I had a 21 come back from CRK spa with about 10% lockup, settled into 40-50% but the point is as long as your geometry is sound it doesn't matter if you're at 5% or 95%
@@tinayalatorres7017 Hi I bought this knife mainly to have in my collection it doesn’t get much use but as far as quality goes it’s very well made. My everyday users are mainly Spydercos and Benchmades.
The 31 has a lock with more flex, can stick and require a month of working (22:30) the action plus it has a less comfortable clip... :( The new lock bar also seems to be about streamlining manufacturing more than fixing an issue. That is NEVER a reason I buy a knife. For about $500, the process can have some complications. My wife and I got into buying 21's about five years ago. We now how 21 examples of the 21 between us. That seemed like a reasonable place to stop right? Anyways, tack on four fixed blades and that takes us to a total of 25 Reeve knives. That's all we are going to have. We have no desire for a 31 and the Nyala is gone along with the beloved 21. The 31 was designed because people said they needed to make something new, critics felt things were stale and outdated. They took the comments from the loudest mouths and ran with it. This feels like a knife that was made because it was simply about time to make another, the 21 had been around for a while. To me, newer is not always better. That's why I have a wall of 30+ axes between 50-150 years old. Nearly all new axes are vastly inferior in materials and workmanship. The 21 is like those perfect old axes, so simple and offers flawless results for decades and beyond. EVERYTHING HAS IT'S HIGH WATER MARK! After that, it's sadly on the way down. Chris was obsessed with the design of his knives. It was internal fire that burnt his entire life. I imagine he was constantly thinking about some design aspect. Does the clip go on the lock bar of the handle for example or the shape of the thumb stud. No corner was ever cut, the only thing that mattered was how the knife worked in the hand. It's hard to pass that kind of obsession and dedication to perfection even to ones former wife or son. The sebenza 21 (and prior) are pure Chris Reeve. Very few knifes are solely the work of one man from start to finish. Tim is a good guy, he just seems noticeably different in his attitude about making knives. To end my book... As mentioned, my wife and I have enough 21's to last our lives and several generations of children. This is like watching a storm blow by as I sit in a bunker. It's interesting to watch the disruption as it moves though, but I simply don't care because I know I'm safe.
Thanks for this, I've been on the fence between the 21 and 31 for a while now and this pushed me over the edge to the 21. Just ordered a drop point with the natural micarta!
I must say that his specifically had lockstick and they usually don't. All of the ceramic ball locking CRK's I've had didn't have any stick and were smooth as butter.
My 31 was broken in within the first month. It's glassy smooth now and easy to flick open. I like the fact that the detent ball and lockface are the same thing. Basically the instant the knife is disengaged the blade slides shut effortlessly. Mine never had any lockstick in the slightest and it's still breaking in getting even smoother. Mine never had any lock flex either. At least I've never felt safe enough pressing hard enough to see if it could flex so it's all the same to me. I'm currently polishing my plane jane sebenza 31 so I can give it an entropic finish like Olamic Cutlery does. Then my sebenza will really shine.
Excellent videos; I also refer to the previous one (a complete comparison between 21 and 31) as extremely complete and detailed. Full of useful information that I did not know and never would have known. It made me realize that I don't need to rush to buy the new Sebenza 31 already having a 21 with micarta inlays. By the way, we in Italy pay about 35/40% more than the U.S. street price due to shipping costs and crazy taxation. Maybe, in the future, I will opt for a small micarta with clip blade or/and a large smooth 31 with insingo blade. I already own a small insingo blade, my favourite pocket knife. I hardly use my knife because it is a crime (up to three years in jail) to carry a knife for no solid reason. You cannot carry it in your pocket for any reason in an urban environment; you can carry it fully packed and not easily accessible, in the car trunk or a backpack to take it to sharpen for the shortest route or after you have bought it in its original packaging, not readily accessible and with the receipt 'purchase.
Thanks for these videos, they are entertaining. I wish I had found out about these knives years ago, got my first 21 (large CGG Chainmail) back in January. Picked up another (large plain raindrop Damascus) today, couldn't resist having another 21 in my possession knowing that they will be no more very soon. I'll probably pick up a 31 when they switch over to S45VN.
My wife and I own several Sebenza 21 knives, along with a Ti Lock. We replaced the Ti Lock’s Hawk clip, and installed a standard Sebenza clip. Looking at CRK’s website, a Hawk clip is $75. I think the 31 is simply a marketing gimmick, plain and simple. I did watch your entire review, so thanks!
I appreciate your explanation of the lock bar flex while in open position. This is a non-issue for me now. Other videos I have watch have not made this clear. I have a new 31 coming in 3 days (my first).
The 31 is my first crk and your videos are so helpful thank you I do love my 31 but I have never held another crk and my 31 did have some issues when I first got it similar to yours
Good video, thanks. I’ve got a bunch of CRKs including many Sebenzas (21s, Classic MMs, Regulars) and been considering a small micarta 31. I think you’ve you’ve convinced me to get one. A small 21 micarta Insingo has been my favorite EDC folder for several years now. We’ll see if the 31 can compare. It’s interesting that the 31’s canted clip is causing a hot spot for you. I believe CRK introduced the canted clip on the Inkosi due to hotspot issues with the straight clip on the Sebenza 25. I use a Hawk clip on my 25 to eliminate the hotspot. I also use a Hawk clip on my EDC small 21. I’ll have to see how the clip on the 31 works out if I get one.
I appreciate your explanation of the lock bar flex while in open position. This is a non-issue for me now. Other videos I have watch have not made this clear. I have a new 31 coming in 3 days (my first). Would you mind proving a link to the Hawk pocket clip?
Stories From The Study It just came in today and I love it! I’ve got an M600 in fine with the same blue striped pattern and it’s easily my smoothest pen, I wish I would’ve gone up to the 800 size though.
