2020 Best or Worst knife: Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 ?!?

[@matthewconroy8156]

In my experience, there is absolutely no issue with using purple loctite on this knife. The screw backing out is not really an issue worth sending the knife back, as others have mentioned, just put even the smallest bit of loctite on the pivot and it should stay put. The sebenza is not designed to have the pivot tightened or loosened for you to get your desired action out of the blade. the pivot should be snugged down super tight and in theory it shouldn't move, especially with a little loctite. Watch Tim's video on disassembly. If you aren't getting the desired action with the pivot tightened down all the way then the pivot bushing and or washers need to be adjusted/polished to remove material, which you should send back to crk to do but you could do yourself. My recommendation with a Chris Reeve knife is to call CRK directly and they will always take care of the customer. I think a lot of what has been said in this video would be very different if you called Chris Reeve Knives before making it. People get stuck in their ways and they blast that all over the forums and their way is always the only way. There is some good info on there but also a lot of bad info. Call CRK directly, they will give you the right advice.

[@RobertOrtiz1015]

Exactly

[@Phaminator525]

Thats the incredible part about CRK sebenza. Its so precise that you dont need to adjust action. best knife ive ever had.

[@ramonade_knives]

@@Phaminator525 I've been starting to buy CRKs. I got a Small 21 and a Large Inkosi. The Sebenza is so much better when it comes to getting back to that perfect smooth action. Just make everything snug and it's done. I had to disassemble my Inkosi 5 or 6 times before it got a better action than impossible to open one handed or blade rubbing on showscale. Even now it's not completely centered. I think I'm gonna look for a Large 31 (I found a 21, but I wonder how good the 31 is)

[@donnyh3497]

My stop pin screw fell out on me after opening and closing a few hundred times and I just put locktite on it and its fine. I also backed out the pivot screw a fraction of a degree and locktited it and the action is butter smooth and perfect. I will run it in the last fraction after the washers wear in a little. I absolutely love this knife!

[@robadams2274]

Found this video because I've recently been thinking of buying another new Sebenza. I've owned around 100 knives, including some cheap Chinese stuff and some Cutlery Corner garbage and never had a pivot screw fall out under light use. This is absolutely unacceptable at any price point, let alone hundreds of dollars.

[@h-sa4771]

Thanks fot the greatt video. I owen a 21 large for almost 7 years and took it appart and put it togehter for probably 25 times. I never had any issue and did it fit perfectly every time. In June 2021 I bought a large 31 and in the box there was included locktight, which I used after taking it appart for the first time maybe one day after the purchase. I had no issues at all like with my 21. Its absolutely fantastic. Maybre they solved the problem with the screws by using adifferen thread or anything else. My 31 ist of 2021 production and therefore it is highly probably the fiixed the problem or the locktight did the trick, honestly, I do not know. Nevertheless the sebenzas are my grail knives and I`m happy to own them. Greeting from Germany

[@JackGHobbies]

I have Small PJ 31 and after adding blue loctite it’s been perfect. Love it. Consider it a must have.

[@pascaldederichs608]

Honest and informative, unagitated and differentiated. Thank you. It's almost the same mixed feelings I have for crk. My small Seb 21 has lock fail, the mnandi Bock oak was the best I ever owned talking bout quality. I EDC the small inkosi now and it's great, gives you ton of blade side stability and a nice walk and talk. I was thinking bout getting the 31, but now that I know that it will need lock tight too, I can stick to the inkosi as well. You should have much more subscribers. Greetings from Germany and take care.

[@JackGHobbies]

Can't thank you enough for the positive sentiment! I'm humbled and wish you the best during these challenging times. My ancestry is German, and I hope to visit, and/or live in Germany some day. Wish I could share my family name.

[@hyssean12]

I own 3 sebenza and carry on each day. Never had a screw back out. Tighten them with the Allen until the tool bends just a bit.

[@jamesstephenson2346]

​@@hyssean12no. 8 in lbs is the correct tq. That is per crk. If you can't do it right, don't do it.

