Chris Reeve Sebenza 21: Have We Already Overlooked "Perfection"

Instagram: / alchemy_1
Email: [e-mail]

[@MPerry-ox9qb]

Love the inlay on the 31 and the upgrade to S45VN, but there was no reason to faze out the 21. I’ve owned a lot of CRK knives and the 21 is my favorite.

[@Alumapro23]

💯👊

[@familyphotoshoot2413]

I currently have three Sebenzas, 2 Large Micarta 21s (one Insingo and one drop point) and a large 31. I had nothing but problems with the 31. Really bad lock flex, screws backing out over time, everything that was floating around online over the last year or so like you mentioned. I also have a 'Zaan and an Inkosi, both of which were made before the 31s and fortunately I haven't had any problems with those. I think if I was going to pick up another CRK I'd stick to the secondary market and get an older model.

[@Alumapro23]

Sadly, that seems to be the case. 👊

[@robinosborn8401]

I agree with your comments about CRK and I would include Hinderer knives in that classification.

[@jeremyspaulding7735]

I agree it's hard to argue with his contributions to the knife world. Great video 👍

[@Alumapro23]

Thank you, sir 👊

[@S8NSAYS]

I overlooked these when I got back into the hobby as an adult, mostly because I was impressed by flash, flippers, bearings, etc. It wasn't until three years in, with some perspective, that I held another and realized instantly how nice it was. I was shopping for something else, but I bought it on the spot. Hundreds of knives later, it still holds its place as my favorite in many ways.

[@Alumapro23]

💯💯💯

[@DavidV4444]

100% spot on! Chris Reeve has been and continues to be my favorite, I have 17 CRK’s and counting - there’s nothing better! This great company also provides a spa/refresh treatment for the cost of shipping that returns your knife to new and the blade geometry makes these knives decently thin behind the edge and now in 2023, they are starting to release MagnaCut…

[@GOxHAM]

Been waiting for the right Sebenza to come out. They've been really in demand lately. Their art knives are what really catch my eye, some of those pieces are just insanely gorgeous. Would love to see more of those!

[@reecemesser]

Chris Reeves invented the frame lock, S35VN blade steel, phosphor bronze washers, the ceramic ball along with the integral lock with the lock bar for folding knives. I think he also created an entirely new blade shape which was named the Insingo.

[@gubourn]

Proud to say i have a 2011 small Insingo

[@reecemesser]

@@gubourn I've got a large Inkosi insigno

[@profesorEDC]

Great video and topic my friend. Hope the moving went well. Glad to watch one of your videos.😊👌✌️

[@Alumapro23]

Thanks, man! I think I owe you a response on IG. I get behind and my responses go to crap 👊

[@keithkevinken]

Great! Thank you for this.

[@Alumapro23]

👊🙏

[@thepracticalblade9013]

My 31's pivot backs out in literally a day if I don't put loctite on it. For how much you pay for these, I really don't think loctite should be a necessity. Plus, I have countless other knives at significantly lower price points that have never had pivots come loose after hours and hours of nonstop fidgeting. My rollercoaster relationship with my Large Sebenza 31 was an interesting one. When I received it and was in the honeymoon phase, I touted the tolerances and spent all day trying to justify the price. Yes, CRK puts some really nice finishing touches on their knives and pays great attention to detail. Yes, functionally, they are great knives. But that still doesn't mean they are for everyone. I still think a sebenza is the "most solid folding knife" that I have ever felt - the question is... how solid does someone really need a knife to be, and how much is someone willing to pay for that? I.E.: Don't get me wrong, the tolerances are amazing, but, genuinely, ARE THEY OVERKILL? Let's be real - I've never had another single knife "break" or malfunction in any way whatsoever. I have plenty of knives that are sub-$100 that, for all intents and purposes, are not significantly lower quality than the CRK. I think, with a CRK, you're really deep into the curve of diminishing returns. The knife world has done great things in the past 5 years, and one of those great things is companies taking pride in building great knives that don't cost $500. There are a LOT of people who are willing to stand behind their Civivi Elemntums, their Spyderco PM2's, etc. And, again, don't get me wrong... I can immediately tell a difference when I handle knives like those and my Sebenza. But, again, the question is... what consumer is actually going to end up taking advantage of the things they are paying for with a CRK? Who is actually using their knives to such an extent that they need or will notice the difference of 1/6th of 1/1000th of an inch (CRK's stated tolerances). CRK's feel like expensive sports cars. They can go 250MPH!!!!!!!! - Except we are all driving on 70MPH speed limit roads. That's not to say they can't be appreciated for their capabilities - but it IS to say that 99.9% of people will never use them to a point of actually making use of their capabilities over other significantly less expensive options.