Yeap, and I think I mentioned in the video that during the winter I was carrying it as a "secondary carry" in my coat pocket, so it didn't get used much and when it did I was usually wearing gloves or mitts. When I was working the action trying to "work out" the lock stick, I deliberately held the blade with a cloth avoiding use of the lugs because I didn't want to wear off the anodization at the same time. Over the past two(plus) months since the video, I've had the knife in hand a lot more without gloves, and the lugs have begun to fade a lot more, with the tips fading the most. But your comment made me look closer, because they still do have a hint of blue. They're not going silver nearly as fast as the tips of the blue lugs on my small insingo 21. I looked at the tips of the lugs on the small with magnification and the metal is perfectly smooth. On the large, the tips of the lugs have very fine concentric ridges that I assume are from machining. That extra texture on the large lugs probably protects the anodization from wearing as quickly as on the smooth small lugs. Thanks for the comment and making me think more about it!
I really wish they would do heat anodization on the lugs. Heat anodizing is sooooo much more durable. Good luck rubbing that off in less then a year or two. Only problem would be copying such a consistent color with a torch or heat.
I have fat thumbs and I appreciate the larger chamfering near the thumb stud for the 31! I have owned 3 Sebenza 21’s 1.) 2017 insingo with blue lug 2.) 2016 drop point black micarta with silver lug and 3.) 2019 silver lug plain Jane! I do notice a big difference in the wear period for that ceramic interface to wear it’s detent track into the blade on the 31 but now mine has broken in really nicely! I have some lock stick here and there but I add I drop of Crk lube to the ceramic ball and it still ultra solid and no stick. My 2019 21 broke in super quick and I do notice a much lighter detent on 21 compared to my 31! I love them both. I do prefer the new chamfering including the lanyard chamfering on the 31 which I recently got a snake knot charcoal with titanium bead and I’m loving it! the biggest difference to me has been the bigger space for my fat thumb to openthe 31! I will always keep both 2019 21 and 2020 31 both single silver stud and I hope to add a nice wood inlay 31 to my collection! I love them both although I do prefer the 31 now that it’s broken in more! Great videos! I carry my 31 in a leather Crk slip in my left pocket and my Koenig arius in my right pocket! The best of both worlds! I love Chris Reeve Knives! And awesome videos I love how detailed and meticulous you are! Just a joy to watch!
Thanks so much for the compliments! Also for the details about your collection. It's been almost two months since I filmed this, and the lock stick is slowly reducing as the break-in continues... hopefully I'll be getting there soon. I do plan on getting another 31 in the future, but am probably going to wait for the new blade steel. Some of those wood inlays on the first inlaid 31s have so much character to the grain, it's hard to wait. I'm hoping they continue using wood that looks so good! Cheers!
Hi Good video.You brought up some interesting points.I have a large Inkosi Tanto it is a very good knife.I sent it back when I first received it ,I opened and closed it 1500 x because it was tight.Came back a little better but, not much.Is breaking in after 3.5 mos.There is no lock bar stick or blade play at all.Knife opens smoothly.Not as easy to open as my 6 BM or ZT 0620.Was disappointed by that.I bent my pocket clip after a month.I grab bottom of clip to pull out.I removed the laynard won't be replaced unless I attach a idiot cord to Inkosi has two large washers might be reason for no blade rock.Enjoy them
I have owned a 25, two Umnumzaan, and two small Inkosi and never had any problems with blade play. I've owned at least twenty other CRK Sebenzas and no blade play. If there were any issues I would not buy or keep any more of them. IMHO that's what sets CRK apart. I've had many expensive custom folders with lock issues. It's completely unacceptable to me. I believe many of these things happen to just a few people but it gets broadcast everywhere and people just accept it as a fact. I agree with you.
I was looking for a folding knife that lasts for a long time and doesn't rust. Finally, I got the knife that met my expectations. This knife doesn't rust for 2 years. I am very glad the blade is the same sharp as the first day it was. I bought it from Alf Knives and am thinking about buying another one for my little brother.
Mine has no lock rock or lock stick, maybe 2023 they fixed problem, i can even flick it out and reverse flick. . Super good knife but thanks for the good information
They have made further changes to the Sebenza 31 design now, by moving the lock-bar cut-out farther forward on the lock bar. This is now another difference between the Sebenza 21 and Sebenza 31 - the position of the lock bar cut-out. By doing this it lowers the amount of up/down flexion possible by the lock bark, and increases the amount of force required to flex it at all, thereby largely removing the concern. As the one in the video is one of the first Sebenza 31s produced, they hadn't contemplated this change yet. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
@@storiesfromthestudy669Thanks for the clarification. I just purchased a Small Inkosi. It's very smooth and has no blade play or lock rock. IMHO that's what sets CRK apart. I can buy a small frame lock for around $100 without any blade play. I think it's important that you clarified your 31 is one of the first.
As Apex mentioned, great video! I really appreciate all the details, much more than regular reviews. Creds for your patience, I wouldn't have accepted that lockstick n mark myself. Am now waiting to get my KnifeArt Small Sebenza 21 carbon fiber drop point back after washer swap. Mistakenly bent the big washer. First day :'( Pivot came loose and was too stiff after reassembling and like fifteenth time (since so careful) put it together wrong side. Other than that, it's absolutely amazing!
