Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 31 Magnacut - Initial Impressions

[@bawhite125]

This was a very helpful video in making my decision about which CRK model to snag. Tyvm!!!

[@anthonyd6881]

Great overview and comparison of the 31 and both blade shapes. Thanks!

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Thanks Anthony!

[@Rich_EDC]

I finally bit the bullet and bought sebenza 31 large In magnacut with black micarta inlays. It was hard to find so when I got notice I just did it. Don't tell me wife. I hope I'm not disappointed. I've been wanting magnacut un a reeves folder too

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

That’s so exciting! I hope you like it. Warning-you’ll want more 😂

[@HorsepowerHeaven]

I just did the exact same thing last night 😂 Finally Found a left hand version in magnacut and couldn’t resist

[@KnifeWatch]

Such a great anc useful video. Thanks choice convinced me on the small w inlays. Subbed!

[@pateralus9]

Great info & thanks for the size comparisons to other CRKs & other brands! Until I watched this video & a couple others, I didn't realize the Small Inkosi was so noticeably shorter than the Small Sebenza. I do love me some small knives, but the Small Sebenza is probably about just at the minimum of my comfort level. Just like the Large Sebenza is at the upper limit of my size comfort level, haha. Funny you mention CRK doing reblades because I only just learned that last night from a buddy! Everyone throw out your S35VN blades right away, since S45VN & Magnacut are out, you should've gotten the memo that they're complete trash & should be immediately shattered & yeeted into the ocean. But seriously that is cool they do that, but I feel like it'd be a bad idea to get a reblade done SOLELY because you want the upgraded steel. But I admit, that's something I would likely do because I am an insane person. The kind of person who buys Skiff bearings & has spent more on a pocket clip than some other folks have spent on an knife. I bought a 2017 S35VN DP Large Inkosi Black micarta about two months ago as my 1st CRK. Now I just got a brand new Magnacut DP Large Sebenza 31, Glass blasted Box Elder Burl with double gold lugs, & I'm in love! It's amazing that I got to choose the exact wood inlay I wanted on Recon1's site! Mine has a pretty dark mix that gets slightly lighter towards the lanyard end of the handle, & the clip inlay does the same thing, which gives it this symmetry I adore! But even before the Box Elder arrived, I was off to the races stalking CRKs online. Now I have an S45VN DP Small Sebenza 31 Nat micarta with silver double lugs coming. ...And last night I found an S35VN insingo Large Sebenza 31 PJ, Glass blasted, single lug Sprint run (1st ever insingo on a Sebenza 31, apparently) for a great price. I'm out of control! Soon I'll have four CRKs total, with a variety of configs, steels, one single lug & three double lugs. Yes they're expensive, but other than paying new price for the Large Box Elder, I feel like I got a great price on the other three CRKs by buying from the Swap on Reddit. And the box elder is so gorgeous, I have zero problem with the price I paid new. Now I feel like I need to find a Sebenza 21... I'm really glad I'll be able to check out S35VN, S45VN, & Magnacut on these CRKs. And I can test S35VN on both an Inkosi vs. Sebenza, as well as drop point vs. insingo with what I'll have. Interestingly, looking at seller pics, the two Sebenzas I'm still waiting on have their birthday only 23 days apart (Lg PJ insingo 12/28/2021, Small Nat micarta DP 01/20/2022). I should also mention that the Large Seb Box Elder's birthday is 11/25/2024, & mine has absolutely zero vertical play, none whatsoever. But the Large Seb insingo I have coming, the seller did say it has the slightest hint of vertical play if you really push down on the spine. I'm not worried, because I imagine whatever movement might be there would be extremely small. At least I hope so! I have no reason to believe the knife would be any less capable with a BIT of vertical play, especially since CRK's lockup is so late compared to a lot of other Ti frame locks. I just don't see the knife failing from minimal up & down play. Minimal, though! 😆 I've heard several other people mention theirs has some movement, & multiple folks have said they think it's likely due to the new ceramic interface to the blade tang. But the Umnumzaan & Inkosi have the exact same lock interface & I don't hear anyone complain about those. So I wonder what gives? My Inkosi also has zero play in any direction. I figured I'd include the dates because I'm curious about whether there's any correlation between when a knife is born vs. whether it has vertical play. I would think that's unlikely, but it would be super interesting to plot a graph & see if there's any correlation. The seller of the Small Seb 31 did say it has zero vertical play. And as mentioned, it's only 23 days younger than the Lg insingo Seb, which does apparently have a bit of up & down play. So, I dunno! Just thought I'd throw in some very specific info in this very long, random comment on an older video on your channel! Will anyone read this? I suppose I'll find out! But if you are reading this, I hope you find a $100 bill laying on the ground. Then you can put it toward your next CRK. Because if you've never tried one, don't be afraid of what people say about them not being fidgety or satisfying to play with. They absolutely are, just in a different way that you may have never thought you'd fall in love with. That's what happened to me, I'm a slow roll convert to the core! Of course I still love my bearings & crossbar locks, but if you haven't done so, you HAVE to at least handle a Chris Reeve Knife!😆

