Chris Reeve Sebenza 31: Overview & Initial Impressions

An overview and first impressions of a production Sebenza 31 (starring the Canada One 31!). I've endeavoured to provide a good look over the new (first production design version) Sebenza 31 and all of the new features, point out differences with the Sebenza 21 and with the launch version ("show") Sebenza 31, along with my initial thoughts and opinions, after having the knife in my hands for less than two days.
I initially tried to do an "unboxing" and talk about it as I first held it in my hands, but I got interrupted and the video was ruined, so the Canada One 31 has had a little bit more time in my hands before I filmed this one.
I am not a professional knife reviewer, there are other people on KZbin for that, so don't expect weights, measures and statistics. I am a storyteller, and I like to tell the stories behind the things that I like, the things I treasure, the stuff I add to my collections, and my hobbies. I enjoy recalling how and why I acquired things, how I use them, things that happened with them, why they are special to me and how I feel about them. Some folks like to sit back and just hear some stories about the things they are passionate about.
Because the Sebenza 31 is new and highly anticipated by the knife community (the Chris Reeve community in particular) and the Canada One 31 is one of the first production 31s out there, from the first direct order production run by Chris Reeve Knives (January 2020), I have spent much more time talking about the features of the knife, and my initial thoughts about them. I hope you find it informative, and enjoy the stories that go with it as well.
The people I mention in this video are members of the Chris Reeve communities on Facebook. You can find the groups at the following links:
Chris Reeve Knives Fanpage:
/ 266693080142233
CRK Addicts:
/ 153095425646006
The Canadian Knife and Gear group on Facebook can be found at the following link:
/ canadakg

[@sebs30v]

I'll watch this when I can't sleep

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

I am a Chris Reeve Dealer although a small dealer.... My wife and I are considering making leather sheaths and pouches both for the large and small sebenza... and perhaps a sheath that carries the knife parallel with your belt

[@knowyourhistory]

Not just Canadian. You have the first consumer owned 31 video on KZbin.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Cool! Well, if Canada One 31 ever gets an IMDB page, I'll be sure to add "appeared in a premiere event feature" to her resume! :D

[@anthonymiller8979]

Love the attention to detail you notice and describe when you review these. I have a few different models and enjoy carrying a different one each day and I always notice the tiny differences in today's knife vs. the one I carried yesterday. I always like my 25 as can feel the difference in the grind every time I touch the blade. Great content, thank you

[@geertjanjanssen5983]

🇨🇦 Canada rocks 🍀 GJ

[@PS987654321PS]

Why?

[@jkstdstang]

Awesome to see the first 31 video and impressions along with all the little differences between it and the 21 including some that I did not know about. Bravo!

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Thanks!

[@ToxicityAssured]

This was a great informational video! You really covered everything that could be said, but it didn't seem like an hour because you did such a wonderful job. This will be a famous video one day. Think how many times some of the first 21 videos have been viewed! I have a feeling that you will gain some subs from this video!

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Thanks for the great compliment. I hope the people that subscribe based on this video won't be disappointed, my usual style is more "story" oriented than a point by point review... we'll see!

[@emilsal]

Thanks for the review. I was all set to get 21 but after seeing this video I decided to order the 31 instead. I was also inspired by your 21s with blue hardware and I spec’d my 31 the same way. Great job and I hope you enjoy your CRKs in good health.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

I'm glad you found it useful! Enjoy yours as well!

[@grandprixgtpjy]

Great in depth video! Enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@stevendalton7686]

Thank you for the review, sir. It's a stunning knife. I'd love to own one, but it just looks like an Inkosi with a pivot bushing. Because I already own an Inkosi, I struggle to justify...oh, screw it. I need the Sebenza 31 in my life.

[@ZgNavigator]

Nice vid, but 21 all the way

[@TurboGlenn]

I'm going to buy a MXG Gear deep carry clip when I get my small Sebenza 31 in a year or so xD ordered yesterday.

[@1130jawz]

24:09 is that the first time it was opened I love it, Knife anticipation at its best! !

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Yes, this is me opening the package that arrived from Chris Reeve Knives and taking out the Sebenza 31, filmed right after it was delivered. This was the first time I touched it, held it, opened it or anything with it!

[@1130jawz]

I think they heat treated the stop pin this time. Improve longevity and slow wear on the stop pin.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Yeah, it's because the blade is forced into the stop pin "harder" because there is (much!) less give on the lock with the ceramic ball interface. I learned the reasoning and details of the new stop pin design a week or so after I filmed this video, so I"ll be sure to discuss it when I film an update. ;)

[@billythekid7413]

The stop pin on the 31's are made from 416 stainless and heat treated. All previous models had 303 stainless which polished up better than 416. That's why it looks a little duller. The heat treated 416 stop pins are tougher and will last longer.