Thanks for the compliment, and I'm glad all my research, preparation, and then blabbing on and on about details is appreciated! This is a good outlet for OCD! :D As far as the lock stick... it's always a judgement call as to whether to send in a CRK for warranty work from Canada - It's an expensive two-way trip and you run the risk (small, but it's there) of it being confiscated by customs and a long fight to get it back. I've sent in knives on a couple of occasions, but only when the problem needs workshop attention (and they got back to me without incident, but you never know). If the issue is something I know will work out naturally, I'll be patient. With my very first CRK (Small Sebenza 21 with Cocobolo Inlays) I suffered through many months of anguish and buyer's remorse when it had abysmal lock-stick. Now it operates smoother than Sade's singing voice. I look back on that break-in period with nostalgia, and that's kind of why I approach my collections (and videos) from a story perspective - every item I have in one of my collections has a story that goes with it, and I can't help but think of the story when I pick up or use those objects. Your Knife Art Carbon Fibre has a story already... even the time spent waiting for it to get back is part of what's going to make you appreciate it more! Thanks for watching, and for your kind praise of the video! Enjoy that 21 when it's back in your hands!
@@storiesfromthestudy669 You're most welcome! Told my story to Alycia at CRK, how my first was not centered, middle of the spine almost touching the show-side, sending it back for about 180$ (FedEx prio with insurance from Sweden), new one pivot coming loose first day and being way too stiff after reassembling, kinda forcing me to adjust myself which led to me bending the washer by mistake, which is ofc my fault but being put in that situation first day wasn't okay, and being laid off due to covid, and if I had to pay same amount again for shipping and back again, it would be above 1000$ for that small Sebenza 21 CF (incl customs), and that it wasn't the CRK experience I've expected, obviously, she offered to pay for everything, which I of course was very grateful about and so I did send it same as last time with insurance so I felt safe. You're absolutely right! I'm gonna enjoy it so very much when it gets back, even more than if it never happened! My first CRK which I only could enjoy for about 12 hours so far, before messing it up hehe. But it's gonna be epic to get it back, probably close to first unboxing before noticing the off-centering, actually taking my breath away and saying "oh maaan", "oh my God" a good bunch of times. What an experience it was, wishing I had recorded it. Gonna try a MXG Gear clip, a bit slimmer than Lynch I think, and also ordered extra standard clips to try bending down the last bit to stick up maybe half as much as standard since I am a bit worried it will catch to stuff. Might be an idea for the 31. The thanks goes to you for the best knife content on YT, kinda like the Chris Reeve of knife videos ;)
I just got my large 31 with inlays today. I’ve got a plain large inkosi and plain large 21. I wish I’d gotten inlays in my inkosi. I hate how the blue anodization wears off. With the silver thumb stud, I don’t have to worry, and the inlays just make the knife feel, and look better. One thing about the stick, on my inkosi, for a while, there was a little stick, not much, and it wore off. It’s as smooth as glass. My 31 had a little bit when I first opened it, and it’s gradually getting smoother.
My benchmade 940 and large sebenza are beat to crap. I've dropped em in lakes, gutted fish, skinned, carved wood, open cans, used em as screw drivers etc etc. I like my sebenza the most because I've had a spring break on the 940 while hunting and had to jam a stick in it to finish. So the CR is the one I carry almost 99% of the time. I always keep a 17, 19, 20 degree convex mirror finish edge though.
Yes, the sound is the same when you close them, I can definitely get that "tink" out of the 31. As with a 21, the sound varies depending on the position of your hand on and around the handle.
I think the lock bar flex is acceptable considering the contact surface of ceramic ball and blade is fairly small. I do prefer the 21s tho. Nice collection u have. I bought some of my CRKs from Steve@Thunderbird too. But most are from knifeart and DLT trading as they have more lefty models. (Hate to be both a lefty and knife collector)
After chasing my tail trying to get a strider, CRK it is! I’m on the hunt for an engraved 31, natural micarta 31, or umnumzaan. I’m really jonesing to feel a crk in hand. A knife that my grandkids will use the cut the huge balloon string, sending my body into space. In all seriousness, a lifetime knife 😂
30:08 you state, "all Chris Reeve Knives have that." Referring to lock "flex" you referred to when pushing on the spine of the blade and the handle secure on a flat surface. To clear things up, this is simply not true. My Sebenza 21 does not have this one bit as the 31, or any cermanic ball interface knives from CRK. My 21 is absolutely rock solid.
It is impossible for a ceramic ball crk knife to go to 100percent. The ball sticks out the side and will hit the handle even before the titanium lock bar would.
In the drawing at 17:57 you even show the ball sticking out as the detent. That would hit the handle first preventing the lockbar to move over anymore.
The issue with the thumbstuds is not that they’re uncomfortable. It’s that they’re butt ugly, don’t match the rest of the knife aesthetics at all, and especially not the rest of the hardware, and that the ano wears out within months, making them look even uglier. They look like something off a $50 chinese knockoff. Which is a damned shame, considering the rest of the design is so elegant.
It's amazing the variety of opinions that design has evoked... which indicates that it is not a perfect design by any stretch. Nothing can be perfect, but you know you've come close if people just use what you've designed and it doesn't get talked about! Thanks for your thoughts!
@@storiesfromthestudy669 Don't get me wrong, i own a 21, and i got to like it (i originally didn't - i loved the 'zaan though). But those thumbstuds still bug me... :) The Umnumzaan ones are much nicer, at least to me, more comfortable too (less pointy).
To address Lockstick: take apart the knife and remove the blade. Lightly strop the 'tang' a few times (lock face surface where the ball locks onto the back of the blade) . Reinstall the blade and voila. @7KqU
Thanks for the tip - I thought of this and tried it about a six weeks ago, and I've done it three times now. It has the same effect on the lock stick as the other techniques I've tried. After reassembly it opens smoothly for a few iterations and then the roughness starts to increase and the lock stick returns. It's approaching about two months since I filmed this video, and the lock stick is slowly decreasing as the break-in period continues. Almost there I hope. :)
@@storiesfromthestudy669 Interesting, I've performed this remedy on my Umnumzaan, Inkosi, and now the 31. All have permanently remedied any semblance of lock stick and are very smooth when disengaging the lock. I utilized the DLT Trading double-sided strop with 6000 grit (green) compound. The 3000 grit (black) may work even better. I'm sure it will work itself out. Best of luck and thanks for the Hawk Clip recommendation. It is much more preferable to my hands on the plain 31.
