Titanium Frame Lock Knives

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Review

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
By this point we have seen quite a few of Hinderer / KAI collabs hit the market, and I have covered them extensively on the blog. We started with the heavily built 0550, moved to the critically acclaimed 0560, a knife that raised the standard for high end production pieces, spent some time with the controversial Kershaw Cryo, and recently the EDC-friendly Zero Tolerance 0566.

Buy the ZT 0562 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The KAI/Hinderer collaborations on go back a couple years, and surely by now everyone has had their fill of folders that resemble the XM-18. But still Zero Tolerance has insisted and recently released the 0562cf and the 0562.

“So what?” You might say, pointing to a drawer full of ZT boxes. You may be sick of hearing about ZT and Rick Hinderer pairing up. Well, the problem with the 0562 is that it may very be the best Zero Tolerance / Hinderer collaboration yet.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0562 has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs right around 5.5 ounces. The knife is smaller than the 0560, and bigger than the 0566. I know that a 3.5″ blade is a sweet spot for a lot of people’s daily carrys and it also happens to be the same footprint of the 3.5″ XM-18, which I consider the flagship XM for some reason. The 0562 carries discretely in blue jeans, but is big enough to be used as a work or self defense knife.

This is a good point in the review from me to distinguish the 0562 from the 0562CF. The 0562CF (pictured in this review) is the upgraded version of the knife with a carbon fiber handle scale and satin finished M390 blade. The 0560 is more of a working man’s version with a G10 handle scale and stonewashed Elmax blade.

For a detailed comparison of the two with beautiful photographs I invite you to check out my friend John Holbrook’s article and review of both knives here. Of course I’m only reviewing the 0562CF here, and went for the 0562CF because it was only $50 more and I was feeling fancy, but I think 95% of this review will apply to both models.

The blade on the 0562 is classic Hinderer drop point, modeled closely after his XM series of knives. The interesting thing about this particular model is that it has been given Rick’s “slicer” grind. The slicer grind is a slanting high flat grind that shaves quite a bit of material from his standard “spanto” grind. The slicer grind on this 0562 is actually pretty slicey, easily cleaving cardboard and rope. I find that Rick’s slicer grind on the regular XM is still pretty thick. This 0562 is the best slicing Hinderer collab I have handled.

The 0562 comes in either M390 or CTS-204P steel. My 0562 came in M390. M390 is a powered super steel by Bohler, and is capable of both being heat treated to 60-62 HRc and taking a beautiful polish. I have found edge retention to be excellent on M390. M390 is also relatively easy to sharpen for a super steel, making it a practical choice for someone that wants to regularly use the knife.

I am less familiar with CTS-204P, having only experienced it with my Spyderco Southard. In my experience CTS-204P also holds a nice edge and is reasonable to sharpen. I have had no problems with rust or corrosion. The jury is still out in terms of my long term opinion on 204P, but my gut reaction is that you will be fine with CTS-204P.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Just like a real XM, the handle of the 0560 is slab carbon fiber/g10 over a full stainless steel liner and then a titanium frame lock. You don’t have the extreme 3-d machining found on the 0560, which is fine by me because I think it’s part of the reason why they were able to keep the price down on these, but the edges are all chamfered.

Handle construction is very good. Zero Tolerance is no stranger to the world of high end production pieces, and they have struck a nice balance here of providing us with a sturdy knife with simple high end finishes like blackened barrel spacers, an oversized decorative pivot, and very good fit and finish. Compared with a real XM-18 3.5″, the 0562 is a much slimmer knife.

I really like the way the 0562 feels in hand. Gone is the terrible overly sharp jimping on the 0560. In its place you have a short row of tasteful and practical thumb jimping on the spine and a little recessed jimping by the pommel. The rest of the knife is smooth as a baby’s butt, although you do have a couple finger choils in the handle. I think they struck a great balance here and the 0562 feels very good.

For lovers of deep carry pocket clips, the clip on the 0562 is a triumph. It’s a very deep and discrete stainless steel clip that mates to a standoff at the very back of the knife. The end result is a fully ambidextrous clip that doesn’t leave a lot of holes in the handle. I am impressed ZT went this more stayed route rather than a flashy “ZT” branded clip. This level of restraint and classiness isn’t always found on their models so I gotta give credit where its due.

The spring action on the pocket clip is nice and strong and it holds the knife in place in your pocket. The 0562 is over 5.5 ounces, but it’s still a relatively thin knife and carries well for its size. All said I’m very pleased.

Deployment and Lockup

I am also pleased to report that the action on the 0562 is very good. Once again ZT has dialed in their detent and the blade explodes from the handle with the push of a finger. It doesn’t hurt that the blade rides on their proprietary “KVT” caged bearing system. Deployment is fast, reliable, and fun, and the blade falls back into place upon disengagement. The “thumb studs” are actually blade stops and I was not able to use them to open the knife.

