Hard Choice

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
2,357
I just found out that I am leaving for Iraq in December, but I have to do some extra training in the next few months for convoy stuff (I havn't shot from a moving vehicle in a little while) so I have to catch up a bit. Anywho I wanna take a Sebenza to the sandbox with me, but I don't know if the Ebony and gold inlay one I am carrying right now is a wise choice to take with me. Just because it may be worth something and I don't want to damage it too bad. So I am thinking that I want a small micarta because I love the extra size of the grip, but a plain wouldn't be out of the question either. What do you guys think? Should I take the Ebony and gold one with me or let it sit on the shelf? I am selling off my other knives to raise money on this one LOL
 
That's a good question, I don't know what the price difference is between the inlay + gold and the micarta. My feeling "Run what ya brung" and take it with you. I don't know if theft might be an issue or not. When you come back and it's a little beat up, then you and it can tell some great stories.
 
I called CRK yesterday and the lady I talked to asked Ann. She said the gold was about 200 more as an option than the inlay models. I am not worried about theft as much. I just mean I am worried about messing up a knife that may be worth much more than I got it for. On the other hand I shouldn't really talk about worrying about messing it up, because I am looking at a few graphic ones too, to include the Indian Hyroglyphic, and the Moon Song. The micarta one is also an option I want. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter which one I bring, but I am also starting a CRK collection from the ground up and need to decide which one is the permanent EDC so the rest can be on display. So whatcha think? I am not really into the plain ones if you didn't know that.
 
If I were you I would get the large Micarta inlay, serrated. I mean that's why they made it. It's a nice inlay that can take it. I'm not sure exactly what you will be doing in Iraq but I say large Micarta inlay on duty and take the gold inlay for your off days. I think the large size adds quite a bit to it's cutting ability. Remember the Micarta is grippy and if stuff hits the fan and things get wet, the Micarta will stick to your hand. Mud, blood and grease should rinse right off the Micarta one. I'm not sure it wouldn't stain the wood. Despite stabilization natural materials like wood and ivory don't do as well in environmnents that have extremes in temperature and/or humidity levels. Also if sand is everywhere there like my friends say it is (they even find it in their underwear), the polished blade of the wood inlay will show the scratches way more readily. But again it depends on what you will be doing in Iraq and what you anticipate doing with the knife. I you sit at a desk, the wood inlay will be fine. But if you're in the line of fire, a front line type of guy, go large Micarta serrated all the way. Micarta thrives in hostile enironments. Good luck. :)
 
USAFSP...Not to get too far off the subject, but if you need a decent sized fixed blade let me know. I have a fixed blade Okuden I never use and I am more than willing to let you take it over there with you. 6.5 inch blade, about 12 overall, excellent Okuden kydex with large tekloc.
 
Thanks for the offer MadDaddy, but I am just gonna bring a folder. I found during my last tour in Iraq that a fixed blade is not needed. I had a Strider that I never used. My Cold Steel folder saw use every day though. I am just going to go with a plain sebbie so when I get home I can just send it back to be re-blasted. I also think that since I am going to start a Sebbie collection I should at least have a plain. So I ordered a plain small classic from Knifecenter.com. It would be perfect anyway because the military are weird about non-issued knives going through to a combat zone. Since the Small Classic has a 2.95" blade I won't have any troubles. ;)
 
No wrong choices.....they're all CRK's after all!!!!:D

Just got word my civilian son is back in the Mid-East for a shorter-than-some-previous stint of govt. service.

Take care, stay safe and bring us back some Sebbie tales!!:cool:
 
Thanks man. I am going to get some really good use out of this knife. I am going to do Convoy/Detainee ops, so I am sure I will have to do quite a bit of fighting, medical/lifesaving and other chores. Can you belive they put Gerber Gators with the cheap steel in our ruck sacks? :thumbdn: :mad: It would be great if everyone had a good knife to take. I just sold 4 of my cheaper production knives to get the money for the classic I ordered. I know a knife isn't everything, but without a really good one in your pocket you will suffer for sure. The USAF issues me an M-4 with a laser optical scope from aimpoint, ceramic armor, and a MSA Gallet helmet, but then cuts corners by issuing a Gerber Gator. Un-friggin' real. I don't cut corners. That is why I chose a Sebenza.
 
Good choice on the knife. Send it in to CRK when you get back, and they'll tune it up nicely.

One thing. Take some lube and the allen wrench with you. CRK's lube is very good, but Militec will work too. Should be some Militec around somewhere over there . . . . The Sebbie has some pretty fine tolerances in the hinge / washer area, and the damned sand is so small and fine that it gets into everything. Tear that bad boy down once in a while, clean it out, and lube it up.

I'm retired AF. My war was Gulf War I. Come home safely. We'll be waiting to hear from you.
 
Thanks bro. I have plenty of Militec. The Company HQ is by the base I am assigned to (Andrews) and they gave us 4 cases of bottle for our guys. I have 3 12oz bottles so I will take one. ;)
 
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