Chris Reeve Knives
| Corporation | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | Boise, ID (1993) |
| Headquarters | Boise, ID |
Key people | Chris Reeve, Anne Reeve |
| Products | Knives |
Number of employees | 19 |
| Website | www.chrisreeve.com |
Chris Reeve Knives (CRK) 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. Their motto is "Think Twice, Cut Once."
History
Chris Reeve Knives was founded as a sole proprietorship in January 1984, with Chris Reeve making custom knives in the single garage attached to the house in which Reeve was living in Durban, South Africa.[1] In March 1989, Reeve and his wife/partner Anne Reeve immigrated to the United States, and CRK commenced manufacturing in Boise, ID.[2] In July 1993, Chris Reeve Knives, sole proprietorship, became Reeve Incorporated, doing business as Chris Reeve Knives.[3] Reeve collaborated with Dick Barber of Crucible Materials Corporation to develop CPM S30V steel as a knifemaking steel in 2003.[4][5] Chris Reeve Knives has collaborated with William Harsey, Jr. on several fixed blade knife projects, and serves as the manufacturer of these knives.[6][7]
Products
CRK Model Mark IV, the 1st production knife of the One Piece range of knives, circa 1983
An example of a small Classic Sebenza with Mammoth Ivory inlays. Knife is resting on a CRK leather slip case.
Three Sebenzas: Large Regular with ATS-34 Steel blade and a Large and Small Regulars featuring Damascus steel blades with computer engraved and anodized handles
- One Piece Range:[8] production 1983–2009. Fixed blade family of knives, featuring a hollow handle and blade manufactured from one continuous piece of A2 tool steel. 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:[9] production 1991 - present. Folding knife, introducing a stronger variation of the Walker linerlock called the Sebenza Integral Lock, also commonly known as the framelock.[10] The Sebenza is a utility knife with titanium handles and was originally introduced with an ATS-34 stainless steel blade, followed by BG-42 and as of this writing, CPM S35VN steel.[5] The Sebenza comes in two sizes, with blade lengths of 75mm/2.94" (Small Sebenza) and 92mm/3.625" (Large Sebenza). There are currently 3 different models out, in chronological order they are the regular, classic, and current 21 model. The major difference is between the regular and classic/21 model. The regular has scalloping and a smaller lock bar access cut out. The classic is very similar to the 21 (being its predecessor), with the main difference being the classic stamp on the lock side of the knife as well as having a rounded lock bar. They offer inlays ranging from micarta to wood to even ivory on the classic and 21 models. Even though the regular has been discontinued for a few years, they still offer it annually with different inlays every year.
- 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:[11] 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.[12]
- Green Beret:[7] production 2002 – present. Fixed blade knife designed in collaboration with William Harsey Jr., 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. Yarborough), is presented to every graduate of the United States Army Special Forces Q Course.[3]
- 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.[13]
- 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.[6]
- 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: 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 steel blade."[14] 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, 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 ambidextrous, allowing equal left and right hand use. The Ti-Lock was a collaborative development by Grant and Gavin Hawk, and Chris Reeve.[15]
Industry Awards
- 1987 Knifemaker’s Guild of Southern Africa "Best Folding Knife" (Sebenza predecessor)
- 2000,[16] 2001,[17] 2003,[18] 2004, 2005, 2006,[19] 2007,[6] 2008,[14] 2009, 2010,[15] 2011, 2012 [20] "Manufacturing Quality Award"
- 2003 "Collaboration Knife of the Year" [18] ("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"[6] ("The Pacific Knife", a collaboration between CRK and William Harsey Jr.)
- 2008 "Overall Knife of the Year"[14] ("Umnumzaan")
- 2008 Field and Stream "Best of the Best"[21] ("The Pacific Knife")
- 2010 "Overall Knife of the Year"[15] ("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), season 6, episode 1.
- The CRK large Classic Sebenza was used in the movie Collateral (film).
- CRK Sable IV and Project I One Piece Knives were featured in the novel The American Zone, by L. Neil Smith.[22]
- CRK One Piece Range of knives were referenced in the novel Point of Origin, by Patricia Cornwell.[23]
See also
References
- ↑ Dyer,Keith. Blade-Maker Extraordinary, Man/Magnum May 2003 pp. 28-31
- ↑ Covert, Patrick (September–October 1999). "Points Of Perfection". American Handgunner Magazine 24 (5): 130.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Reeve, Anne (2003-07-01). "A History of Chris Reeve Knives". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ↑ "CPM S30V" (PDF). Crucible Service Centers. 2003-11-01. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gardner, James (June 2005). "Duel of the Titans: two exceptional folders exemplify state-of-the-art". Guns Magazine 27 (6): 145–151.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Shackleford, Steve (2007-09-01). "2007 Blade Magazine Knife of the Year Awards". Blade Magazine (Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Karwan, Chuck (2003-03-01). "Special Forces Combat Knife!". Tactical Knives 10 (3): 60–63.
- ↑ Lang, Bud (1992). "Chris Reeve Knives We Put Two Of His One-Piece Knives To The Test With Unexpected Results". Knives Illustrated: 64–66.
- ↑ Dick, Steven (1993-09-01). "The Chris Reeve Sebenza Folding Hunter". National Knife Magazine: 16–18.
- ↑ Delavigne, Kenneth (2004). Spyderco Story: The New Shape of Sharp (Hardcover). Colorado: Paladin Press. p. 312. ISBN 1-58160-060-7.
- ↑ Shackleford, Steve (2001-11-01). "Just Call Them Sharp". Blade Magazine (Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications): 13.
- ↑ Ayres, James (2003). Gentlemen's Folders. Sporting Knives 2003 (Krause Publications). pp. 138–143. ISBN 0-87349-430-X.
- ↑ Shackleford, Steve, Blade Magazine, Leading Edge: Reeve Knife honors First SEAL Killed in Afghanistan, June 2005, p. 100
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Shackleford, Steve, Blade Magazine, The Blade Magazine 2008 Knives of the Year, October 2008, p. 12
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "2010 Blade Show Largest Ever". Krause Publications. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- ↑ Shackleford, Steve, Blade Magazine, Cool-Cuttin’ Customers, November 2000, p. 16
- ↑ Shackleford, Steve, Blade Magazine, Just Call Them Sharp, November 2001, p. 13
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Shackleford, Steve, Blade Magazine, They Don’t Get Much Sharper Than These, November 2003, p. 12-18
- ↑ Shackleford, Steve, Blade Magazine, The Rich Just Got Richer, November 2006, p. 18
- ↑ "Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair". Krause Publications. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
- ↑ Petzal, David E., Field and Stream, “11th Annual Best of the Best Awards”, September 2008, pages 84-102.
- ↑ Smith, L. Neil, The American Zone, Tom Dorerty Associates LLC, New York, NY 2001, ISBN 0-312-87526-6
- ↑ Cornwell, Patricia Daniels. Point of Origin, G. P. Putman's Sons, New York, NY 1998, ISBN 0-399-14412-9
External links
- Chris Reeve Knives (official website)
