Chris Reeve Knives

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SG89
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#21

Post by SG89 »

SG89 wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:36 pm
murphjd25 wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:31 pm
SG89 wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:33 am
I bought a Sebenza 31 small PJ last year. Well built but ultimately not for me. I don't like thumb holes. Having said that I wanted to give CRK another chance. So I have a large sebenza 31 in micarta on the way but with a spydie hole. Lol. I really want a new style mnandi tho. Can't find any in stock. (the one with the hole through the blade)
😡
Are you mad it's a 31 instead of a 21?
Just realized I typed i don't like thumb holes. I meant thumb studs. Oops
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#22

Post by murphjd25 »

SG89 wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:36 pm
murphjd25 wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:31 pm
SG89 wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:33 am
I bought a Sebenza 31 small PJ last year. Well built but ultimately not for me. I don't like thumb holes. Having said that I wanted to give CRK another chance. So I have a large sebenza 31 in micarta on the way but with a spydie hole. Lol. I really want a new style mnandi tho. Can't find any in stock. (the one with the hole through the blade)
😡
Are you mad it's a 31 instead of a 21?
😛I’m just messing with ya
Josh
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#23

Post by JRinFL »

I have joined the club thanks to TkoK83Spy selling me his PJ 31. I’m still in the getting-to-know-you phase.
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kennethsime
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#24

Post by kennethsime »

abbazaba wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:26 am
TkoK83Spy wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 9:24 am
I find the more I carry my CRK's, the more I get used to the studs. Once the action is super smooth, the thumb stud really isn't an issue. Though...I would prefer the hole if given the option.
Same here. Once you get used to putting your thumb on the blade and pushing the stud from below it's a non issue.

That said, I do have a Large Spydiebenza, and it's an incredibly natural marriage IMO. I look forward to your thoughts SG!
Ok, question.

I always thought the spydie-hump was crucial to an ergonomic use of the round hole. However, that’s clearly not the case, as the Native 5 and Native Chief demonstrate.

Does the spydiebenza feel about like a Native 5?
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
The Meat man
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#25

Post by The Meat man »

Never had any issues with the thumb studs, at all. They work fine for me.

The Spydie-hole mod looks neat, but I wonder how much it weakens the blade? The grind is so deep and high there's not a lot of meat left once you cut out the hole. But maybe it's not as bad as I think.
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abbazaba
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#26

Post by abbazaba »

Large and Small Insingo PJ 31 in stock at KSF
Last edited by abbazaba on Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#27

Post by abbazaba »

kennethsime wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 10:59 pm
abbazaba wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:26 am
TkoK83Spy wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 9:24 am
I find the more I carry my CRK's, the more I get used to the studs. Once the action is super smooth, the thumb stud really isn't an issue. Though...I would prefer the hole if given the option.
Same here. Once you get used to putting your thumb on the blade and pushing the stud from below it's a non issue.

That said, I do have a Large Spydiebenza, and it's an incredibly natural marriage IMO. I look forward to your thoughts SG!
Ok, question.

I always thought the spydie-hump was crucial to an ergonomic use of the round hole. However, that’s clearly not the case, as the Native 5 and Native Chief demonstrate.

Does the spydiebenza feel about like a Native 5?
It's really a totally different experience between a Sebenza and a Native... size, lock, shape, materials, etc. The Sebbie actually has quite a bit of hump/thumb ramp compared to the Native 5. I think the GB2 is the closest feeling Spyderco knife to a Large Sebenza.
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#28

Post by mikey177 »

abbazaba wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:45 am
Large and Small Insingo PJ 31 in stock at KSF

Wow, those didn't last long. OOS when I checked just now.
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kennethsime
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#29

Post by kennethsime »

abbazaba wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:50 am
kennethsime wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 10:59 pm
abbazaba wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:26 am
TkoK83Spy wrote:
Thu Jan 20, 2022 9:24 am
I find the more I carry my CRK's, the more I get used to the studs. Once the action is super smooth, the thumb stud really isn't an issue. Though...I would prefer the hole if given the option.
Same here. Once you get used to putting your thumb on the blade and pushing the stud from below it's a non issue.

That said, I do have a Large Spydiebenza, and it's an incredibly natural marriage IMO. I look forward to your thoughts SG!
Ok, question.

I always thought the spydie-hump was crucial to an ergonomic use of the round hole. However, that’s clearly not the case, as the Native 5 and Native Chief demonstrate.

