Chris Reeve Knives
Encyclopedia
Chris Reeve Knives is a U.S.
corporation with international sales and distribution based in Boise, ID. CRK manufactures folding pocket knives, fixed blade knives, and custom walking sticks. He is known best for his folding knife the Sebenza
.
making custom knives in the single garage attached to the house in which Reeve was living in Durban
, South Africa
. In March 1989, Reeve and his wife/partner Anne Reeve immigrated to the United States, and CRK commenced manufacturing in Boise, ID. In July 1993, Chris Reeve Knives, sole proprietorship, became Reeve Incorporated, doing business as Chris Reeve Knives. Reeve collaborated with Dick Barber of Crucible Materials Corporation to develop CPM S30V steel
as a knifemaking
steel
in 2003. Chris Reeve Knives has collaborated with William Harsey, Jr. on several fixed blade knife projects, and serves as the manufacturer of these knives.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
corporation with international sales and distribution based in Boise, ID. CRK manufactures folding pocket knives, fixed blade knives, and custom walking sticks. He is known best for his folding knife the Sebenza
Sebenza
The Sebenza is a folding pocket knife manufactured by Chris Reeve Knives of Boise, Idaho. It is constructed with a stainless steel blade and titanium handle. Its handle functions as the lock mechanism similar in concept to the Walker linerlock differing in that the handle itself forms the lock...
.
History
Chris Reeve Knives was founded as a sole proprietorship in January 1984, with Chris ReeveChris Reeve
Chris Reeve is an American knife maker, recognized as one of the most influential people in knife making history. Reeve founded Chris Reeve Knives , and is co-owner of the company with his wife, Anne Reeve.-Background:...
making custom knives in the single garage attached to the house in which Reeve was living in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. In March 1989, Reeve and his wife/partner Anne Reeve immigrated to the United States, and CRK commenced manufacturing in Boise, ID. In July 1993, Chris Reeve Knives, sole proprietorship, became Reeve Incorporated, doing business as Chris Reeve Knives. Reeve collaborated with Dick Barber of Crucible Materials Corporation to develop CPM S30V steel
CPM S30V steel
CPM S30V is a martensitic powder-made wear and corrosion resistant stainless steel developed by Dick Barber of Crucible Materials Corporation in collaboration with knifemaker Chris Reeve. Its chemistry promotes the formation and even distribution of vanadium carbides, which are harder and more...
as a knifemaking
Knifemaking
Knife making is the process of manufacturing a knife by any one or a combination of processes: stock removal, forging to shape, welded lamination or investment cast. Typical metals used come from the carbon steel, tool, or stainless steel families...
steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
in 2003. Chris Reeve Knives has collaborated with William Harsey, Jr. on several fixed blade knife projects, and serves as the manufacturer of these knives.
Products
- One Piece Range: production 1983–2009. Fixed blade family of knives, featuring a hollow handle and blade manufactured from one continuous piece of A2 tool steel
Tool steelTool steel refers to a variety of carbon and alloy steels that are particularly well-suited to be made into tools. Their suitability comes from their distinctive hardness, resistance to abrasion, their ability to hold a cutting edge, and/or their resistance to deformation at elevated temperatures...
. Model families include the Sable (sabre style blade), Shadow (spear point blade), Mountaineer (single guard clip point blade), Ubejane (Skinner), and Mark (double guard clip point blade). Models possess blade lengths ranging from 10.2 to 22.9 cm (4" to 9"). After nearly three decades of production, the One Piece Range was retired due to both the expense of manufacture, and to make room in the CRK portfolio for new designs.
- Sebenza
SebenzaThe Sebenza is a folding pocket knife manufactured by Chris Reeve Knives of Boise, Idaho. It is constructed with a stainless steel blade and titanium handle. Its handle functions as the lock mechanism similar in concept to the Walker linerlock differing in that the handle itself forms the lock...
: production 1991 - present. Folding knife, introducing a stronger variation of the Walker linerlockWalker LinerlockThe Walker Linerlock is a locking system developed by custom knifemaker Michael Walker in 1980 for use on folding knives.When the blade of the knife is in the opened position, it is held in place by a leaf spring that butts up against the tang of the blade to prevent the blade from closing...
called the Sebenza Integral Lock©, also commonly known as the framelock. The Sebenza is a utility knife with titaniumTitaniumTitanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
handles and was originally introduced with an ATS-34 stainless steel blade, followed by BG-42 and as of this writing, CPM S30V steelCPM S30V steelCPM S30V is a martensitic powder-made wear and corrosion resistant stainless steel developed by Dick Barber of Crucible Materials Corporation in collaboration with knifemaker Chris Reeve. Its chemistry promotes the formation and even distribution of vanadium carbides, which are harder and more...
. The Sebenza comes in two sizes, with blade lengths of 75mm/2.94"(Small Sebenza)and 92mm/3.625"(Large Sebenza).
- Umfaan: production 1997–2002. Folding knife similar in design to that of the Sebenza, but with a blade length of 58.42mm (2.3").
- Mnandi: production 2001 – present. Folding knife utilizing an Integral Lock, partially covered by a cosmetic inlay, focused at the businessperson . The Mnandi blade length is 69.5mm (2.75") and like the sebenza can also be had in Damascus Steel
Damascus SteelDamascus Steel is the fourth full-length studio album by the United Kingdom-based experimental black metal band The Meads of Asphodel.-Track listing:# "Psalm 666 " - 2:32# "Creed of Abraham" - 5:46# "Hollow Womb of Suicide" - 2:53...
.
- Green Beret: production 2002 – present. Fixed blade knife designed in collaboration with William Harsey Jr.
