I appreciate your perspective. You're definitely a person who has experienced more knives in person than I have. My impression as a regular guy with standard knife requirements is that the Sebenza is terrific. Now this is 2 years down the road from this video. I have experience with $50 knives all the way up to about the $600 range. I carry my PJ large Sebenza 31 the most. It doesn't have the ergos I love about my shaman, the fidget factor of my smock, the state-of-the-art steels like my hinderer, or the value-cost benefit of say a CIVIVI elementum, but all around it is my preference. If I go to grab a knife for the day, I know that Seb is going to stand up to whatever I personally would need while being incredibly simple to maintain and having the best warranty in the business. Even with hard use, the thing is going to outlive me. I do find the "worth the price" argument silly to an extent. Especially in the EDC world. Most of the community is Instagram pocket jewelry collectors showing off things like their Ti and micarta brass knuckle bottle openers and shit. Not to mention we all seem to be fine paying more that the materials and labor cost for many of these items due to the clout we feel a brand gives us. Heck, people pay $70 more for a limited color spyderco drop. I also find the argument about how well it fidgets to be silly as well. In my personal case, I carry a knife to cut things. I'm not looking for have a sharp fidget toy in my pocket on demand. There is nothing wrong with people who do. Now, I have a newer model than what you tested and is has s45vn steel and the glass blasted finish. I think the quality of the craftsmanship, the simple design (ease of maintenance) of the knife, the materials, the warranty, and the brand history justify the premium price.

This video is exactly why I love the knife community. Almost every negative you listed is a positive in my opinion. I'm sure I could list off a bunch of negatives on a knife you love that would be positives for you. A great knife has to strike you personally and that's why we have thousands of designs.

I just bought my first sebenza, I actually love it. The simplicity and execution of the knife really appeal to me.

I'm 65 and I enjoy watching the younger generation's view on knives. I've been a warrior, a hunter, a camper, and a construction worker. Bought my first CRK in 95, still have it. Have bought all so called contenders, spent thousands on them. The only things that makes a knife have value is the test of time, the warranty, and ease of maintenance. Of course opinions vary, and each is entitled to his on. I've met Chris Reeve at blade shows, I know why he started making knives, they are not fidget spinners, or show peices and anyone that thinks a bearing bushing knife is an extra, hasn't gotten blood and dirt in them yet. But cardboard cutters seems to be all that is reviewing knives these days. Letter openers, who think a week tells the tale. Not much sense in convincing that logic. I will agree on one point, the knife community has many offerings now, lm glad not everyone likes CRK it makes it easy to get them for those of us who do. I'll be leaving mine to my sons and grandsons, good luck doing that with the drop shutty, fidget factor , ball bearing bushing junk I've destroyed on the path to wearing out all contenders.

I know this video is a year old but I really appreciated your standpoint on this and that you acknowledged your interests and how they played a roll in this. I think it was really honest and real. I know you've probably owned a lot of other knives in the last year too and I know your tastes have changed and evolved as well. I just picked up a large plain jane inkosi insingo (used, good price) after owning and going through over 200 knives in the last year+. Including the Slysz bowie, brown cortex, arius, JG Scout, hinderers, veros, custom pena's, and basically every major production knife. The reason I am going to keep it, carry it, and use it is because it is so simple and I DON'T want to pull it out and fidget with it. I can carry a 2nd knife to do that with. I also wanted something not on bearings that I can use and not have it get all gunked up and feel like I can just keep using it. I use a knife a bunch every day between working in restaurant and working in manufacturing. And lastly, and most importantly- they offer a LEFTY version of it. At the end of the day, I just wanted something made for me and not one of the million nice right hand oriented titanium frame locks ive owned that are ultimately not made to be used by me. The lefty thing is a huge selling point that no one can really compete with in this price range. And I'm not a CRK Fanboy in the slightest. I'm working towards owning more lefty specific knives, and have most of the major ones that are made or have owned them and let them go- but this is just a really solid tool that doesn't allow me to sit and take 15 minutes to decide what I want to put in my left pocket to carry and put to use. It's in the rotation with the TRM Shadow and full lefty FF Archbishop as a primary carry If Hinderer made a lefty, or Reate was releasing some I liked,, etc, I probably wouldn't own and carry this. But it's a lefty, its basic, and it's made to be used and to last. If I were you I'd feel identical probably. Fucking Lefty Problems, my buddy Kev (LeftyEDC) knows what I'm saying. apologies for the opinion on a year old video./endrant

Nice to see an honest opinion video going the other direction about the CRK. I still love my 21s and plan to get a 31.

