Chris Reeve Sebenza Review: The World's finest Production Folding Knife... Period

[@jeffreymliss]

The 21 is my EDC. Nothing will ever replace it.

[@herohunter81]

I never thought I would watch a video this long about a knife. But you explained this knife so well that Chris Reeve should give you some knives. I'm a newbie to knife collecting but I've been hearing nothing but great things about this blade. I'm definitely going to own one. Very informative video.

[@SkyPhoenixGear-Collectibles]

Rob I'm proud to say that I am no longer a sebenza hater. I finally realize that they just work! I was looking for one folding knife that I could use forever and I realized that the sebenza just works and with their awesome customer service I will always have a functional knife. From the looks of it the sebenza 21 will never be discontinued so parts will always be available. I sold all my other pocket knives and purchased the knivesshipfree exclusive red linen micarta sebenza 21 and don't regret it one bit. Just wanted to let you know since you are the KZbinr I'm subscribed to that loves sebenzas the most.

[@mrmartin28]

I recently found a local shop that carried Chris Reeve Knives and the second I put a large sebenza 21 in my hand I knew I was in love. Say what you want about ergonomics, this thing just feels good in the hand. I thought it was stupid to pay that kind of money for a knife for a long time but after holding one that all changed. I bought my 1st sebenza 21 about a week ago and it's amazing. I'm saving up for an Umnumzaan, then a micarta insingo large 21. Chris Reeve Knives are just the best! Thanks for guiding me in the right direction Rob! Keep up the great work!

[@anthonymendez1015]

I thought the same thing about a knife but then I related it to the same way someone would buy an expensive watch; because it will be reliable and always work. Same with a knife a chris reeve is expensive and will always work and never let you down.

[@986C]

There's not many people I can listen to for an hour talk about one knife. Well done.

[@jacksonbradds3840]

+1

[@TheD33pthawt]

Dear ApostleP, I traveled 3 hours to try out a Sebenza 21 thanks to your many posts on this knife’s various versions. I “was” a Benchmade fanboy, no more sir! Now I am a CRK fanboy. I purchased two Sebenza 21’s, both of the large variety, one with the Micarta inlays and Insingo blade and one drop point with a graphic on the show side. I can’t put them down, I will be using them constantly and saving for a Damascus bladed one. Thank you sir!

[@ache4dalake]

Okay. I went through 3 or 4 years buying Spydercos, Benchmades, Emersons, Cold Steels, etc., progressing from maximum $50 purchases (a reasonable person would never spend more than that for a pocket knife) to $100, $150, $240 and each time my desire was only satisfied for a week or so after the latest delivery. Recently, I sold off a bunch of lower-priced blades for 75% and bought a grail Carbon Fiber Sebenza 25 for a newly reasonable $500 price level. My thinking was that I couldn't afford to buy any more "cheap" knives. I have had my Seb25 several months now and it is so superior that it is the only knife I can make myself put in my pocket when I go to my knife racks in the morning. Is my hobby over? I don't want it to be. What is next? I need a new grail to covet! Any suggestions? I am now thinking no reasonable pocket knife could be more than maybe $700. I only need one more. Don't you think that is reasonable?

[@iannluci]

my progression was quite the same ! lol ....quickly going from 50 dollars n up in 50 dollar intervals ! lmao ! I'm still drooling for a sebenza tho...

[@johnj.baranski6553]

LOL. $30 max then $50 okay but maybe just one at $100. yeah but $200 isn't that much and its only a few... $250 is okay right? $300 isn't that many and its only 4 or 5 but Ill need that one and its only $400.....and on I go....

[@grirrat]

Ache4dalake You should aim for grimsmo knives next. I hear great things of them.

[@DeathBecomesHerDeathBecomesHer]

I really like Hinderer knives.

[@LCO213]

I went through the same evolution. Decided to spoil myself yesterday, and bought a C.K.F. Ossom in carbon fiber...most expensive folder I’ve bought. Still a ways off to my grail Rockstead knife with the stingray inlays. The addiction is real. ...but I don’t know...maybe $1900 is too much for a pocket knife.