Did you consider sending the knife with lockbar stick to CRK for customer service? I bet they can fix it properly instead pf you having to put 50 thousand reps on it
I wouldn't consider sending in my knife for lock stick unless I could not budge the lock bar. My Small Sebenza 21 Cocobolo was almost that way near the beginning of its life but now is extremely smooth. I know the problem will go away once the knife fully beaks in - as a matter of fact, writing this reply today I've had the knife for almost eight months, and the lock stick almost non-existent at this point. I have found that a bit of WD-40 on the blade tang worked wonders. Also, particularly living in Canada and dealing with cross-border shipping and customs, I've only sent knives in to CRK when I know the problem is a workmanship issue. Also, it was 5,000 times, not 50,000! :D
Stories From The Study fair enough. Whats an extra zero between friends? I ask because, on my lefty 21, I was having lockbar stick, i sent it in and they re-heat treated the lock bar and it came back perfect. So I wouldn’t underestimate what they are able to fix, on any given model.
@@BenBelkin If I lived in the US I might consider it. But I already had three Sebenzas cross the border for repairs this year - Two you can see in my videos... the Large 21 Black Micarta Drop Point that didn't arrive with the thumb lugs I'd ordered, and had to go back to be corrected, and the Small 21 Lunar Landing that had to go back to have a cracked cabochon replaced. The third one hasn't appeared on my channel yet, but it's a special one and I'll talk about why it went to Boise when I do put up the video. It gets expensive, and there's always the worry about it getting through customs successfully. I have to say, it is a satisfying experience when you break one in over a period of months. When I use my Small 21 Cocobolo that has a lock that's now as smooth as a greased hockey puck on wet ice, I think back to how frustrated I was with it when it was brand new and I could barely budge it, and it's almost a nostalgic memory... part of the CRK experience and the story of that knife. :)
A divot that deep in your blade tang is NOT normal. That looks like someone did a spine wack test and the ceramic ball dented the steel. The ceramic ball should just be slowly polishing a mark into that tang, that is all, not making a deep divot.
Can't you just send it back and have them smooth it out for you? Not that you should have to but even the best brands have a few lemons slip through...but I'm more than sure they'd take care of it for you.
John Malkovich, I swear. It’s too uncanny. Shopping around for a sebenza, can’t choose between a small and large. Loving your videos but the voice is distracting lol.
Lock "flex" only happens on CRK knives that use the ceramic ball as the locking mechanism. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE SEBENZA 21. It is understandable that people are emotionally vested in items they purchase. But, it does not change the fact that the solution to a non-problem caused a degradation in the quality of the knife. This change along with the change in the locking pin are a mistake. The changes implemented in the 31 have made the knife several levels worse in manufacturing quaity... They have replaced an elegance in functional design and manufacturing with flawed technologies not ready for prime time. Chis Reeves would not have done this...
sorry ... "owned for 4 mos" looks like you got it and put it into a case for 4 mos ... hell, even coins or keys would generate more snail trails ... just a flipper perhaps? Insta poster? C'mon man, use your shit!
I had a 21 come back from CRK spa with about 10% lockup, settled into 40-50% but the point is as long as your geometry is sound it doesn't matter if you're at 5% or 95%
Great video. Just purchased my first CRK, a Sebenza large 31 and your video by far has been the most informative, thanks.
Thanks for the compliment, and I'm glad you found it interesting!
So how’s your experience so far?
@@tinayalatorres7017 Hi I bought this knife mainly to have in my collection it doesn’t get much use but as far as quality goes it’s very well made. My everyday users are mainly Spydercos and Benchmades.
@@storiesfromthestudy669 Didn't Chris Reeve die years ago ?
The 31 has a lock with more flex, can stick and require a month of working (22:30) the action plus it has a less comfortable clip... :( The new lock bar also seems to be about streamlining manufacturing more than fixing an issue. That is NEVER a reason I buy a knife. For about $500, the process can have some complications. My wife and I got into buying 21's about five years ago. We now how 21 examples of the 21 between us. That seemed like a reasonable place to stop right? Anyways, tack on four fixed blades and that takes us to a total of 25 Reeve knives. That's all we are going to have. We have no desire for a 31 and the Nyala is gone along with the beloved 21.
The 31 was designed because people said they needed to make something new, critics felt things were stale and outdated. They took the comments from the loudest mouths and ran with it. This feels like a knife that was made because it was simply about time to make another, the 21 had been around for a while. To me, newer is not always better. That's why I have a wall of 30+ axes between 50-150 years old. Nearly all new axes are vastly inferior in materials and workmanship. The 21 is like those perfect old axes, so simple and offers flawless results for decades and beyond. EVERYTHING HAS IT'S HIGH WATER MARK! After that, it's sadly on the way down.
Chris was obsessed with the design of his knives. It was internal fire that burnt his entire life. I imagine he was constantly thinking about some design aspect. Does the clip go on the lock bar of the handle for example or the shape of the thumb stud. No corner was ever cut, the only thing that mattered was how the knife worked in the hand. It's hard to pass that kind of obsession and dedication to perfection even to ones former wife or son. The sebenza 21 (and prior) are pure Chris Reeve. Very few knifes are solely the work of one man from start to finish. Tim is a good guy, he just seems noticeably different in his attitude about making knives.