The Sebenza has qualities I like - open design easy to keep clean, no hidden springs or nooks and crannies to hold dirt, simple and easy to take apart, big washers and no blade play, hard wearing materials, thin in pocket, good clip, classic style, excellent manufacturer support. Boringly good would be a great slogan for this knife.

I just put out my review of the Large Sebenza and did my best not to watch too many other reviews prior. It's nice to see someone with a reputation, such as yourself, being willing to be honest about how you feel about this knife. I think a lot of people end up fanboying too hard because they need to justify TO THEMSELVES why the knife they spent $450/550 on was worth it. I had about a week in the honeymoon phase where I was like OH YEAH, I UNDERSTAND NOW, but all it took was for me to get my next knife after this in my hands (a Reate New Torrent) for almost half the price and I came back to my senses. I agree with the vast majority of what you said and the reasons the knife doesn't appeal to you. There are plenty of "simple" (construction, aesthetics) knives out there for a fraction of the price here that will get the job done just as well. Period. If I'm paying $450-$550 for a knife, you damn well bet it's gonna have something interesting about it... and that thing isn't going to be tolerances that go down to one 6th of one 1000th of one inch. To each their own, but as I say in my review... I don't think the Sebenza has fallen behind... I think other knives have caught up. No doubt in my mind this was one of the greatest knives available, if not undisputably the greatest folding knife available, over a decade ago. But these days? Yeah, sorry. A large sebenza with inlays runs $550. I just built a custom olamic wayfarer 247 for $600, and it is everything I wanted it to be. No way can I justify a boring (sorry) Sebenza over a literally full custom knife of similar or higher quality. I'd say there's a 99% chance that if I can find a reputable buyer, I'm just gonna sell my Sebenza on the secondary for like $525 and put it towards another Olamic. Great review, as always.

I do understand the steel gripe. If they did what spyderco does with all the steel sprint runs I’d probably be broke right now lol. All the goods you listed are the reasons I love this knife. But I also love the simplicity, the 31 especially. It has more functionality with the same components, just done more thoughtfully. I also love the action but understand why you don’t. The fact that you can torque down on the pivot HARD, with no lock tight, and boom the action is set is such a beautiful thing to me. Since having that experience, assembling other knives, and relying on lock tight rather than design to keep it that way has really turned me off. Thanks for the video. Different opinions are great and it’s refreshing to see someone have a differing opinion on the sabenza than myself.

He wants a knife that "excites" him.....I have a woman for that!!!🤣🤣🤣

I appreciate the honest review, a lot of us sell to buy like you do so it’s nice to hear an objective and honest opinion. You probably saved some of us a lot of money 🤙

I appreciate your take on the knife. I have owned a ton of different knives and I always seem to have to have a CRK in my collection. I love the simplicity of it. That’s the big draw for me. Easy to take down, no proprietary hardware…..you can literally find the hex wrenches anywhere to break the knife down.

Good video. I was mulling over the Hinderer and CRK and ultimately went with a Hinderer. If CRK had a steel in the M390 variant or S90V for the money, it maybe might have but probably wouldn’t have swayed me. Something about that USA Made Blade Skinny Skinner got me hooked. Which now that I think of it, it’s probably in my mailbox waiting.

I know this is a year later but I'm glad to hear your honest opinion , I was on the fence about getting a CRK , What you said was on point and I value someone's opinion that knows about knives and I agree , the hefty price and hype to me is over saturated , who knows CRK is just laughing to the bank 😂😅

The Warranty is 1 of the main reasons I ordered a CRK Inkosi plus the Hype LoL and it’s like a Grail knife for me the only thing I would say on Price Point as CRK is higher than Newer company’s is because all the Newer companies haven’t established there name and quality as much as CRK has Proved over the many years in the market I think that’s why he’s around 100$ more than most but as always I enjoy watching your videos Brotha !

I’ve been considering getting one for a lonnng time. I probably will even tho I’m sure I’ll have the same opinion about it. Nice video - subscribed

So glad you did these videos. I trust your opinion and the way you evaluate knives. This helps me tremendously.