[@georgehafidz7486]

31 sounds like a heap of consumer shiite.... never giving up my 21...

[@bladecollector7]

I’m currently challenging myself to carry an inkosi for a year straight, I’m doing great so far! It’s crk or nothing really!! Screws never come lose and always centered unlike every other knife company

[@Alumapro23]

Boringly reliable. 👊

[@pkbaker100]

You nailed this one right on the head! I have 3 CRKs at thin moment, 2 21s and a WC Zaan and their quality is second to none. I’ve had 5+ Striders in the last year and they all had at least one fit, fitment, or quality issue with them and I’ve had just as many CRKs and not any of them have had a single issue!

[@Alumapro23]

💯, but even in that, I think there is info that’s being overlooked. I did a video some time back talking about, “believe them when they tell you who they are”. In that video, I didn’t even really look at the physical knives. I just talked about the mottos of the companies. CRK’s motto is Think Twice, Cut Once. It makes total sense that they should keep such a high bar. Strider’s motto is High-Speed Tools For Hardcore Individuals. It makes sense that they don’t have the same focus as CRK because they’re making tools for hardcore individuals. Not saying one is better or worse. I even talked about this with Hinderer having the unofficial, to the best of my knowledge, motto of Make It Your Own. They are so willing to stick to this that they continue to put tri-way pivot systems in knives that are finicky, at best. All of them told us who they were before we even got to the knives though.

[@pkbaker100]

@@Alumapro23 absolutely! I’m no hardcore individual, so that’s why I love my CRKs lol. I enjoyed that vid too and you provided some good points and insight. Emerson kind of has the same sort of appeal as Striders to me.

[@Alumapro23]

@@pkbaker100 Absolutely, man. There’s a style that fits everyone. For sure. Emerson’s motto is Famous In The Worst Places. They let you know all you need to know from the word go too 😂😂👊

[@wamps3370]

Great video. Spot on. One little addition to your video is that Chris Reeve Knives offers free 'spa' treatments for your knife for life. Got scratches, dull blade? Send it in and you'll get it back good as new. FREE

[@BeastMadeReviews]

you're right, man! The Sebenza is such a perfect knife in so many ways. As a knife guy, I sometimes hate how (overly) picky the knife community has become with the most banal things. The Sebenza is perfection.

[@Alumapro23]

💯 we’ve had a pretty squared away knife, for a long time, but it has been overlooked in persist of something “better”.

[@itsme5279]

You're so wrong, I mean Koenig makes the best knife in the industry🙄 and they have one of the best warranties in the business, meaning send them a email and they'll reply with a message saying send another email in 6 weeks to see if they can do a spa treatment. And just to make the warranty even better they only charge $80 for a spa treatment 🤣.... Chris Reeve > Everyone else

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

Sold my Koenig a week after I bought it. Didn't really do anything for me. Never carried it. Haven't regretted selling it. I would regret selling my CRK 21s. Grimsmo Norseman > Koenig Arius

[@Alumapro23]

Hahaha! 💯

[@codys5727]

I prefer the 21 over the 31. CRK makes great products all around and even the regulars which majority have some level of lock stick go wild on the secondary pricing and are never up for sale for long. I don't know if they still have they best service or warranty but they are fantastic people all around and are genuine enough to help any way they can should an issue arise

[@Alumapro23]

💯💯💯

[@tarotntoke]

Great review

[@socomelite1]

The Sebbie is an amazing knife. I love the face that all the screws take the same size Allen wrench and is so easy to take apart. Since it’s a single tool I keep an Allen wrench flagged with some tape in my wallet. So I’m always able to take it apart and clean it. Or at least tighten the pivot or take the clip off and rebend it to add tension if needed.