For lockup we have a titanium framelock with a stainless steel lockbar insert. This is just like the lockbar insert found on the recently reviewed ZT 0808. It has been very well done. Lockup is early and confident, and there is no blade stick, lock rock, or any other malady that sometimes effects a framelock knife. Blade centering is dead on too. Rounding things out is a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Review – Final Thoughts

I have handled all of the Zero Tolerance / Hinder collaborations prior to the 0560 and I also recently broke down and finally picked up a Hinderer XM-18, so I thought that I have pretty much seen it all. The 0562 is still a very impressive knife. They have done a great job combining fixing the things that I didn’t particularly care for about the original 0560 (the oversize knife, sharp jimping) and added some nice subtle refinements and upgrades. I think they also did a good job not bringing over some aspects of the XM-18 that I could avoid (the 3.5″ XM-18 is very heavy and the action isn’t particularly impressive). The end result is a practical and well made knife at a competitive price point.

I know that some will want to know if the 0562 is as good as an XM-18, or whether will replace an XM-18. I’m here to say that those are still two very different knives. My 3.5″ XM-18 is an absolute tank. It’s over the top in many ways. I prefer the 0562 because it’s slimmer, more pocketable, cuts better, and flips better, and can be had for a fraction of the price of the XM, but I still appreciate the XM-18 for what it is: a finely tuned overbuilt hunk of G10, steel, and titanium.

I realize that I’m somewhat jaded by running this website, but I thought $250 for the Zero Tolerance 0562CF was very reasonable for what you are getting, and the G10 version retails for right at $200. I know a $200+ folding knife isn’t for everyone, but if you can justify buying a $200+ pocket knife then I’m here to say the ZT 0562 is awesome.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Hinderer Slicer Folding Knife; 3.5” CPM-20CV Stonewashed and Satin Steel Blade, Carbon Fiber Front Handle, KVT Ball-Bearing Opening, Frame Lock and Reversible Pocketclip; 5.5 OZ, Black

Ultra-premium, durable CPM 20 CV stainless steel blade with stonewash and satin finishes offer outstanding edge holding capability and corrosion resistance
Hinderer flat-ground “slicer” grind provides both slicing efficiency and a tough point; handle has carbon fiber front scale and stonewashed titanium back
Reversible deep-carry pocketclip for left or right-handed, tip-up carry
Ideal EDC essential for everyday tasks—slicing, survival tool, cutting boxes, self-defense, tactical use or as the perfect gift
High quality, general all-purpose knife great for EDC or use when camping, fishing, hunting, working, utility or outdoor activities.Handle Length:4.75 inch

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0562CF at Amazon or BladeHQ . Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 25 Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

How do you improve on perfection? That may have been a question asked by the engineers at Chris Reeve when they approached the Sebenza 25. I wasn’t in the room, so I really have no idea. The Sebenza has received incremental improvements over the years, but for it’s 25th anniversary CRK really wanted to up the ante, or at least do something different from the tried and true Sebenza 21. The Sebenza 25 is that knife.

Buy the CRK Sebenza 25 at BladeHQ

The 25 is beefier and has more attitude than the 21, but there is still no mistaking it for a Sebenza. Is the 25 a worthy buy? Should you get it instead of a Sebenza 21? How does it compare with other knives in CRKs lineup? Having owned a Unumzaan, and presently owning a large Sebenza 21, I decided to pick up a Sebenza 25, give it a whirl, and attempt to answer some of these questions.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sebenza 25 has an overall length of 8.375″, a 3.625″ blade, and it weighs 5.2 ounces. It’s similar in size to a large 21, but it’s definitely a more heavily built knife and weighs a full half ounce more. Offhand I would consider it as a hybrid between the 21 and the Umnumzaan. Unlike the 21, CRK does not currently offer a small version of the 25. Will we eventually see a mini 25? Only time will tell. I know plenty of people like to EDC the large 21, so I don’t see why you couldn’t EDC a 25. Personally I prefer a small Sebenza or a Mnandi for EDC, but I did make a point to carry the 25 around a bit to understand how it performs as a daily carry.

The blade of the 25 is a classic CRK drop point, with a few subtle (or not so subtle) changes over the 21. First of all the blade stock is visibly thicker at .14″ (which is approximately 3.5mm – the blade on the Sebenza 21 is about 3.1mm thick). Chris Reeve also gave the knife what they are calling a “large hollow grind” which is billed as a compromise between the thinness and slicing performance of a hollow grind and the toughness of a full flat grind.

I recently expanded my office at work and bought some new office equipment including a monitor, printer, computer, etc. As a result I had a lot of extra cardboard on my hands and decided to give the ole 25 a whirl at breaking down all of the boxes. I wasn’t blown away by the performance of the 25 on cardboard, but I wasn’t disappointed either. My large 21 slices a little better, but then again, so does my Benchmade Volli with it’s thin flat ground blade. It’s still miles ahead of the Strider SnG. The 25 is more heavily built than the 21, and it comes with a thicker grind. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just different. Speaking of different, there is also a little depression in the blade after the jimping. I have no idea what it is for, so I’ll wait for someone to let me know in the comments section.