Haha. Great review and you even had an audience there for a while at 7:12👍🏻

The Sebenza is, admittedly, super unexciting as you say. Issue is, it cuts SO well and the design is so simply and slim in the pocket that it objectively is a better work knife than the rest in my collection. Collection includes Strider, Meford, Hinderer, Curtiss, Koenig... The Sebenza is the one that objectively packs the best combination of riding slim in the pocket, slicing really well, and being really easy to maintain. Super unexciting, but it WORKS. Hence the meaning behind the name.

small = too small. big = too big. both = too expensive. i'll stick with my we esprit

Thank for sharing your thoughts brother.

Best knife I’ve ever owned and I have had Microtech‘s benchmade Spyderco‘s and striders you either love it or hate it

After a week i really noticed that you look better without a cap. 🤣

I love that you are against the current. So many people are absolutely in love with certain things to where they can’t find fault in that thing. Something can be good without being the best.

My time has come and bought a large 31. It was expensive and it’s a very cool unique pattern in s45vn. I normally don’t like any of the unique pattern sebenza’s but damn I love the one I found.

I just want to get my hands on one so I can be the one to put out a video showing it in use. I hate that there are no videos of these high end blades in use

I disagree but I appreciate your opinion! What matters is the performance and the performance a sebenza provides is top tier.

I have the Spyderco Sebenza, Gayle Bradley 2, and love it.

I love my CRKs and especially sebenzas. Not every knife is for everyone but I agree it is worth having the opportunity to handle a 21/31 just to have the experience

I'm a member of the fanboy club. i own a lot of knives, but my Inkosi is the only knife I want to carry. However, you made a good case for your opinion, and I know a lot would agree with you.

Having had one I quickly sold it. It was honestly a letdown once I handled it, I hated the action. Another thing I hated and I thought was so tacky was the Idaho made on the side of the scale, Just so ugly. I completely agree with your review. I think when this knife first came out, it was in the '90s believe, It was ahead of its time and there wasn't a whole lot on the market like it. But since then they really haven't changed the recipe and now other manufacturers have caught up and even surpassed the Sebenza. Simply put you can get so much more, and like you said, far more interesting looking knives for your money elsewhere. Basically every single manufacturer makes a knife in s35 and ti scales. And yeah everybody speaks to the "tolerances" but I'm not playing triple the price just for "tolerances". I just do not see the value in this knife. Simply put, a knife half the price with m390, m4, s110, 20cv, 204p, s90v, elmax, and more, Will flat out out perform s35. You're going to get far more cuts before that edge starts to dull. So again looking at it from a value perspective why would I pay triple the price for S35VN? Even if they do have a stellar warranty, out of 15 years of collecting, I've NEVER needed a warranty for a pocket knife. There are so many more non-Idaho made, but made in the USA knives in this configuration that you can get that are a far better value. bearded gear is completely on point with this one. If you're considering this knife, what he says is the absolute truth. It's probably the most overhyped knife in the knifing world.

So I know this is closer to 2 years old at this point. Has your opinion changed one the knife? I'm actually looking at getting my 1st one with the s45vn steel. The thing is I don't disagree with you that you can get a "better" steel for less money. Like I have lower priced blades with 20cv. I do sharpen all my own knives and through that I see how hard 20cv is to sharpen over an s35vn. And honestly I do t know if myself or the average person would notice a huge difference between something like a s35vn vs a 20cv or other "better" materials. Now, I was on the fence about paying over 400 bucks for a s35vn but Chris reeves does say this is a working knife and he wants people to be able to take it apart clean it and be able to sharpen it at home. And sharpening close to 100+ knives at this point something with an s35vn is a lot less hard on my stones, and sharpens up really really easy. Now also when it does comes to metals its also how the blade is heat treated and shaped. Like you said the blade is very slicey. I have had knives with 20cv that I have had to reprofile and got to a very mirror polish and still don't cut as nice as other knives I owned with "lesser" blade material. I own 2 spydercos. One has s45vn and the other is the bd1 something I can't remember, and both just cut through anything like a dream! Them I have 2 benchmade bugouts one with s30v and one 20cv and they both only cut ok. And I have sharpened all 4 of the knives, to similar angles. And still the same results. But im not here to argue or say your wrong or justify my spending habits, just something that through reasearch and trial and error I have personally noticed. Now another this I like about the Chris reeves knifes is you can actual buy new blades and re blade the knife. So if in 20 years you still have an issue you can replace it. But anyways. Loving your channel even if we don't 100% agree im subscribing because your honest and professional!! Keep it up!! I also just found your podcast and I'm excited to listen!

Great video Jake! Thank you for the review. I do agree on the steel, and the price. But I do have to own one someday.

What's your favorite edc maker?