[@Alumapro23]

💯💯 it’s the attention to the little details. 👊

[@allankristensen2122]

I wholeheartedly agree Clint! In my opinion crk makes the absolutte Best frame lock ever, I Even think strider could learn a thing or two from chris reeve! Great video man!

[@KnifeCursed]

With the Sebenza I’d like to see a much better edge retaining steel compared to s-35vn, new improved ambi thumb studs, optional polished DLC finish, better factory edge, and a hardened stop pin bushing. My personal large Sebenza 21 inlay is far from perfect but has sentimental value so I’ll always keep it. There’s lots of room for improvement for the Sebenza in my view.

[@Alumapro23]

Nothing wrong with that. 👊

[@callofduty60]

I absolutely love the 21’s they are perfect in my opinion. I absolutely hate the 31… I’ve stocked up on around 20 or so 21’s for when they get hard to find I don’t need to try to find any!

[@jesseadams45]

I got a large lefty insingo 21 PJ and a small Lefty insingo 21 BCM and I got them because I prefer the titanium on steel lock interface. I don't like the 31 and feel like the 21 was the end of an era. Also, what's your Rumble channel? I couldn't find it.

[@Alumapro23]

I don’t like the feel either. My rumble channel is Namesdntmatter. 👊

[@jesseadams45]

@@Alumapro23 excellent, glad more people are going to Rumble.

[@MrEric0822]

If you still have the small 21 and ever want to sell, please let me know!

[@tacticalcenter8658]

What's your channel name on rumble?

[@Alumapro23]

Namesdntmatter is the name of my channel. My name was taken.

[@akbyrd6831]

I'm relatively new to the knife hobby. I'm a budget knife guy so I haven't experienced a CRK but I look forward to owning one one day. I'm also African-American and I really appreciate your videos.

[@Alumapro23]

Nothing wrong with budget knives, man. My first knife was a CRKT and I still have it. I appreciate the kind words and I’m glad that you are enjoying the videos.

[@Thetinebroken]

@@Alumapro23 Im a white guy new sub here and about a year ago I drank deep the CRK Kool Aid and I can not go back to budget. It hurts the bank account and I do not care 🙂👍

[@troyounce3295]

The delica 4 would take the place of the perfect medium use knife but they keep upping the dang price

[@Alumapro23]

Upping price and lowering QC, warranty, and customer service. Sadly, it’s hard for me to spend money on or recommend most Spydercos. With the exception of the K390 and it’s purely because the steel is so well done.

[@troyounce3295]

@@Alumapro23 I have rather been enjoying the salt 2(lc200n delica) but at $116 I can't really suggest it. The hrc is rather low on it too but being a chef it's super nice to have a knife that won't rust and can be used for gnarly tasks.

[@RA-yq6hp]

@@Alumapro23 Well said. When I started my knife journey Spyderco were well priced, and excellent value. These days they're vastly overpriced and the quality has slipped. Spyderco fans will hate me for saying this but it is true and over the years I've owned 90-100 Spydercos so speak from personal experience. Yet to have any issues with the CRKs I've owned admittedly they're a price category above most Spydercos, IMO worth the money. The biggest laugh is the circle jerk over Taiwan made Spydercos....

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

It really doesn't and won't get better than the Sebenza 21. I think the Sebenza 25 is stronger than an Inkosi. CRK is about the best you can get. Best company to deal with. Quality product. You get your money's worth.

[@Alumapro23]

💯, but the boring simplicity fools people. Everyone is looking for something flashy. 👊

[@pannan80]

I wish i had bought a sebenza before,now a used one costs 500$ or more.

