Decorated sebenza as an edc?

Ed T · Nov 19, 2002

I am considering buying a small pheasant tail. Can someone give me an Idea of how the anodizing holds up while using it daily?
I had seen in another thread a stray comment on maintenance of the decorated knives and cannot find the comment now.

I have a benchmade that has anodized scales. I realize there is going to be a great difference in a full scale and an engraving, but I would like some feedback.
Thank you,
Ed Thornbrugh

Hermie · Nov 19, 2002

I would not be afraid to use it as a everyday carry. I do not have a decorated one as you do , however i do have a small box elder inlay and i do not hesitate to use it every single day. Enjoy it, it was not made to sit in a drawer.

jki · Nov 19, 2002

The annodizing of the titanium is in the engraving of the pattern. Since the engravings are relatively fine, they should offer very good protection from abrasion, since the annodizing is essentially down inside of a small recess, below the polished surface of the handle.
It is the polished titanium surface of the decorated knives that will show the wear, and when you can't stand it any longer, sent it in for a refurb and it will be as good as new!

Mark J · Nov 19, 2002

The anodizing on my decorated Sebenzas has held up just fine (with the exception of the thumbstud, but everybody probably already knows about that). I think it's because the anodized areas are recessed, so it is rare that you actually rub or abrade it enough to do any damage. It may get a bit cloudy or dull looking over time, but that's just because you get hand oils or other guck on it. A little Windex shines it right up.

- Mark

Edited to add: Hey, jki. Great minds think alike, huh? (and exactly 10 minutes apart too

)

Ed Gordon · Nov 20, 2002

Ed, I have had my small unique graphic for 14 months now and carry it and use it often. It has held up great. I read on the forum that Windex cleans up the anodizing well and it really does bring the colors back to life.

K-guy · Nov 20, 2002

Ed, this may help answer your question...

The color on the decorated Sebenzas is nothing more than light. When the handle face is anodized, an electrical current is passed through it and, according to the voltage, so the surface molecules are re-arranged to reflect back only one part of the light spectrum. Any substance that covers the anodized color will distort the passage of light and so that is why the colors seem to fade. Windex (which is the least obnoxious degreaser and the most readily available) will remove any oily film that may be there and return the color to its former brilliance.

Ed T · Nov 20, 2002

Thanks to all.

I am also considering having a graphic added to my large.
Hopefully, I will be posting pictures in the next month or so.

Ed

CUTIGER 3 · Nov 20, 2002

Been using a small "line drive" as my edc for the past two years. Windex one a week keeps her looking great