[@tallica4life81]

I think I have more enjoyment out of my hinderers but I know I’ll absolutely enjoy my new large 31 unique version I just bought. Yes it was a lot more expensive than my hinderers were from factory but once you include all the aftermarket work I’ve done from regrinds, scales, and hardware they come out more expensive than the 600 dollar unique large 31 in s45vn I picked up.

[@thestig007]

Steel screws should gall up against titanium. It's definitely an issue if you need loctite on a Sebenza.

[@hyssean12]

Yep. All my sebenzas gall when you disassemble the knife each screw has a little pop to break it loose.

[@dumperspydiehoe298]

If you don’t LT the pivot it will keep on coming out. because of friction it will happen, i mean basically all my knives i either put some Teflon tape on the pivot or LT. and any knife can take LT, it really isn’t a problem knife, you just need to take care of it. none the less good review. it’s good to see a non biased CRK reviews.

[@spyhunter6411]

Teflon tape huh? Like for plumbing? It works and doesn't cause undue friction? It seems a great idea to me that I've not heard before

[@dumperspydiehoe298]

@@spyhunter6411 yeah it works well and it’s less messy than Locktite. if you take a small strip of teflon take and you wrap it around the pivot threads and screw it back into place i can assure you it won’t come lose any time soon

[@brianh9575]

What made a Sebenza a Sebenza, and the reason you pay $400 - $500 for a Chris Reeve knife, is that it is engineered to such a high tolerance that everything fits together and stays together on its own. These high tolerances and fit and finish were the essence of the CRK brand. The fact that the newer products are requiring Locktite to perform the way the older products do, suggests a decline in quality of production and engineering. I've been a fan of CRK for 17 years. It's sad to see such a great product decline in quality. With Chris Reeve no longer involved in the company I doubt the will right the ship. Really disappointing.

[@EssenceofPureFlavor]

They don't "require" Locktite. It's 100% optional on the Sebenza. It's made just as well as it ever was.

[@cwrowe]

No spyderco PM2?

[@AnthonySmith-sc4zs]

I just got the rhino small 31. I’m blown away honestly. Love it.

[@tomsmyth5138]

My favourite edc knife is the PM2

[@dlife7427]

Tom Cruise "flicked" his open in the movie Collateral. Do you think it developed blade play? Lol

[@MrJohnny333]

I ordered the large 31 with black micarta inlays

[@chaseeubank2071]

Pretty sure I’m going to put in an order for a large 31 soon. Your other video eased my “lock rock” fears. I put thread locker on everything anyways so that’s no biggie.

[@davidkeefe9468]

great review. I am still on the fence. I love my TRM newtron so much. Not sure there much to improve upon for almost double the price

[@joe1745ny]

a question then a point. source of “background noise” @ 12:35? tightening pivot works when contralateral middle finger backs up the provided tool.

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

I just ordered this knife with bog oak inlays...

[@JackGHobbies]

Congrats! I had one in my cart but couldn’t pull the trigger. Share a pic when you get it!

[@longbowsafari9974]

I just got mine last week-love it! It's a beautiful wood but the history of it adds to the apeal if you know what I mean!

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

IMO, it really doesn't get better than a Sebenza 21. With the Sebenza 31, they fixed things in search of a problem and created a few while trying. The last Sebenza while Chris was at the helm of the company was a 21. I own and have owned several Sebenza 21s.

[@georgehafidz6262]

21 is still the king...more modern shiite from most companies is just trying to squeeze profits out of us for inferior products.. the so called "production optimization" phase of a company

[@kerrykitterman4602]

Customer Service is Number ONE .when We spend this much MONEY .QUALITY IS THERE, But could be Better.,! .3 inch Hender Rocks ✌️

[@optimuscrime608]

You sent it back because the screw backed out?😂 Loctite the damn thing and carry on

[@JackGHobbies]

Everyone save for a few people recommended strongly against loctite and said send it back. Passionate people with years of 21’s said it’s by design not require it. CRK said they had spare 222 loctite is why they started shipping it in the box in later months. idk but thanks for the comment

[@dlife7427]

Both sebenzas I had terrible centering and the same pivot issues. I tried the usual and then just said fuck it and sold them both. Figured I just got lemons.