[@Alumapro23]

You can still find deals on them, but it is harder. There’s always a group trying to get #maxprofits when something is “limited”. People can also be VERY picky about used CRK’s too. They basically want a museum piece, but that can also work in the favor of the buyer. I’ve seen knives with a snail trail or small scratch on the blade go for low prices.

[@douglasmstewart]

I miss my Drop Point 21. I need to replace it.

[@Alumapro23]

Great knives. 👊

[@dark_gravity_edc]

Umnumzan is better IMO. The steel is still disappointing. S60V was developed not long after S30V but targeted to custom makers. At CRK price point they could have offered it. I also can't get passed why CRK helped develop S35VN. Easier to machine and grind, which means....

[@messmeister92]

S35VN works perfectly fine in a practical EDC blade, plain and simple. CRK has always put practicality and user serviceability above fads. 9/10 times, the people bitching about “premium” blade steels hardly use their knives for tasks that warrant such steels anyway.

[@Alumapro23]

Better is a relative term. Tell me more. What is s60 going to offer that s30/35/45 don’t? Especially in the historic context of what CRK stands for. A working knife, executed to as close to perfection as possible, and able to be easily maintained for a lifetime.

[@dark_gravity_edc]

I prefer harder steels in a pocketknife based on how I use them and what I use them for most. I used S60V as an example because at the time your referring to in the video it was available and is far superior in a pocketknife than S35VN. S35VN is great in a fixed blade where toughness is more important than edge holding, that's why ESEE chose it. I cut plastic wrap and banding all the time at work. It's wrapped around hardened D2 and Maxamet rolls, I work in a steel mill, so softer steels dull real fast. For me, the tool steels make a better blade since typically. Although S90V and 110V do good as well. My point is, maybe it's perfect for you but it's far from anything I'll ever own again. The quality is impeccable, warranty amazing but there's no soul and the steel is sub par for its price point. It's priced like a new corvette but looks like a 78 LTD. The Umnumzan is a new Camaro. Lol

[@dark_gravity_edc]

@@messmeister92 just because you don't need it doesn't mean I don't. I'm not bitching either. I just don't buy what doesn't fit my needs. I commented because I disagree on CRK being near perfection and stated to a small degree as to why. Not bitching or complaining, just disagreeing on my need for something harder than S35VN. I actually like S30V better and would buy a 25 in that steel if the opportunity presented and I had the funds at the time. (Before anyone offers in currently saving for the NYCK Show). Sometimes it's just a different opinion and not bitching. SMH

[@Alumapro23]

@@dark_gravity_edc Check out my CATRA videos. I agree that I like a 60+ HRC steel in a folding knife, but that’s also a deeper convo. A knife’s steel can be as hard as it wants to be, but the microstructure and over all processing has to be there too. That’s why the m390 Kerahaw Dividend that was 62 HRC got out cut by s30v from Spyderco at 60 HRC. Toughness and edge stability are also two terms that get confused. High vanadium steels by characteristic are not tough steels and are not representative of a steel with edge stability. That’s why these steels are often considered “chippy” or you see them snapped. 1095/1055/spring steel at 55-56, like Esee uses is the definition of tough steel and it’s why it’s their primary steel. S60v also is hard to harden to a “high” hardness. Especially during the time you’re talking. Ovens could not reach and sustain the temps necessary to get the steel over 60. Even today, s60v is about 10% more wear resistant than s30v. Larrin Thomas over at Knife Steel Nerds has research on the topic. I’m with you on tool/carbon steels. IMO, the rust worries everyone has are totally blow out of proportion and for similar reasons to you, I prefer tool/carbon steel. I can’t comment to your last point because I have no clue of your point of reference. 90% of the “super steel” the community raves about isn’t any more super than s30/35. It just looks and sounds cool and the placebo effect is in full play. My buddy Outpost76 has extensive data to show that and I have to go back to the CATRA work I talked about earlier. However, for all I know, you may be using full blown custom treated maxamet from Shawn or something. In that case, the convo is totally different.