[@Seveneleven44]

You can't put into worlds how wonderful these knives are. When someone who loves their craft and is determined to be at the pinnacle of all aspects of making a knife, we, the customer, reap all the rewards!

[@sixgunslingin]

I thought it was stupid to buy one of these knives, for the longest time. I really did. I now own 4 Chris Reeve knives. I dont care if some one can buy 20 Kershaws or whatever for the price of one. My money and I really enjoy the knife each time it comes out of my pocket, I like it so much I have no need to justify owning one to anybody. I dont show it off. I just carry it and use it. vote with your dollars. You hate these knives? Dont buy one. A good bottle of wine does not have to be expensive, but often is, but you do have to have taste to be able to discern the difference between a good bottle and a great bottle. If none of this matters to you, dont buy one.

[@Onedayilbeok]

very well said

[@tie-see9308]

michaelinsanantone well said dude. I screen shorted this comment and will apply it to anything I like that others don’t

[@EDCurr04]

👍

[@arrowheads46]

Exactly

[@ericblade8330]

michaelinsanantone i wont ty

[@KennethGarza09]

You did an awesome job in this review! Love the knife so much more now from hearing what you have to say about it. Thanks for the video!

[@tumbl3r]

I'm the guy who hit you up yesterday for sharpening service on a ZT 0450. I wish I had seen this video before I bought that knife. I'll have to put the Sebenza on the top of my list for a full sized knife. Merry Christmas!

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

I think way back in the day, Chris Reeve used ATS-34 (prior to BG42). (On folders) ATS-34--->BG42--->S30V--->S35VN BTW, Rob, probably the best review of a Sebenza on KZbin. Thank you. Love to see a video of your current CRK collection.

[@sour7786]

I fixed my sabenza 21 😁 Had to take off 1/2 of a Thousandth off of the bushing. Now Now it's a free dripping flick able workhorse for me again. Back to loving it

[@williamskinner2732]

Hey Brian Duncan, thanks for your reply. Here in the U K the large sebenza is £655 or about $800 Amazon.co.uk This pretty much rules it out for use in the woods- if you lost it and had to buy another you would be some £1300 out of pocket! For you can; and I have; bought a new metalworking lathe, with a top slide, cross slide, three jaw chuck and screwcutting facility for about £600. Both imported, one from USA one from China. Not to say that the sebenza is any less complicated than the lathe but you could make a knife similar using it (with a little ingenuity.) Checking on eBay the cost of raw materials required to make the sebenza is about £30 depending on what grade of titanium you use. I feel that the sebenza has a myth created around it, but at £655 I doubt I will ever see one, let alone test it!

[@sputumtube]

Check out Framar Custom Knives in Backburn (UK) for cheaper Chris Reeve knives.

[@paulbookbinder4899]

If you substitute "small inkosi" for ""sebenza" I agree with your assessment 100% - by far the finest knife I own, and I have plenty ( Benchmade, William Henry, all the standard manufacturers like Buck, Case, GEC, etc). I chose the inkosi because I wanted the ceramic ball detent. The tolerances and build quality are beyond belief. I held off on a Chris Reeve for years because I don't find them particularly attractive, but once I bought my small Inkosi I have to say beauty is as beauty does. Seems to me that the vast majority of folks who say a Chris Reeve isn't worth the money have never owned or even held one. Once you have one in your hands you just can not deny the quality, design, and ( now I believe) beauty Thank you for a fine review

[@davidhalesmith2491]

With you on the small Inkosi! Without a doubt the finest folding knife I’ve ever seen.

[@mauser8515]

This has been the easiest folding knife to maintain that I have ever owned. Its lock has always functioned properly amongst dirt, saw dust, and wood chips. The grip after 8 years of steady use has remained tactile and comfortable. Deploying and stowing the knife is very fluid and has become second nature with both hands. The edge is tough, and easy to sharpen. The tolerances on my three examples are so much finer than any production folder I have examined from other production companies. CRK's repair department is also very easy to work with, and are good about updates. Shipping is a small price to pay to be able to have an 8 year old hard working knife restored to like new. It is a jack of all trades and easily masters skinning game in my camp. I am come from a long line of outdoorsman and have owned many knives. This is well worth the price you pay when compared to what I have had to pay for other tools that wear out over similar time spans. It's comforting to know that I could send it in any time during my life or my children's lifetime for a complete restoration.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

AAA+++ AAA+++ The first rating is for the knife, the 2nd for the review. Great job buddy. In that video of the C.R. factory tour, I really thought it was cool when one of Mr. Reeve's new employees, who previously worked in the aero-space industry, and upon getting acclimated to his "new job", told Mr. Reeve that his tolerances were closer than that of the aero-space industry. I can't honestly say that I've ever heard that being said about any other "factory" operation. Simply amazing.