[@optimuscrime608]

@@JackGHobbies I was just giving you shit. A knife this expensive should be perfect. You shouldn’t have to worry about it. I feel you

[@JackGHobbies]

@@optimuscrime608 lol - no worries. I don't take things to heart (thick skin, trolled my whole life). I love ya man ;-)

[@chrisaguirre7018]

@@JackGHobbies I have a Zaan from 2016 that came with loctite. I've seen videos from 7 years ago that showed them putting loctite on at the factory.

[@TheVince1995]

I had 2 21s and I have a large 31 now. The 21 was a lot smoother than my 31

[@JackGHobbies]

My 31 is getting smoother every day. Popping out of the hole is getting better. Drop of Nano 10 helps the break in. Thanks for the comment. Stay well! Mahalo

[@Xanduur]

Best advice…call the company and ask them for advice. STAY AWAY from forums. Nothing good comes from those forums. Use a little lock tiite and get on with your life. Also, stop compulsively opening and closing your knives. Hundreds or thousands of times…really?

[@OLMmedic]

I would rather have a 21 again

[@JackGHobbies]

It would be a tough call on which one. I did a video on the differences if your interested. Stay well and thanks for the comment!

[@CNYKnifeNerd]

Did you really need 17 minutes to say "I don't understand how screws work"??

[@sebs30v]

CRK over rated, over priced, over engineered. Interesting the old sebenzas did not have these issues.

[@jerrychen2604]

Honestly thought you had to loctite the 21, if I remember it came with blue loctite

[@JackGHobbies]

The CRK group (check out the forums) is strongly opposed to loctite on the 21 due to it being unnecessary by design of the pivot collar. Thanks for the comment!

[@yamkaw346]

You sent a knife back because a screw backed out? Huh?

[@ManafterYahsownheart]

That’s too much to deal with for a $450 knife.

[@shadeshiest22]

Geezus are you serious? You had to return a brand new CRK “twice” for the exact SAME defect/problem on TWO separate model knives from even two different distributors?? It was so “used” with quickly rubbed off thumb stud paint, and beat in scratches from only around 100 simple careful “inspection” openings that bladeHq wouldn’t return it? Yet knifecenter returned it even after two months? With the price tag and reputation CRK(and BladeHq) has its pretty shitty they didn’t return it, even though it would be no problem for them to return it to CRK for a new one to easily sell or send you… Hell I can’t believe you even had these kinds of issues in the first place, that is just UNACCEPTABLE! That’s like buying a brand new Mercedes or BMW and having the steering wheel just fall off on the drive home! TWICE!

[@tomsmyth5138]

The thumb stud is awful it hurts my thumb

[@beck4218]

Dude, get you hand out of the way for size comps.

[@iLLBuddy]

Sounds like you have some screws loose haha

[@cwrowe]

You should never have to put anything on a $450 knife from factory…..??? Shame on Mr. Reeve. If there is a problem fix not send customer lock tight.

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

What a big baby-complaining about a pivot screw backing out; you know CRKs come with Loctite right?

[@JackGHobbies]

They do now, but they didn’t originally

[@MB-wq8cp]

The most overated trash knife ever made.

[@111111111Tiger]

Overpriced Ti folder IMO. In todays knife world there are much better investments for the price. Better steels / builds and materials. CRK lives off the old man's "reputation". They hardly ever come out with anything new. Too conservative to try anything new OR get out of the box. I bought 2 Inkosi and sold them. Couldn't get close to my investment back and they were LNIB. Reate, WE Knives, Spyderco. Shiro make better knives (IMO) YOU shouldn't have to "fix" a $400 knife.

[@JackGHobbies]

Hey Tiger, Thanks for comment. Curious what specific knife you like in that price range for a Ti and 3". Also haven't found a Shiro in that config for a decent price. Why did you sell the Inkosi and expected to get money back on BNIB? I've found very few knafs that retain or appreciate based on demand such as a Holt. Mahalo, and stay well!

[@tomsmyth5138]

And they won’t address the issue with painful thumb studs.

[@oinnsheathen5684]

You have small hands

[@Tom-uj4uf]

Really?? :-DDDD