Buying my first Sebenza and have some questions...

[Zatx]

I'm a long time Spyderco collector and to be honest I had never heard of Chris Reeves Knives or the Sebenza. After discovering them a few weeks ago I know that I must have one and will be purchasing one in the next week or so. I've decided to purchase the Small Sebenza Insingo, but I have a few questions for you guys.

1.) I want one without the Made in Idaho stamp. I'm glad that the knife is made in the US, but I don't really have any connection with Idaho, and think the stamp detracts a bit from the appearances. Will this require me to order a custom one directly from CRK? I've been watching the selling forums here on these forums, but haven't seen many Insingos.

2.) I've always used Tuff-Glide for knife care, maintenance, and lubrication. What the heck is Fluoridated Grease and why do I not want my knife to have cavities? Am I going to have to brush and floss the thing too? In all seriousness though, CRK may recommend their grease, but is Tuff-Glide a good alternative for one of these knives? I've never had a problem with it on any other knife and it has performed very well for me.

3.) Pocket clips. Are there any aftermarket deep pocket clips for these knives? I haven't seen any pictures of a sebenza clipped in someone's pocket, but it looking at the design it appears that it will stick up above the pocket a bit. I like my knives to ride a little lower.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Haze]

1) CRK will not entertain your request for a knife with out the Idaho Made stamp so don't even bother asking. You will need to hunt one down some how some way. I'm not even sure how many Insignos going about with out the stamp to be honest.

2) I have used both Tuff-Glide and the CRK grease as well as others and never had any problems.

3) There are limited options for low rider clips on CRKs as they have a very specific clip mount. It's not impossible but not as easy as most other knives. The clips actually have the knife sitting pretty low but there is a small amount of the handle that sits above the pocket line.

If that hasn't put you off I wish you the best of luck, the knife you want is out there somewhere. :thumbup:

 

[Matthewd]

Regarding the Idaho Made engraving - When you look at it on the computer on images that are 4x-10x larger than the actual knife, it is one thing. In person, it is really small, and you will not notice it. I, for one, this it is better than "Made in Golden Colorado, USA, Earth"
Get one, if you don't like it, sell it.

 

[lemmuhj]

:thumbup:

Regarding the Idaho Made engraving - When you look at it on the computer on images that are 4x-10x larger than the actual knife, it is one thing. In person, it is really small, and you will not notice it. I, for one, this it is better than "Made in Golden Colorado, USA, Earth"
Get one, if you don't like it, sell it.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

? Were any of these made pre-Idaho made stamp. If any were then the sales forums may be your answer, but I don't know if any were.It is not a knife I have followed much.

 

[Zatx]

Where could I get an aftermarket deep pocket clip for the small Insingo? I know they are around as I've see a picture or two of them. Isn't there a member on these forums that fabs custom clips in Ti?

Thank you.

 

[kreole]

Where could I get an aftermarket deep pocket clip for the small Insingo? I know they are around as I've see a picture or two of them. Isn't there a member on these forums that fabs custom clips in Ti?

Thank you.

The other two questions seem sufficiently answered, but for (2) I'll throw in the mix that I have CRK's lube and don't like it as much as 3 in 1, Hoppes #9, and others. It gives the knife that CRK 'hydraulic' feeling at the cost of a more frictionless feeling that others provide. If you buy one brand new, it will come lubed with the fluorinated grease, so you can try it and then try Tuff Glide when you decide to clean it, and compare them for yourself.


STR is probably who you're thinking of of custom clips in Ti, but he doesn't do them for CRK knives. IIRC, there's a stickied thread in his forum that says as much.

 

[Haze]

As mentioned STR is the lowrider clip guy on this forum but also as mentioned he doesn't like to do CRKs. I have done one custom clip for a Sebenza and I would have to be spoken to very nicely indeed before I did another one. I had to make a doubled over clip with a hole in the top to access the screw through but it looked terrible IMO and is just not something I want to be responsible for again . I'll have to see if the guy still has the knife to post a pic as I don't have any pics of it my self.

Where could I get an aftermarket deep pocket clip for the small Insingo? I know they are around as I've see a picture or two of them. Isn't there a member on these forums that fabs custom clips in Ti?

Thank you.

 

[Toyz]

? Were any of these made pre-Idaho made stamp. If any were then the sales forums may be your answer, but I don't know if any were.It is not a knife I have followed much.

I think it was about a year ago that Chris Reeve decided to add the "Idaho Made" stamp, so there are many production years for the Sebenza where there were no stamps put on the knives.

I think the first Sebenzas rolled out of his shop in the late 1980's, so it is very possible to find one on the used market w/o the stamp.

I believe Chris started doing this to let everyone know that his knives are made in the USA, and to try to thwart the copycat Chinese fakes that are getting better every year.

There was a lot of talk about this when it was announced, and most (not all) of us CRK fans didn't like the idea. I myself didn't, but it doesn't bother me now as my Sebenza and Umnumzaan are marked with it.

 

[Zatx]

Thanks Toyz for the info. My challenge is that I want an Insingo. No worries though, I'll get over it.

Back when all the original discussions were going on did anyone say why it was "Idaho Made" instead of "USA Made"?

 

[Brian_T]

? Were any of these made pre-Idaho made stamp. If any were then the sales forums may be your answer, but I don't know if any were.It is not a knife I have followed much.

Yes.

I have a large and a small Insingo that are without the stamp.

B

 

[Darth Detori]

I put a Spyderco Meerkat clip on mine. Works fantastically and looks way better

 

[Toyz]

Thanks Toyz for the info. My challenge is that I want an Insingo. No worries though, I'll get over it.

Back when all the original discussions were going on did anyone say why it was "Idaho Made" instead of "USA Made"?

If memory serves me Chris said it was simply that he and Anne came from S Africa to Idaho and set up shop. They have been there ever since. I think he is paying homage to the State he calls home - something like that.

 

[Zatx]

I put a Spyderco Meerkat clip on mine. Works fantastically and looks way better

Wow! That looks amazing. I have several similiar Spyderco clips like that I will have to try when I finally get my Sebby.

 

[Matthewd]

LOL - to each, his own I guess - I prefer the original.

 

[MikeyD]

Yea I'm not feeling that wire clip but it does indeed make the knife sit lower in the pocket.