[@shubbagin49]

Bought my first 21 at the time you uploaded this vid Rob, my young son Todd who was 13 yrs old at the time kept on asking me to open and shut it, he liked the sound he said. I collect Trad yank and European knives and appreciate the ( walk and talk) of folding knives. My young lad who I must say has a panache for mechanical tools recognized right away the sound of a well-built precision tool. You just know when something is a good tool, Quality in tools matters, Click. plus value holds in good gear.

[@Sissling]

Now that is just the best review I have ever seen on youtube! I wote for you Rob to be the best knife reviewer on this channel..Period!

[@saiyanprince7325]

this is probably my favorite review of yours

[@prettyoneblue]

Like your videos. Is like hearing talking my Grandfather about boxing and fishing and he loved it very much. Great video, i will by this knife too, in the future.

[@simonize251]

Haven't watched this video in a couple years but I still lose it every time I hear you say "volcano issues" in that funny tone. LOL

[@ComeTakeEm]

My god, after watching this, the 3 day wait for mine to arrive will feel like a life time...

[@Watchandcutgearchannel]

This was simple and to the point ... thanks for this .. i cleaned and lubed mine and it does feel much better ... thanks for tips

[@koalainthenet]

Now, that´s a review. Again! Good job. Best regards from Spain.

[@dash8465]

Agreed. The Sebenza tops them all. I've carried a Seb since around 1997... damn thing ruined me for most all other knives and collecting folders. With the exception of the Spyderco Caly3 (cf scales/zdp-189), zdp Dragonfly's and some Leathermans I have sold every folder I had.

[@jseden]

Recently bought my second crk.. a plain small with the standard blade. My first was a small insingo with with micarta inlays. Ultimately I wasn’t feeling the blade shape and decided to sell it… however, my girlfriend at the time ended up throwing it out on me! I’d left it dirty on the counter after cooking breakfast that morning and to her, it might as well have been a $5 gas station knife.. covered in bacon grease. I knew her and I know she tossed it. Although I still dream of finding it under something one day. In the meantime, my sanrenmu 7010 spent a ton of time in my pocket but I always had the itch for a real one. I found some local stock last week, thought about it for a couple days then went and pulled the trigger. For me, this really is an endgame knife. It’s just what I want. I’ve owned plenty of other knives.. hell I live 20 mins from spyderco In golden, as well as ZTs and a couple others. When it comes down it it though, I’d happily trade any two or three of my other knives for a sebenza.

[@ryanf.6385]

Rob, I can’t say enough how much I respect your opinion and point of view, as well as how well you articulate yourself. I really admire how well spoken you are and truly enjoy watching your content👍

[@ashmerch2558]

I'm debating a 31 or an Inkosi or a XM-18 3.5. I've had your run of the mill spyderco PM2's, and a Shaman that I've loved, a Benchmade Super Freek, a 940 and a litany of other lesser knives... I feel as if I'm missing my grail knife.... I love the smooth Titanium handle version of the large Sebenza and the overall design of the Chris Reeve line of knives. Nothing beats the looks of a Sebenza with a mirror polished edge. I'm learning towards the Sabenza 31 because I like the 35VN steel more so than the 20CV used on hinderer's. 20CV in my experience has been awesome for edge retension and corrosion resistance, but has been "chippy" in my experience. I don't want to pay $450 for a knife that'll chip easily, S35VN should be "tougher"

[@cigarettevodka5690]

Ahhh...caress that steel...feel its power in your hands...I envy the close personal relationship you have with this knife...I wish I could feel the same way about my mine, but alas it is an under $100 cheapie...When you lay down with your metal goddess tonight please say a prayer for poor folk like me who know not the desire and pleasure you will experience. God Bless You.