[@metalmansean6040]

when the 21 came out it was like they turned the Sabenza into a Ferrari. When they came out with the 31 its like they should of left well enough alone.

[@dappersloth]

Hey, so I’m thinking about getting a Sebenza but I’m stuck between choosing a small or a large. Any words of wisdom for choosing one or the other?

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Well, I"m sure you'll love whichever you get. I prefer the Smalls for how they feel in my hand where they fit perfectly, I find them more comfortable than a Large. Check out the video where I unbox my Small Sebenza 21 Insingo with Micarta Inlays... near the end I spend several minutes demonstrating how well it fits in my hand. I carry a Small every day, living in a city and for the type of tasks I find myself doing, but have a Large for when I go hiking or out in nature where a larger blade might be more handy. I hope that's useful information that helps you in making your decision a bit. Thanks for the idea, I may do a video about choosing Large vs. Small. :)

[@dappersloth]

Stories From The Study thank you!!

[@jameshite4820]

I’ve owned four smalls and 6 larges. I don’t use the small much anymore. One time before I got my first one I asked the same thing. Someone at that time said to me they hear of a lot of ppl who get the small then later the large. But not many who got the large and felt the need to get a small. I think there’s some wisdom in that.

[@iAMboognish]

I filled out a preorder for sm plain within 10 minutes of opening and have not heard from CRK. I’ve been a part of the CRK community since 2000. Huge bummer.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

I should have mentioned that as far as I'm aware they've started production with Large plain 31s and haven't made any Smalls yet. With luck you'll be in the first batch of smalls made for direct orders.

[@jameshite4820]

They’re probably are making the larges first.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

They began making smalls last week.

[@skillet4068]

For me, the Sebenza looks a little better after some wear marks. It makes it uniquely yours.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

That's another thing I like about the blue hardware. I love how the blue thumb studs look when they are new, but I also don't mind that they show use.

[@qc_edc_gear4198]

Hey CKG Brother sweet video if my CRK stay seized I'm getting a small 31 🍻

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

I hope you get yours back, that would be good news for all of us. I'm thinking I see a Small 31 in my future... but there are some others on my list first!

[@azraell33]

Did you ever come up with a solution for the pocket clip? Do you know if the pocket clip for a 21 will fit a 31?

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

I did - a Hawk clip feels much better in the hand. The standard pocket clip fits the 21 (both large and small) the 31 (both large and small) and the Umnumzaan. It also fits the Inkosi (both large and small) but with a different screw. The Hawk clip fits them all as well (with the same screw difference for the Inkosis). I am planning to do an update video on the 31, also comparing it directly with a large 21 sometime in the next couple of months, once I get done doing videos on all the new arrivals. Thanks for watching!

[@timcampbell4357]

I have a 31 from Jan 8th too

[@timcampbell4357]

the stop pin is hardened this time

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

@@timcampbell4357 Yes, it's also a different steel, 416 Stainless heat treated to ~ RC 45 instead of 303 Stainless. I was unaware of that when I filmed the video on 17 Jan 2020. I will make mention of that when I do an update video in a few weeks. :)

[@onseki1774]

I really don’t get the hype behind these. Nice pieces of art but I actually use my knife eight hours a day and the liner lock is neither fast enough nor safe enough to bother with, it’s massive step backwards from a Spyderco Compression Lock.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Thanks for your thoughts. I can't comment on the speed required for all-day use, but for how I use a knife, I've never found myself frustrated while I was waiting around for the blade of a Sebenza to open. The lock on the Sebenza, and all Chris Reeve locking folders with the exception of the Ti Lock is a Reeve Integral Lock or "Frame Lock" that is much stronger than a liner lock on a stamped-metal handled knife. The Spyderco Compression Lock is a great design, but was developed long after the Integral Lock, so I would term the Compression Lock a step forward, rather than the Integral Lock a step back. I own knives with both types of lock, and have never had either one fail, nor felt at risk with either.

[@TurboGlenn]

Where could we find pictures of CRK with other color lugs? Nice video, subbed.

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

Try the Facebook groups linked in the video description, there are lots of images shared by people there. You could also try BladeForums. Thanks for the compliment and the subscription!

[@Quietvibes07]

Curve on the bottom is more curved than the 21

[@peanutschatzie4129]

It's WoW Hobbs - I know it

[@PJJVisagie]

Hi, can you please send me the link for the group that has details about importing to Canada

[@storiesfromthestudy669]

I have added a link to the Canadian Knife and Gear group in the video description. You can find plenty of information about it there, just be judicious as to whose advice you follow. Some people make the problem sound bigger than it is when it comes to importing Chris Reeve knives. My best advice though is to go through a Canadian Dealer. Thunderbird Gear will work with you if you want something from Chris Reeve that they don't have in stock, and you don't have to worry about the importing.