To end my book... As mentioned, my wife and I have enough 21's to last our lives and several generations of children. This is like watching a storm blow by as I sit in a bunker. It's interesting to watch the disruption as it moves though, but I simply don't care because I know I'm safe.
Thanks for watching, and for adding your insights gained through many years of collecting. Much appreciated!
Thanks for this, I've been on the fence between the 21 and 31 for a while now and this pushed me over the edge to the 21. Just ordered a drop point with the natural micarta!
Thought the same way until I carried the 31 for two weeks. Its worth picking up one.
You’re a damn good writer. planning on owning an umnumzaan eventually.
I must say that his specifically had lockstick and they usually don't. All of the ceramic ball locking CRK's I've had didn't have any stick and were smooth as butter.
Thanks a little bit of a sad story , it is impossible to improve on perfection but I can appreciate someone trying. 👍👍
Finally, a comprehensive and comparative review. Thanks dude
You're welcome - I'm glad you found it useful!
My 31 was broken in within the first month. It's glassy smooth now and easy to flick open. I like the fact that the detent ball and lockface are the same thing. Basically the instant the knife is disengaged the blade slides shut effortlessly. Mine never had any lockstick in the slightest and it's still breaking in getting even smoother. Mine never had any lock flex either. At least I've never felt safe enough pressing hard enough to see if it could flex so it's all the same to me. I'm currently polishing my plane jane sebenza 31 so I can give it an entropic finish like Olamic Cutlery does. Then my sebenza will really shine.
I"m glad you've had a good experience with yours. Thanks for watching!
Excellent videos; I also refer to the previous one (a complete comparison between 21 and 31) as extremely complete and detailed. Full of useful information that I did not know and never would have known.
It made me realize that I don't need to rush to buy the new Sebenza 31 already having a 21 with micarta inlays.
By the way, we in Italy pay about 35/40% more than the U.S. street price due to shipping costs and crazy taxation.
Maybe, in the future, I will opt for a small micarta with clip blade or/and a large smooth 31 with insingo blade. I already own a small insingo blade, my favourite pocket knife.
I hardly use my knife because it is a crime (up to three years in jail) to carry a knife for no solid reason. You cannot carry it in your pocket for any reason in an urban environment; you can carry it fully packed and not easily accessible, in the car trunk or a backpack to take it to sharpen for the shortest route or after you have bought it in its original packaging, not readily accessible and with the receipt 'purchase.
Usually have a short attention span but you held it for an hour and gave me some good points to consider regarding the 31. May choose the 21 for now.
Thanks for these videos, they are entertaining.
I wish I had found out about these knives years ago, got my first 21 (large CGG Chainmail) back in January. Picked up another (large plain raindrop Damascus) today, couldn't resist having another 21 in my possession knowing that they will be no more very soon. I'll probably pick up a 31 when they switch over to S45VN.
I'm glad you were entertained, and I appreciate the compliment. I'm also waiting for the S45VN for my next one.
My wife and I own several Sebenza 21 knives, along with a Ti Lock. We replaced the Ti Lock’s Hawk clip, and installed a standard Sebenza clip. Looking at CRK’s website, a Hawk clip is $75. I think the 31 is simply a marketing gimmick, plain and simple. I did watch your entire review, so thanks!
I appreciate your explanation of the lock bar flex while in open position. This is a non-issue for me now. Other videos I have watch have not made this clear. I have a new 31 coming in 3 days (my first).
The 31 is my first crk and your videos are so helpful thank you I do love my 31 but I have never held another crk and my 31 did have some issues when I first got it similar to yours
I'm glad you found the videos informative!
Good video, thanks. I’ve got a bunch of CRKs including many Sebenzas (21s, Classic MMs, Regulars) and been considering a small micarta 31. I think you’ve you’ve convinced me to get one. A small 21 micarta Insingo has been my favorite EDC folder for several years now. We’ll see if the 31 can compare.
It’s interesting that the 31’s canted clip is causing a hot spot for you. I believe CRK introduced the canted clip on the Inkosi due to hotspot issues with the straight clip on the Sebenza 25. I use a Hawk clip on my 25 to eliminate the hotspot. I also use a Hawk clip on my EDC small 21. I’ll have to see how the clip on the 31 works out if I get one.
I appreciate your explanation of the lock bar flex while in open position. This is a non-issue for me now. Other videos I have watch have not made this clear. I have a new 31 coming in 3 days (my first). Would you mind proving a link to the Hawk pocket clip?
The Inkosi tanto is my Is my favorite Chris Reeve knife!The washers are oversized and the blade is thicker. So you get a much smoother action.
Just got an Inkosi drop point, and I love the action. Plus that spine thickness gives you so much confidence!
Thanks for the very informative and detailed video! I’m waiting on my first Sebenza, a plain large 31. Also, nice Pelikan!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm sure you're going to love your 31. That Pelikan M805 Medium is awesome too... it's smoothest writer I have!
Stories From The Study It just came in today and I love it! I’ve got an M600 in fine with the same blue striped pattern and it’s easily my smoothest pen, I wish I would’ve gone up to the 800 size though.
I noticed that with the 31 the pressure that it takes to open it with the thumb stud is much less if pushing up and out at a 45deg angle.
Using a Pelikan as a pointer. Mad flex move.
I must say I am impressed with how well the blue ano thumb lug held up for 4 months! crazy because usually it fades away in a week or two
Yeap, and I think I mentioned in the video that during the winter I was carrying it as a "secondary carry" in my coat pocket, so it didn't get used much and when it did I was usually wearing gloves or mitts. When I was working the action trying to "work out" the lock stick, I deliberately held the blade with a cloth avoiding use of the lugs because I didn't want to wear off the anodization at the same time.
