheap material.?
Over $-100+ knifes should handle any way opening - easy or hard.
I can understand when people throw pocket knives at trees and expect them to be that strong as a fixed blade.., but not open knife harder than usual & damaged blade stopper.
I can't believe this could be an issue for warranty.
Are you referring to the stop pins?
All stop pins are hardened steel, in any quality knife. But that isn’t the point.
Hard abuse like wrist-flicking, can cause damage that isn’t normal wear & tear. The stop pin is set into titanium, which is softer than hardened steel. And the pivot barrel is hardened steel that’s in a hole cut into the titanium. Repeated slamming against the stop pin can cause a stop pin to push the titanium and make it out-of-round, and also do the same to the pivot hole. Those variances will cause lock rock and other issues due to the tolerances being affected. It could be a $50 knife or a $50,000 knife… it’s not a quality thing, it’s about how much the softer titanium can withstand.
All knives are meant to be used. Just like a car. But you don’t take a Bentley to go mudding, that’s not what it was designed for. A Jeep is. It doesn’t matter that the Bentley cost 20X more than the Jeep, one was designed for a certain use and the other simply wasn’t
Jim, how do you feel about this review after all the newer knives you have received since this review was published?
Damn good question. While I don't really buy production knives anymore, and I rarely buy a midtech... the Sebby is still such a great knife. The ergos, the compactness, the ease of carry, great utilitarian edge, smoothness in the action... just such a damn well made knife. And within the Sebenza line you can buy a strict user for $425, or go exotic to match up with your fancier customs buy getting a Unique or CGG in Damascus and you have one hell of a fine showpiece in addition to the utility.
Jim Skelton but with so many amazing midtechs coming out now, whether it be the first run Hoback Kwaiback with a lot of hands on work, the ADV's, or the Southard Avo... does CRK still fit in comparatively?
Jim Skelton Would you say that you've changed your view on using knives like this. I mean, you use your Battle, i'm assuming you use your Stan Wilson, your Tarsus, the list goes on lol. Would you use the unique Sebenza now?
chickensodelicious he sold it a long time ago
Jim Skelton would you ever plan on reviewing another mikkel willumsen whether it be the perock, tyran, or something more?
Im never going to be able to have enuff to get a custom i just wanted to know do u do give aways wen u get knives from people
Oh man, I HATE those knives that don't feel quite the same as before you took it apart. But I most certainly don't see that in higher end knives, Strider, CRK, Spydie, ZT etc etc
Good honest review...👍
big difference is in the price!
I love my Sebenza. When I'm not carrying the folder I made. I carry a Chris Reeve sebenza.
What are your thoughts on the Ti Lock? I absolutely love mine! It's one of his most underrated but I think one of his best IMO! Also what are your your thoughts on the John Grimsmo Norseman CNC machined knife he's producing?
whats up man congrats on the medford
I love my crks !
Even if its lost or stolen !
I see Chris reeve as Rolex beautiful watch and a beautiful knife but tough and solid and won't be phased by daily use and a little abuse
any issues with pocket clip... my friend's sebenza... pocket clip seems to be softer metal... bends too easily?
It's Titanium m8
You're welcome :)
MICROTECH. states sharpening or having there knives sharpend VOIDS there warranty, basically stating, you may not as well use our knives cause when it gets dull that's it.
Chris reeve is a true South African. Do it yourself. Haha great video Jim Skelton
skyclad
I don't know, but I'm still living in South Africa 👌
Jordz Van 6299 hey how you holding up over there? With all that stuff in the news going on?
@Jim - Are there any machine marks on the sebenza? If so.. where?
Yea
Would you sell the large sabenza unique to me ?
Ughhh Jim, watching this makes me want a CRK even more! Hahaha
LOL!! Thanks
is the omonsom knife straight from Chris R
I think you can even "hear" the quality of these knives.
Wine of the knifes is like a senrenmu 710
Also as you can see, i viewed and commented on this video 2 months ago, and now I'm in the CRK FAMILY, thru owning my UMNUMZAAN!!!!!
cheers to you jim, as your vids feed my knife addiction!! 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
The 21 is a whole different knife, you should check one out and handle one if you can, but be warned, I can almost guarantee you'll want that one as well.
also were did u get your lanyards ?
I ordered a large sebennza 21 :D
the more I'm around this knife thing the more clear it becomes "Chris Reeve knives" are the best EDC option........so well made, they're close to boring....
Amazing review, I subbed.
The iphone of knives
have you had any emersons? cqc7?
He’s against WRIST FLICKING not flicking in general
Jim buddy yo are killing my bank account here buddy. lol!!!!
mop on the sebenza looks like a snowman lol
Think twice buy once :-D
GOD you talk a lot...LOL thanks for the great vid. I can't wait for the next one :)
No offense, But Katana is pronounces Ka Ta Na (Kata-na) not ku tan ah they have pronouncing websites to conferm this BTW I can't wait for my puzzle piece(enigma) design Sebenza
When I think about Chris Reeve I think about James Cameron