Steel on the 25 is S35VN, which is what CRK is using on pretty much everything these days if my understanding is correct. The blade on the 25 is heat treated to 58-59 HRc, and at that hardness it seems like a good combination of edge retention and sharpenability. Some might find it a little too soft, but I like a knife that easily takes a good edge, and the 25 has been very easy to maintain with my strop. I will say after testing the blade out thoroughly on cardboard the edge didn’t feel that sharp, but it still sliced paper with no problem. A few swipes on the strop brought it all the way back. If edge retention is super important for you, then you are probably better off finding something in M390 or S90V (harder more exotic steels), but if you are OK with the idea of regularly maintaining the edge of your knife then I don’t see a big problem with S35VN and this milder heat treat that CRK favors.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the 25 is the typical full titanium goodness you would expect from Chris Reeve. Construction is simple and elegant, with a pivot, stop pin, and single standoff. Some may lament the lack of a lanyard hole, but it looks like CRK designed it so you can loop some cord around the standoff. Personally, I don’t miss the lanyard doohickey on my large 21 at all. Construction is top notch, as expected. This is a Sebenza after all. I like the choice of beefier hardware. The pivot has seen a serious upgrade and the domed body screws are beefed up as well. The disadvantage to this setup is that 2 allen keys are required (and supplied), rather than just the one required to take down a standard Sebenza.

Perhaps the biggest change in the Sebenza 25 is the inclusion of double finger choils. It certainly adds a visual element to the knife not previously evident on CRK models. In practice I think the choils work well and capture the index and middle finger nicely. My hand feels very at home with the standard grip. A revision I am less enthused about is the razor wire inspired jimping installed on the back of the blade. I would say that the jimping on my large 21 is a damn near perfect blend of traction and comfort. Why Chris Reeve felt the need to mess with that winning formula is a mystery to me, but it certainly looks more aggressive. The jimping is fairly abrasive, but I only really noticed it on hard cuts, like cutting rope. Still I think they could have toned it down a bit. All said the 25 is a reasonably comfortable knife. I’m not sure I would call it an improvement over the 21, but it’s definitely different.

The pocket clip for the 25 is the same legendary double dip clip found on the 21. I’m glad they didn’t fool around with this. It works well and is one of my favorite clip designs. In pocket the 25 carries pretty good. It is a big knife, and is full titanium, but with that in mind I’d say it still carries well for its size.

Deployment and Lockup

The term “Sebenza smooth” is something of a gold standard in knife collector circles when considering the action of a pocket knife. So it’s interesting to see that CRK made some tweaks to ensure the deployment of the 25 is even smoother than its predecessors. In addition to a much larger pivot, the knife features extra large perforated phosphor bronze washers. According to the Chris Reeve website these were installed to carry more grease and make the action smoother. In practice I think it has worked. My 25 is noticeably smoother than my 21. Granted I am testing a pretty small sample size here, and some may disagree because the 25 doesn’t include the 21’s famous bushing pivot system.

The knife flicks open easily via the ambidextrous titanium thumb studs. Speaking of thumb studs, or thumb “lugs” as CRK calls them, I think it’s about damn time that dual thumb studs came standard equipment on a Sebenza. I also can’t help but wonder if CRK has plans to introduce a bearing equipped knife in the future. Bearings are by no means a necessity, but since that is where a lot of the industry is going I would be curious to see them offer a knife with bearings.

For lock up Chris Reeve went with a ceramic ball detent. Just like on the Umnumzaan, it serves double duty as both an interface between lock and tang, as well as detent to hold the blade in place. It works well and I have no complaints. The blade locks open with a satisfying thunk and lockup is steady at right around 50%. No blade play at all and the blade is perfectly centered.

CRK Sebenza 25 Review – Final Thoughts

For whatever reason I always find myself under some pressure to come up with a poignant parting thought on Chris Reeve products. Perhaps it’s to justify the price in my own mind, or justify the level of excitement and expectation that has been built up around these knives, or attempt to get ahead of the inevitable discussion about Chris Reeve knives and “value”. I’m going to avoid that this time around, and instead focus on my honest take on the knife.

I think the 25 is a solid and well made product. I consider it a hybrid between the Umnumzaan and 21. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you already have a 21 or an Umnumzaan I don’t really see the “need” for this knife. Then again, I don’t really see the “need” for a $450 pocket knife in general, yet I have owned dozens, so that is beside the point. Like other high end knives, people will buy this because they want it. I’m here to tell you that if you want it, it’s a nice knife. But I’ll also play the role of devil’s advocate:

The 25 is thoughtfully designed and well made, but isn’t a huge enough leap from Chris Reeve’s other offerings for me to truly get excited over it. Maybe if they installed bearings, milled the handle from a single piece of titanium, or did a flipper or something like that it might move the Richter scale a bit further. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perfectly fine knife, and if this is your first CRK I think you will like it, but when you compare it with the rest of the CRK product line I can’t help but feel like it’s more of what we have already seen. I’m glad I got to check one out, and recommend you to do the same if the 25 interests you, but I don’t feel compelled to hang onto both the 25 and my large 21 or to tell you that this is the most amazing thing since the titanium frame lock.

Chris Reeve Sebenza – From $445.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Sebenza 25 at BladeHQ or KnifeArt. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Zero Tolerance 0801 Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

Last Updated: August 7, 2019
Titanium framelock flippers. Are we sick of them yet? No? Great, because I’ve got another titanium framelock flipper review for you today. Given the rapid influx of titanium framelock flippers on the market, I initially thought that I would pass on the Zero Tolerance 0801. The wide shape, chunky build, and monochromatic look of the knife all lead me to quickly dismiss the knife.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0801 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

It wasn’t until I handled the 0801 in person that I decided to buy the it. Oddly enough, I became so intrigued that I ended up acquiring 2 of these at once – the standard version, as well as the 0801CF “Copperhead” limited release version of it. This review will focus on the 0801, as the 0801CF is a true collectible that I ended up selling off and never using.

