First Sebenza

Jfoster99

Jfoster99

Joined
Nov 11, 2012
Messages
87
So I got approved from the boss to purchase a Sebenza for Xmass...

It will be an EDC knife that will see a lot of pocket time and moderate use.

I would love to get a large Damascus blade with wood inlay but and afraid that after a year or so it will loose the luster..

One of the things I loved about CRK is the ability to send the knive back to be refinished both handle and blad.

Does this only apply to the plan Titanium handle and blades?

Will I be able to send in a Damascus with wood inlay every few years and get it back looking near like new?
 
I think an email to CRK could answer any prepurchase questions you may have. I do believe reblasting wood inlay scales would damage the inlays, but then again, I'm no knife maker.

A large wood inlay Damascus Seb would be a hell of a first Sebenza. I say go for it, carry it in the slip pouch to reduce your chances of scratches and marks if those things put you off, and post pics in here when you get it :thumbup:
 
I'll also add that I'm not sure how they refurb a damascus blade, or what it would cost. I'm sure they could, but would think it would need to be re-etched.
Like RiverRat said, I would give them a call if it is a concern.

IMO the micarta version with tumbled blade is hard to beat for an EDC.
 
if you like the look of the blade id say get it. how bad can it really end up looking with use? i dont think it would look like a black coated blade with a lot of use. if for some reason it does come out looking really bad in the future you can always replace the blade with a regular one.
 
As our collegue RR84 said, I'd give The shop a call for specific's on what they can provide. What I've been told in the past, however, is that they can only do a complete refurb on plain-handles, unique graphics without cabochons, and reverse-silver contrast designs. They aren't able to repolish the slabs with inlays. They can clean and buff them up with ren-wax to make them look better, but unless the inlays are removed any scratches will stay. Of course Clips can always be refinished.

Regarding Damascus blades, they'll clean them up but not re-etch them or re-finish them. The Damascus steel requires a special process to bring out the layer highlights apparently, and that's not part of their list of standard services.

All that being said, I have seen examples of CRK performing "special" services upon request (for a fee). Again, I would ask directly for best info.
 
I called this morning and was basically told they can only refinish the plan sandblasted handles.. They also said
9 months wait on Damascus blade
6 month on engraving
6 months on inlay
3 months on a plan

One more question... Will finding a Damascus Inlay LEFTY thru a dealer/eBay/forum be as easy as spotting a unicorn?

I could send in a RIGHT and have the dual thumb stud added for $35 ( 3 weeks turn around)... How ergonomic is this?
 
Also, surprisingly to me she said the Damascus blade would work well for EDC.... Assuming I did not mind sharpening say monthly/weekly depending on use would you agree with her?
 
Jfoster99 said:
Also, surprisingly to me she said the Damascus blade would work well for EDC.... Assuming I did not mind sharpening say monthly/weekly depending on use would you agree with her?
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Absolutely! If the look appeals to you, then carry the thing. Use it. The Devin Thomas blades are meant for more than just great looks. I was just sayin' that scratches and scuffs, even though they are hard to see in the patterns, would need to lightly re-ground and the blades re-etched with acid to achieve a like-new look.

Regarding your second question - they can add double-lugs to any Sebenza except one of the limited edition Annuals. I don't know that it makes the knife more ambidextrous, though, as that would depend more on the frame lock than the thumbstud I think. I would browse the various dealer sites first, but a left-handed, inlayed double-stud damascus Sebenza may be a rare stock item.
 
I would stick to the left hand dedicated knives and wait. It's really worth it. I have a lot of left handed knives from CRK. IMO the insingo and the Micarta inlay are best for EDC. I spent the morning cleaning and putting an edge pro edge on both my insingo plain and my micarta inlay (both large left handers). Its a beautiful thing. Wood inlays are good for edc but I think that the damascus would scratch and that may make you unhappy. Everything will fade with use and age. I have a couple damacus bladed annuals but have been reluctant to edc them due there rarity. I have edc'd a 2006 Buckeye Burl and it does kind of get darker with use. The damascus is nice and would absolutely work for edc but if you are ocd then I think you might want to consider the s35v blade after all its the latest and greatest of the Sebenza steels and I can tell you from experience they take a wicked edge. And hold it for a long time too with regular stropping.
 
DallasSTB said:
Absolutely! If the look appeals to you, then carry the thing. Use it. The Devin Thomas blades are meant for more than just great looks. I was just sayin' that scratches and scuffs, even though they are hard to see in the patterns, would need to lightly re-ground and the blades re-etched with acid to achieve a like-new look.
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I would like to enthusiastically agree with this. While I don't own any Devin Thomas damascus knives, I do have a Devin Thomas kitchen knife that is next to invincible. I've put the thing through about as much as any amateur cook can, and it continues to exceed expectations. Mr. Thomas knows what he's doing when it comes to steel.
 
Personally, I'm holding out for when they make more lefty Sebenzas with a carbon fiber scale. Supposedly they are doing another run of them in the next 6 months or so... but who knows. The lightness and smoothness of the CF Sebs is really amazing.

As for dual thumbstuds--they make it possible to open the knife with your off hand, but it's still awkward, and closing the knife is really awkward. Plus you'd have the pocket clip on the wrong side, which is also slightly more awkward. If you are a lefty, you need a lefty Sebenza, no getting around it. Nice that CRK makes something just for us, though.
 
After pondering and looking all day I could not find a lefty large with wood inlay.. I even did a mass mailing to like 50 dealers listed on CRK's website.

I decided to purchase a Right and send it in for a dual thumb stud addition ($35) Got it NIB for $656.09. See pic below

Hopefully I will not agree with the quote below.. If I am too bothered I can alway order one and sell this when it comes.. I

Any thoughts on my price and resale value?

Evany said:
If you are a lefty, you need a lefty Sebenza, no getting around it. .
Click to expand...

Looks like this...
Ebony_Damascus_2.jpg
 
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I think you picked a beautiful Sebenza. I'm able to open and close right handed Sebenzas with both hands, but if you are strictly a lefty Scott makes a valid point. On the other hand(pun not intended)if you come across a lefty you desire you should have no problem selling this one. Keep in mind you may sell it though as every scratch and such could potentially drop the resale value.
 
Scott Dog said:
Seriously go with the lefty.
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I'm kicking myself... Perhaps a whole one day was not enough to ponder .. ( yah think!,,)

The knife just shipped yesterday and I already have a post in the trade section looking to swap for even a slightly used similar LEFT.

I saw a small wood inlay left... I should have gotten that to use while I waited 9 months for my Grail knife. Then I could keep both... See much better plan. I learn quick around here.
 
So I have had some time practicing opening the right hand Sebenza with my left had.. It took a little getting used to but have mastered two methods. First is the middle finger flick ( for showing off) but the day to day operation is to break free the Detent with the middle finger just a 1/2 in or so. Then place the thumb on the blade to swing open..

Still looking for a lefty large inlay but this works for now..

Here is a video of me in action..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bNIze-4zw
 
Jfoster99 said:
Also, surprisingly to me she said the Damascus blade would work well for EDC.... Assuming I did not mind sharpening say monthly/weekly depending on use would you agree with her?
Click to expand...


Interesting because my non-Damascus S30V and S35VN blades see a touch up about 3x a week to keep a decent edge. For example even splitting open a hard acorn squash will take away the shaving edge in a blink of the eye. Weekly would be an improvement!
 
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