First Foray into CRK - Sebenza 21, What to Expect?

sdjay78

sdjay78

Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
101
Well, I took the plunge.

I ordered a March 2012, near mint, Sebenza 21 from a fella on a different site.

All the research I've done lead me to the L-21, so I don't need anyone to sell me on the blade.

As a (soon to be) new Sebenza owner, aside from exceptional quality and all the other superlatives the Sebenza's garnered since it's inception, what should I look out for?

I realize this is a broad question, but I'm interested to hear what ya'll have to say.
 
Wait 'til you get it. You won't have ask your question.:D

Lots of 1 time CRK owners ask a ? similar to yours. You ' get it' in a day or few.
 
Get to know your new Sebenza. Owning a Sebenza is only half of the experience. The other half is taking it apart and appreciating the knifes fine craftsmanship.
 
It works just like any other knife you have owned, it's just made better! When you first get it take some time to look at the details and finish, that is what really sets the knife apart.
 
I recommend breaking it down and resembling when you get it. It really helps to understand the knife and appreciate it that much more.
 
Don't expect too much. CRK's are fantastic knives, but they will not change your life.
 
Well, I've fallen for the CRK's for the quality of workmanship that each one is built with, the warranty services CRK has and the resell vale on the secondary market. But mostly for the longevity of the knife. Of all the knives I own, a CRK gives me the most confidence when using a knife in terms of dependability.

CRK's are not perfect, but they're perfect for me.
 
Like any other tool/toy, use it for what it was designed for to truly appreciate it. It's not the 'end all, be all' but it is a very well made tool that does its job well.
I have a LG 21 and a plain Jane 25 that I rotate and use regularly. While I don't have a favorite amongst those two my Micarta 25 is the most aesthetically pleasing of the 3 Sebenzas I own, it's also the smoothest of the three.
Corskin had a good suggestion, I'd suggest you follow his advice and break it down.
 
Corskin said:
I recommend breaking it down and resembling when you get it. It really helps to understand the knife and appreciate it that much more.
Click to expand...

^^^^^

What Cory said. Break it down, clean it and you will have a better appreciation of what you just acquired. Sharpen it if needed and then use it. After you have taken it apart, cleaned it, sharpened it and used it you will fully grasp what you purchased.
 
I just broke down and cleaned/lubed my large 21 insingo and all I can do is stress how true all the above statements are. It's so simplistic yet so robust and I used the finish line extreme fluoro grease and it's now smoother than when I got it and it flicks open now which it didn't before. I do recommend keeping close tabs on how it comes apart so you don't make it too tight like I did at first.
 
I don't think you can really get a 21 "too tight". You are supposed to snug all of the screws with no loctite. From my experience when I reassembled and it was too tight, too much grease was used. Now I use a tiny artists paintbrush to get just a film on the tang between the washer (thanks for the tip Cody). No grease is needed between the washers and the scales.
 
sdjay78 said:
First Foray into CRK - Sebenza 21, What to Expect?
Click to expand...

Expect this to be your future.... :D

AllSebenzas_zpsdge1ocqm.jpg
 
Yes, as LW implies, expect to go broke. You will enjoy the different aspects (quality, simplicity, craftsmanship, beauty, etc.) of your new 21 so much that you will want to try another model.....and then another one... and....

By the way, IMHO I think that either the large or small Seb 21 is the best knife for a first CRK.
 
Whether you go broke or not you'll certainly go for more Sebenza's. I'm not sure which rabbit breeds the quickest but that's the breed of Sebenza I got. And it gave birth to others not long after I received it.
 
Expect not to have any blade play after several years of use.... Don't expect the blade to come open or partially open in your pocket after the same amount of time.
Don't expect the blade to deploy and close like an axis lock knife would
 
I'll be a little bit contrarian here.

At first you might be underwhelmed. After all, it's a knife. It cuts things.

After using for awhile come to appreciate the fit and finish, the ergonomics and how it's comfortable in hand. It's a quality, buy once cry once type purchase.

It's a great knife but it's still just a knife.

I love my small 21. It's my EDC. Fits my hand perfectly.

And I also don't have a desire to buy a bunch of other CR knives. Obviously, some do. But owning one doesn't mean you'll own a dozen eventually. I like everything I own to be used regularly and have a purpose. So personally I would never own so many. Wouldn't get use out of that many similar knives.

I'm on a BGE forum too. Some guys own 1-2 and others own 10. I can't ever see me having a purpose for so many BGEs.

Expect to own a quality knife that hopefully gets regular use. Expect some to be impressed, some to say overpriced, and most not to really care.

Hopefully you enjoy it and feel it was a good value
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top