Designed by acclaimed custom maker, Todd Rexford, this understated design is based off of his Singularity custom offering. The 801 is the second in a string of collaborations Todd has done with KAI (the previously reviewed Kershaw Injection being the first). This is his first high end collaboration with Zero Tolerance.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0801 has an overall length of 8.2″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs 5.85 ounces. The 0801 is a substantial knife and you will feel it in your pocket. It isn’t quite as chunky as the 0550, but it’s pretty darn close. No doubt that is due in part to the thick full titanium handle. I can’t think of any other production full titanium flippers on the market at the moment, so that is something to keep in mind. I like the fact that ZT has introduced a full TI handle into their lineup. Just understand that the 0801 ain’t no feather.

The blade on the 0801 is a spearpoint shape with a high flat grind. There is also a swedge that terminates well before the point to support the tip. The blade shape, like the rest of the knife, is pretty sober looking. But it certainly functions well in normal cutting tasks like breaking down cardboard boxes, doing light wood processing, and other general utility tasks. The blade is pretty thin behind the edge and the knife comes very sharp. It’s nice to see a high performance grind on this kind of knife, as the ZT/Hinderer collabs seem to favor strength over slicing.

The 0801 comes in Elmax steel. Elmax has become a staple in Zero Tolerance’s higher end line up. I have come to enjoy Elmax for its combination of good edge retention and relative ease of sharpening. I have had zero issues with rust or corrosion. I think Elmax is a good choice in this higher end offering.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 0801’s full titanium handle slabs are separated by three black standoffs. This knife has been well executed. There are no visible machining marks, all the parts line up well, and everything has been nicely finished. The oversized decorative pivot is a nice detail, and the black hardware serves as the only contrast on the knife. The handle slabs themselves have been milled out with grooves and has a sort of sweeping faux bolster look. I am not wild and crazy about the grooves or the “ZERO TOLERANCE” brand engraved into the handle, but I have to admit Jim Skelton’s customized version with blue two-tone anodizing job really pops.

The 0801 works fine from an ergonomic standpoint. I wear a large glove and there is just enough room for a 4 finger grip – those with freakishly large hands may run out of real estate. There is something of a forward choil, so you can choke up and get a little more out of the handle if you need to, or lay back for more powerful cuts. There isn’t any jimping on this one, so you don’t have to worry about hot spots for your thumb, but I readily acknowledge that the absence of jimping may be a turn off for some. The rest of the handle feels good. This isn’t a funky handle shape so it should work well for most people.

The pocket clip on the 0801 is straight out of the KAI parts bin. A slightly smaller version of the clip can be found on the Cryo. Visually it’s not the most amazing clip, but it is very practical, especially if you are into deep carry. The 0801 buries into the pocket, but even if your co-workers won’t notice it, you certainly will. At near 6 ounces this is not a lightweight pocket knife. That’s the trade off when you go for a thick full titanium handle. It would be cool to see ZT pocket out the inside to lighten things up, but I know that is probably cost prohibitive. If you are into bigger, heavier knives this obviously won’t be an issue, but weight weenies need not apply.

Deployment and Lockup

As far as titanium framelock flippers go, the 0801 is up there with the best on the market. I’m not saying it’s as good as the freakishly fast 0454… it’s definitely nothing near that, but fans of snappy flippers should still be satisfied with this knife. The Elmax blade rides on KAI’s KVT captured bearing system, and you can see the guts of it peeking out by the lock face. I thin it is somewhat unseemly to have the bearing cage poke out like that, but I guess that is what needed to be done to make the knife work right. All said, fans of flippers will find a lot to like with the action of the 0801.

ZT incorporated a stainless steel lockbar insert into their frame lock, and the steel on steel contact makes for a secure and stick free engagement. I couldn’t detect any sort of blade play. The lock geometry of this knife has definitely been dialed in, and the blade centering is perfect. These details are important to find in this higher end knife.

Zero Tolerance 801 Review – Final Thoughts

There isn’t anything else out there filling the full titanium framelock flipper niche, so off the bat that puts the 0801 into a league of its own, unless of course you are willing to venture into custom, midtech, or aftermarket territory. The full titanium handle does have its potential drawbacks, mainly the weight, but there are plenty of people willing to forgo an ounce or two for full TI goodness.

Despite not having any direct competition, the 0801 doesn’t rest on its laurels. It is a very solid and well made knife. Build quality and materials are both excellent. The flipping action and lock up are superb. The design is austere and based off of Todd’s coveted custom offering. There is a lot to like here for fans of high end production knives and frame lock flippers. If you are interested in the 0801 I can safely recommend it.

Zero Tolerance 0801 Titanium Flipper Knife

Made in the USA; Manual open, KVT ball-bearing system
Frame lock; Reversible (left/right), deep-carry clip
Steel: ELMAX, stonewashed finish; Handle: Titanium
Blade Length: 3.5 Inch (8.9 cm); Closed Length: 4.7 Inch (11.9 cm)
Overall Length: 8.2 Inch (20.8 cm); Weight: 5.8 ounces (164.4 g)

I recommend purchasing the 0801 at Amazon or BladeHQ.