Over the past two(plus) months since the video, I've had the knife in hand a lot more without gloves, and the lugs have begun to fade a lot more, with the tips fading the most. But your comment made me look closer, because they still do have a hint of blue. They're not going silver nearly as fast as the tips of the blue lugs on my small insingo 21. I looked at the tips of the lugs on the small with magnification and the metal is perfectly smooth. On the large, the tips of the lugs have very fine concentric ridges that I assume are from machining. That extra texture on the large lugs probably protects the anodization from wearing as quickly as on the smooth small lugs.
Thanks for the comment and making me think more about it!
I really wish they would do heat anodization on the lugs. Heat anodizing is sooooo much more durable. Good luck rubbing that off in less then a year or two. Only problem would be copying such a consistent color with a torch or heat.
@@storiesfromthestudy669 Nice also you might know that some windex will help bring some of that ano shine back!
@@nicholasnugen1689 Heat is oxidizing not anodizing..... Ano meaning electricity.
I have fat thumbs and I appreciate the larger chamfering near the thumb stud for the 31! I have owned 3 Sebenza 21’s 1.) 2017 insingo with blue lug 2.) 2016 drop point black micarta with silver lug and 3.) 2019 silver lug plain Jane! I do notice a big difference in the wear period for that ceramic interface to wear it’s detent track into the blade on the 31 but now mine has broken in really nicely! I have some lock stick here and there but I add I drop of Crk lube to the ceramic ball and it still ultra solid and no stick. My 2019 21 broke in super quick and I do notice a much lighter detent on 21 compared to my 31! I love them both. I do prefer the new chamfering including the lanyard chamfering on the 31 which I recently got a snake knot charcoal with titanium bead and I’m loving it! the biggest difference to me has been the bigger space for my fat thumb to openthe 31! I will always keep both 2019 21 and 2020 31 both single silver stud and I hope to add a nice wood inlay 31 to my collection! I love them both although I do prefer the 31 now that it’s broken in more! Great videos! I carry my 31 in a leather Crk slip in my left pocket and my Koenig arius in my right pocket! The best of both worlds! I love Chris Reeve Knives! And awesome videos I love how detailed and meticulous you are! Just a joy to watch!
Thanks so much for the compliments! Also for the details about your collection. It's been almost two months since I filmed this, and the lock stick is slowly reducing as the break-in continues... hopefully I'll be getting there soon. I do plan on getting another 31 in the future, but am probably going to wait for the new blade steel. Some of those wood inlays on the first inlaid 31s have so much character to the grain, it's hard to wait. I'm hoping they continue using wood that looks so good! Cheers!
Hi Good video.You brought up some interesting points.I have a large Inkosi Tanto it is a very good
knife.I sent it back when I
first received it ,I opened and closed it 1500 x because it was tight.Came back a little better but,
not much.Is breaking in after
3.5 mos.There is no lock bar stick
or blade play at all.Knife opens smoothly.Not as easy to open as
my 6 BM or ZT 0620.Was disappointed by that.I bent my
pocket clip after a month.I grab bottom of clip to pull out.I removed the laynard won't be replaced unless I attach a idiot cord to Inkosi has two large washers might be reason for no
blade rock.Enjoy them
I made it to the end! It was a long one mind! Worth it though, thank you.
I'm glad you survived to make it all the way! Thanks for watching and for the compliment, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Not all Sebenza 31s have lock rock. I have 2 large and 2 small all with different blade steels and mine don't exhibit that condition.
I have owned a 25, two Umnumzaan, and two small Inkosi and never had any problems with blade play. I've owned at least twenty other CRK Sebenzas and no blade play. If there were any issues I would not buy or keep any more of them. IMHO that's what sets CRK apart. I've had many expensive custom folders with lock issues. It's completely unacceptable to me. I believe many of these things happen to just a few people but it gets broadcast everywhere and people just accept it as a fact. I agree with you.
Man, I absolutely hate the 31’s
I’ve sold all the 31’s I had bought when they first came out.
I’ll be keeping a hold of all my 21’s.
I was looking for a folding knife that lasts for a long time and doesn't rust. Finally, I got the knife that met my expectations. This knife doesn't rust for 2 years. I am very glad the blade is the same sharp as the first day it was. I bought it from Alf Knives and am thinking about buying another one for my little brother.
person-turqouise-wavings...ource ALFKNIVES to get lower budget and for partner wholesales!...elbowbump
How do I get that work mat?
Great video! Very informative.
Thanks for the compliment!
I love the black and blue (black micarta and blue thumb stud)
Mine has no lock rock or lock stick, maybe 2023 they fixed problem, i can even flick it out and reverse flick. . Super good knife but thanks for the good information
They have made further changes to the Sebenza 31 design now, by moving the lock-bar cut-out farther forward on the lock bar. This is now another difference between the Sebenza 21 and Sebenza 31 - the position of the lock bar cut-out. By doing this it lowers the amount of up/down flexion possible by the lock bark, and increases the amount of force required to flex it at all, thereby largely removing the concern. As the one in the video is one of the first Sebenza 31s produced, they hadn't contemplated this change yet. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
@@storiesfromthestudy669Thanks for the clarification. I just purchased a Small Inkosi. It's very smooth and has no blade play or lock rock. IMHO that's what sets CRK apart. I can buy a small frame lock for around $100 without any blade play. I think it's important that you clarified your 31 is one of the first.
great review of lock rock vs lock flex. thank you.
As Apex mentioned, great video! I really appreciate all the details, much more than regular reviews. Creds for your patience, I wouldn't have accepted that lockstick n mark myself. Am now waiting to get my KnifeArt Small Sebenza 21 carbon fiber drop point back after washer swap. Mistakenly bent the big washer. First day :'( Pivot came loose and was too stiff after reassembling and like fifteenth time (since so careful) put it together wrong side. Other than that, it's absolutely amazing!
