When we start talking about the best pocket knives on earth we have to talk about the Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza. From my perspective the Reeve Sebenza is without question the finest hard use folding knife on earth. Sure there are more expensive folders out there in the custom market and high end sharpened pry bars marketed as knives, however if you want and honest to goodness cutting tool, I have yet to find another production folding knife of its equal. After picking up a standard 3.6-inch Sebenza last year, I was lusting over the adapted Wharncliffe style Insingo Sebenza blade. A few months later, my wait was over and I opened my Chris Reeve Knives shipment bounding with excitement. This style of blade has become a favorite of mine for all purpose utility cutting chores.
ABOUT CHRIS REEVE KNIVES
Let’s look how well respected he is in the industry:
1987 Knifemaker’s Guild of Southern Africa "Best Folding Knife"
2000-2013, 2015 - 2016 for "Manufacturing Quality Award"
2003 "Collaboration Knife of the Year"
2005 "Collector Knife of the Year"
2006 Grays Sporting Journal "Gray's Best" Award
2007 "American Made Knife of the Year"
2008 "Overall Knife of the Year"
2008 Field and Stream "Best of the Best"
2010 "Overall Knife of the Year"
FIT, FINISH, FEEL, & FEATURES
Just like my other drop point Sebenza, this Insingo Blade Sebenza shares all the same fit, finish, feel and features but just with a bit different blade. There are really only four materials represented in the final Sebenza which include CPM S35VN stainless steel, 6Al4V titanium, 303 stainless steel, and phosphor bronze. The CPM S35VN stainless steel is used to form the precision concave precision ground modified Insingo blade which pivots on a phosphor bronze bushing for extremely smooth operation.
Everything from the S35VN steel to the hollow grind has been tuned and optimized over the years to deliver the best folding cutting tool on the market. Use the Sebenza and the is immediately noticeable.
Having seen well worn Sebenza's before, I can tell you that the titanium handles wear just like that perfect pair of jeans and develop a patina. I am not sure if it's the titanium being affected by the elements, or the titanium itself wearing, however it's a beautiful effect. It takes years, however the look makes you love the knife even more.
From a handle strength perspective, there really is no equal. I mean come on, the Sebenza features two titanium handles which together add up to over 1/4". There is nothing in my life I would ever use a cutting tool for which would break these handles.
When you actually start cutting something instead of just parading around with it, the Sebenza design delivers everything you would expect in a design refined for over twenty years. The CPM S35VN stainless steel takes a razor sharp cutting edge and holds it for a very very long time even when cutting very tough materials. There are many great steels available, however S35VN delivers corrosion, toughness, and wear resistance balance at a higher level than other steels. Part of that performance is due to Reeve's blade design and grind refined over the years and the steel used for the blade.
INSINGO BLADE
Reeve modified the original Wharncliffe style blade to have a bit more belly and tune it for his Sebenza Insingo blade design. The result is an amazing cutting blade that provides a more precise straight cut through the draw stroke than drop point blades. What you will find with the Reeve’s knives are that the blades cut extremely aggressively. I have a lot of sharp knives, however the Sebenza’s are hard use knives with a razor edge that stays sharp for an extremely long time.
Reeve modified the original Wharncliffe style blade to have a bit more belly and tune it for his Sebenza Insingo blade design. The result is an amazing cutting blade that provides a more precise straight cut through the draw stroke than drop point blades. What you will find with the Reeve’s knives are that the blades cut extremely aggressively. I have a lot of sharp knives, however the Sebenza’s are hard use knives with a razor edge that stays sharp for an extremely long time.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Without placing a Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza in hand, it is literally impossible to convey the beauty, feel, and quality of a Sebenza just through words and pictures. I loved my first drop point Sebenza so much I ordered a second with the Insingo blade. The next time you have $100 burning a hole in your pocket, I challenge you to save $300 more and buy that "just one great knife"... buy a Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza. The only regret you will have is not doing it sooner.
SPECS
Tested - Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 21 Insingo
Large Sebenza 21 MSRP $410
Small Sebenza 21 MSRP $350
Blade Material: CPM S35VN Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-59 RC
Blade Length: Large - 3.625" (92 mm), Small - 2.94" (75 mm)
Blade Thickness: 0.125" (3.175 mm)
Overall Length: Large - 8.335" (212 mm), Small - 6.875" (175 mm)
Handle Material: 6Al4V Titanium
Handle Thickness: Large - 0.150" (3.81 mm), Small - 0.125" (3.175 mm)
Weight: Large - 4.7 oz. (133 g), Small - 3.0 oz. (85 g)
Fittings: 303 Stainless Steel
Thumblug: 6Al4V Titanium
Pocket Clip: 6Al4V Titanium
SOURCES
Chris Reeve Knives - http://www.chrisreeve.com
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