[@legrandfromage9682]

I hear you brother. It's the Ganzo life for me.

[@ShoeBakka1]

+Le Grand Fromage Haha the Ganzo life. That made me chuckle.

[@ShoeBakka1]

I dropped a few bucks at BladeHQ. I picked up the SR1, Italo, KUR, XM-18, and a Sebenza. I'm crazy about all of them especially the Hinderer. I was thoroughly disappointed with the Sebenza. The lock up was about 75% and for me it just did not live up to the hype. I called them the same day and sent it back.

[@ethanpham5624]

ShoeBakka1 the lock up of sebenza are all around 70% new. They're a little late but they don't change with use.

[@magicdave93]

People say what’s so special about this knife, it’s simple there’s no flashy mechanics so how can it be worth the money! Well let me tell you it’s worth every penny after all a knife is a tool it’s to be used and boy is it just. It’s simple to strip down and maintain and what’s good the warranty allows just that. I’ve had mine for about three years now and still love holding it, so in short I love it!

[@jonathonbird9259]

I love just about everything of the CRK Knives. Design, construction, warranty, etc. My only major problem is the soft S35VN that dulls very quickly (if actually used) I am no expert on steels but in my experience with two Large 21's the steel was very soft.

[@TheApostleP]

Jonathon Bird That's certainly a matter of preference, and certainly a level of hardness that CRK has intentionally chosen. They've definitely targeted the ability for their S35VN to take an extremely keen edge and be resharpened easily over optimum edge holding. Worth noting is that after the first couple of years of their use of that steel, they seem to have responded to your criticism, and are currently running their S35 just a bit harder.

[@jonathonbird9259]

+TheApostleP Oh I didn't know they were running it a bit harder. I do see why it is very loved as well. It is very easy to sharpen and holds a lot of great characteristics.

[@Nick-iw9ue]

Hey Apostle, I just recently recieved my first small sebenza 21. I can't admire it enough, It is perfect in every way I imagined it to be. Except.. the blade centering is pretty darn off. normally I'm not one to complain or even mind off centering. But considering I spent $400+ and its more off than most 940's I've held makes me feel a little uneasy. I understand that not everything knife can come out perfect and that i can send it back in to CRK. However I just find it a little ridiculous that I am going to need to wait a month(give or take) just so they can fix an issue that shouldn't have been there when it left assembly. I have taken it apart and put it back together multiple times with no different outcomes. Is there a reason it may be like this? or maybe something i can do myself to correct it?

[@TheApostleP]

If it came that way from the factory, something is seriously wrong. If you didn't notice any pinching or deformation in the washers when you had it apart (the most common reason Sebenzas are off center is assembly error by the user), something is very wrong with the grind of the blade or frame. Send it back.

[@jeffreymliss]

Hands down, he wins.

[@adamsimon573]

This was, once again, a spectacular video.

[@lesgarten]

What angle do they come from the Factory at? What angle do you set when you reharpen?

[@TheApostleP]

+Les Garten They're done freehand on a slack belt, which produces a slightly convex edge. Then the apex is polished on a cloth wheel. There's really no straight angle per se. I sharpen Sebenzas at 16 DPS with a 19-20 DPS micro bevel.

[@lesgarten]

+TheApostleP Thanx!

[@abc456f]

I think that anyone who thinks these knives are all hype and overpriced have never disassembled one. Today I disassembled, cleaned, greased, and reassembled my first crk, a large sebenza 21 with unique graphics, polished titanium, tigers eye inlay. The fitment of the pins and screws is far beyond any zt, benchmade, spyderco, etc. If done correctly, the knife has zero blade play, centering is perfect. No loctite needed. Exacting craftsmanship.

[@ericmack001]

Awesome job on this video

[@thebudkellyfiles]

Oh, by the by, I just bought a Kizer 4404A for $94, with free Amazon shipping. It's VG10 steel, dude, and shaves the hair off my hand. Solid as a rock, flips freely with thumbstuds or flipper. Absolutely gorgeous. And, I can buy 3 more to keep around if I bust this one up by using it. But it looks to me like it can take a lot of use. Quality.

