Don't Do Diss . . . Keys in same pocket as Sebenza!

[expidia1]

I purposely put deep pocket clips on my Sebenza 21's. But I went to a kids amusement park and was wearing my workout shorts so I put the my polished Seb 21 with inlays into my right pocket. Without thinking I also put a ring with 3 keys in same pocket.



I've done this before, but not to this extent of the scratches I put onto this one this time. Scratched both sides about the same.
I know CRK does not polish the handle if it has wood inlays but I sent it into them anyway and asked if they could just polish the ends with the scratches . . . No cigar. They won't do it. They would charge me $150 to remove the inlay, polish it up and I don't know if she said they attach new ones or re-use the old ones. I don't know if she said $150 per side either.

So I said send it back and I tried a few fixes myself like the special soft polishing wheel that comes with the Dremel polishing kit. Used the lowest variable speed too. I read about it in another thread, but I think the poster was talking about doing this on the Titanium sand blasted handle style of a PJ.

I tried it with the polishing paste included but using the Dremel and the paste was only putting more light scratches in. I tried various compounds from my car detailing stash but nothing really helped.

I think what worked the best for me was just rubbing the area side to side with a Q-tip dipped in Brasso (the stuff I used to polish my brass belt buckle with in the Army).

It's still a work in progress, but it looks a lot better than it did. Luckily for me, it happened to my EDC.

Any other suggestions on what compound I could use on this polished Titanium surface which might polish the light scratches remaining back to the way it was?
Thx

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I always keep my knife in a separate pocket. Wearing cargo shorts makes that pretty easy to do, with their extra pockets.
I believe the dremel polishing was for the polished side, but results are going to vary along with the original damage. Don't know or remember what they used as a compound or if they used multiple compounds. By hand is always going to be safest, just not fastest
good luck

 

[Darkera]

If it is any consolation, you can now post freely in the Pics of Well Worn/Weathered CRK's ONLY thread.

 

[expidia1]

I always keep my knife in a separate pocket. Wearing cargo shorts makes that pretty easy to do, with their extra pockets.
I believe the dremel polishing was for the polished side, but results are going to vary along with the original damage. Don't know or remember what they used as a compound or if they used multiple compounds. By hand is always going to be safest, just not fastest
good luck

I know. I always wear cargo shorts (except this time). I like the little flap on the lower pockets which hide the knife.

 

[Ajack60]

Only two words.……….pocket sheath

 

[Murphjd25]

Only two words.……….pocket sheath

The pocket sheath for the small sebenza is awesome. I don’t even notice it in my pocket.

 

[Ajack60]

The pocket sheath for the small sebenza is awesome. I don’t even notice it in my pocket.

I use them all the time, even if I didn't, there's times when it makes sense. CRK even includes them in certain CRK's

 

[expidia1]

Yes, good idea on the sheath. I took my deep carry clip off just now and put knife in the sheath to carry like that today to see if I can get used to that. I think in the past I didn't like using the sheath because it's slippery leather and tends to turn sideways at the bottom on my pocket or move around while im driving. A sheath is perfect for a Mnandi though.

I did notice the deep carry clip already left marks on my few day old knife's Titanium where it touches the knife. Another check of this shows its really the standard OEM pocket clip that leave two marks on the Titanium.
Also, when I use the clip it tends to leave white marks on dark pants from your skin fluffing off while rubbing against the material when pulling the clip out a little when sliding it on and off, so as not to wear my dress or suit pants out (with jeans I don't care and they are of a tougher material anyway).

 

[JB in SC]

The Ti has a hand rubbed finish, pretty difficult to duplicate without removing the inlays. I don't know how fine the final grit CRK might be, but it is at least #800 or finer. I use (on other knives) 3M wet or dry polishing paper (up to 8000 grit, jewelry supply houses carry it), but a person has to go very slow and deliberate to avoid fishhook swirls in the finish. Use it glued on a flat piece of wood (like a narrow popsicle stick).

 

[RyanRaben]

Wait... they will pop out inlays to repolish the scale? I never knew this was an option. I have one I want to get polished up.

 

[kidcongo]

I like it better with the scratches. I kinda feel sorry for pocket knives that show no evidence of use or carry. Let more scratches be added to those and you’ll have a knife with real soul.

If I posted pictures of my daily-carried Tamboti wood 21 you would freak. Scratched all over, but gorgeous all the same. Trusted friend in the pocket.

Just my way of seeing things. Other viewpoint are valid as well.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Wait... they will pop out inlays to repolish the scale? I never knew this was an option. I have one I want to get polished up.

The answer in the past was no, if you weren't willing to have the inlays replaced. They feared cracking them. Some pimpers did do them. I believe the 21's may have a hole behind the inlay to help(don't have a 21 inlay to verify but that is what my memory recalls), but I could be wrong.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Maybe someone can verify
Here is the old answer:
https://www.bladeforums.com/posts/11621079/

and as of Mar. 2016
"Just called CRK, they will re-polish the scales, but only on a case by case basis.
They have to remove the inlays to polish the scales, and I'd have to purchase a new set of inlays.
Mine are Cocobolo, which I think she said would be $125. I'd guess that's probably the lower end of the wood inlay spectrum.