Nice to see a no hype video on the CRK. I've never been excited enough about the 21 to need to add onw to my knives.

Just picked up my first Sebenza (small). I agree with everything you are saying. I am blown away by the terrible action. It's an incredibly tight thumb killer, no matter how many times I disassemble and clean/lube it, no matter how many times I open and close it to work the action. I am going to send it in to CRK just to see if maybe there's something wrong with it (which wouldn't be unusual, a problem for a knife of this price and supposed quality craftsmanship). If it comes back with the same stiff action, I will be selling this immediately upon its return. Are the tolerances nicely done. Sure. But, with all the other issues, who cares about how great the tolerances are? In fact, it's kind of a negative for that company - that they can have such commitment to aerospace-like engineering, yet put out a knife that has such a crapshoot factor on whether you get one with good or lousy action. Where is the quality control? I know someone had to open and close my knife before boxing it up, right? I honestly don't get the hype. It's a real head-scratcher. Maybe I just got a lemon. I just know I've gotten past trying to convince myself that it's an awesome knife. Sorry fan boys, it ain't.

I'll say it again...that blade geometry is sexy

I can honestly say I will never go ⬇️🐇🕳

Ironically, their warranty is voiding by “flicking the knife” I kid you not, says so on their website lol

Part of the price is because they are made in the U.S with minimum wages. Spyderco made in China or any other knife company will save a fortune with overseas work. If they bring those jobs to the U.S costs go up drastically. That should be mentioned.

Appreciate your opinion. In a knife world full of exiting knifes the sebenza stands out for the simple design. Still overpriced 😂 out of all the knifes i have my got to is the griptillian.

I have a couple of Chris Reeves knives (Sebenza 21 & Umnanzan). They are the most expensive knives I own and because of them I have put myself on max spend limits on knives going forward ($300 max, $200 a sweet spot). I always wanted one and I’m glad I have a couple, but never again... they are too expensive. For me, any knife over $350 will turn into buyers remorse.

Oh ya don’t care for the plain Jain ones. I have the micarta ones. Fill the hand alittle more and I just love micarta

I'm not sure you'll like the Inkosi much better: same materials (S45 now tho!), same price, same handle finish, and same action. It does have a more modern lock interface though.

Now that you have actually carried it I can respect your opinion more. I personally like a simple knife but that is just my opinion.

Tried to like it. Had one for a week and sold it. Pointy thumb stud...why

I think CRS is like iphone. It is not the best in abything. But it is convenient. And it is for most people exactly what they want if they want to spent the money. It is not a specific knife. Everything is thought out for you. Abd thats why people looking for something specific will always be disappointed with it.

I agree for what you pay for one crk I can can get two spyderco knives with whatever steel you want that price tag seems crazy to me

Nice i totaly On your Side! Myprotein mini Buster is much better than a sebenza

I have a few CRK's, and have had even more in the past. They aren't that great tbh. My 31 has lockrock and bladeplay. Sebenza's were awesome 30 years ago, when they were almost the only game in town quality-wise. Knifemakers have caught up to, and passed them now though. It's just a decent knife now, not a show stopper like it used to be. I personally think the quality has gone down a little since Chris left as well. Just imo.

Yeah, BOS does an amazing 420 steel and that's a steel most won't touch.

Do you still think this video is aging well with the prospect of Chris reeve using magnacut in the near future? Just curious seeing as blade steel was one of your bug gripes for the high price.

Thanks for your honest opinion. I almost purchased Sebenza 31 small but instead purchased Mini Bugout for 1/3 of the price.

Inkosi is better than the sabenza more robust better action and a bunch of little upgrades if I was you if give it a try again but use a nice dialed in one and you might change your mind on crk it changed my mind because I had the same view on the sabenza

I have a sebenza 21 large and i dont like it i wish i could sell it but no one wants to give me a reasonable price

Buy a crk for a perfectly crafted heirloom piece made in America vs spending more on cheaper knives with lower/declining quality control and bad customer service. I have collected for over 20 years and have owned so many knives. I don’t buy many now because they all do the same thing at the end of the day. It’s up to the buyer to decide to purchase one extremely well crafted knife vs 3-4 lesser quality knives. The price tag of the crk is reflected in their processes of manufacturing. I never thought crk was worth the price till I watched their videos on their process and actually held one.

what is the runner up to the sebenza for a mid to hard use knife? I'm thinking bm 940...

