- Joined
- May 1, 2014
- Messages
- 890
I've got this large "new style" Sebenza from another collector who is with us here at this place, through a very pleasant deal.
As most of you know, before this model was named "Regular" Sebenza it was just the "new style" Sebenza. You can recognize from the birthcard, which doesn't show the word "regular". According to what is mentioned in our famous thread about the timeline of the development of Chris Reeve knives, the first 200 pieces have been individually numbered. I immediately fall in love once I saw some pics of this 20 year old Sebenza. The seller was very kind and mentioned to me that he is not sure whether this very fine blasted finish is the original finish or not. I have been told by more experienced Chris Reeve collectors than I am, that those days the blasted finish was indeed much finer than later. Nevertheless I think that the slabs were re-finished. But that is more by playing "Sherlock Holmes" and combining 2, 3 aspects to this conclusion, than it is proven knowledge. Anyway. That doesn't harm how much I like this knife, with its puristic design and finish and its vintage aura.
The few points which lead me to my conclusion that the slabs were re-finished are:
I think the knife was carried and used, as the blade does show 2 or 3 minor marks. If you look at the tumb stud you will recognize that the blue color has faded away, particularely at the bottom side, where you place your thumb while opening the knife. So if the knife was carried and used, the slabs should also carry some marks, but they don't. Together with a closer look at the screws I come to the conclusion that the slabs were re-finished. But again. The seller told me that he is not sure by himself and I could make a choice whether I take it or not and I didn't hesitate. The price was very decent and I couldn't resist.
The blade steel is ATS34 and I am not sure whether they did them polished those days. The later Regular with BG42 blades carry a blasted finish. The box has lost its model name sticker over the time, I guess. The number of the knife was added to the birthcard with a different pen/pencil than the rest of the writing. Don't know whether this is telling something. The number is also written at the box. The box carries a sticker saying "13 years of excellence 1984 - 1997" ..... whereas the knife was made in 1996 ..... Maybe the box is not the original one or they did order these stickers already 2nd half of 1996, knowing that they still will be in business in 1997
Okay. Feel free to share your thoughts with me. Here we go with the pics.
Stefan
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 01
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 02
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 03
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 04
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 05
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 06
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 07
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 08
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 09
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 10
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 11
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 12
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 13
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 14
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 15
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 16
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 17
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 18
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 19
As most of you know, before this model was named "Regular" Sebenza it was just the "new style" Sebenza. You can recognize from the birthcard, which doesn't show the word "regular". According to what is mentioned in our famous thread about the timeline of the development of Chris Reeve knives, the first 200 pieces have been individually numbered. I immediately fall in love once I saw some pics of this 20 year old Sebenza. The seller was very kind and mentioned to me that he is not sure whether this very fine blasted finish is the original finish or not. I have been told by more experienced Chris Reeve collectors than I am, that those days the blasted finish was indeed much finer than later. Nevertheless I think that the slabs were re-finished. But that is more by playing "Sherlock Holmes" and combining 2, 3 aspects to this conclusion, than it is proven knowledge. Anyway. That doesn't harm how much I like this knife, with its puristic design and finish and its vintage aura.
The few points which lead me to my conclusion that the slabs were re-finished are:
I think the knife was carried and used, as the blade does show 2 or 3 minor marks. If you look at the tumb stud you will recognize that the blue color has faded away, particularely at the bottom side, where you place your thumb while opening the knife. So if the knife was carried and used, the slabs should also carry some marks, but they don't. Together with a closer look at the screws I come to the conclusion that the slabs were re-finished. But again. The seller told me that he is not sure by himself and I could make a choice whether I take it or not and I didn't hesitate. The price was very decent and I couldn't resist.
The blade steel is ATS34 and I am not sure whether they did them polished those days. The later Regular with BG42 blades carry a blasted finish. The box has lost its model name sticker over the time, I guess. The number of the knife was added to the birthcard with a different pen/pencil than the rest of the writing. Don't know whether this is telling something. The number is also written at the box. The box carries a sticker saying "13 years of excellence 1984 - 1997" ..... whereas the knife was made in 1996 ..... Maybe the box is not the original one or they did order these stickers already 2nd half of 1996, knowing that they still will be in business in 1997
Okay. Feel free to share your thoughts with me. Here we go with the pics.
Stefan
Regular, ATS34, numbered, 01 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 02 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 03 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 04 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 05 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 06 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 07 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 08 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 09 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 10 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 11 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 12 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 13 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 14 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 15 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 16 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 17 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 18 Regular, ATS34, numbered, 19