Lionsteel SR-1 Review

by Dan Jackson 14 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
A topic knife nuts love to ponder is the age old question of “is it worth it?” This question is probably as old as knife ownership is itself. I imagine that first cave man who showed off his fancy new blade hewn from obsidian rather than the typical rock was met with his fair share of detractors (I am not sure if they used the term “haters” back in 6000 BCE). Whether an expensive knife is “worth it” in comparison to its cheaper counterparts continues to amuse us to this day, and a great example of a knife that gets the brunt of that question is the Chris Reeve Sebenza.

Buy the Lionsteel SR-1 at BladeHQ

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It doesn’t take long into seeking out info on the Sebenza before you stumble across a forum post, YouTube video, or even the comments section of your favorite knife review website to see folks passionately argue the merits of Sebenza and its $400.00 price tag. Opinions run the gamut from the Sebenza not being worth $100, let alone $400, to being the holy grail of blades and easily justified at any cost. I don’t agree with either of those extremes, but I think there is plenty of room in the middle to make valid arguments for and against the “value” of the knife, so I try my best to stay out of it. (If you absolutely must know, personally, I own and enjoy several CRKs and have concluded that they are worth it to me to have in my collection. Part of how I justify the cost is that if some day I woke up and didn’t like the knife, I could sell it and recover 90% of my money. Anyhow, I digress…). My point with all of this is that a lot of people seem obsessed with value and getting more for their money. Especially when it comes to high end production knives.

Enter the Lionsteel SR-1. I’ve drooled over this knife ever since it made it’s debut in 2010 with its dramatic blade shape, imposing sculpted handle, and top shelf materials. I felt like this was a knife truly befitting of a king and the fact that a company called Lionsteel was making it made perfect sense. But what really did it for me was the fact that this is an “integral”. By that I mean the handle has been carved from a single chunk of glorious 6A14V titanium. Here we have a knife that has truly done something different from a construction perspective. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that certainly we are getting *something* more for our money with the SR-1. So with that out of the way I intend to explore the merits of this blade…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SR-1 has an overall length of 8.3″, has a 3.7″ blade, and weighs 6.8 ounces. This is a sizable knife. Definitely larger than my average EDC, and is not something I am really prepared to carry on any kind of a regular basis. I consider it a collectable more than anything, but it certainly has been made for carry and use, and I am sure plenty of people do carry theirs regularly. Lionsteel has recently offered a mini version of the SR-1, the SR-2, and that may be a better bet for my style of EDC. That said, there is nothing wrong with buying this knife purely for collectable purposes – especially if you opt for the sweet version with a damascus steel blade like I have. What you are looking at is the SR-1 in Chad Nichols raindrop damascus. I’m not a huge damascus guy, but I thought this one was pretty cool.

The blade shape on this knife is a typical drop point. What I always liked about this knife was the ridiculously wide blade and the deep belly. Not for any practical reasons, mostly because it looks impressive and is unlike anything else in my collection. Blade stock is generous at .18″/ 4.5mm thick. The spine is capped (rounded over) while the high flat grind terminates in a durable, but plenty capable, edge. This isn’t a particularly awesome slicer, but it will hold up under harder use and can certainly cut stuff.

Like I mentioned before, this particular knife comes in Chad Nichols damascus, but if you were to buy a regular one off the shelf it will likely come in either D2 (for the aluminum handled version) or Sleipner steel (for the titanium handled version). Sleipner is manufactured by Bohler Uddeholm and from the limited research I did it is supposed to share some similarities to D2, in that it is a tough tool steel, semi-stainless, and capable of being heat treated to a high hardness, but it is supposed to be more resistant to chipping. Bohler put together a handy data sheet for those looking for more technical information on the steel. Because I haven’t personally used it, I have no real comments on it at this time.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the SR-1 is what really steals the show. 3-D machined from a single block of titanium or aluminum (the SR-1A), this handle is as beautiful as it is technically impressive. A monolithic handle like this is commonly referred to as an “integral” these days, but there is nothing common about this handle. I’ve examined my fair share of high end knives, including custom pieces, but holy shit is this thing is cool. And the fit and finish on this handle is really nice too. The exterior has been given an attractive grooved pattern, while inside the handle has been cleanly excavated to accommodate the blade. Adding to the interest, Lionsteel offers the SR-1 anodized in a rainbow of different colors. Simply put, this handle is spectacular.

Adding to my love of the SR-1’s handle is how nice and comfy it is. Lionsteel did an excellent job softening all of the edges and the SR-1 just melts in place. Next to the actual handle construction, I was most impressed by how good this handle felt. It’s a large knife so there is plenty of room, and the chamfering they have done is just superb.

The pocket clips is another well-implemented and elegant feature of the knife. I have to hand it to the Italian’s, they really now how to design beautiful stuff (and I’m not just saying that because my last name ends in a vowel). The clip is a deep carry design mounted on the pommel. It is reversible with a single screw. In practice the SR-1 carries discretely and decently for its size. I like the look of the deep carry clip, and the fact that this design does not put a lot of unnecessary holes in the beautiful titanium frame.

Deployment and Lockup

The SR-1 takes advantage of a pair of ambidextrous thumb studs for deployment. They are mounted for easy access with the thumb, and the blade rides on teflon washers. I’m not a huge fan of teflon washers because they don’t deploy particularly fast, but they are still found in some high end knives and I guess I’ll just have to learn to deal with that. Deployment isn’t particularly fast and I was unable to ever flick the blade open with my thumb, but it’s smooth and purposeful, which is pretty much what I’ve grown to expect with teflon washers.

