photoman12001
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- May 23, 2008
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I took several photos of different versions of the Sebenza to show some of the design detail changes through the years. Eventually I’ll do a video comparison. I’ve already done some videos with the Regular, Classic MM, & 21 but recently added an original Sebenza to my collection. Examples shown here range from manufacture dates of 1995 (Original Sebenza) to 2017 (Sebenza 21 Red Micarta).
I might add some images and information here over time. I know I at least need to get a shot of the various washer changes.
Please feel free to add any additional information or correct me where I'm incorrect.
A few older videos until I can do some new ones:
Chris Reeve Knives - A Brief Rambling on Sebenza Evolution
Chris Reeve Sebenza: Classic vs 21
Chris Reeve Knives: A Look at the Sebenza, 21, 25, & Umnumzaan
Thumb studs, original Sebenza in the front and current stud on a 21 in the back.
Sebenzas from left to right: Original, Regular, Classic MM, 21.
This is to show the various work done to Sebenza handle edges.
Also notice the difference in the area of the blade where the stop pin engages when the knife is open. The Original has a large, rounded area.
Some notes:
- It’s not easy to see but the edges of the Original actually have a concave fillet as opposed to the flat chamfer around the edge. At least it feels that way to me.
- The Regular & 21 have flat chamfers around the edges.
- The Classic MM has two smaller chamfers around the edge that make the handles feel more rounded that other Sebenza versions.
Original Sebenza on the left, 21 on the right.
There are a few things going on in this photo:
- Original flat clip on the left versus the newer standard clip on the right.
- Notice the countersink cut into the flat clip and the matching clip screw.
- The new clip has no countersink and the bottom of the screw head is flat.
- The bottom of the newer body screws (right) are more flat that the older screws (left).
Sebenzas top to bottom: Original, Regular, Classic MM, 21
This photo gives another view of the edges of the handles.
It also shows the differences in the choil area where the index finger rests.
- The Regular is obviously very different from the others.
- The Original & Classic are similar in that they have a wider machined area that slopes up toward the spine of the handles.
- That area on the 21 is the same width as the chamfer around the rest of the handles.
Sebenzas left to right: Regular, Classic MM, 21
Items of note in this photo:
- Once again, notice the differences in the edges of the handles.
- This one also shows the ridges along the scale edges of the Regular. These do not appear in the previous photos because that was a later example (2006). CRK stopped doing the ridges in the last few years of the Regulars.
- Various hardware changes. Smooth-headed female body screws where used through about 2010 (very early Sebenza 21s). Some were shiny & reflective, some were matte. The smooth side was on the lock side of the knife from the factory. I think they look much better with the smooth side on the presentation side of the knife so I always switch them.
- Current Sebenzas have hex heads on both the male & female body screws.
Sebenzas top to bottom: 21 Polished Blade, Regular Stonewashed Blade, Original Polished Blade
I tried to show the differences in blade finishes here but it’s difficult to capture.
- The Original has a mirror polish which I tried to demonstrate with the reflection of the 21 Starbenza.
- The current polished blades are stonewashed on the flats near the spine and polished on the hollow grind. The polish is reflective but not mirror polished.
Original Sebenza on the bottom in each photo.
21 on top in the bottom photo.
Regular on top in the top photo.
- All Sebenzas but the Regular have a concave curve to the spine of the handles.
- The Regulars had a convex curve.
- The curve seems to have the same radius just in opposite directions.
This photo just gives an overall view of various Sebenza versions.
I also did this photo with a Sebenza 25 but left it out here because I really consider it an Inkosi beta and not a true Sebenza, mainly because it lacks a pivot bushing.
Here’s a photo of the Original Sebenza through the Sebenza 25.
I don’t own any 31s.
A shot of various Classic MMs
CRK added the "Idaho Made" marking sometime in 2010. Sebenza 21s made in 2009 and early 2010 were blank like the Regular, Original, P, & H. Some other models have early examples that can also be found without the “Idaho Made” marking such as the Umnumzaan & Nyala. Later examples of these have the marking.
Some different Sebenza lock sides
- Classic MM
- Early Sebenza 21 (2009-mid 2010) before CRK used the "Idaho Made" mark
- Sebenza 21 Wilson Combat (Starbenza) with small "Idaho Made" mark
- Sebenza 21 with current "Idaho Made" mark
Different Sebenza stop pin sleeves
I've mainly seen or heard of the lined sleeves on knives made in 2012-2014.
Blade Jimping
CRK has experimented with different jimping from time to time. Here is an example of some blades that came off knives made around 2009-2010. Notice the grooves along the blade on each side of the jimping. I believe it was done with a ball mill.
Left = Current Sebenza Jimping
Center = Sebenza 21 from 2009 or 2010
Right = Wider Jimping on a 2003 Sebenza Classic MM Blade
Comparison of finishes
Bottom = Polished
Left = Glass Blast
Right = Sand Blast
This isn't really a Sebenza evolution thing, just a reference.
Sebenza Serrations
Once again, not an evolution this but just a closeup for reference.
