bladehq question

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djmundle

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I'm getting ready to purchase my most expensive knife I have ever purchased. I am getting a Chris Reeve Sebenza 21 large. I was wondering if bladehq will pick one that is dead center and has a even sharpened blade? Do they pick out a knife for customers if they request?

Thanks for the information!

Dale
 
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Here's what I would do...
Call them on the phone.
Try to get the manager, but not absolutely necessary.
Get his/her name.
Ask your question.
If the answer is YES, then you can order it right then on the phone.
Since you have his name, the probability is that you'll get one picked as you requested...maybe. :)
Make certain of the return procedure. You know that they do NOT want to get it back.
As usual, caveat emptor.

NO...SCRATCH ALL OF THAT ABOVE.

YOU ARE ORDERING A SEBENZA. IT WILL BE PERFECT, AND SMOOTH IN OPERATION. THEY ALWAYS ARE, IMO.
I've had at least twenty Sebenzas. Sebenzas are PRODUCED as to ALWAYS have a centered blade, even after you take it apart to clean it. CRK has videos that help/suggest you take it apart, yourself, for cleaning or inspection. Warranty is fine before and after.
The lockup will be solid; the lock-bar will be at about 80%...where Chris Reeves wants it to be. It will NOT move substantially at all, with time/use, or CRK will take care of it for you.
The grind will be even, as that is part of the item you are paying good money for. I've never had one that wasn't perfect...even though EVERY ONE of mine has been purchased "as-new" or "slight wear" in the Exchange. A CRK Customer Service spa-job will restore any Sebenza to like new again...for about $17 (shipping expense, IIRC). The spider-trails on a used knife will be re-blasted as new. If you damage the blade, you will likely have to pay for that repair...as you should. Re-sharpening the blade is free.
And...YES, you can return it to BladeHQ if I'm wrong. I've dealt with them before with other folders. Zero problems.
The knife has a lifetime warranty. If you ever tire of it, you can EASILY sell it on the Exchange for little loss. A large Seb with "slight use" is likely to sell between $325-$350 on the Exchange. Of course, fancy models...inlaid wood, whatever, would be higher.

It is my long-held opinion...there is no finer folder. I've had many folders up to $800; never one as nice as a small/large Sebenza.
I carry my Umnumzaan every single day. The Zaan is made with the same care and precision as any Sebbie, but the Zaan presents a slight tactical appearance that I enjoy. I did once carry an old Classic model large Sebenza with scratched-up titanium slabs for about a year. I loved it...smooth as silk. I sold it in a moment of idiocy...still regret it. I do have two new large Sebenzas in the safe.
Of course I'm a fan-boy. But I became one through experience with MANY Sebenzas, small and large, plain slabs and fancy inlays.
 
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Chris Reeve has a pretty good reputation for the level of fit and finish that accompanies their products. As Sonny says, it can't hurt to give your dealer a call and see what they're willing to do for you by way of inspecting a knife prior to shipping. But even then, assessments of fit and finish are very subjective. What's considered dead-on centered by the QA inspectors at CRK could potentially vary somewhat from a similar determination that would be made by one of the folks at BHQ. And, of course, there's no guarantee that BHQ maintains the same standard that you do, depending upon how picky you are. In the end, if you're really particular about such things, you have to be willing to go through the hassle of making returns when necessary, or better yet, make your purchases from brick and mortar dealers or knife shows in your area such that you can inspect the goods yourself.
 
Not much to add since Sonny pretty much covered it all. Having one hand picked by them is totally unnecessary, they can play inny minny miney Moe with it and still end up with a perfect sebenza. I have 2 small sebenzas from 2 stores in 2 different countries and both are flawless.Don't over think it, just order one and be amazed :D
 
You'll get better answers to your questions in the Chris Reeve forum here...

I have asked BHQ to do a lot of things over the years and they have always come through. If you call them, I think you'll be treated very well. But with a knife like a Sebenza, you should have no need for a hand-picked knife - that's what you're paying the price for, in effect. ;) :thumbup:
 
djmundle said:
Thanks for the information! Has anyone ever had any with blade play?
Click to expand...

Blade play on a sebenza does not exist. Period.
You have no worries on that end. The only issue you may encounter is a sore thumb caused by the break in time on some CRK's. I've acquired a collection of CRK's and some have been butter smooth out of the box and others stiffer that requires a break in period. The tolerances are that tight
 
I'm pretty sure there is an option to leave extra notes/instruction to request to make sure the knife is centered when you order. You can call em too just to be sure. While sebenzas have top notch fit and finish, my starbenza was a tad off center. I had spa treatment and it was fixed. That said, there are off-centered sebenzas. They exist.
 
Ive bought plenty of expensive knives off bladeHQ and almost all of them have been perfect if your worried about it their return policy is simple dont carry the knife keep it brand new in box and they will return it no questions asked within thirty days i believe. So in short just inspect it as soon as it arrives in the mail and if anything is wrong just contact them and tell them the problem and they will tell you to send it back and everyone is right about CRK his knives are pretty much perfect. I think your more freaked out about spending that kind of money on one blade and that's ok I was too.
 
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