On the other hand, lockup on the SR-1 is nothing short of glorious. You have a thick titanium lock bar with a steel insert, and when the blade opens up the lock bar falls into place with a really satisfying snap. Engagement is early and extremely secure. The fact that the handle is cut from a single piece of titanium makes for a very rigid frame, and I didn’t even notice a suggestion of blade play. I will say that my blade is ever so slightly off center, and I was not able to tune that out with the supplied pivot tool. This is a slight let down, but I guess there are some limitations with the integral design.

I also need to briefly note the rotoblock (which is the big round thing in the middle of the lock bar cut out). Much like the DPx Hest 2.0 I reviewed a couple years ago, the SR-1 comes with Lionsteel’s rotoblock, which doubles as lockbar stabilizer (preventing you from over-extending the lock bar when disengaging it) and as a secondary locking mechanism. The way it works is that you torque it down to lock the knife open or closed. A common criticism with the rotoblock is that it can come loose and put you in a position where the knife accidentally gets locked open or closed. The rotoblock on my SR-1 is very stiff, so maybe Lionsteel has completely addressed that issue. Personally, I see the secondary locking mechanism as a novelty at best, and a nuisance at worst, but I do like having some sort of lock bar stabilizer.

One final aspect of the knife worth mentioning is the packaging. Each SR-1 comes nestled in its own wood display case. It’s a cool feature and I have yet to see a knife come packaged like this. I know the box is the least important thing about a knife, but when you are already paying $400.00, it’s cool to see that Lionsteel went the extra mile to do something besides your typical cardboard crate.

Lionsteel SR-1 Review – Final Thoughts

The SR-1 is a hell of a knife. I know it’s expensive, and that is part of the reason why it took me so long to acquire one, but it’s different, and generally very well done. And I guess if you really cared about the price you could go for the less expensive aluminum handled version, the SR-1A, which sells for less than $200.00. I ran into a couple minor issues (slow action with the teflon washers, a slightly off center blade), but by and large this is a masterpiece and a tremendous accomplishment for a production knife. In this day in age it’s easy to argue that a lot of high end production knives aren’t worth the premium in price because they aren’t much different from their cheaper counterparts, but here the SR-1 really does deliver something different. The mono-block handle is just super duper cool and everything else has been really well done.

It isn’t the most practical knife in my collection, but if you have the dough and the desire, I definitely recommend checking it out. Because I favor smaller sleeker knives for daily use I definitely see myself acquiring a TiSpine in the not so distant future. Hopefully it doesn’t take 4 years for me to pull the trigger on that one.

Lionsteel SR-1 – From $379.00
From: BladeHQ

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I recommend purchasing the SR-1 at BladeHQ or Amazon. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Chris Reeve Knives Large Sebenza 21 Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
For many the Sebenza 21 is a knife obtained on the steep ascent to the upper echelons of production knife collecting. It’s not a starter knife. It is something to be gradually aspired to, pined over, and then climatically acquired.

I had such an experience when I bought and reviewed a small Sebenza 21 back in 2011. Although no stranger to nice knives at the time, it was one of my first forays into the $300+ knife category. And much like an exhausted mountaineer in awe of the view having reached the summit, I was suitably impressed with the CRK Small Sebenza.

Buy the CRK Sebenza at BladeHQ

In that space between 2011 and now I like to think I have matured in both my appreciation for knives as well as my approach to reviewing products. I also now have the budget to buy and hold more expensive offerings, like this Large Sebenza, and compare them with other expensive folding knives. I’ll spare you the essay on my “philosophy” towards reviewing knives, but the cliff notes are that I have no allegiance to any one brand. I run this website for fun, fund it independently (thanks in part to generous readers who purchase products through the links on this site – thank you for supporting my efforts and for supporting independent journalism), and have no problem telling it like it is. That also means I have no economic interest in selling you on a particular knife. My goal ultimate goal to assist you in finding the right knife.

The point of this is that my goal is to provide you with a review of the Sebenza 21 that benefits from my experience and lacks hype, gamesmanship, or “post purchase rationalization”. Sure, as an individual I will always have my own tastes and bias, but I try to point that out when I can to allow you to reach your own conclusion. That said, this is a damn fine knife, so lets get on with the review…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Large Sebenza has an overall length of 8.335″, has a 3.625″ blade, and weighs 4.7 ounces. As the name might suggest, this is a large folding knife and compares well in size to classics like the Strider SnG, Benchmade Griptilian, and Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I have to say that it irks me to no end when people refer to this as a “tactical knife”. It’s not. While I don’t doubt it could stab someone as well as anything else, in my mind it’s a large utility or EDC knife, and wasn’t designed with high speed/low drag operators in mind.

As an aside, it’s worth mentioning that my particular Large Sebenza is not your normal Large Sebenza. This one is from 2008 and is a special version of the knife with dual thumb studs (or thumb “lugs” as CRK calls them). It features S30V blade steel and lacks the “IDAHO MADE” moniker that, in my opinion, takes away from the appearance of the newer CRKs. So it’s a little different from what you would buy new today, but shares enough similarities for me to call this a review of the Large Sebenza 21 without hesitation.