Thanks for the compliment, and I'm glad all my research, preparation, and then blabbing on and on about details is appreciated! This is a good outlet for OCD! :D
As far as the lock stick... it's always a judgement call as to whether to send in a CRK for warranty work from Canada - It's an expensive two-way trip and you run the risk (small, but it's there) of it being confiscated by customs and a long fight to get it back. I've sent in knives on a couple of occasions, but only when the problem needs workshop attention (and they got back to me without incident, but you never know).
If the issue is something I know will work out naturally, I'll be patient.
With my very first CRK (Small Sebenza 21 with Cocobolo Inlays) I suffered through many months of anguish and buyer's remorse when it had abysmal lock-stick. Now it operates smoother than Sade's singing voice. I look back on that break-in period with nostalgia, and that's kind of why I approach my collections (and videos) from a story perspective - every item I have in one of my collections has a story that goes with it, and I can't help but think of the story when I pick up or use those objects.
Your Knife Art Carbon Fibre has a story already... even the time spent waiting for it to get back is part of what's going to make you appreciate it more! Thanks for watching, and for your kind praise of the video! Enjoy that 21 when it's back in your hands!
@@storiesfromthestudy669 You're most welcome! Told my story to Alycia at CRK, how my first was not centered, middle of the spine almost touching the show-side, sending it back for about 180$ (FedEx prio with insurance from Sweden), new one pivot coming loose first day and being way too stiff after reassembling, kinda forcing me to adjust myself which led to me bending the washer by mistake, which is ofc my fault but being put in that situation first day wasn't okay, and being laid off due to covid, and if I had to pay same amount again for shipping and back again, it would be above 1000$ for that small Sebenza 21 CF (incl customs), and that it wasn't the CRK experience I've expected, obviously, she offered to pay for everything, which I of course was very grateful about and so I did send it same as last time with insurance so I felt safe.
You're absolutely right! I'm gonna enjoy it so very much when it gets back, even more than if it never happened! My first CRK which I only could enjoy for about 12 hours so far, before messing it up hehe. But it's gonna be epic to get it back, probably close to first unboxing before noticing the off-centering, actually taking my breath away and saying "oh maaan", "oh my God" a good bunch of times. What an experience it was, wishing I had recorded it.
Gonna try a MXG Gear clip, a bit slimmer than Lynch I think, and also ordered extra standard clips to try bending down the last bit to stick up maybe half as much as standard since I am a bit worried it will catch to stuff. Might be an idea for the 31.
The thanks goes to you for the best knife content on YT, kinda like the Chris Reeve of knife videos ;)
I just got my large 31 with inlays today. I’ve got a plain large inkosi and plain large 21. I wish I’d gotten inlays in my inkosi. I hate how the blue anodization wears off. With the silver thumb stud, I don’t have to worry, and the inlays just make the knife feel, and look better. One thing about the stick, on my inkosi, for a while, there was a little stick, not much, and it wore off. It’s as smooth as glass. My 31 had a little bit when I first opened it, and it’s gradually getting smoother.
What sharpening system do you use?
Nice video, very informative!
Danke, gutes Video!
Great video, thank you
Demonstration grip mode is Flight or Fight Mode
Great knife review and discussion 👍
My benchmade 940 and large sebenza are beat to crap. I've dropped em in lakes, gutted fish, skinned, carved wood, open cans, used em as screw drivers etc etc. I like my sebenza the most because I've had a spring break on the 940 while hunting and had to jam a stick in it to finish. So the CR is the one I carry almost 99% of the time. I always keep a 17, 19, 20 degree convex mirror finish edge though.
Does your sebenza 31 have late lockup? Mine is very late.
Does the closing sound on the 31 have the metallic “tink” sound that the 21’s have?
Yes, the sound is the same when you close them, I can definitely get that "tink" out of the 31. As with a 21, the sound varies depending on the position of your hand on and around the handle.
NO
Hi, which one you prefer in your professional view, sebenza 31 or inkosi, I wanna buy but confused which one to buy, thank you
Inkosi!
@@itsme5279 yeah thanks, I got inkosi 2 weeks a go and I love it
Why does the handle cover part of the grind?
Usally thats a sign of a counterfeit
Does the 31 have lock rock???? People say that now wanna ask someone that has both
I think the lock bar flex is acceptable considering the contact surface of ceramic ball and blade is fairly small. I do prefer the 21s tho. Nice collection u have. I bought some of my CRKs from Steve@Thunderbird too. But most are from knifeart and DLT trading as they have more lefty models. (Hate to be both a lefty and knife collector)
After chasing my tail trying to get a strider, CRK it is! I’m on the hunt for an engraved 31, natural micarta 31, or umnumzaan.
I’m really jonesing to feel a crk in hand. A knife that my grandkids will use the cut the huge balloon string, sending my body into space. In all seriousness, a lifetime knife 😂
You noticed the lock rock I just got a new 31 Damascus and saw a video about lock rock, and sure enough mine has the slightest lock rock
that's just the nature of the ceramic ball lock
Good video
HA! Using a Pelikan 600 fountain pen to point to your Sebenza! LOL. I have a knife/ pen addiction too!
Great video. And awesome knives. Moral of the story (21 is superior) 😁. I truley love my large plain 21. It's the original and will always be 🤙🏼
Thanks for the compliment! I'm glad you enjoyed it the video, and appreciate my honest opinion. :)
30:08 you state, "all Chris Reeve Knives have that." Referring to lock "flex" you referred to when pushing on the spine of the blade and the handle secure on a flat surface. To clear things up, this is simply not true. My Sebenza 21 does not have this one bit as the 31, or any cermanic ball interface knives from CRK. My 21 is absolutely rock solid.
Kudos for holding my attention for 50 min..
