Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 31

[@rowanraath]

Really loved your review, thanks. Interesting story: I heard about the Sebenza, looked it up and was absolutely shocked by the price, like most newbie’s I suppose. I ended up doing a lot of research and realized that it’s something very special. Fortunately I found a store that had one and after handling the knife there was just no going back, I just had to have it! I chose the large bog oak. I took it home along with 2 other spectacular handmade knives (Lourens Prinsloo). After playing with the Sebenza for a few hours because I just didn’t want to put it down, I came to the conclusion that it’s the ultimate EDC for me and I just need this with me every day, even if I don’t often use it. It’s rather strange, as the ultimate utility knife you don’t really expect to fall in love with it’s rugged beauty in the way it’s hit me, but that’s just the nature of the knife and why it’s worth every cent. Anyway, next day I went back to the store and bought the Macassar Ebony as well…😁

[@davidsapir3764]

Same here on all counts. When I first started collecting and learning I saw the Sebenza's price and wondered how anyone could pay that much for a knife and think it was worth it. It makes me laugh now that I was so naive. Excellent variant choices my friend. I also have the Macassar ebony inlay Large Sebenza 31. Left a more detailed comment above. And I hear you on how just having one available for sale at all, right there in front of you is such a thrill all its own.

[@kdiggs525]

It truly is the ultimate edc knife.

[@HorsepowerHeaven]

I just ordered this exact knife in a left handed version. I cannot wait to get it in the mail.

[@robertpack5725]

My story exactly! I just got my first Large Sebenza 31 (magnacut, box elder). Underwhelmed at first, 2 weeks in and I’m already looking at a Small Sebenza 31 bog oak! I think I’m maybe ALL the way down the CRK rabbit hole.

[@davidsapir3764]

Really appreciate your thoughtful review. The pitch perfect deep gravity gliding click you simultaneously hear and feel when opening and locking a Sebenza blade is a truly one of a kind sensation. I just became the proud owner of my first Chris Reeve knife yesterday, a Large Sebenza 31 with Macassar ebony inlay, brand new, manufactured just 10 weeks ago. The most I'd ever spent on a knife was $352 for a Reate Coyote. And right when my annual work longevity bonus dropped, I got the ebay alert my dream Sebenza variant had just gone up for sale. I couldn't believe it was actually available, couldn't believe the perfect financial timing and didn't hesitate. The total experience of holding and feeling it in hand, deploying it, inspecting and admiring its masterful design, aesthetics, materials and build quality for myself makes its price disappear compared to the pleasure of having one. What a knife. Wow. Just wow.

[@kdiggs525]

What a great knife review. You see so many people out there dogging the sebenza now and all I can say is this, your so right about everything. I've literally considered consolidation of like 3 or 4 Benchmade or spydercos and selling them to get a full sized 31 with black micarta and silver accent hardware. Lol. Once you own this knife yourself. And you carry it daily. You learn that a cutting tool is much more then just flashy looks and cool deployment methods. Don't get me wrong I love my bugout in m390, I love my bailout in m4, I like my para 2 in s90v but they don't compare to this quality. I'm constantly judging knives by the standards of Chris reeve and tim reeve and their sebenza. I mean it truly is a joy just to fidget with. I'll be driving and just opening and closing and on and on lmao. Thank you for a real knife nerd review. I think you and I would be friends lol. Also your knife is just gorgeous. I personally carry mine everyday it's a basic sandblasted with black micarta inlays but I love carrying it. And using it. It cuts so good. I've only stropped mine about 5 times and it's still hair shaving sharp. The convex edge is to thank for that. Anyway I've rambled enough. Love the sebenza 31 small. Always will. My first REAL knife lol

[@bigbobg8091]

As one old fart to another I’d like to say “well done”. It’s so refreshing to listen to someone who is articulate and not loud and obnoxious and with the vocabulary of a teen.

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

Thanks, BigBob. It worried me for a while that I didn't know how to "sound like a youtuber", then I stopped caring, then I forgot about. . . . what were we talking about?

[@Gio_is_gay]

Ok boomer

[@EssenceofPureFlavor]

​@@Gio_is_gayOk zoomer

[@joemurphy5511]

As a machinist myself, I also have the upmost respect for the machining tolerances of Chris Reeve knives. I don’t own one yet, but I will in the next few months. I’m getting one almost exactly like this one. Mine will have the insigno blade and the scales will be glass blasted instead of polished. Great job with your videos! I really enjoy them.

[@Av0cad0YumYum]

I like your vids. Please make more.

[@OGjayraimie]

Nice review sir. I just got my first CRK as a wedding present-also a small Sebenza 31 but with micarta inlays. I have to agree with you. In fact, I mentioned today, after only two days of carry, that I would be happy with this knife if I had to give up the rest of my collection. After I said that I immediately slapped myself out of such crazy thought, but you get my drift.

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

Tough question, isn't it. "If you could only have 1 knife". The answer really has to be "it depends" - but the CRKs are definitely on the short list. Hope you're enjoying yours as much as I do mine.

[@kdiggs525]

I agree I just love having it in my pocket ready to use even if I don't use it I just love i having it with me. And it's not crazy to think this is the best knife I've ever expierenced. Lol. I continue to think about consolidating and just buying CRK models now lmao.

[@micheltran7115]

Very informative video. Probably the best review out there for the Sebenza 31 Small. I am sold.

[@matsleandersson1243]

Thank you for an excellent review and excellent reviewing format. I'm right now waiting (impatiently) for my first Sebenza to arrive and are watching one KZbin video after the other about it. I'll have to say that I like your review the best. Calm, down to earth, honest, and you obviously have a great sense of humor. Thanks!

[@ronaldthe1]

Why have I never seen your videos before, love em!

