{"id":59122,"date":"2016-06-13T09:40:02","date_gmt":"2016-06-13T13:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=59122"},"modified":"2016-06-13T09:40:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-19T20:06:24","slug":"chris-reeve-large-sebenza-21-greatest-production-folder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/chris-reeve-large-sebenza-21-greatest-production-folder\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 21: Reviewing the Greatest Production Folder of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Beautiful<\/a>

A Large Chris Reeve Sebenza 21. \u00a0Check out the beautiful carbon fiber scale and blue anodized hardware.<\/p><\/div>\n

Be sure to check out KnifeArt.com<\/a>, the best place to find this highly coveted Chris Reeve carbon fiber Sebenza.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Having a background in engineering turned me into a complete snob when choosing and buying new knives. Nothing gets me more excited than tight tolerances, expert manufacturing, and quality materials all of which have been flawlessly executed in the Chris Reeve Sebenza 21.<\/p>\n

\"Rock<\/a>

Rock solid lock-up. I challenge you to find a better frame lock than the Sebenza.<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019ve ever researched knives or browsed forums and asked, “what is the best folding knife?,” Chris Reeve’s name is bound to be mentioned. \u00a0In fact, Reeve’s hardware is often touted as the gold standard when it comes to high-end production folders. Even if you haven\u2019t heard the name, you can still thank Chris Reeve for all your frame-lock folders.\u00a0 He\u2019s the godfather and creator of the titanium frame-lock folders originally named the \u201cReeve Integral Lock.\u201d I began researching and reading all that I could on Chris Reeve and the Sebenza knives.\u00a0 Everything I read was positive and I quickly realized this could be the holy grail of EDC folders.<\/p>\n

That was 2 years ago, so why don\u2019t I have one yet? Well for one, this is not just a weekend purchase, it\u2019s an investment.\u00a0 With a price tag of $455, I was hesitant to purchase sight-unseen. Second, I was burned on another high-end folder that disappointed on all levels. I didn\u2019t want to be let down by the fanboy hype surrounding the Sebenza, so I decided to wait for the chance to fondle one before purchasing.<\/p>\n

Luckily, I was able to review this gorgeous Carbon Fiber Large Sebenza 21 from KnifeArt.com. If you\u2019re curious, the knife was sent to review for free but I have since opted to buy it instead of return it — I fell hard and fast for this one.\u00a0 Over the last 4 weeks, I have become obsessed with the amazing build quality and aesthetics of the simple design. It truly is a modern classic.<\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n
\"Chipping<\/a>

Chipping away at this fallen branch with ease.<\/p><\/div>\n

Chris Reeve, a South African native, released his first handmade Sebenza in 1987.\u00a0 He and his wife moved to Boise Idaho where they setup shop and started producing knives within 6 months of arrival.\u00a0 His unique frame-lock design and precision manufacturing set a new industry standard.<\/p>\n

The Sebenza comes in 2 different models, the 21 and the 25.\u00a0 The 21 is offered in both small and large with a blade length of 2.94\u201d and 3.625\u201d respectively. The 25 comes only in large with a blade size of 3.625\u201d.\u00a0 If you want something unique they offer exotic wood inlays, Damascus steel, and multiple different handle styles.<\/p>\n

After winning several (13) coveted Blade Show awards for top manufacturer throughout the years, you can see why the Sebenza gained so much respect. They have so much faith in their production and design they send every knife with an Allen key to disassemble the knife \u201cif you should choose to do so.\u201d\u00a0 No proprietary tools that you have to spend another $100 to get, no voiding the warranty if you take-down the knife, both of which are a huge win in my book.<\/p>\n

Throughout the years, Reeve kept improving and investing in his business to produce the finest high-end production folders possible.\u00a0 Unsatisfied with traditional steels, Reeve partnered with CPM Crucible to create the first cutlery specific steel we all know as S30V and S35VN.\u00a0 A hardened-sintered alloy, S30 and S35V offer great edge retention, corrosion resistance and are easy to maintain (unlike my D2 steel knives). The steel itself has a hardness of 58-59 HRC making it possible for the everyday user to sharpen at home. The chemistry of the steel promotes an even distribution of vanadium carbides making it more effective at cutting than traditional chromium carbides.\u00a0 You can see a distinct fine grain pattern in the steel which promotes sharpness and toughness.\u00a0 S35VN was a second composition created 6 years after S30V hit the market. Its increased Niobium and slight reduction in Carbon and Vanadium resulted in a 25% increase in the Charpy V-noth toughness test!\u00a0 Charpy test measures the impact force and strain rate absorbed by the material before breaking.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A few snail trails. No big deal.<\/p><\/div>\n

The manual recommends using a Spyderco Sharp Maker for routine sharpening and send it back to the factory for a free sharpening when needed (you pay for\u00a0shipping). \u00a0Again, sharpening your knife will not void your warranty- other manufacturers should take note and follow suit at this price level.\u00a0 I find it ridiculous some manufacturers will void the warranty if you sharpen their knife or don\u2019t use an \u201cauthorized sharpening facility.\u201d<\/p>\n

What really sets apart the Sebenza from every other frame-lock folder are the materials and flawless manufacturing.\u00a0 I\u2019ve spent hours looking over every millimeter of this knife trying to find something wrong with it and I can\u2019t.\u00a0 The shallow hollow grind is perfectly centered on the blade and even.\u00a0 Both handle scales are machined at the same time making them identical. The blue anodized hardware and bead-blasted titanium are gorgeous.\u00a0 Last but not least, the frame-lock. Often described as a \u201cbank vault,\u201d there is absolutely no horizontal or vertical movement in the blade. At this price level, I would expect nothing less.<\/p>\n

Specs<\/h2>\n