Do you really like the after the spa look

C

clockman

Joined
Jan 14, 2009
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I have a large no stamp 21 that had more scratches than were in the pics when I got it. I scothbrited it, but I didn't like

the smooth finish it had after the SB. Sooo hi ho hi ho off to the spa we go. I got the knife back after a 2 month vacation at the spa.

I really didn't like the shinny beauty full look the knife had. The knife went in it's box. It's been wondering when it's going to see some

pocket time. Fat chance of that happening anytime soon.


Maybe I'm the Lone Ranger on this, Tonto is lost in the Ozone somewhere. I don't like the rough bead blast finish as well as

a handled used seb, maybe a few snail trails and marks aren't that bad after all. I have other CRK's that aren't as beauty full

that I can use.

What about you, what do you have to say.
 
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Has to be a problem for me to send in a CRK, normal wear, no matter how severe on the outside is fine with me, unless I could score a UG that's been abused.
 
bart1 said:
Has to be a problem for me to send in a CRK, normal wear, no matter how severe on the outside is fine with me.
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I agree. It is comforting to know CRK has the spa service, but it's not for me. The more my CRK's get used and develop their charachter, the more of a bond I feel with them. They become more uniquely mine. To me, getting a spa treatment for them would be akin to deleting all the memories and useage history that I grow to love about them.
 
I HATE the scotchbright finish. Did it once, never again. As for the Spa, I have sent a couple over the years and it always seems the finish is rougher than that of a new sebenza. I would imagine they use a slightly coarser media to remove the scratches. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like it. I have read that several people on here after getting the spa done, will rub denim from an old pair of jeans all over it for some time and it will smooth it out and make it feel newer again. I havent done this, but it does make sense.
 
I would not want to send in a Seb to remove any wear on the bead blast handles. Like others, I admire the marks from use that the bead blast ti picks up. Polished or reverse silver contrast would be another story.
 
nyefmaker said:
I HATE the scotchbright finish. Did it once, never again. As for the Spa, I have sent a couple over the years and it always seems the finish is rougher than that of a new sebenza. .
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I agree with your opinion on scotchbrite and rougher spa finish than the original. In both case I would prefer a worn in original finish.
 
I like to put the wear marks on myself. So if I get a used plain that is marked up, I will send it in and start putting my own scratches on it.
 
IMO, CRKs age very gracefully. So I like the scuffmarks that naturally accrue over years of use. Since I only buy my CRKs new, I wouldn't want to get rid of those marks, as they're all my own.

Jim
 
pvicenzi said:
I like to put the wear marks on myself. So if I get a used plain that is marked up, I will send it in and start putting my own scratches on it.
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I have a Sebenza in Idaho for this very reason... I think of it as detailing a used car before you start driving it so you begin with a clean slate.
 
nyefmaker said:
I HATE the scotchbright finish. Did it once, never again. As for the Spa, I have sent a couple over the years and it always seems the finish is rougher than that of a new sebenza. I would imagine they use a slightly coarser media to remove the scratches. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like it. I have read that several people on here after getting the spa done, will rub denim from an old pair of jeans all over it for some time and it will smooth it out and make it feel newer again. I havent done this, but it does make sense.
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I agree, it's a personal thing, but the SB finish really turns me off. I have a small Regular BG-42 that must have been one of the last ones to be accepted for a double lug conversion and they had to refinish the scales because they had to machine the relief cut for the off-side lug. It looked nice but if I'd had a choice I wouldn't have had it done because (1) as you say, the finish is rougher and (2) re-blasting the scales winds up softening the edges of the logo.
 
Has anyone sent their sebenza back to the spa multiple times? And noticed anything different other than the logo wearing down a bit? What happens if the lockbar engages up to 85 or 90 % or even 100%? Is that still within "spec"? Or has anybody used their sebenza that much?
 
I've never sent one in, can't stand to be without.:)
However, I do refinish mine often. I like to blast, gives them a fresh look. Sometimes I stonewash.
Now, I use aluminum oxide to blast, which gives a gray look but is not overly rough.

Need a picture.
 
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Trident777 said:
What happens if the lockbar engages up to 85 or 90 % or even 100%? Is that still within "spec"? Or has anybody used their sebenza that much?
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If the lockup is still working properly-not hitting scale side, no blade play. I doubt they are going to do anything(maybe if the person whines enough :)- just to be clear I am not referring to you). Once there is a problem they will fix it-most likely wit a larger stop pin, but sometimes a new lockside could be needed.
 
Trident777 said:
What happens if the lockbar engages up to 85 or 90 % or even 100%? Is that still within "spec"? Or has anybody used their sebenza that much?
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In the case of the small Regular I mentioned, the lock bar was touching the opposite side when I sent it in. They replaced the stop pin and it's got another 20 years or so of life in it, I think. I remember another post from someone who had a Sebenza where they replaced the lock bar-side scale to solve the same problem, but I would guess that's seldom necessary.
 
I like that BIB look, but have never sent on in to the spa. I don't see it happening. The marks from use give it character. I don't have my scars cosmetically removed as I enjoy the memories (good and bad). I figure my stuff is the same way (cars and house are exceptions).

That said, my CRKs don't look too bad unless you pose them with a NIB example. (Other than the clips get really shined up over time).
 
I just got two back from the spa. I was very happy with the way they looked with pocket wash but figured since they were going back I might as well have them re-blasted and put my own wear on them. I purchased both well loved. So they came back and in hindsight I wish I hadn't had them re-blasted. It's a lesson learned. From here on out if I send a knife in (something with an issue or something I purchased second hand that needs a tuning) I'll leave the slabs as they are. I have purposely been carrying these guys loose in my pocket with other things to wear off some of the new finish. It does feel pretty gritty - and icky. Ready for pocket wash again.
 
I've never sent one in for a spa treatment, but I've bought a couple that had been sent in. I know there's a difference but for me it's subtle. I'm hesitant to get the spa done to a couple of knives because they will come back looking new and I'll have to baby them. For me, there's just something about a scuffed up knife that says use and abuse me.

I guess I like my knives like my women, a little on the trashy side.
 
I didn't realize people weren't fond of the SB finish this much. I recently took my new Starbenza to a new scotchbrite pad and the the star burst pattern looks fantastic like this. I'm talking way better than factory finish! I love it even more now! I just wish anodizing it didn't void the warranty.
 
I love the SB finish. Used my only Seb for 5 years. SB and bam, new for another 5 years. Love it!
 
I had one brand new small 21 that had some blemishes on the lock side scale and was really bothered by it. I sent it in for a warranty work and I was pretty impressed when I got it back.

I was told that they did re-sandblast (which I guess is the same process with a SPA service?) the scale to even out the blemishes. I did notice that it had a bit more "sandy" feeling compared to my other CRKs. I loved it though. Had more grip than my other 21s. :D:D:D
 
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