[@spoontastico]

Love your rating scale - CMR in particular is both hilarious and highly relevant! Great video, and well articulated point of view - well done!

[@2371Anita]

Only one word on this knive! GRAIL! 😁

[@reecemesser]

Damn!!! I LOVE IT! This made me email my authorized dealer in the UK if this knife will be in stock soon. That's a beauty, I want it in rotation besides my large Insigno blade.

[@tap42al]

I’m liking your vids. Thanks

[@ToxicityAssured]

Very nice video, I enjoyed all of it.

[@gregsmith2693]

My kind of knife enthusiast

[@andrewbarton2129]

Great review. Loved your enthusiasm and passion. I also collect pocket knives and will purchase a CRK one day. A grail knife I look forward to getting. Thanks.

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

There was a potato chip commercial years ago, with the slogan "bet you can't eat just one!". That's CRK knives too - be warned.

[@andrewbarton2129]

@@OldFartLikesKnives Correct, I keep wanting more. I have just purchased a CRK Small Sebenza 31 with Elder inlay. Cant wait to receive it.

[@carlito5552]

Good vid, deliberate and well spoken. I'll be your 97th subscriber any day.

[@tallica4life81]

I’m fully in love with my large 31. I do wish I didn’t get such a pretty version that has nice milling and ano work done to it because now I need to get a plain or probably micarta inlaid for work. This ones just to pretty and I actually want to keep it pretty looking. I of course will use it at home doing a lot less than I do at work as a cabinet maker. The blade shape is definitely good I do wish the tip didn’t point up wards as much but it’s very nice to look at and the fine tip is nice for tasks and seems to be sturdy compared to a pm2 tip.

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

I was able to find a used '25, poor condition but easy enough to refurbish, to serve as a user and not threaten the pretty '31 so much.

[@magicROCKETSify]

Love the style of dialogue.

[@danegavrilovski]

Nice rewiev!

[@B2Rockin]

I am looking at the small vs large Sebenza 31 as my first Chris Reeve knife (also Umnumzaan) as an EDC and was curious if the small would be too small. I really enjoyed your review and loved your background music btw. Thank you so much! Cheers from VA *Subscribed

[@wolfdna788]

I put I tiny bit of locktite on the lanyard tube so it doesn’t rattle and it works perfectly. I also turn the tube so you can’t see the hole looking down on the knife

[@wolfdna788]

I have the plain Jane version and sent it in and got WolfDNA carved into it so it forces me to not trade it because I trade everything else :)

[@jasonratcliffe3137]

Good shit. Good review.

[@jcml1326]

I'll probaby use my teeth too before use it with a fire steel. 😂 nice review! Going for this one as they're bumping up the price for the polished versions.

[@yotday]

Double lugs are still nice on the smalls. To me double lugs are meant more for helping you grip the blade better when you want to choke your hand up on the blade to do more delicate/controlled cuts.

[@dcase1]

enjoyed your considered review ... a small bit of loctite on the lanyard pin will cure the rattle

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

Thank you dcase. Duh - I never thought of that. I guess I was thinking "thread locker"; "no threads". I don't really care for the lanyard, so I'll try that next time I have a chance.

[@dcase1]

@@OldFartLikesKnives -- has worked well for my large seb 31 ... I'm not a lanyard fan either

[@joe1745ny]

C_M in utube review suggests blade toggles in this specific model. can u confirm same w/urs? thx

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

I'm not even sure what that means. The only C_M I can find that is related to knives is in Russian, and doesn't have anything about CRK knives in his videos (that I can find). I don't know what "toggles" would mean in respect to a blade. Blade play? Absolutely none, in any direction. Mine isn't doing anything toggley.

[@jamesday7344]

I was under the impression that the thumbstud was tapered to discourage opening when withdrawing. . Yes Chris discourages flicking or slamming open with the wrist

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

It would be great to actually hear the design intent from Chris. I wonder if he's ever been interviewed on that topic. That's got my curiosity up, I'm going to do a bit of a search for that. Funny, I enjoy flicking open the knives that I have that flick well. But the lack of flickability doesn't bother me at all - I love the "slow deliberate" open of the CRK. In fact, all things considered, I think I prefer it.

[@davidpolanco1114]

Awesome video! I just picked one up with macassar inlays, what wax do use to maintain it? Cheers!

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

This: www.amazon.com/Renaissance-XTL-8004-Wax-Polish-65ml/dp/B003AJWN62/ And almost identical, sometimes more available, this: www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/supplies/finishing/finishes/75652-lee-valley-conservators-wax?item=53Z3110

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

Should have added: the trick is to use 'way 'way less than you think. The tiniest little film you can get on your finger or a cloth. Let dry thoroughly then buff with a soft cloth. Use too much and you'll be buffing for hours.

[@DavePolo1]

@@OldFartLikesKnives Massive thanks for sharing and providing advice. Cheers!

[@anotheryoutuber_]

the real star of this video is not that knife but is that nice silicone mat.

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

It is a great mat for doing knife maintenance - little recesses for screws & parts, etc. The colour made white balance really tough so I stopped using it for videos, but I certainly recommend it as a tool. Cheap too. It's here: www.amazon.com/Kaisiking-Silicone-Electronics-Soldering-Anti-Static/dp/B08PVCZ41C/ if anyone would like one. (That's not an affiliate link.)

[@kristopherkarvela3135]

If you don’t like the lanyard put a small dab of loctite on the inside of the scale on the lanyard pin. Problem solved

[@ZoneCrasher]

More expensive than 5X of it's weight in pure silver.

[@OldFartLikesKnives]

Ooh, math! This is neat. To an order of magnitude, it costs a little more than 5x its weight in silver, and a little less than 1/5 its weight in gold. Cuts better than both.

[@CDTBoxing]

@@OldFartLikesKnives Great answer 😂