A good option? If you want a basic knife get a Buck

Clicked on your video first instead of watching tim reeve live on blade hq🤣

For the Materials the price is just to High. A folding pocket knife at $300 is high but there are other knifes that have good material and design at a much better price neck American made or China or Italy made it doesn't matter to me as long g as its built WELL.

Most of your problems seem to be solved on the 31. I think the hipe is the biggest problem. When buying a sebenza everyone told you for years it's the greatest thing you'll ever handle... Hard to stand up to that expectations 🤷🏻‍♂️

This video approves everything I think about Sebenza without trying one. Just not interested.

If they added a standard over travel stop i would buy one...if they still made the 21. The 31 is of no interest to me.

The overlooked attribute that made me come around to CRK is the minimal hotspots when placing real pressure into a cut. Blows something like a pm2 out of the water. A pm2 is awesome for edc stuff, but that handle will wreck your hand with any sort of pressure into the cut. For the typical knife guy this probably isnt all that important, because that isnt the way they use their knives. That isn't an insult. Vast majority CRK fan boys dont use them that way either (if at all). I don't understand them either, but I don't mind them keeping CRK in business. They can buy all the dumb art ones their credit card can handle.

S45VN is coming to the CRK to my understanding

I am so triggered by this review. Knives are not scissors! Their job is not to open and close. Carrying a knife is serious business. It is a spiritual exercise in expanding ones consciousness to understand our human capacity to alter the environment around us. The knife is a commitment, a sacred touchstone of our evolution into competent interaction with our world. Sebenza is the embodyment of this commitment. Your rejection of it is a rejection of these values and you are correct in not considering yourself worthy. Many who own Sebenzas are not worthy of them and this is worse, because you at least are honest with yourself. You may yet learn the truth that I speak.

Knife Art has a version that has full carbon fiber scales, and you can get the knife with inlays of your choice. You can also get the knife with Damascus blades. You can also have the knife anodized, and flame anodized. You can do a lot with the Sebenza to make it your own. I own two Sebenza’s and an Ummnumzan. I need to buy more Chris Reeve knives. I appreciate the quality product that Chris Reeve puts out. If Chris Reeve was bought out and then made in China then you would complain that the quality is gone. There are some things Chris Reeve could do. But they are not trying to be like every other knife company. Olamic Cutlery’s fit and finish is nowhere near Chris Reeve. Olamic made 2 knives for me and they both needed to be buffed and polished further. The knives were custom made for me. I was disappointed at the sloppy finishing!!! So I know that Chris Reeve does better finishing! I wonder in 20 years will you come to appreciate Chris Reeve knives more. They do deserve your respect. Thank you for the video

spot on bro! do the math: 1sebenza= 2protech

Yeah bro that’s what I was thinking… how much better than my shaman can it be… and is no like you can return it lol

You can tell by the amount of times a person on you tube reply’s to viewers comments to the value of their content.. Given he responds to 1 % of what people write, shows he give two shits about his followers. Just saying there is something to be said about someone wanting and needing views and subscribers to be relevant on You Tube, I being not one to them. But do yourself a favor buddy, reply to your patrons, it might give you some merit on your arguments.

The CRK look kind of reminds me of a expensive buck 110

You are holding the most basic possible sebenza and saying it's boring. Get the insingo blade, it's great for many tasks. Try some inlays like the micarta for daily use or maybe wood for fancy times out. They have lots of graphics that add design and color. After all that, try some different models from the company. You may like some of those more.

If they made a 31 large with cpm magnacut and buckeye burl maybe throw in a lockbar insert and over travel stop I would shit my pants and die a happy man

Heat treat protocol not followed resulting in a too soft blade in the s35v. Very low cost, (cheap finish) resulting in a plain jane entry level finish in a premium price. Touting a sticky action as a pro. worst use of Micarta in the industry, (Using the end grain to save cost killing the beauty of canvas micarta ,shameful. And what's with the South African maker not knowing the difference in a clip point blade with not false swage and a drip point? I still find myself reaching for it on most days. GRRRRR!!! Really CRK? (Then again the Auzi (OSBORN) took it upon himself to re-name the centuries old spay blade a reverse tanto). Double GRRRRR! Do they really know that little about knives and the tradition and what and how they are used for reflected in the design? KnifeMaker

U r missing the overall picture of this knive still the best knive we have now on the market this knive is beautiful 😍 it reminds me a small knive that even a roman gladiator could carry as a back up after the Gladius sword u are a Neanderthal extinct just kidding 😂

i have a $20 walmart gerber that cuts better then the sebenza.