[@TheApostleP]

+thebudkellyfiles Sounds like you've found a knife that fits your personality and intellect perfectly. Enjoy it!

[@joepalone5200]

+TheApostleP Matches his intellect, or lack of, perfectly!

[@TheApostleP]

+That Libertarian I suppose it does read like that, but this is hardly the beginning of the conversation between Mr. Kelly and me. "Unprovoked" isn't exactly accurate. 😉

[@TheApostleP]

+That Libertarian Thanks for the well wishes, and no harm done.

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Really appreciate the exposition on the Reeves knives.

[@riddermichi]

I can not grasp how amazing that knife must be. I've only just gotten my first Expensive folder. My spyderco cricket, and i am already mindblown by the edge on that knife and the quality on it (amazing knife btw) My fox karambit 599 Was also really fucking amazing. And those are 100-150€ knives. Is the gap between that price range,and a 400€ knife really that big? O.o

[@guusdejong2523]

wedness day is payday, going to save that money and work for four more weeks and order myself that large Sebenza 21 and Spyderco sharpmaker I've been wanting for years

[@DutchClawz]

En, bevalt het?

[@guusdejong2523]

+DutchClawz Ja, ik edc m op z'n minst 3 dagen per week, soms de hele week. Maar draag ook graag m'n spyderco's en benchmade

[@CAborn1112]

How do I contact you regarding my Sebenza 21 PJ?

[@slick_slicers]

I’d love a CR and could certainly afford one, but I can’t carry it in the UK and I couldn’t just keep this on a shelf 😢. But a great, if rather long video!

[@sputumtube]

Is it right that titanium is softer than steel and the reason some makers add a stainless steel lock bar? If this is the case, wouldn't it be prudent for Chris Reeve to do the same with his? Or have I missed something screamingly obvious?

[@sinjon]

paul greenwood CRK used to carburize(not carbonized) the lock interfaces which strengthened the titanium by adding carbon. Now they have switched to a ceramic detent that doubles as the lock face

[@AlohaBlade]

The crowned spine is a wonderful bit of luxury when you feel it.

[@johnj.baranski6553]

I SO AGREE...

[@BlackStarMulti]

how did you get that sexy mirror polish edge on this knife?

[@BennyCFD]

So.... how come you don't make a video of you in the woods and really put it through its paces. Like some heavy duty batoning, Putting some heavy duty lateral force on the blade, pounding in the tip etc. Now that would be a true test of how good this knife really is. I just viewed a couple of videos of this kind of abuse with a Benchmade Griptilian. It totally held up great. For what you're paying for it shouldn't have any problems.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

"17 of September"? As soon as ya said that in the beginning, I grabbed my cell phone to look........LOL. Made me panic there for a second. Does that mean we have to wait a month to watch the video? If so..........tooooo bad..........I'm gonna watch it right now, HA! ;-)

[@williamskinner2732]

And another thing: did you know that Stanley, the makers of the famous Stanley Knife, are offering their knife blades with a laser deposited tungsten carbide edge on a steel substrate. In England these blades sell for less than £1 each which suggests how much Chris Reeve is behind the 'cutting edge' Over here I can buy a Mora for £8, admittedly it is not a folding knife, but it will do the same job ie: cut There is so much bullshit excreted over the subject that it makes me think that rip offs like the sebenza are little more than "toys for rich boys" Chris Reeve is not in the business of making knives, he is in the business of making money.

[@UpdoggWhattt]

Great video, great review! Love the historical info. I'm sure some idiot will eventually say "Quit talking! Just review the damn knife!". Don't listen.

[@sjsj5542]

I know I've watched this video twice without issue Who's the man? Chris Reeve. It's a great review

[@joshuaanderson9972]

I love this review.

[@TheApostleP]

Joshua Anderson Thanks Josh :)

[@jlogue751]

Great review

[@themeridianmeower7748]

What is the intro song

[@Sunbear415]

All I have to say is, "oh my!"

[@stfractus]

Sold!

