Drop point Sebenza grind variation

steff27

steff27

Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Messages
139
I have two new large Sebenzas from the same authorized, reputable dealer, with birth cards and everything, both born in December 2019.
IMG_0425.jpeg
a = 22 mm = 0.867 inches
b = 29 mm = 1.13 inches

The blue arrows mark the point where the primary grind meets the spine, with a and b being a straight line from that point to the tip.

For that front inch of the blade, knife B is much slicier. Top view:
IMG_0426.jpeg

I noticed that blade B is about 1.5 mm (0.06 inches) shorter than blade A, where blade A has the length as advertised on the CRK website. Also standing both upright on the table gives this comparison:

IMG_0427.jpeg

Given that blade A has the thick tip I expected based on the one small drop point I own, and that blade B is shorter than the official specs, I assume that blade B is out of spec.

I'd be surprised if that big of a variation would be normal by CRK standards, but what do I know, these two are on the only large drop points I have.

Now I'm interested in your experience, especially those of you who have multiple. Also maybe somebody else can measure theirs.

I received knife B first, and it being my first large drop point Sebenza, I was pleasantly surprised by this geometry, given that my small Sebenza and large Inkosi both have thicker, less slicy tips than I want or need.
 
Josh K said:
It's hard to get an internet opinion with the best photographs. You should contact CRK if you think a knife came out of spec.
Click to expand...

For sure, comparing via photos is not a good way to form a verdict. A rough measurement from tip to the point where the primary grind hits the spine isn't that hard, though.

To be clear, I don't have a problem to be solved by CRK. The knife with the slicier tip I've started using, and I love it. The other one I can still send back to the dealer for a full refund, since I've taken it out of the box only for inspection.

I ordered the second one because the first one I got (knife B) was slicier than I expected based on my experience with my Inkosis and my small Sebenza. The second one being this different made me question what to expect should I acquire more. I was so happy about slicy knife B, I already expected starting a large drop point Sebenza collection at the expense of the rest of my full size folder collection... Would be curious if it turns out to be an accidental one off :-)

I'll ask CRK as well and post an update here when I get a response.
 
Small variances would be normal, since they are hand sharpened. A larger variance likely has a story behind it, but even CRK wouldn't be able to tell you what it was now.
 
Like Peter said there are small variances in CRKs ... it is not uncommon. I have had a couple that as yours were/are noticeably different in the grind although I have not had any that were noticeably thinner blades. If measured they vary slightly but I can't see the difference by the naked eye in thickness. And some come and are great cutters but as any brand many could use a bit of a touch up to the edge and they cut better than out of the box.
 
I own two small sebenza. One is a edc ,the other is a mint in the box . Both were identical new .
The edc is slightly worn from sharpening it . That pix is not correct because of the light
 
Peter Hartwig said:
Small variances would be normal, since they are hand sharpened. A larger variance likely has a story behind it, but even CRK wouldn't be able to tell you what it was now.
Click to expand...

I'm comparing only the primary grinds, which I assume are not applied free hand.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
Like Peter said there are small variances in CRKs ... it is not uncommon. I have had a couple that as yours were/are noticeably different in the grind although I have not had any that were noticeably thinner blades. If measured they vary slightly but I can't see the difference by the naked eye in thickness.
Click to expand...

Blade stock thickness is exactly the same on both. This appears different in the photo in part because of how the light reflects on the spines, and in part because indeed that front 1.13 inches of blade B is thinner because the taper from tip to full thickness is longer.

JJ_Colt45 said:
And some come and are great cutters but as any brand many could use a bit of a touch up to the edge and they cut better than out of the box.
Click to expand...

I'm comparing the primary grinds only. I thin the edge on basically all production knives, CRK included, so I don't care much how they come in this regard.
 
My wood sebenza has a thinner grind compared to my micarta sebenza. Seems like they thinned the wood version more in the pollishing phase (compared to stonewashed).
 
steff27 said:
I'm comparing only the primary grinds, which I assume are not applied free hand.
Click to expand...

I realized that, but was thinking that maybe they messed up the tip on the 1st go and took off more material to correct it.
another possibility is the machine that did the blanks got out of spec, but not to the extent they would throw away the blade
all guesses on my part
 
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