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%

Finally, a comprehensive and comparative review. Thanks dude

Great video. Just purchased my first CRK, a Sebenza large 31 and your video by far has been the most informative, thanks.

Thanks a little bit of a sad story , it is impossible to improve on perfection but I can appreciate someone trying. 👍👍

Thanks for the very informative and detailed video! I’m waiting on my first Sebenza, a plain large 31. Also, nice Pelikan!

Nice video, very informative!

Great video! Very 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.

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.

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.

great review of lock rock vs lock flex. thank you.

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.

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.

I made it to the end! It was a long one mind! Worth it though, thank you.

Great video, thank you

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

Danke, gutes Video!

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 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.

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.

Using a Pelikan as a pointer. Mad flex move.

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

Good video

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.

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!

I love the black and blue (black micarta and blue thumb stud)

What sharpening system do you use?

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 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

Does your sebenza 31 have late lockup? Mine is very late.

Demonstration grip mode is Flight or Fight Mode Great knife review and discussion 👍

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)

How do I get that work mat?

Does the 31 have lock rock???? People say that now wanna ask someone that has both

Does the closing sound on the 31 have the metallic “tink” sound that the 21’s have?

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!

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.

Hi, which one you prefer in your professional view, sebenza 31 or inkosi, I wanna buy but confused which one to buy, thank you

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.

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.

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 😂

HA! Using a Pelikan 600 fountain pen to point to your Sebenza! LOL. I have a knife/ pen addiction too!

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.

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

Why does the handle cover part of the grind? Usally thats a sign of a counterfeit

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 🤙🏼

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

Kudos for holding my attention for 50 min..

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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 need to buy a 21 sebenza before they are too rare and the price of them becomes ridiculous.

Last Video in two years. Are you OK?

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...

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.

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

Lol holding the small inlay with your fingers in the inlay groove. No way in hell anyone holds it like that lol wtf

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!