[@williamskinner2732]

Thanks for your comments Mike, but I've reached the age (67) when I no longer care what anyone thinks, especially about me. If I see bullshit, I will call it!

[@Mr1Alex91]

Congrats William it’s a liberating feeling when you finally get to that level of freedom! Cheers

[@cwrowe]

Good video Rob

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

ApostleP are you ever going to get that knife sharp LOL

[@randomguy3281]

I can agree that the Sebenza is one of the finest production knives... but it just is not the best. I say this because a $1,200 Rockstead is still a production knife, and there is just no way the Sebenza is going to compete with that level of detail and fit and finish, it is just out classed.

[@naturebc]

Did you watch the Cold steel's video debunking sabenza's durability and quality? watch it.

[@hypetrooper2152]

+naturebc That debunked nothing. It proved that you can't beat the spine against metal.

[@sinjon]

Spine whacks are stupid. If you’re batoning with a folder, especially a $500 folder you have no business owning that knife

[@Sunbear415]

Great review.... I will stick with my cheap knives though....

[@Sunbear415]

Well, I lied and ordered one today!!!! Thanks Rob!!!!

[@sinjon]

I own a small 31. Not overly impressed.

[@mikeritter2979]

It looks kinda weird to watch a left handed guy review a left handed knife just saying

[@sour7786]

My sabenza first time I carried it both washers where spinning in the Handel. I send it back And after 2 mounts I got it back. first time I opened the blade I could feel the grit if the washer spinning in the blasted ti handle now this time it's only the small washer. Now I know why they haven't been winning any awards lately. I'd say there quality went way down. Ps this is completely unacceptable on a production knife that costs 425$

[@sour7786]

I have 3 other crk I was yuge fan of them I liked them over hinderer. I thought they made the best production knives on the market. Now I'd say they use to. And they must have put lock tight on the pivot as well. I took a vid of it I can brake the wrench on it

[@pivbyfrank]

Love that knife.

[@Geowolffe]

Yeah I wonder what happens when Chris Reeve gets to retirement age, will he close down CRK? Who does the warranty work then? The same goes for Erny Emerson and all other shops that offer Lifetime Warranty. That is why I don't get too hyped over Lifetime Warranty offers, sure they are great right now but what about 2yr, 5yr, 10yr...................................?

[@sixgunslingin]

+Geo Wolf if that happened, the price of these knives on the secondary market would shoot through the roof. You would be covered in your investment, and the price of even a broken CRK knife would go through the roof for spare parts. As it stands now a used CRK sells on the forums in minutes....

[@fennec1248]

i have 3 sebenza and one mnandi

[@loganowens7461]

Hey man if u know anyone selling an large 21 for 300 let me know please thanks

[@masonorr2334]

Going to buy a sebenza 21. Not even 16 yet 😂. I have expensive tastes.

[@JimmyCricket61258]

Great review...I want one.

[@JimmyCricket61258]

What do you think about the cut test video by JDavis882 ?

[@TheApostleP]

JimmyCricket61258 It's been awhile since I viewed John's two cut test videos on Sebenzas with S35VN steel. But I believe the first was from 2011-12, and the subject was a fairly earl S35 knife. That test wasn't impressive. But he did a later video, in 2013 I think, with a more current offering, and the results were much better. All that said, CRK has made a choice NOT to opt for ulitimate edge retention, either in their steel choice (which they developed), or in their heat treat. They sought, and I think successfully, to strike a balance between machinability, sharpenability and edge retention. Essentially, all aspects of a knife considered, they set out to develop and produce a knife blade that hits the "sweet spot." I love CRK's S35.

[@ryanmendels6548]

What about a Rockstead? Its a production knife

[@TheApostleP]

Ryan Tighe You might have me there. Rockstead definitely has the finest, most well engineered edge ever put on a production knife. I can't speak to the rest of the knife, but in that one area, they are without peer.

[@Capolan]

+TheApostleP general FYI - the Rockstead is amazing in every way...but 1. they're really slippery!!! it's such a nice knife, but it's hard to hold. I have a SHIN and it's nice, but - you can't hold it, especially if you have sweaty hands or wet hands. Quality - it may have no production or most customs for that matter, peer - but if you can't hold onto it - none of that matters it seems. my 21 micarta sees more pocket time than anything else I have, and I have lots.

