- Joined
- Jan 12, 2013
- Messages
- 3,195
Those who have been here a while know what this little knife has been through. For starters, I absolutely love the Box Elder Inlays, but they weren't for me on this knife. Also a lot of people might dislike what become of the little bugger, but that's OK too. There are lots of pristine examples of a small 21 box elder in the world, it's ok if this one has been bastardized by a nutty dude like me. This knife has been through a lot, so here is it's story
Back-story: I bought this knife thinking it would be my "rustic" sebenza. I like the idea of an old granpa's knife with stag handles, and for some misguided reason I looked to a small 21 to fit that role. Knowing what I know now, I set off on the wrong path to begin with, but that's the idea I had. When I found it to be too pretty and perfect to fit the bill, my first effort was to hard use the knife, both as a service to my fellow BF members to see what would happen, and in the hopes of putting some patina and wear on the subject matter: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1163889-Here-we-go-daily-carry-and-use-of-a-small-wood-inlayed-sebenza?highlight=here+we+go+hard+use Well, as i found out, the knife was pretty much indestructible under normal use, and was not about to lose it's perfect good looks. Next I dyed the scales, thinking that would somehow make it more rustic, but it didn't: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1211297-Dyed-my-Box-Elder-inlays-(inspired-by-Bark-River)?highlight=dyed+box+elder Next I found an article on burning maple to colour it, so I burned the darn thing: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1220002-Daddy-why-are-you-burning-your-knife-Charred-Sebenza-it-s-inflammatory?highlight=daddy+burned It ended up pretty cool, but still not what i wanted. So finally I figured I'd jig the handles to simulate that stag-horn look I was after. It took a bit or courage (or stupidity), but this is the result. Cringe-worthy to some, but perfect to me. Mostly done with a dremel, some india ink, and another sebenza.
Sidenotes: What I learned is that these box elder burl inlays are super super super super tough. No pocket, no dye, no fire, and not even a dremel tool has much affect on them. Tough as nails for sure. Also you will notice I put a brushed finish on the pocket clip and polished the bead-blast off the lockbar using a brass brush-wheel in the dremel motor tool. The result of the finish is also the most 'fondle-able' Sebenza in my collection. The scales feel great in your hands.
Some pics of my small 21 / Jigged box elder:
Back-story: I bought this knife thinking it would be my "rustic" sebenza. I like the idea of an old granpa's knife with stag handles, and for some misguided reason I looked to a small 21 to fit that role. Knowing what I know now, I set off on the wrong path to begin with, but that's the idea I had. When I found it to be too pretty and perfect to fit the bill, my first effort was to hard use the knife, both as a service to my fellow BF members to see what would happen, and in the hopes of putting some patina and wear on the subject matter: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1163889-Here-we-go-daily-carry-and-use-of-a-small-wood-inlayed-sebenza?highlight=here+we+go+hard+use Well, as i found out, the knife was pretty much indestructible under normal use, and was not about to lose it's perfect good looks. Next I dyed the scales, thinking that would somehow make it more rustic, but it didn't: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1211297-Dyed-my-Box-Elder-inlays-(inspired-by-Bark-River)?highlight=dyed+box+elder Next I found an article on burning maple to colour it, so I burned the darn thing: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1220002-Daddy-why-are-you-burning-your-knife-Charred-Sebenza-it-s-inflammatory?highlight=daddy+burned It ended up pretty cool, but still not what i wanted. So finally I figured I'd jig the handles to simulate that stag-horn look I was after. It took a bit or courage (or stupidity), but this is the result. Cringe-worthy to some, but perfect to me. Mostly done with a dremel, some india ink, and another sebenza.
Sidenotes: What I learned is that these box elder burl inlays are super super super super tough. No pocket, no dye, no fire, and not even a dremel tool has much affect on them. Tough as nails for sure. Also you will notice I put a brushed finish on the pocket clip and polished the bead-blast off the lockbar using a brass brush-wheel in the dremel motor tool. The result of the finish is also the most 'fondle-able' Sebenza in my collection. The scales feel great in your hands.
Some pics of my small 21 / Jigged box elder:
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). I wonder if CRK will take on your idea and make some with stag? That would be really cool. By the way, I love your posts man, I learn a lot when you post this kind of thing, one of my favorites is the one on the TiLock, which is my favorite knife. Thanks again.
