Chris Reeve Knives released the Sebenza 31 back in 2019. As a CRK Sebenza owner (two 21s and a 25) and fan I wanted to get a 31, but I held off for quite some time. I was intending to get a Small 31 with an Insingo blade and micarta inlay, and put one on my list of things to get and it remained on my list for the the past few years.
Then recently I saw a social media post by BladeHQ that they just got a supply of small Sebenza 31 with the carbon fiber inlay in-stock. After I saw the post I visited the BladeHQ website, carted one of the knives, stared at the shopping cart for a few minutes, and decided to place the order.
For those unfamiliar with the black carbon inlay on the Sebenza, this is not a configuration that can be ordered from Chris Reeve Knives. This is exclusively provided to BladeHQ and sold only by BladeHQ.
In any case, you can see from the build card in the photo above that this small Sebenza 31 is a standard drop point blade with CPM MagnaCut, which is now the standard blade steel on the Sebenza 31 (previously, the Sebenza 31 debuted with S45VN blade steel).
The Sebenza 31 is a very minor revision to the long produced Sebenza 21. The appearance looks noticeably different as the inlay is a single large piece vs the two piece split inlay. The reason this change is possible is because a fixture hole that is the handle slab of the 21 is no longer needed due to changes in the milling process.
One the clip side, the clip of the Sebenza 31 is slightly offset instead of straight in-line with the knive, to make the knife fit the hand more naturally.
Other than the inlay and clip changes, most people will not really see any other differences between the 21 and 31 as the rest of the changes are rooted in the build process. Essentially the machining has improved to make for tighter tolerances and there is a ceramic ball detent on the lock bar to interface between the blade making for smoother blade action.
The ceramic ball detent on the lock bar is a polarizing feature of the Sebenza 31 ever since it came out. Many criticized that this could resulting in a sticky blade action due to gunk buildup.
However, the ceramic ball detent already made an appearance in the Sebenza 25 and I never really noticed any issue with the blade action on mine. The Sebenza 25 is my most carried of my Sebenza knives and admittedly I have not taken it apart to clean in several years (5+). So the fact that there’s no issues with the blade action is a testament to the ceramic ball detent.
As far as the Chris Reeve Knives Small Sebenza 31 Carbon Fiber Inlay BladeHQ exclusive knife, it is quite attractive. I like the fact that the CRK Sebenza 31 CF Inlay BladeHQ configuration has blasted handles and not polished handles like the CRK Sebenza 21 CF Inlay BladeHQ which I also own.
Other than the handle finish of the 31 BladeHQ vs the 21 BladeHQ, the look is very much similar to the 21 that came before.
The feel of the Sebenza 31 in the hand is about the same as the 21. However, the newly offset clip does make the clip more distinct in the hand and feel more like an intentional part of the knife grip. So in that sense, the offset clip does make for a more comfortable grip of the knife.
The blue finish on the thumb stud and bottom handle crossbar make for a nice highlights to the knife. However, I will testify that the finish on the thumb stud will wear off with use.
Out of the box the Sebenza 31 I received is exceptionally smooth to open and meets the expectations I have as a Sebenza 21 owner. The lockup is very distinct and action of the Sebenza 31 makes for a positive experience when using the knife.
The Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31 is a great knife and continues the legacy of the Sebenza line. There is no doubt that this knife still continues to be a standard to compare knives to in terms of design quality, build quality, and performance.
However, the question that comes to mind is whether or not the 31 is worth getting if you already own a 21. If you are a knife enthusiast (or a collector), there’s no doubt that you should pick up a 31.
If you own a Sebenza 21 and would have to sell the 21 just to get a 31, then I would say keep the 21. There’s nothing in the 31 that would warrant trading up from a 21 to 31. CPM Magnacut may be the the new hotness in the knife making community. But the S35VN found in the 21 is still great steel.
As far as the carbon fiber inlay, this is strictly cosmetic and I simply like the look of carbon fiber (as you can see in the previous photo).
Note: The carbon fiber slab small Sebenza 21 in the prior photo is the Knife Art exclusive and is my father’s knife (I bought it as a Christmas gift for him several years back) and I borrowed it for a photo.
I honestly would not recommend the BladeHQ carbon fiber inlay for people looking for an everyday working knife as a micarta inlay will likely be more ‘grippier’ in the hand, especially with wet hands (water or sweat).
In summary, the Sebenza 31 is a minor revision to the already great Sebenza 21 and these knives can be considered legacy tools that will last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care. If you are in the market for a proven folding knife of high production and build quality, feel confident in ordering a Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31.
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