William Harsey Jr.William Harsey, Jr. is an award-winning American knifemaker and designer who works with several knife companies, including Gerber Legendary Blades, Lone Wolf Knives, and Chris Reeve Knives.-Personal history:...
, featuring single row serrations and a CPM S30V stainless steel spearpoint blade, offered in 139mm and 177mm (5.5" and 7") blade lengths. A version of this knife with special engraving and serialization on the blade, known as the Yarborough (named for Lieutenant General William P. YarboroughWilliam P. YarboroughLieutenant General William Pelham Yarborough was a United States Army officer and a 1936 graduate of West Point. General Yarborough designed the parachutist badge, paratrooper or 'jump' boots, and the airborne jump uniform. He is known as the 'Father of the Modern Green Berets.' He is descended...
), is presented to every graduate of the United States Army Special ForcesUnited States Army Special ForcesThe United States Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets because of their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force tasked with six primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue, and...
Q Course. The Yarborough may only be purchased by active or retired U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers.- Neil Roberts Warrior: production 2004 – present. Fixed blade knife designed in collaboration with William Harsey, with 152.4mm (6"), CPM S30V stainless steel recurve spearpoint blade. This knife is dedicated to Mr. Roberts, the first U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan."
- Inyoni: production 2005 – present. Fixed blade bird and fish knife with 88.9mm (3.5"), CPM S30V stainless steel double row (Kubuli) serrated blade.
- Pacific : production 2007 – present. Fixed blade knife designed in collaboration with William Harsey, with double row (Kubuli) serrations and 152.4mm (6") CPM S30V stainless steel clip point blade. The Pacific is the civilian version of the "1st Group Knife", denoted by special engraving on the knife blade. The 1st Group Knife was designed and is manufactured at the request of the U.S Army Special Forces 1st Group to commemorate their 50th anniversary of operations. The 1st Group Knife may only be purchased by active or retired 1st Group soldiers.
- Professional Soldier: production 2008 – present. Fixed blade knife designed in collaboration with William Harsey, with 86mm (3.375") CPM S30V stainless steel spearpoint blade, and cut-out in handle for use as a shackle wrench.
- Umnumzaan
UmnumzaanThe Umnumzaan is a folding pocket knife manufactured by Chris Reeve Knives of Boise, Idaho, and designed by Chris Reeve. The name "Umnumzaan" is derived from the Zulu language, meaning "Head of the family," or "Boss" , a tribute to Mr. Reeve's South Africa origins.The Umnumzaan implements a version...
: production 2008 – present. Folding knife, with 2nd generation Integral Lock. The Umnumzaan is a utility knife with titanium handle slabs and 93.4mm (3.675") CPM S30V stainless steelStainless steelIn metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
blade." It also features a glass breaker that is exposed when the knife is closed.
- Sikayo Range: production 2009 - present. A range of chef's knives, the Sikayo is available in both 6.5" and 9.0" blade lengths. Sikayo blades are made with CPM S35V stainless steel
Stainless steelIn metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
, and are ground on one side only. The name Sikayo is the Zulu word for "sharp".
- Nyala: Production 2010 - present. The Nyala is a modern version of the classic skinning knife. The integral handle and blade of CPM S35VN is possesses spiral and lineal grooves in the micarta handle providing incremental positive grip, and serrations on the spine are provided for enhanced control. The Nyala blade length is 3.75".
- Ti-Lock: Production 2010 - present. The Ti-Lock is a folding knife featuring a new locking mechanism by the same name. The Ti-Lock mechanism was conceived as a means to isolate the lock from the body of the knife, in order to allow more design freedom for handle and frame. It is completely ambidextrious, allowing equal left and right hand use. The Ti-Lock was a collaborative development by Grant and Gavin Hawk, and Chris Reeve.
Industry Awards
- 1987 Knifemaker’s Guild of Southern Africa "Best Folding Knife" (Sebenza predecessor)
- 2000 ", 2001, 2003", 2004, 2005, 2006", 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 "Manufacturing Quality Award"
- 2003 "Collaboration Knife of the Year" ("The Green Beret Knife", a collaboration between CRK and William Harsey, Jr.)
- 2005 "Collector Knife of the Year" ("21st Anniversary Sebenza")
- 2006 Grays Sporting Journal “Gray's Best” Award
- 2007 "American Made Knife of the Year" ("The Pacific Knife", a collaboration between CRK and William Harsey Jr.William Harsey Jr.William Harsey, Jr. is an award-winning American knifemaker and designer who works with several knife companies, including Gerber Legendary Blades, Lone Wolf Knives, and Chris Reeve Knives.-Personal history:...
) - 2008 "Overall Knife of the Year" ("Umnumzaan")
- 2008 Field and Stream "Best of the Best"" ("The Pacific Knife")
- 2010 "Overall Knife of the Year" ("Ti-Lock", a collaboration between CRK and Grant & Gavin Hawk)
Chris Reeve Knives in popular culture
- The CRK large Regular Sebenza was shown in the TV series 24 (TV series)24 (TV series)24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
, season 6, episode 1. - The CRK large Classic Sebenza was used in the movie Collateral (film)Collateral (film)Collateral is a 2004 crime thriller film starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. It was directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie. It was Mann's first feature film to be shot mostly with high-definition cameras. Mann had previously used the format for portions of Ali and for his CBS drama...
. - CRK Sable IV and Project I One Piece Knives were featured in the novel The American Zone, by L. Neil Smith.
- CRK One Piece Range of knives were referenced in the novel Point of Origin, by Patricia CornwellPatricia CornwellPatricia Cornwell is a contemporary American crime writer. She is widely known for writing a popular series of novels featuring the heroine Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner.-Early life:...
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