Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 Large Bog Oak MagnaCut

Product detailed description

The Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 represents the pinnacle of precision knife craftsmanship, designed for heavy-duty use. The name "Sebenza" means "work" in the Zulu language, which accurately describes its purpose - a reliable tool for everyday activities. It is manufactured with meticulous care by hand, with each piece meeting the highest standards of mechanical precision and durability.
The blade made of CPM MagnaCut steel with a hardness of 63-64 HRC combines excellent wear resistance with easy maintenance. The hollow-cut geometry promotes excellent cutting properties and optimum control when working. The stonewash finish minimizes the visibility of minor scratches and improves the overall aesthetics of the knife.
The patented Reeve Integral Lock, built right into the back of the handle, ensures the blade locks firmly in the open position. The tension at the end of the slot allows the spring to move to the base of the blade, thus locking securely without unwanted play. This mechanism contributes to the characteristic "bank safe" feel when handling.
The ergonomic grade 5 titanium handle provides lightweight, high strength and corrosion resistance. Precision shaping and fine texturing ensure a comfortable grip even with prolonged use. The phosphor-bronze pad system reduces friction when opening and closing the blade, resulting in smooth, seamless operation.
The Sebenza 31 is an icon among knives that has earned a reputation for uncompromising quality, whether in the workplace or as part of a collection.

Blade length: 9.2 cm
Knife length: 21,3 cm
Blade thickness: 3 mm
Steel: MagnaCut
Safety: framelock
Handle: titanium 6ALV4, Bog Oak
Pocket clip: titanium 6ALV4
Weight: 133 g
Made in USA

Bog oak is a unique material created by the action of nature over several millennia. It is formed when oak trunks fall into peat bogs, river sediments or wetlands and remain completely preserved underwater without access to oxygen. Due to the anaerobic environment, the high acidity of the soil and the presence of minerals from the surrounding environment, the wood undergoes a slow but fundamental chemical transformation. This process, known as subfossilisation, can take 2 000 to 10 000 years, with the resulting material taking on a distinctly dark colour - from deep brown to almost black - as well as increased density and hardness.

The density of mud oak can vary between 700 and 1 100 kg/m³ depending on the degree of mineralisation and age. Hardness often exceeds 6,000 N, according to Janka, making it an extremely durable material suitable for fine carving and art work. The tannins of native oak, reacting with ferric ions from the surrounding water, create a characteristic colouration and sometimes a slight metallic veining in the wood structure.

Very sharp tools are essential when working swamp oak because the hardened structure contains microscopic inclusions of inorganic substances that quickly dull ordinary blades. The material is characterised by its excellent dimensional stability, very low water absorption and minimal stress, which allows it to be used in precision applications - for example, in the manufacture of musical instruments, luxury stationery or marquetry. 

Each piece of bog oak bears the geochemical imprint of its origin - through isotope analysis, it is possible to determine the specific area and the approximate age of the wood. In archaeology, it is a valuable source of information about historical climatic conditions. It is nowadays mined mainly in areas such as Ukraine, England, Ireland or Poland, mostly during drainage or construction work, when it is uncovered after a millennium-long dormancy.