[@ryanmendels6548]

Capolan Many rockstead knives have stingray inserts this fixed the issue of the slipperiness and really makes it an amazing knife you should sell off your slippery one and reinvest in one with stingray inserts

[@Capolan]

I have a Shin. it has the stingray insert. it's not positioned to be useful to grab and it doesn't undo the general handle profile or the texture. I could get the TEI but it's near 2000 dollars and at that point, I'd get the Sikovich colab.

[@1allspub]

Yup!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@TheHindy]

*whimper* I want one!

[@thenextgen1able]

You claim this is the World's finest production folder, yet I can boldly and loudly hear the pivot each time you open or close the knife. Likewise on my buddies benza too. Loud and leaving a lot to be desired. That doesn't seem so fine to me. The video you have on the Kizer made me go and buy that exact model, you can't even hear it when opening or closing. Centering is too good to be true as well..all for under $100. CRK is just hype.

[@Capolan]

+Kai LEM - you're wrong, and the devil is in the details. I'm glad you like your knife though. If you want hype, try strider.

[@taheelur1]

Kai LEM You can't hear the pivot when it opens and closes. That's the ball detent, not the pivot, that you hear.

[@noahbaker6932]

Nutn' disliked this video.

[@dep1001]

Noah Baker 2nd kind of cool :)

[@dalecarpenter8828]

cool !

[@williamskinner2732]

Hey Mike. The reason a cave man wouldn't say it is because he had no experience working with stainless steel, phosphor bronze and titanium unlike myself. For the same price as a sebenza (in England) I recently bought (brand new) an 8 inch rotary table for my milling machine, a precision 4 inch milling vice, a simple (as opposed to compound) dividing head/spin indexer and tail stock, and an adjustable angle plate. All this for the price of one disgustingly overpriced knife! It's pretty obvious to me that you buy into all that sebenza bullshit.

[@mikekarambit7038]

Actually WS, it sort of shows what you know - or don't. What may seem so "obvious" to you isn't even close as I don't own a Sebenza. Its just something about someone beginning what should be intellectual dialogue with an opening of, "Bullshit!" Tells most of us what we need to know.

[@meatblade3490]

Value is always relative. Go out and buy each piece of machinery required to make a Sebenza. Then order all the material needed to make one, hell you'll prob have to order enough to make a few, otherwise it won't be cost efficient. Those ones will be your practice assemblies, aye? Writing those costs down? Now pay for the classes to use those machines, take the time(money lost) to get good with the machines, figure out how to operate within the tolerances required for a Sebenza. So been a couple months to a year or 2 to do all that, if you do it 6+ hours a day. So now times all those hours by how much you make at your current job. Because that was time you were performing labor and learning skills that you weren't being paid for. Add that to the cost of the machines, material and now you have the price for just one Sebenza. Wait, you want to sell enough to cover all those costs? Hire some people to help out, train them or pay them more upfront and/or in incentives for skills they may already have. Now get advertising going, go to trade shows, set up distribution deals and anything else I've forgotten. It's $400 for more reasons than you were probably aware of. That the product is as unbelievably nice as it is for such a low cost, is impressive. Are other people in the industry catching up? Do they occasionally match or exceed the Sebenza? Absolutely. But it doesn't change that it's not an overprice knife for what it is.

[@gabrielgvs0619]

One word -Shirogorov.

[@williamskinner2732]

As a retired engineer I have turned a lot of phosphor bronze and milled a lot of stainless and for that matter, in my younger days, machined rather more than my share of titanium: at that time I was making gold plating machines and titanium, as you must know, is one of the few metals that gold solution will not plate. Over here in England the sebenza goes for something like £400. The way I look at it, you pay £100 for each scale, £100 for the blade, and the last £100 for the pivots, washers and assorted hard ware. Looked at in that way the whole thing is a massive rip off (even though it doesn't weigh that much). I will treasure your award and treat it as a tribute from one ignorant man to another!

