Decent price for a well used Sebenza?

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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I looked at a large regular sebenza today in my favorite knife shop. It's been well used, with noticeable scratches on both the blade and the handle. Everything else seemed fine, lockup, grind, etc. The asking price is 300, and they usually give me a discount there so I might be actually able to get it at 300 with tax.

I know I can refurb the sebbie for about 50 bucks, but I probably wouldn't, at least not immediately....

In any case, is that a decent price? Remember, this is a brick and mortar, so of course their prices will be a little higher than some places...but is it a fair price nonetheless?
 
How is the lock-up? Lock bar travel is ~50%, no blade play? When the knife is open and you squeeze the handle does the lockbar move or sit tight? Opens and closes smooth, with a nice crisp "pull in" by the ball detent when closing? Blade edge free of chips and dings?No really deep scratches on the handle that couldn't be blasted out easily?
 
The way I look at it is if you are going to buy the knife for $300 and pay $50 for refurb why not just buy a new one?:confused:
 
well, I probably wouldn't refurb it for a year or so.

The lockup was good, maybe a hair past 50%...I didn't do a super in depth check, but everything looked good at a glance. I can easily check it out more closely should I decide to buy it...
 
refurb + postage + taxes =about $70 ?? will cost you more than a new one.
you will not even have to wonder when it had been and what potentially unseen damages is in the knife.

Unless it is $250, then it is a different story. Then you also accounted for the depreciation of the knife depending on the age and condition. But then you are also looking at about $325 which is $55 after you going through the trouble to refurb etc.

I'd go for a new one for sure.
 
I don't think it's a bad price. Not a super deal but not a bad price. A little scotchbrite on the scales will get it looking like new and unless its been seriously misused it will last a lifetime. I appreciate having the refurb option but I think it's overrated.;) :thumbup:
 
If your'e not in a big hurry, you should be able to do better watching the for sale forum here and/or other knife boards.
 
I think I'll wait on it then. I like the knife, but I'm not as fascinatined with sebenzas as most knife nuts are, so it's not too big a deal for me to be without one for awhile. As per the dealer, the owners are very good to me and I don't mind paying a little more to buy things in person anyway.

However, someone mentioned scotchbrite as a handle solution? I'll do some searches, but if you don't mind, tell me more--where to get, how to apply, etc.
 
Artfully Martial said:
I think I'll wait on it then. I like the knife, but I'm not as fascinatined with sebenzas as most knife nuts are, so it's not too big a deal for me to be without one for awhile. As per the dealer, the owners are very good to me and I don't mind paying a little more to buy things in person anyway.

However, someone mentioned scotchbrite as a handle solution? I'll do some searches, but if you don't mind, tell me more--where to get, how to apply, etc.
Click to expand...

Since you say the owners are very good to you, why not ask them if they will discount the knife as it is used. $300 is quite high for a used knife, and well used at that. As it has been already stated-you can do better on the auction sites. Just as an example, I recently saw a small Seb on sale for about $100 off retail and this one was brand new in the box. Just my .02.
 
I've seen them show up on the for sale forum for under $300 on a fairly regular basis.
 
I just sold one like you describe for 230.00.I will add that I was in a bind for some cash or I wouldn't have sold it.
I have also seem many near mint plain Sebies sell for at or just under 300.00
 
As to the question about ScotchBrite, it seems as though you are confused into thinking it is some kinda of compound or solution..

ScotchBrite is an abrasive material that comes in pads..kind of like steel wool. I wouldn't say using it on a Sebenza would make it look brand new, it would just take out the scratches or scuffs on the handle. What it is really doing is taking the bead blasted finish off, so you would be left with different looking handles.
 
I've refurbished my large and small Seb's using very very fine abrasive paper,
this gave the handle slabs a finer finish which is OK for me . I did not touch the inside surfaces of the handle slabs. When they scratch up again I'll just repeat the job .

Paul.
 
If you should decide to get it I would be glad to bead blast it (the scales) for you for free.:) My bead blasting is much different than CRK. For some reason it does not scratch like it does from CRK. I think I must use a finer medium as it is not quite as dark but looks very nice and stays that way. My old Sebbie (which I carry and use daily) got scratched quickly. I bead blasted the scales and they have stayed quite nice for years since.

Either way, just thought I might help. FWIW, I too think it is a little pricey though.:rolleyes:
 
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