First Impressions on Star-Benza

M

Mike V

Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
162
My small Star-Benza finally turned up.
It's always a bit of an anxious wait as you never know if Australian customs decide to seize your knife on import.
I never have had a knife seized, but I hear stories of it happening.

I got this because I wanted to create my ultimate EDC (more on this below).

Double silver thumb studs are awesome.
I definitely want to get these installed in my other blade.
I thought I preferred a single blue, until I saw this in the flesh.
I know why people are recommending this now.

The action on this Star-Benza is way smoother than on my Small Insingo.
Straight out of the box it is smoother than my six month old Insingo.

The Star-Benza pattern is nice.
The contrast of the grooves feel nice in the hand and it has just that little more grip without being aggressive to the pocket or hand.
I wish it continued under the pocket clip though, but it isn't a deal beaker.

I love, love how the Idaho Made is very small and hardly noticeable on this knife.
It's one of the main reasons I bought it as I hate, hate the Idaho Made.
Also I needed to see a regular blade shape in the flesh to confirm to myself that I preferred the Insingo blade.
I do, but the regular blade is a work of art as well.

I disassembled my Insingo and the Star-Benza.
This was my first take-down of a Sebenza and I was a bit apprehensive.
In reality it was extremely easy.
I have no hesitation in recommending anyone to do this themselves.

The very smooth action has stayed with the blade.
The Star-Benza blade in the Insingo handle keeps it's very smooth action.
The Insingo blade in the Star-Benza handle is still a bit sticky.
I wonder if the washers are to blame?
I might try swapping the washers?
It is kind of annoying, now that I experience how nice the action of a Sebenza can be.
Hopefully this will wear in over time, as both are very new.

So to create my ultimate EDC I put the Insingo blade in the Star-Benza handle (Star-Singo?)
Removed the pocket clip and the lanyard.
Reversed the screws. I prefer the flush side of the screws on the front.

I just need double silver thumb studs in this blade.

I can't decide about the little spacer to fill the pocket clip hole?
I think I might need to get one of these also.

I think this might just be the knife I settle on and carry for a long time.
Hopefully the action smooths out over time.

I wonder if I was to send this to the spa and get the double silver installed if they would mind that the blade had been swapped?
Maybe I would have to swap the blades back before sending it in?
 
Congrats on the purchase.

I have never wanted double thumb studs on my CRK Sebenzas - I am right handed, and was always concerned that the addition of the other stud would cause it to catch on my pocket as I removed the knife.

If you do send it back - I would probably restore the knife back to the way it was when you bought it. I would imagine swapping parts is a warranty void and a no-no for CRK.
 
Thanks for the advice, It's an easy swap back, so probably not worth the risk upsetting them.

I've probably voided the warranty swapping blades anyway.
 
Congrats on your new Star-Benza now you have to buy the other two to complete the set. Love the star burst design on the handles very unique and beautiful.
 
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Kind regards,

Jos
 
I did this a while ago and posted my first thread about it, but I can't speak or write nearly as nicely as you do, you explained it much better than I did.
I find the Insingo to be the perfect EDC blade for my needs and the Star Benza handle to be superb; they make an amazing Sebenza Stein when put together.
Since I affectionately refer to my Insingo as the Insane-O (thanks Fonzie) and the Star Benza is made by Wilson I've been calling it the Insane Willy ;D I think it's catchy.
Nice to know that I'm not the only one who frankensteined what I consider to be the best of both worlds into the ultimate Sebenza.
I'm unable to post pics since I do all of my Internet surfing with my iPhone and just can't seem to figure it out, thanks for sharing that beauty with the world

Enjoy it in great health
 
Congrats on the knife.

Though it looks good....swapping blades in knives voids the warranty as each blade is ground to suite each lock.

There was a recent thread about a person buying a knife with a blade swop with multiple issues. It does happen that the parts fit, but is not recommended.
 
When swapping the blade - you can send the knife back to CRK for them to fit the blade to the knife (at a cost, I believe). It isn't recommended that you swap blades yourself, not due to the warranty, but due to the fact that each blade is fit to the knife.

The best thing to do would be to call CRK directly and discuss sending it in for fitting. They have their reputation of great customer service for a reason.

Keep in mind I'm no expert, but from what I've read in other threads that's what I remember.
 
WindMeUp said:
When swapping the blade - you can send the knife back to CRK for them to fit the blade to the knife (at a cost, I believe). It isn't recommended that you swap blades yourself, not due to the warranty, but due to the fact that each blade is fit to the knife.

The best thing to do would be to call CRK directly and discuss sending it in for fitting. They have their reputation of great customer service for a reason.

Keep in mind I'm no expert, but from what I've read in other threads that's what I remember.
Click to expand...

This is very true each knife is individually fit and is very precise this is why the action is not as smooth with the Insingo blade and it could cause premature wear just a heads up
 
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