Does the spydiebenza feel about like a Native 5?
It's really a totally different experience between a Sebenza and a Native... size, lock, shape, materials, etc. The Sebbie actually has quite a bit of hump/thumb ramp compared to the Native 5. I think the GB2 is the closest feeling Spyderco knife to a Large Sebenza.
Thanks, that’s great feedback.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#30

Post by JRinFL »

One thing I learned with my new-to-me 31 is that the large could actually be a bit larger, for me at least. I'm really glad I passed on the small version.
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James Y
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#31

Post by James Y »

Here is an image of all my CRKs, in the order I bought them:

Large Regular Sebenza (2002)
Umnumzaan (2011)
Large 21 Insingo (2015)
Small 21 Insingo (2015)
Small Inkosi (2016)

Image

Jim
SG89
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#32

Post by SG89 »

Nice collection James
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#33

Post by JRinFL »

James Y wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:21 am
Here is an image of all my CRKs, in the order I bought them:

Large Regular Sebenza (2002)
Umnumzaan (2011)
Large 21 Insingo (2015)
Small 21 Insingo (2015)
Small Inkosi (2016)

Image

Jim
I kind of looks like they are orbiting the moon in close formation.
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“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
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TkoK83Spy
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#34

Post by TkoK83Spy »

Brought Big and Lil brother along with me today.

Image

Image
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

-Rick
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abbazaba
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#35

Post by abbazaba »

I really prefer the contrast of the polished flats and polished blade over the new omission of both, but I'm yet to see the new glass blasted in person.
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#36

Post by TkoK83Spy »

abbazaba wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:10 pm
I really prefer the contrast of the polished flats and polished blade over the new omission of both, but I'm yet to see the new glass blasted in person.
I agree, that polished finish is really the only reason I'm not letting that small 31 go in favor of others. Seems to be pretty rare all the sudden! I like the colors/contrast/inlays A LOT, but the small is just a bit too small for my liking. Beautiful knife regardless.

I also was tempted to jump on that opportunity you provided in that other thread this morning, but realized I really need to chill out for a bit! I'm very curious about that glass blasted finish as well.
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

-Rick
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kennethsime
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#37

Post by kennethsime »

Did y'all see the videos from SHOT with the new crushed glass finish? I hear they're using it on pretty much everything, including the wood inlay knives that used to be polished.

Seems pretty cool, but I'm still loving the classic sandblast.

That box elder inlay is gorgeous btw, Rick.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
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kennethsime
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#38

Post by kennethsime »

James Y wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:21 am
Here is an image of all my CRKs, in the order I bought them:
Great collection, Jim!

Which one gets the most carry time? Which is your favorite?
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
James Y
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#39

Post by James Y »

SG89 wrote:
Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:25 am
Nice collection James

Thank you, Spydergirl! 🙂

JRinFL wrote: I kind of looks like they are orbiting the moon in close formation.

Thanks, Jim! Come to think of it, you’re right! I had been trying for the most neutral background I could think of, but the reflected light does make it look outer space-y. 🙂

kennethsime wrote: Great collection, Jim!

Which one gets the most carry time? Which is your favorite?

Thanks, Kenneth!

The one I’ve spent the most time carrying overall was the Large Regular Seb. I had to completely reprofile the factory edge OOB (although it probably doesn’t show much in pics), then carried/used it quite a bit for a few years. It taught me how tough CRK knives are. Although admittedly, I haven’t carried it much in recent years.

One of the amazing things about CRK knives is how gracefully they age.

My second-most carried is the large 21 Insingo. I really like the modified Wharncliffe blade shape, with the slight belly. Great slicer. Was my main EDC knife for a year or two.

I also really like the small Inkosi. It feels even more secure in hand than my small 21 Insingo.

Although I must admit, I generally carry my Spydies more! 🥴

Jim
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kennethsime
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Re: Chris Reeve Knives

#40

Post by kennethsime »

Thanks Jim, I'm really looking forward to seeing how my Sebenza will age. :-)

Well, on day 3 I'm finally getting the hang of opening the Sebenza without injuring my thumb. It's not too dissimilar from opening a Buck 110 one-handed - the thumbstub is kind of an afterthought, and it's the friction between thumb and blade which really gives you the smooth opening action.

abbazaba's comments really make me want to drill a round hole, but man I don't want to ruin that warranty. If I can get used to opening it this way, maybe I can hold off.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
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