The blade shape is a classic drop point, with CRK’s signature high hollow grind. The tip is extremely fine and the knife is ground thinly. One of my favorite details is the rounded spine. Overall, it’s a great shape for EDC, combining classic lines with precision manufacturing. The entire blade has been given a very fine tumbled finish, which looks nice and hides wear well.

Steel on my particular model is S30V, but these days the knife comes in S35VN. Both are fine steels. CRK seems to heat treat them on the softer side which is a decision by Chris Reeve that is not without its fair share of controversy. Personally, I like a relatively soft steel as it’s easier to sharpen. I’ve occasionally had a hard time putting great edges on S30V in the past, so if this blade Rockwells out to 58 RC rather than 60 then so be it. I will say that from the factory the knife comes laser sharp. It’s a high performance blade and it cuts very well. Compared to my SnG there really is no comparison, I would liken it more to the SJ-75, which has proven itself to be an excellent cutter. It slices beautifully and the edge polishes up easily on my strop.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

For many, the luxurious full titanium handle is what the Sebenza is all about. The two slabs of titanium are simply adorned with a bead blasted finish, and, in this case, accented with silver hardware. The more standard version of the knife comes with blue anodizing on the thumb stud, and you can of course get the knife any number of unique graphic designs on the handle or exotic inlays. Personally, I really like my sterile silver and blasted knife.

Handle construction is simple but very well done. Chris Reeve made its name on tight tolerances, and my knife is no exception. Here you have flow through construction with a single stand off, and an interesting floating lanyard assembly. I’m not a big lanyard guy, but on this knife I decided to leave it on. There is something very traditional about the lanyard, and the unique floating lanyard pin makes it less obnoxious.

In hand you have a relatively comfortable handle. This knife doesn’t have anything in the way of 3-D machining, but all the edges have been contoured to break the handle up in your hand. The Large Sebenza is plenty big to accommodate all kinds of hands, and the jimping is near perfect in my book; there is enough texture to provide some traction without rendering the thumb ramp into a throbbing hot spot under harder use.

The pocket clip is another one of my favorite details of the knife. The “double dip clip” locks the knife in place like nothing else I own, and provides for discrete no-nonsense carry. Hands down this is a great pocket clip. The knife itself carries well for a large boxy knife. It’s reasonably slim, and the matte titanium tucks neatly into the pocket of my jeans.

Lockup and Deployment

When people talk about smoothness of a knife’s action “Sebenza Smooth” is about as high an accolade as you can offer in the production knife realm. At least, that’s how it was back in 2011. These days CRK has a little more competition with knives appearing on bearings and all, but it’s still a pretty smooth knife. Some guys like to disassemble their Sebenza and lap the washers with 2000+ grit wet sand paper to thin them down and further reduce the friction; kind of like how billionaires turbo charge their Ferraris. You have to be careful, because if you take off too much material you risk throwing off the tolerances entirely, but if you are one of those guys that can’t leave well enough alone then the option certainly exists. Most Sebenzas come with a single thumb lug, which, as a lefty, I really don’t like. I understand that they make a dedicated lefty model, but I would rather see double thumb lugs more common.

There is something eminently enjoyable about opening the blade on my Large Sebenza and feeling the lock fall into place with its soft and satisfying click. It’s almost like shutting the door on a German car. There is a level of security and refinement that I haven’t experienced with my other knives. This may be due in part to the relatively late lockup. Mine is around 90%. There is nothing to be concerned about with the late lockup, although I am sure some folks will find that aspect of the knife disappointing.

Something else to note is that there is absolutely no lock stick and no “break in” or tricks with magic markers are required. The Sebenza is designed to be simple, smooth, and dead nuts reliable. It can be taken completely apart with a single tool.

Large Sebenza 21 Review – Final Thoughts

The Sebenza 21 is a great knife and a worthy target for those ascending the ladder of production folders. BladeHQ did an excellent series of videos on the Chris Reeve factory. If you haven’t already seen them, they should give you further appreciation for these deceptively simple knives. Chris and his team have spent decades refining the tool and the processes behind it, and the end result is a high performance knife built to exacting tolerances.

With all of that said, there is an increasing amount of expensive knives competing for our dollar. High end production knives from larger companies like Zero Tolerance and Spyderco are continuing to gain ground, while an explosion of mid tech and custom offerings from boutique manufacturers dip down into Sebenza range. Chris Reeve spent decades building his reputation the hard way, attending knife shows and working with traditional media, but the age of Youtube, USN and Instagram is upon us. This new media is bringing consumers closer to the bespoke brands, and allowing young upstarts to accelerate on higher demand and wider margins. Whereas even in 2011 a titanium framelock alone would be enough to push the bleeding edge, today flippers, bearing systems, exotic steel, and 3-D machining are what grab at the attention of the increasingly savvy consumer.

