Small Sebenza 21 Carnelian: A Discontinued Unique Graphic from 2013
Chris Reeve completed this Small Sebenza 21 Carnelian Unique Graphic on April 24, 2013, and nobody has carried it since. The hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) records the model, the CPM S35VN blade at 58 to 59 RC, and the titanium handle with carnelian cabochon.
The entire original kit came with it. Chris Reeve retired the Sebenza 21 in 2019 in favor of the Sebenza 31, so every example now trades on the secondary market. Browse our other preowned knives for pieces held to the same standard.
The Carnelian Cabochon and the Hand-Machined Graphic
The satin-finished titanium handle face carries a sunburst pattern radiating outward from a single point. That point is a polished carnelian cabochon, an unfaceted semi-precious stone with a deep translucent red-brown tone. A ring of engraved crosshatch work and a beaded border frame the stone.
Chris Reeve created every Unique Graphic scale individually. A buyer could request a similar design, but the shop never produced two identically. The Unique Graphic tier represents a small fraction of Chris Reeve output, and cabochon-set examples sit above that again. Collectors who follow this segment will recognize the pattern from our guide to the most valuable custom knifemakers.
Polished CPM S35VN Blade at 58 to 59 RC
Crucible Industries developed CPM S35VN in direct collaboration with Chris Reeve. The niobium addition improves toughness and makes the steel easier to sharpen than S30V, while edge retention stays high.
The blade here runs a 2.94-inch clip point with a long swedge, hollow ground, and finished to a polish rather than the standard satin. A single silver titanium thumb lug handles deployment. The factory edge shows no sharpening whatsoever. For the background on powdered steels and how they behave, our knife knowledge library covers it.
6Al4V Titanium Frame and the Integral Lock
Chris Reeve mills both scales from solid 6Al4V titanium and finishes the two sides differently. The show side is satin, which is what gives the machined graphic its definition. The lock side and the milled pocket clip carry a bead blast finish. The backspacer is silver titanium to match the thumb lug.
The Chris Reeve Integral Lock is the frame lock that most modern folders trace back to. Lockup on this example sits early and solid, with no stick and no blade play in any direction. The blade sits centered when closed. See our full range of folding knives for comparable builds.
Condition of This Small Sebenza 21 Carnelian
Sebenzas from 2013 usually show snail trails. Those are the fine carry scuffs that titanium scales and clips pick up in a pocket. This one does not have them.
The satin handle face is clean, the bead-blast clip is unmarked, and the hardware shows no driver slip. The lanyard remains untied from the factory. The polished blade carries no edge wear and no sharpening marks. Read how we grade to see what our condition language means.
What Comes With This Small Sebenza 21 Carnelian
The full factory kit is present and matched to the knife. That set includes the two-piece white box with the blue Chris Reeve seal, the box end label reading Small Sebenza 21 Unique Graphic W/Carnelian inlay, and the Crucible CPM S35VN sticker.
Also included: the hand-signed COA dated April 24, 2013, the blue Chris Reeve microfiber cloth, the leather slip pouch, the braided lanyard, the factory Allen wrench, and the original care paperwork.
Complete kits from this era are increasingly hard to source intact. Read more about how we document provenance on every piece we list.
Specifications
- Maker: Chris Reeve Knives
- Model: Small Sebenza 21
- Variant: Unique Graphic with carnelian cabochon inlay
- Date on COA: April 24, 2013
- Country of Origin: USA (Idaho)
- Blade Steel: Crucible CPM S35VN
- Blade Hardness: 58 to 59 RC per the Certificate of Authenticity
- Blade Style: Clip point with a long swedge
- Grind: Hollow
- Blade Finish: Polished
- Edge: Plain, unsharpened factory edge
- Blade Length: 2.94 in
- Cutting Edge Length: 2.91 in
- Blade Thickness: 0.13 in
- Overall Length: 6.875 in
- Handle Length (closed): 3.94 in
- Handle Thickness: 0.40 in
- Weight: 2.87 oz
- Handle Material: 6Al4V titanium, satin show side, bead blast lock side
- Inlay: Natural carnelian cabochon
- Thumb Lug and Backspacer: Silver titanium
- Lock: Chris Reeve Integral Lock
- Pocket Clip: Milled titanium, bead blast, tip-up right-hand carry
- Lanyard: Black braided factory cord, untied
- Condition: Preowned, mint
- SKU: 00171-CRK-SEB21S-UG-CARN-20130424
Watch the Video of this Beautiful Carnelian Inlay Sebenza 21
This video shows the Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21 Unique Graphic in preowned mint condition, with its carnelian cabochon, satin machined show side, polished CPM S35VN blade, and complete original kit. Overall length is 6.875 inches and the knife weighs 2.87 ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Unique Graphic mean on a Sebenza?
It means Chris Reeve machined that show-side scale as an individual piece rather than as a repeating production pattern. A customer could ask for something similar, but the shop created each one on its own.
Is the Sebenza 21 still made?
No. Chris Reeve Knives retired the Sebenza 21 in 2019 and replaced it with the Sebenza 31. Every Sebenza 21 now trades secondhand.
What is carnelian?
Carnelian is a translucent reddish-brown chalcedony. Chris Reeve set it here as a polished cabochon, meaning it is domed and unfaceted rather than cut like a faceted gemstone.
Can this Small Sebenza 21 Carnelian be carried?
Yes. Chris Reeve built the Sebenza as a working folder and this one functions perfectly. That said, carry will introduce snail trails on the titanium, which is the main thing separating this example from a used one.
How do you verify authenticity?
We check hardware, engraving, machining, and factory paperwork against known references and against the original dealer specifications for the piece. We also photograph every marking before listing. Questions are welcome on our FAQs page.
Buy This Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21 Carnelian
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