Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 -- Updated, But Is It Enough?

25,468
22
Published 2020-04-10
The new Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31 has been highly anticipated since Blade Show 2019. This newest version features some functional upgrades, including larger phosphor bronze washers, a ceramic hybrid detent/lock interface as seen on the Umnumzaan and the Inkosi before it, and a repositioning of the clip. All this is good, but we still have S35VN, the same stop pin, and the same lanyard tube. Was this enough of an upgrade? Let me know what YOU think down below!

Click LIKE and Subscribe for more videos!

Follow me on IG @doctorfrunkey

All Comments (20)
  • @kenmarapese9085
    I like everything they did, wouldn't change a thing. Their heat treat on the S35VN is easy to maintain and a good choice for a work knife. I'm not opposed to a variety of blade steels.
  • @xmetal280
    My small Sebenza is 24 years old and the lockbar is probably 90% now but has never been an issue once in that time (I never actually looked until today and was surprised with how far that bar moves over). Still one of the smoothest (but not fast, like you said) knives I own. My recently acquired Rockstead Hizen feels like the Japanese cousin, with smooth and slow motion, simplicity in operation and solidness throughout. CRK created a timeless design that should last a lifetime.
  • @ToxicityAssured
    I used to gripe about the soft and ancient steel known as s35vn. After watching many cut tests, the steel as used by Reeve, holds a good edge. The problem with all the other super steels is companies can/do a substandard heat treat. If all steels were optimized, then s35vn would be in some trouble. However, with the way things actually are (not the reality we want to imagine), s35vn remains a great choice. Like the young one below who says these are "boomer knvers", many people are fooled by new and shiny.
  • @drmm3r41
    One thing that I’ll say about the lanyard tube is, it is made to pivot with the lanyard, so there must be some space there to allow that. If they made it so it didn’t rattle, there would be metal on metal contact that would wear as it rotated until it wore enough to rattle anyways. So that seems like good engineering to me. If you don’t use it and want to stop the rattle, some blue loktite will take care of it. But tweaked thumb studs would be a welcome change.
  • @bigB6flyer
    Good on you for changing your social media outlook. I purposely don’t participate in it but for watching YT. Amazing what can happen when we calmly talk to each other face to face, like we all used to.
  • @curtisgoodnight
    I'm with you that I would love to see CRK offer their knives in something like 20cv along with something that is more easily maintained, but to me this is the "21" that I have always been waiting for. I love their design language, manufacturing ethos, and generally everything about the 21, but the locating hole, titanium on steel lockup, and straight clip always bothered me. I picked up a large double silver thumb lug 31 and it is everything I hoped it would be. I have owned a lot of brands, including a few shiros, but I've sold them off because my CRKs feel like they are a tool first and that's what I personally want in a knife I use and carry. Yes they don't have the sleek look that some more modern knives have, but they are function-forward masterpieces and that is what makes them beautiful to me.
  • @ncgearguy05
    I agree on the thumb stud, was not very comfortable for me on my Inkosi's. I prefer the Umnumzaan style of thumb stud/stop pin design, but the area to relieve the lock bar on the Zaan isn't as comfortable. So unfortunately I didn't keep either of them long term, but as an example of manufacturing fit and finish they set the bar. It's like having a family recipe for homemade biscuits and gravy handed down for generations. You may tweak it over the years as it gets passed down, but you can't go extreme and try substituting turkey sausage because chances are you are going to eff it up haha
  • @SuperPeleke
    If you get to see the micarta versions of the sebenza 31, the design of the inlays look DRAMATICALLY different.
  • @alexlindner7584
    For everyone talking about them switching from s35 to s45, I have the sprint run PM2 in s45vn and have put my 21, 31, and it through the paces with some general wear testing... I personally can't tell any difference between the two.
  • @christamu2
    Love the new inlays on the 31. I think I'll hold out for one of those after they switch to S45VN.
  • @BaritoneMike
    Very cool walkthrough on the Seb, good vid. Although, PLEASE people STOP saying that the CRK ceramic ball lock face through it's geometry will just >seem< as later lockup - the placement of the locking surface against the blade is irrelevant, after the whole locking bar touches the other scale - it's done no matter if it's plain titanium, steel insert or a ceramic ball in there. The effective travel distance is the same and equals the distance between the lock bar and the other scale, period. After that, you develop rocking of the blade and the lockbar can't accomodate anymore.
  • @KnifeCursed
    The two most meaningful changes CRK could make at this point would be the thumb studs and sprint runs of different blade steels.
  • My 2009 Umnumzan is well used and sits at 60% lock up. Just wish it had an upgraded steel.
  • @stephenWVU4life
    As someone that has multiple 21s, Zaans, and an Inkosi I can 100% say they need to address the lock up issues with the 31s! It’s definitely not something that has gone away, the latest small 31 I got was so bad I sent it back, my large 31 I have right now has the spongy lock up and when you apply any pressure to the back of the blade with your thumb it will flex. They cannot call this normal, and if they want to call it normal they need to stop advertising their lock up as “bank vault tight” because that is not the case these days, not with the 31. If any other company released a knife with such flex in the lock up they’d be eaten alive, but CRK fan bois refuse to admit or see any faults in the brand. It’s ridiculous.
  • @Cvindas9001
    Nice to see you back Frunkey! Lovin the knife content this quarantine. 🍻
  • @chrisspanks7750
    I totally agree with you about the thumb stud..can't believe they didn't change it .
  • @JackGHobbies
    Lock rock (or flex) and thumb stud are 2 most popular videos on my Channel. Inquiring minds and all that. Great video as usual! When I grow up I want to be like you. Stay well everyone!