Here's my experience. I have been around for a while, but rarely post. However, I will add my experience here as a data point for others because I had expected better.
I've owned several CRKs ranging from early 2000s to present. They are some of my favorite pieces - my small sebenza (s30v, 2006 I think) is one of my most used knives; similarly my mnandi is my go-to special occassion knife.
At the end of 2023 I bought a small sebenza 31 and it had modest lock rock when new. Interestingly mine was also made on Halloween 2023, just like es335. I never used it, never cut anything, just put it back in the box to think what I shoudl do. I sent it back to CRK in Jan 2024 after much thought. It did not feel right that a piece at this price point with the reputation and expectation of a "bank vault" feel would exhibit behavior not seen on much cheaper pieces.
When I received the return, it was disappointing to see they had scratched it, which makes it un-resellable as mint. And the lock rock was not fixed. There was no explanation, no letter, no email, no communication on the lock rock issue whatsoever. I have also got an old style umnumzaan and asked for a pivot tool - apparently they do not make the pivot tools any more. They referred me out to a third party who is out of stock. Not great.
The whole experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. Between the lock rock, damage incurred in the 'service' (read - a fiscal loss), lack of communication on lock rock, and lack of support of the customers who have old umnumzaans I am personally quite disappointed. My view of CRK has changed and at this point cannot see myself purchasing CRKs in the future or recommending them to others.