[@meatblade3490]

You don't know what you're talking about in terms of machinery cost, production costs, marketing costs, employee costs, overall investment and then margin for profit. Which is okay, you're a retired guy who wants people to listen to yah. We heard you and the market disagrees with you, for sound reasons. Being a retired engineer doesn't mean your opinion is worth any more than anyone else's outside the relatively small focus your degree was centered on. People aren't replying to you because they realize this. I hope you realize it by reading this.

[@thebudkellyfiles]

Wow, what a knife! You can't even flip it open without fear of damaging your Chris Reeve finest knife in the world! Use it? You might swatchie-watchie the bladey=wadey. It's just too freakin' fine to use. And too expensive. I can't imagine buying one of these.

[@anthonyburke1289]

buy it and use the hell out of it, it's what it was made for. premium materials for hard jobs

[@mrmillstone8386]

Me either till I bought one. I carry it every day. It 's getting better looking with age. Tools are made to be used and this one is no exception. My only fear is I'll lose it. My Grandfather taught me as a kid a man should always carry a pocket knife. I carry this one.

[@patrickdixon9897]

you need more subs

[@TheApostleP]

Patrick Dixon Thanks, Patrick! Fear not -- my little channel is doing pretty well. We should be having a 5K event in the next month or so :)

[@patrickdixon9897]

yey i just revived my channel, day 4 now

[@TheApostleP]

Patrick Dixon Just subbed :)

[@patrickdixon9897]

thanks

[@johnnypea5369]

Then Chris Reeve is an African American and should make sure his company is listed as a SWAM and go for some federal contracts!

[@TheApostleP]

Johnny Pea That's freakin' hilarious!!!

[@benjaminleinen]

That is really funny

[@eddyc4603]

Fckin ASMR. Bonne journée

[@michaelsdadj33]

Is it true that Chris is no longer running the business and that his ex wife is running it now ?

[@craze77]

Yes, since 2015 I believe

[@kurticus91]

Nice review. But I'll stick with my Kershaw

[@brokebikemtb4448]

Congratulations,,,I just got a small 21

[@jayweast1306]

No matter how many good things you say about the Sebenza you will never convinice to buy one. I don't have the budget for it but even if I did I still wouldn't. For one, in terms of its ability to function as a kinfe, it's only marginally better than knives in the $150 range. And since no steel or blade type is the best in every way, no one knife can be the best in every regard. That means I could spend the same money and get a few very high quality folders to fill different roles. On top of that, if I paid that much for a knife I would never carry it for fear of losing it and I wouldn't put it to hard use or even much regular use to keep it in good condition. That means it would be a mantle piece, collector's item, or heirloom. And if that's what you want or if you're not afraid of spending that much money on a blade and then loosing or wearing it out, then I won't judge you. But I would never spend that much on a knife.

[@mrmillstone8386]

I don't think you can "wear it out" but I do worry about losing it.

[@link1478]

so blury, very not focus

[@TheApostleP]

+LINK1478 I'll work on it ;)

[@toddsk1961]

i just bought a M&P Shield and a Springfield XD for the price of 2 of those knives. Pistols have better range. i win

[@jeffreymliss]

You need (or want) both.

[@dpw1989]

Agree. Benchmade knives are made in the US also and are 1/4 the cost... Griptilian, etc.

[@BennyCFD]

I agree with the Benchmade Groptilian. Blade H.Q. has a video of them putting it through a torture rest.

[@nkyryry]

That knife costs no where near $400 to make. Should be no more than $250 new. It's a machined knife lol.

[@gabek1381]

Made in America paying American salaries...and the attention to detail takes time.

[@TurkishChubs]

It's just not worth it to me.

[@williamskinner2732]

Bullshit! The sebenza has ,perhaps the most simple pivot you could possibly devise. It relies on two phosphor bronze washers and a simple stainless plain bearing. So........How much is he paying You?

[@TheApostleP]

Perhaps the most ignorant comment of the year. I know we have just over 3 months to go, but I can't see anyone taking the prize from you after this one. Keep your fingers crossed!

[@mikekarambit7038]

Rob, you took the words right of my mouth! So ignorant even a cave man would(n't) say it!

[@mrmillstone8386]

Nasty old man from the UK.

[@craze77]

TheApostleP lol 😆