It is impossible for a ceramic ball crk knife to go to 100percent. The ball sticks out the side and will hit the handle even before the titanium lock bar would.
In the drawing at 17:57 you even show the ball sticking out as the detent. That would hit the handle first preventing the lockbar to move over anymore.
"OLDFASTION"? Do you mean Imperial measurement?
The issue with the thumbstuds is not that they’re uncomfortable. It’s that they’re butt ugly, don’t match the rest of the knife aesthetics at all, and especially not the rest of the hardware, and that the ano wears out within months, making them look even uglier. They look like something off a $50 chinese knockoff. Which is a damned shame, considering the rest of the design is so elegant.
It's amazing the variety of opinions that design has evoked... which indicates that it is not a perfect design by any stretch. Nothing can be perfect, but you know you've come close if people just use what you've designed and it doesn't get talked about! Thanks for your thoughts!
@@storiesfromthestudy669 Don't get me wrong, i own a 21, and i got to like it (i originally didn't - i loved the 'zaan though). But those thumbstuds still bug me... :)
The Umnumzaan ones are much nicer, at least to me, more comfortable too (less pointy).
To address Lockstick: take apart the knife and remove the blade. Lightly strop the 'tang' a few times (lock face surface where the ball locks onto the back of the blade) . Reinstall the blade and voila. @7KqU
Thanks for the tip - I thought of this and tried it about a six weeks ago, and I've done it three times now. It has the same effect on the lock stick as the other techniques I've tried. After reassembly it opens smoothly for a few iterations and then the roughness starts to increase and the lock stick returns. It's approaching about two months since I filmed this video, and the lock stick is slowly decreasing as the break-in period continues. Almost there I hope. :)
@@storiesfromthestudy669 Interesting, I've performed this remedy on my Umnumzaan, Inkosi, and now the 31. All have permanently remedied any semblance of lock stick and are very smooth when disengaging the lock. I utilized the DLT Trading double-sided strop with 6000 grit (green) compound. The 3000 grit (black) may work even better. I'm sure it will work itself out. Best of luck and thanks for the Hawk Clip recommendation. It is much more preferable to my hands on the plain 31.
Did you consider sending the knife with lockbar stick to CRK for customer service? I bet they can fix it properly instead pf you having to put 50 thousand reps on it
I wouldn't consider sending in my knife for lock stick unless I could not budge the lock bar. My Small Sebenza 21 Cocobolo was almost that way near the beginning of its life but now is extremely smooth. I know the problem will go away once the knife fully beaks in - as a matter of fact, writing this reply today I've had the knife for almost eight months, and the lock stick almost non-existent at this point. I have found that a bit of WD-40 on the blade tang worked wonders. Also, particularly living in Canada and dealing with cross-border shipping and customs, I've only sent knives in to CRK when I know the problem is a workmanship issue. Also, it was 5,000 times, not 50,000! :D
Stories From The Study fair enough. Whats an extra zero between friends? I ask because, on my lefty 21, I was having lockbar stick, i sent it in and they re-heat treated the lock bar and it came back perfect. So I wouldn’t underestimate what they are able to fix, on any given model.
@@BenBelkin If I lived in the US I might consider it. But I already had three Sebenzas cross the border for repairs this year - Two you can see in my videos... the Large 21 Black Micarta Drop Point that didn't arrive with the thumb lugs I'd ordered, and had to go back to be corrected, and the Small 21 Lunar Landing that had to go back to have a cracked cabochon replaced. The third one hasn't appeared on my channel yet, but it's a special one and I'll talk about why it went to Boise when I do put up the video. It gets expensive, and there's always the worry about it getting through customs successfully. I have to say, it is a satisfying experience when you break one in over a period of months. When I use my Small 21 Cocobolo that has a lock that's now as smooth as a greased hockey puck on wet ice, I think back to how frustrated I was with it when it was brand new and I could barely budge it, and it's almost a nostalgic memory... part of the CRK experience and the story of that knife. :)
Stories From The Study makes sense man. “Greased hockey puck on wet ice” is as Candian as it gets! Greetings from AZ. -BB
Last Video in two years. Are you OK?
A divot that deep in your blade tang is NOT normal. That looks like someone did a spine wack test and the ceramic ball dented the steel. The ceramic ball should just be slowly polishing a mark into that tang, that is all, not making a deep divot.
I need to buy a 21 sebenza before they are too rare and the price of them becomes ridiculous.
Can't you just send it back and have them smooth it out for you? Not that you should have to but even the best brands have a few lemons slip through...but I'm more than sure they'd take care of it for you.
John Malkovich, I swear. It’s too uncanny.
Shopping around for a sebenza, can’t choose between a small and large. Loving your videos but the voice is distracting lol.
Lock "flex" only happens on CRK knives that use the ceramic ball as the locking mechanism. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON THE SEBENZA 21.
It is understandable that people are emotionally vested in items they purchase. But, it does not change the fact that the solution to a non-problem caused a degradation in the quality of the knife. This change along with the change in the locking pin are a mistake.
The changes implemented in the 31 have made the knife several levels worse in manufacturing quaity...
They have replaced an elegance in functional design and manufacturing with flawed technologies not ready for prime time.
Chis Reeves would not have done this...
Lockup would not be from the center of the ball, it would be from the non-lockside side of the ball. It’s FURTHER than what it is on appearance.
Add some lube to the lock bar , and your problems will be no more
sorry ... "owned for 4 mos" looks like you got it and put it into a case for 4 mos ... hell, even coins or keys would generate more snail trails ... just a flipper perhaps? Insta poster? C'mon man, use your shit!
Lol holding the small inlay with your fingers in the inlay groove. No way in hell anyone holds it like that lol wtf
At least one person does - me. My pads of my fingertips fall naturally into that position on my small inlaid Sebenzas.