Sebenza P
I was lucky enough to add a Sebenza P to my collection. It's shown with a couple of Sebenzas made in 1995 after CRK dropped the P mark but before they released the Regular Sebenza in 1996. The P also doesn't have a pocket clip.
I might add some images and information here over time. I know I at least need to get a shot of the various washer changes.
Please feel free to add any additional information or correct me where I'm incorrect.
A few older videos until I can do some new ones:
Chris Reeve Knives - A Brief Rambling on Sebenza Evolution
Chris Reeve Sebenza: Classic vs 21
Chris Reeve Knives: A Look at the Sebenza, 21, 25, & Umnumzaan
Thumb studs, original Sebenza in the front and current stud on a 21 in the back.
Sebenzas from left to right: Original, Regular, Classic MM, 21.
This is to show the various work done to Sebenza handle edges.
Also notice the difference in the area of the blade where the stop pin engages when the knife is open. The Original has a large, rounded area.
Some notes:
- It’s not easy to see but the edges of the Original actually have a concave fillet as opposed to the flat chamfer around the edge. At least it feels that way to me.
- The Regular & 21 have flat chamfers around the edges.
- The Classic MM has two smaller chamfers around the edge that make the handles feel more rounded that other Sebenza versions.
Original Sebenza on the left, 21 on the right.
There are a few things going on in this photo:
- Original flat clip on the left versus the newer standard clip on the right.
- Notice the countersink cut into the flat clip and the matching clip screw.
- The new clip has no countersink and the bottom of the screw head is flat.
- The bottom of the newer body screws (right) are more flat that the older screws (left).
Sebenzas top to bottom: Original, Regular, Classic MM, 21
This photo gives another view of the edges of the handles.
It also shows the differences in the choil area where the index finger rests.
- The Regular is obviously very different from the others.
- The Original & Classic are similar in that they have a wider machined area that slopes up toward the spine of the handles.
- That area on the 21 is the same width as the chamfer around the rest of the handles.
Sebenzas left to right: Regular, Classic MM, 21
Items of note in this photo:
- Once again, notice the differences in the edges of the handles.
- This one also shows the ridges along the scale edges of the Regular. These do not appear in the previous photos because that was a later example (2006). CRK stopped doing the ridges in the last few years of the Regulars.
- Various hardware changes. Smooth-headed female body screws where used through about 2010 (very early Sebenza 21s). Some were shiny & reflective, some were matte. The smooth side was on the lock side of the knife from the factory. I think they look much better with the smooth side on the presentation side of the knife so I always switch them.
- Current Sebenzas have hex heads on both the male & female body screws.
Sebenzas top to bottom: 21 Polished Blade, Regular Stonewashed Blade, Original Polished Blade
I tried to show the differences in blade finishes here but it’s difficult to capture.
- The Original has a mirror polish which I tried to demonstrate with the reflection of the 21 Starbenza.
- The current polished blades are stonewashed on the flats near the spine and polished on the hollow grind. The polish is reflective but not mirror polished.
Original Sebenza on the bottom in each photo.
21 on top in the bottom photo.
Regular on top in the top photo.
- All Sebenzas but the Regular have a concave curve to the spine of the handles.
- The Regulars had a convex curve.
- The curve seems to have the same radius just in opposite directions.
This photo just gives an overall view of various Sebenza versions.
I also did this photo with a Sebenza 25 but left it out here because I really consider it an Inkosi beta and not a true Sebenza, mainly because it lacks a pivot bushing.
Here’s a photo of the Original Sebenza through the Sebenza 25.
I don’t own any 31s.
A shot of various Classic MMs
CRK added the "Idaho Made" marking sometime in 2010. Sebenza 21s made in 2009 and early 2010 were blank like the Regular, Original, P, & H. Some other models have early examples that can also be found without the “Idaho Made” marking such as the Umnumzaan & Nyala. Later examples of these have the marking.
Some different Sebenza lock sides
- Classic MM
- Early Sebenza 21 (2009-mid 2010) before CRK used the "Idaho Made" mark
- Sebenza 21 Wilson Combat (Starbenza) with small "Idaho Made" mark
- Sebenza 21 with current "Idaho Made" mark
Different Sebenza stop pin sleeves
I've mainly seen or heard of the lined sleeves on knives made in 2012-2014.
Blade Jimping
CRK has experimented with different jimping from time to time. Here is an example of some blades that came off knives made around 2009-2010. Notice the grooves along the blade on each side of the jimping. I believe it was done with a ball mill.
Left = Current Sebenza Jimping
Center = Sebenza 21 from 2009 or 2010
Right = Wider Jimping on a 2003 Sebenza Classic MM Blade
Comparison of finishes
Bottom = Polished
Left = Glass Blast
Right = Sand Blast
This isn't really a Sebenza evolution thing, just a reference.
Sebenza Serrations
Once again, not an evolution this but just a closeup for reference.
Sebenza P
I was lucky enough to add a Sebenza P to my collection. It's shown with a couple of Sebenzas made in 1995 after CRK dropped the P mark but before they released the Regular Sebenza in 1996. The P also doesn't have a pocket clip.
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