Still CRK continues to do very well, and I don’t doubt that success will continue for a long time. The Large Sebenza is a great example of this, as it is both great knife and modern a classic. I think it’s worth having in any higher end collection. It’s the knife for guys that want a no-frills, highly functional tool. CRK gets so much right, it’s hard to find fault with the Large Sebenza. But in the midst of a golden era of mid tech knives, I can’t help but wonder whether the Sebenza will continue to be regarded as the peak of the mountain, or serve more as a stepping stone into the great white north…

Large Sebenza 21 – From $410.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Large Sebenza at BladeHQ or KnifeArt. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Strider SJ-75 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

I have come to really enjoy my Strider SnG. Perhaps its because I won it in a contest, and therefore, had no qualms about carrying and beating the crap out of it. Regardless, it is a knife I have really enjoyed. But honestly, if my money was on the table, I’m really not sure the SNG would have been the first Strider in my collection. I have enjoyed the classic Strider look, but something really spoke to me about the refined lines and deep hollow grind of the SJ-75, and I always thought it would be my first Strider. Oddly, it’s my third, purchased after experiencing both the SnG and the PT. But under different circumstances it probably wouldn’t have been that way, and I think in the eyes of many collectors I’m not alone.

Strider really created something different with the SJ-75, and it merits further consideration…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SJ-75 has an overall length of 7.125″, sports a 3″ blade, and weighs 3.8 ounces. Strider describes this as the bridge in their lineup between the SnG and PT, but I’d say it’s more akin to the SnG than anything. The knife is definitely more compact than the SnG, but the cutting edge is pretty much the same length. It can make for a nice EDC and compares favorably in length to my Sage 1, which as you may be aware is my self-described “perfect EDC.”

The leaf shaped blade of the SJ-75 features a very prominent slanting hollow grind. It’s a neat look and an interesting departure from the flat chunky grinds found on both my PT and SnG. Apparently, some of the very first SJ-75’s were hand ground by Mick Strider himself. I bought my knife used, so I have no idea if it has been hand ground (or even what steel the blade is), but I am a big fan of the deep lean grind and the lustrous satin/tumbled finish that the entire blade has been given. I will say that I am not as crazy about the decorative file work that has been applied to the spine of the knife. I think the filework looks busy, and is something I would have left out if it were my design.

Steel choices seem to range on this model from 154CM to S35VN. There may be other offerings in the mix, special editions and whatnot, but tried and true 154CM and S35VN make up the majority. This is a good thing, as I like both blade steels, and Strider’s heat treats have proven themselves capable many times over. Again, I don’t really know what blade steel my particular knife has, but it’s stainless, holds a nice edge, and sharpens easily enough. Beyond that I really don’t care.

I ran my SJ-75 through the usual battery of tests and it performed really well. My SnG and PT, while fun knives to carry and admire, aren’t particularly keen slicers. The SJ-75 on the other hand positively zips through materials. I crunched cord, carved cardboard, and worked my way through several pieces of wood. The deep hollow grind is a significant improvement over the blocky flat grinds of my other Strider knives. And at the end of the day I was able to restore my edge with a few licks on a loaded strop. This, my friends, is how a $400 knife should cut.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the SJ-75 is an angular affair of G10 and titanium. Compared to my SnG, it looks like they took the fit and finish up a notch. It shares the same hardware, but the the edges have all been nicely chamfered, the lock bar is precision cut, and the handle pieces are suspended between a pivot and a single spacer; the ultimate flow through design. Again you find the filework on the back of the handle slabs, which is something I could live without. Aside from that I’ve got no complaints with the handle.

The G10 and titanium are both smooth. There is fine lined texture on the TI while the layers on the G10 show side exhibit depth like a piece of wood. The result is a handle that is visually interesting without being uncomfortable and obnoxious. The handle slabs have been “CC’d” to melt in the palm, and the absence of atrocious jimping, is noted and appreciated. This is a stout knife, but there is plenty of room even in larger hands for 4 fingers, and the humpback handle rests comfortable in the crook of your palm.

The pocket clip is classic Strider, and has been lifted off their other models. It’s right side tip up carry only, and the combination of a single screw and and slotted handle keeps it firmly in place. This isn’t the ultimate deep carry pocketknife, but they mounted the clip about as deep as they could. There is just enough poking out to easily grab the knife, yet it remains reasonably discrete and very secure.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment you have Strider’s ubiquitous oval thumb hole, and it’s positioned high on the handle for easy access. The knife isn’t as smooth and easy to open as my SnG, maybe due to the tighter tolerances or lighter blade, but the knife still opens purposefully with the brush of a thumb. Strider went for large phosphor washers giving the knife smooth and purposeful action. They are only going to get smoother as the knife continues to break in.

The 3-D machined titanium is deceptively thick, and makes for a substantial frame and lockbar. My knife locks up around 40% and it is extremely tight. There is not even a hint of play in any direction and no stick whatsoever. Strider has had plenty of chances to refine their titanium framelocks, and the result here is highly refined.

Strider SJ-75 Review – Final Thoughts

The SJ-75 may very well be the Strider for guys who don’t like Striders. Compared to the overbuilt SnG and SMF, the SJ is practically a gentleman’s folder. What is impressive to me is the high level of fit and finish. Strider, much like Emerson, has earned a reputation of creating knives that are slightly imperfect users, but this is a knife that is extremely well made and meticulously finished. The reasonable size and weight and a practical grind means this is arguably their best EDC offering yet.

If I could change anything I’d do something about the file work on the inside of the handles and on the spine of the blade. Sometimes less is more, and I think now would be one of those times. Aside from that it’s a great knife, provided, of course, you can overcome the $400.00 price tag. Whether you want an upscale EDC or something for the collection, the SJ-75 is worthy of your attention.

Strider SJ-75 – From $400.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Strider SJ-75 at BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.