cutlerylover
Banned
CHRIS REEVE SEBENZA...
MODEL: Small Classic w/ Micarta inserts
BLADE SIZE: 3"
TOTAL SIZE: 7"
CLOSED SIZE: 4"
BLADE MATERIAL: Stainless S30V Steel
HANDLE INSERTS: Black Canvas Micarta
FRAME: Titanium - Satin finish
WEIGHT: 2.5 oz.
It took me a long time to get a hold of one of these...But I finaly got one, and I have to say I love it! Here is my short review of this knife!
1st Impression: Well, I have to be honest I was expectign ALOT from readign about this knife for so long, but it met my expectations, which is saying alot! I really do not have anythgin bad to say about this knife...Soemoen recently asked me if you had to come up with somethign about the sebenza that was bad what woudl it be, after thinkign for about 5 minutes I said the onyl thgin I mgiht change would to make the thumbstud a but wider at the top so it might be a bit more comfortable to use...But thats not even a big issue for me, its just fine, but I really thought about it for a while, and thats all I could come up with! This knife really is the best that has been in my hands thus far...People often say the sebenza is the BEST knife in the world...well it is the best to me so far from what I ahve handled and used, but to each his own, you know...Everyones different and people have different opinions and needs in a knife...but I cna say this...This is one superb tool!
Blade Steel: This knife has a CPM S30V stainless steel blade...the same blade steel is used for the majority of his (Chris Reeve) knives these days...And I can see why...I have not had the chance to use this knife long term yet because I just got it, but I only hear good things about S30V, it is nice and strong (comming in between 58-60 on the rockweel scale) and has very good edge retention! I have not yet needed to sharpen the knife or touch up the egde, but again I have not used it that much yet either...But, it was razor sharp right out of the box, and was able to shave my arm hair with ease...I would liek to add that the action on this knife is very smooth due to the bronze phosphorous washers on each side of the blade...Another nice touch! I just want to add that I LOVE the blade finish...It is a stonewash finish, which to me looks great, but what I love about it is that it has millions of tiny scratches already...So with use when your blade gets scratches its hard to see them on this type of finish...plus it is SOOOOOO smooth to the touch, feels almost like glass...I just love it, lol....I 1st had experience with this finish on a microtech knife, a LCC, and it just has to be the perfect finish for a knife blade!
Handle/ Hardware: The handle is made out of 2 titanium scales the "front" scale has 2 inserts of black canvas micarta, and the "back" scale has one micarta insert...these inserts not only look nice in my opinion, but they really help facilitate grip, but they are not rough to the touch...I have had some knives that were very grippy, but were rough on the user, and tended to be uncomfrotable to grip hard...Almost like skateboard tape in some cases...Yes, good for grip, but not user friendly like this micarta...The Titanium handles have a nice finish to them which is warm to the touch and grippy, I could imagine the plain models without inserts would also feel good in the hand due to this finish... This knife is simple, but thats what makes it good...the hardware consists of 4 alen screws...one screw just for the pocket clip, one screw for the pivot (keeps the blade attached to the handles) and 2 simple "body" screws to keep the handles together...The hardware looks polished which adds nice contrast to the dull Ti handle...all 4 screws are the same so it makes assembly and dissasembly easy with one simple allen key (which is provided with each knife)
Lock: This knife has what Chris calls an Integral Lock, to me it is a framelock, I do not know if there is any difference? But it is strong...the knife lock open with a nice click and you know the blade is secure...Another "feature" of this knife is that there is NO bladeplay in any direction...this should be a industry standard, however it is not, most production folders even in the higher price ranges has minute blade play in the blades when locked open...but this knife has absolutley none, which for me is a BONUS, athough it should not have to be, lol...But I think you know what I mean...I feel safe with this lock, I am not affraid to get into a cutting task with confidence...but to minimize any risk or danger when using any knife just use some common sense, the lock is there as a safety deature, but as many of us know people have been usign slipjoints (folding knives with no locks) for hundreds of years without any problems...Just use common sense and safe cutting practices...and ony;l use your knives for their intended purposes...Ok speach over, lol...
Sharpening: I have yet to sharpen this knife and I do not think I will need to for a while, the S30V blade has great edge retention and will last a logn time before it needs to be touched up!
Fit and Finish: The fit and finish on this knife is by far the BEST is ANY production folder I ever came across...I consider this to be a semi production knife, it is not 100% custom made, but it certainly is treated like it...Many steps are taken to ensure its a quality piece of cutlery and in tip top shape before its out the door and ready for sale!
Performance: So far I have not doen too mcuh cutting with this knife, but I have shaved paper easily (printer paper) it easily shaved my ar hair right out of the box! I also tested some push cuts on cardboard from priority mail boxes and this knife performed very well! This knife is comfortable in the hand, it has plenty of grip...The S30V blade is a standard these days for higher end knives, and not by accident...its a steel that is made to perform well, and made for cutlery!
Overall: I just can't say enough about this knife...Its just awesome! I hesitated for a long time to shell out the $ for one, but it is worth it! This knife cost me $400 which is not pocket change for most people, and certainly not for me, lol...But, I am happy I did it! And I figure if this knfie serves me well for years to come it was definatly worth the money! Life is too short...If your thinking about gettign one and you can afford it, DO IT, buy one, you won't be sorry!
In case you don't know...the small knife in this picture is a Peter Atwood Skeeter Neck knife...