I also asked if attempting to polish it myself would void the warranty and she said that it more than likely would if I took off too much material."

getting doubtful

 

[expidia1]

Maybe someone can verify
Here is the old answer:
https://www.bladeforums.com/posts/11621079/

and as of Mar. 2016
"Just called CRK, they will re-polish the scales, but only on a case by case basis.
They have to remove the inlays to polish the scales, and I'd have to purchase a new set of inlays.
Mine are Cocobolo, which I think she said would be $125. I'd guess that's probably the lower end of the wood inlay spectrum.

I also asked if attempting to polish it myself would void the warranty and she said that it more than likely would if I took off too much material."

getting doubtful

I did verify it last week. I sent them a Spalted Beech to polish. They said they have to remove the inlays to polish and it would be $150. I said just send it back. I don't know if he said it was $150 per side or for both. I don't think they reuse the inlays and if not who knows what Spalted Beech grain I would have gotten back?

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I did verify it last week. I sent them a Spalted Beech to polish. They said they have to remove the inlays to polish and it would be $150. I said just send it back. I don't know if he said it was $150 per side or for both. I don't think they reuse the inlays and if not who knows what Spalted Beech grain I would have gotten back?

I would guess $150 for both sides based on the cost of the knife new

 

[kidcongo]

I did verify it last week. I sent them a Spalted Beech to polish. They said they have to remove the inlays to polish and it would be $150. I said just send it back. I don't know if he said it was $150 per side or for both. I don't think they reuse the inlays and if not who knows what Spalted Beech grain I would have gotten back?

These knives seem to cause you more frustration than joy. It sounds like you want to carry and use these great knives, which I endorse, but are bothered by marring their surfaces. With use you will blemish the surfaces, but after the “awkward stage”, with just one or two scratches, the beauty returns as the knife develops its own unique character.

I’m not saying thump on you knife, just accept the “pocket wash” as part of the charm. The reward is less worry and the freedom to use your pocket knife as Chris Reeve himself intended......as a tool that also happens to look nice. I love pulling a wood inlay 21 out of my pocket and using it as if it were no more than a Opinel. It is then that you discover all the things that make them such great cutting tools.

 

[tank sniper]

its a knife just use the darn thing..... its not a piece of jewelry.... I only buy crk plain jane knives for the reasons stated above....

DIY use a dremel tool w/polishing attachment with jeweler's rouge

 

[expidia1]

These knives seem to cause you more frustration than joy. It sounds like you want to carry and use these great knives, which I endorse, but are bothered by marring their surfaces. With use you will blemish the surfaces, but after the “awkward stage”, with just one or two scratches, the beauty returns as the knife develops its own unique character.

I’m not saying thump on you knife, just accept the “pocket wash” as part of the charm. The reward is less worry and the freedom to use your pocket knife as Chris Reeve himself intended......as a tool that also happens to look nice. I love pulling a wood inlay 21 out of my pocket and using it as if it were no more than a Opinel. It is then that you discover all the things that make them such great cutting tools.

I have users, but I prefer to keep my knives pristine because I plan on reselling most someday as I trade up. For those knives I look at them more as "rented". Resale value especially with scratches on a Damascus blade, polished blades or on polished handles causes the resale value to take a huge hit. I don't have any Safe Queens. I just carry carefully to protect my tools and toys.

I usually sell my cellphone every 2 or 3 years (a little longer and the phones are almost worthless because tech changes so fast). But I've learned to carry my phone in the opposite pocket of my keys or I'd destroy its resale value. I'm not a belted sheath carry type. But a belted type sheath would be perfect for when I go camping.
The sheath idea above for protection is probably why CRK provides them with their higher end knives. I like deep carry clips which keeps it off the pocket bottom, yet the knife does not show out of the pocket's top. Many of us enjoy catch and releasing just to try out various models. This is a big part of the draw of this forum especially our feedback system for both buyers and sellers. I take care the same way with my Benchmade collection.

Frustration or joy is in the eye of the beholder . . . "Frustration" is a Girlfriend or being Married . . . "Joy" is owning a Dog . . .

But I "am" a fan of a gorgeous edge. I just put on a Wicked Edge last night on a week old Box Elder Damascus large 21 (I plan on keeping it). Whats frustrating to me is having to rotate back to a factory edge carry during the week because I am planning on reselling that particular model.

I don't mind scratching an "edge" while using it since I can easily polish scratches out in a few minutes.
The sharpness between the wicked edge and the factory grind is like night and day. Plus a polished mirrored edge slices like butter and is just so damn purdy:

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[mongomondo]

I like the scratches.

 

[expidia1]

The Ti has a hand rubbed finish, pretty difficult to duplicate without removing the inlays. I don't know how fine the final grit CRK might be, but it is at least #800 or finer. I use (on other knives) 3M wet or dry polishing paper (up to 8000 grit, jewelry supply houses carry it), but a person has to go very slow and deliberate to avoid fishhook swirls in the finish. Use it glued on a flat piece of wood (like a narrow popsicle stick).

The Ti has a hand rubbed finish, pretty difficult to duplicate without removing the inlays. I don't know how fine the final grit CRK might be, but it is at least #800 or finer. I use (on other knives) 3M wet or dry polishing paper (up to 8000 grit, jewelry supply houses carry it), but a person has to go very slow and deliberate to avoid fishhook swirls in the finish. Use it glued on a flat piece of wood (like a narrow popsicle stick).

thx for that tip JB. I just ordered off Amazon for $8.37 (comes with 5 sheets) 3M Tri-M-ite wet or dry 8000 grit, 1 micron green polishing paper.
We’ll give that paper a Swirl... Git it? Swirl instead of Whirl... good tip using the pop stick too.