Back in 2024 I finally acquired a Chris Reeve Knives small Sebenza 31 in the form of the Carbon Fiber Blade HQ exclusive. I wanted to get a Small Sebenza 31 and actually wanted to get a Micarta inlay, but when I saw Blade HQ received a new shipment of their Carbon Fiber inlay exclusive, I snapped one up.
In all honesty, I have rarely carried the Sebenza 31 since I bought it and have still been carrying my Sebenza 25 or the small Sebenza 21 carbon fiber inlay Blade HQ exclusive (the full carbon fiber slab Knife Art exclusive Sebenza 21 in the above photo is my father’s). While I really like the Sebenza 31 as a successor to the Sebenza 21 line, the small Sebenza 31 Blade HQ exclusive is admittedly more of a collector acquisition than anything. I bought it more as a knife collection piece than a carry piece.
Thus, towards the end 2025, I was browsing my frequented knife retailer websites and discovered that Knives Ship Free had the small Sebenza 31 Black Canvas Micarta inlay with the Insingo blade in stock. This is the one knife configuration that I was wanting for an Everyday Carry knife and immediately ordered one.
Why is the small black canvas micarta with insingo blade the configuration I wanted for an EDC knife?
First off, the small Sebenza 31 will have a 2.99″ blade (according to the factory specifications) which makes it the more ‘hassle-free’ option when it comes to any knife carry laws that might exist in a state, county, city, or other locality. Since I may visit other places while carrying a knife, it is less overhead to use a sub-3″ blade for EDC.
Secondly, Micarta is a very durable knife handle material that offers better than average gripping surface, even while wet. Carbon fiber is going to be slick, albeit stylish. The black Micarta is a very good balance for appearance and usability.
Thirdly, the Insingo blade is arguably the better choice for EDC over a drop point blade. The Insingo cutting edge is more straight, which makes it better for cutting and slicing in general, including for impromptu food preparation tasks. Furthermore, the straighter blade edge makes knife sharpening easier and thus, easier maintenance for a knife that is constantly being used.
What is my opinion of the Chris Reeve Knives small Sebenza 31 with black canvas micarta inlay and the Insingo blade?
I will attest that this knife feels like the perfect everyday carry folding knife. It feels very comfortable in my smaller than average hands with nominal grip with the inlay. The jimping is more than adequate for getting additional support on the blade for cutting.
The Insingo blade is the most effective cutting blade for everyday tasks and I wish I bought an Insingo blade Sebenza sooner.
With that said, I still feel the Sebenza 31 is a solid, yet minor update to the Sebenza lineage. As mentioned in my article on the Sebenza 31 Carbon Fiber Inlay BladeHQ Exclusive, there is no need to ‘upgrade’ to a Sebenza 31 if you already own a Sebenza 21. However, if you are a knife enthusiast, if not a knife collector, you will want to get the Sebenza 31 because it is has the quality that you would expect from Chris Reeve Knives, and you will want to have one in your collection or carry rotation.
If anything, I feel that this article is more about my opinion that if you were to acquire your first Sebenza for EDC, whether is the 31, 21, or a prior model, that you should get the Insingo blade profile. I feel that the Insingo is a better blade for EDC tasks than a drop point.
Furthermore, Micarta inlay will be a better utility inlay versus Carbon Fiber. Carbon Fiber is more about style and while I love style, the Micarta is in my opinion, the better choice for EDC, if not a bare handle Sebenza with no inlay.
With all that said, the Small Sebenza 31 Micarta inlay with the Insingo blade is now my go-to knife that I reach for when leaving the house.
If you want to get a Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31, I highly recommend checking out Knives Ship Free, or other authorized Chris Reeve Knives dealers such as BladeHQ. If you order direct from Chris Reeve Knives, the backorder / wait-time is estimated to be four (4) years. Note that you can put in an order with Chris Reeve Knives and will be placed in the queue and do not have to pay until they are ready to build your specific order. So it might be wise to put in a direct order with Chris Reeve Knives, and then keep checking dealers while you wait. You may come across a dealer who gets their queued allotment they put in prior to your order, and can just buy from the dealer and then cancel your order with Chris Reeve Knives with no penalty.
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