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

Nice collection thanks for sharing... the large sebenza is more practical in size for most jobs, the small is easer to carry... I suggest the first sebenza should be a large

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

I completely agree... I find myself carrying my Large sebenza much more... It's a great knife.

[@Laglagpaddy]

Other than thickness, does the micarta on the small 31 offer more grip and texture? I'm torn between keeping my plain jane small or selling it and moving up to a micarta.

[@SnakeofGotham]

I think it does. Helps the grip and general feel imo

[@brianfreeman2500]

Bank vault action. Some hunters like drop point shape for skinning game. Also you can remove the lanyard non-destructively if you take it apart.

[@kaizen5023]

Cut tests or Magnacut didn't happen 😬 Hehhe I'm really curious how their Magnacut performs compared to Spyderco's for instance.

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Blade geometry and heat treat will determine a lot… for me, it won’t make a difference 😂

[@damienhughes7228]

I’ll say that my sebenza in magnacut performs exceptionally well. Sharpens up well, gets a very sticky edge, holds it well, and it strops right back to hair splitting sharp. I am curious to see what Spyderco does with it too

[@floridaman727]

I have magnacut from hinderer, protech, heretech, Microtech, CRK, and Medford. CRK is the best

[@vincentwyble5346]

You should cut test the different blade geometries

[@francescocastanon1601]

I would like to buy a CRK but I am between Plain Jane or Micarta, what are your thoughts? are they better with micarta? or do they become slippery?

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

Depends on the size of your hand… PJ is classic tho and stands the test of time

[@CristianHeredia0]

I’ve watched so many videos hoping someone would size compare the bugout with a CRK. Thanks!

[@jesseespinosa9739]

Way to casually bring the ‘Zaan out for reference. Whip something up, huh?

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

I ask this question as I have no idea. Does Chris Reeve stamp the blade with the type of steel used? I ask this so that the new person to knives knows when looking at a knife like Chris Reeve you know steel type without asking. I.E. Spyderco and Benchmade…thanks in advance

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

No they are ground :)

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

you have to take the knife apart and look for a letter stamped on the inside of the slab

[@MitchOnTwoWheels]

@@MaineOutdoorsChannel yup

[@mosab643]

How did you afford all of them?

[@gregheidrich5168]

Any of the Lock Rock I have seen on Line?

[@michaell397]

Man CRK can ruin some nice Canvas Micarta. GRRRRRR!!! They don't use the end grain for their nice wood inlays. end Grain is nothing but Drop. (the work we use for cutoffs and scrap in the machine trade because it is what we sweep up off the floor at the end of the day). KnifeMaker

[@markcomisky7106]

Hydraulic fluid power

[@DB.KOOPER]

Ladies and gentlemen THE most overrated and overpriced knife on the planet (amazing that it's not a POS Benchmade I know). Literally the laziest, worst lock-type ever invented (frame locks) and the most overhyped piece of pocket jewelry for guys who don't actually use their knives. I met Chris years ago when I was working with Gerber and Benchmade doing field testing he's a nice guy but... these knives are a JOKE. They're literally purses for "men" with soft hands.