HELP...Which inlay to choose?!?!

Shadow449

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Mar 2, 2013
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So, since it seems that every inlay I'm interested in is discontinued and most people, understandably, don't want to part with these exclusive beauties I'm forced to expand my search. Right now I'm trying to decide between snakewood and cocobolo but I'm open to suggestions. Please respond with a vote or other suggestions. Problem is some of the stock photos don't accuratly represent the character of each wood so feel free to sway my decision with photos.
 
It's really, really exceptionally difficult to go wrong ;)

I find that cocobolo looks much richer in the flesh than in pictures and is one of my favorites.

Snakewood is also beautiful but looks a bit busy for my taste. It looks a little less natural although I know that's ironic. Perhaps it would be more apt to say it looks less like what I expect wood grain to look like.

Choosing only from the options currently available: For a damascus blade I'd go either cocobolo or ebony. For plain blade I'd go box elder, cocobolo, snakewood or bocote. All listed in order of preference.

Disclaimer: The only wood inlay CRK I've actually owned and used is a Box Elder Mnandi, others I've only handled for a short time.

The next wood inlay knife I buy will be a Cocobolo CRK, although I prefer micarta inlay and the bead blasted finish in general.
 
It's really, really exceptionally difficult to go wrong ;)

I find that cocobolo looks much richer in the flesh than in pictures and is one of my favorites.

Snakewood is also beautiful but looks a bit busy for my taste. It looks a little less natural although I know that's ironic. Perhaps it would be more apt to say it looks less like what I expect wood grain to look like.

Choosing only from the options currently available: For a damascus blade I'd go either cocobolo or ebony. For plain blade I'd go box elder, cocobolo, snakewood or bocote. All listed in order of preference.

Disclaimer: The only wood inlay CRK I've actually owned and used is a Box Elder Mnandi, others I've only handled for a short time.

The next wood inlay knife I buy will be a Cocobolo CRK, although I prefer micarta inlay and the bead blasted finish in general.

I considered micarta briefly but this one's gotta be a wood inlay. I used to own a macassar ebony but sold it and regret it immensely, hence my current conundrum. Bocote was another i considered but again, stock photos can be misleading, IMO. I agree with your opinoin of snakewood, it is rather busy and the pattern does seem less natural than others. Thanks for your input!
 
I don't care for the very light colored box elder but love mine



I really like nicely grained cocobolo but would only buy it if I saw it first. They vary a lot.
 
My favorites were the Box Elder and the Lignum Vitae. The LV one was really sharp, it almost had like a feather quality in the grain with multiple colors ranging from greens to golds and browns. Very cool
 
There are dealers that show every knife they sell, so you can pick the one you like the best. Also, those that usestock photoswill sometime send the picture of the specific knife they have. Buying natural material online is tough.b
 
African Blackwood, Snakewood, Bloodwood, Gabon Ebony, Cocobolo, Bocote, Box Elder...... You have choices that are readily available.
 
I picked up a very nice Large Snakewood Classic XX a few days ago from a very nice coworker..I could barely tell the difference between the Snakewood and the Cocobolo, which he offered me as well. So, yes,..seeing them pics is great if you can get them :)

Also traded into a nice Box Elder Mnandi,..but that deal isn't done until USPS gets the lead out and delivers my trade.
 
African Blackwood, Snakewood, Bloodwood, Gabon Ebony, Cocobolo, Bocote, Box Elder...... You have choices that are readily available.

That's my problem. All these great looking options and not enough cash to get em all!!!
 
I ordered a darker color Cocobolo Large a day ago. Out of all of the inlays, it is my favorite. A close second would be Box Elder.

I am pretty sure they are a paid dealer, but have you tried buying from KnivesShipFree? They have all of their Sebenzas listed separately, so you can choose the grain and color of the inlays that you like the best from their stock.
For example, I didn't know cocobolo was dark brown and could go all of the way to a lighter orange. Tripped me out when I saw it, but I'm glad I had the option to choose the inlays with the nicest looking grain for me. :D
 
I ordered a darker color Cocobolo Large a day ago. Out of all of the inlays, it is my favorite. A close second would be Box Elder.

I am pretty sure they are a paid dealer, but have you tried buying from KnivesShipFree? They have all of their Sebenzas listed separately, so you can choose the grain and color of the inlays that you like the best from their stock.
For example, I didn't know cocobolo was dark brown and could go all of the way to a lighter orange. Tripped me out when I saw it, but I'm glad I had the option to choose the inlays with the nicest looking grain for me. :D

That was my concern with cocobolo. I like the darker version and if I ended up with an orangish color I'd be bummed. KnivesShipFree was one of the dealers I was considering. Good to hear you were happy with them. I sent them an e-mail yesterday inquiring about the photos they use on their web site... If they were "stock" photos or the actual knife that would be shipped. Guess you just answered that question for me. Thanks.
 
I ordered a darker color Cocobolo Large a day ago. Out of all of the inlays, it is my favorite. A close second would be Box Elder.

I am pretty sure they are a paid dealer, but have you tried buying from KnivesShipFree? They have all of their Sebenzas listed separately, so you can choose the grain and color of the inlays that you like the best from their stock.
For example, I didn't know cocobolo was dark brown and could go all of the way to a lighter orange. Tripped me out when I saw it, but I'm glad I had the option to choose the inlays with the nicest looking grain for me. :D

Not to get off topic but I just noticed you are from Springfield. I was born there, and spent the first 43 years of my life there.... :cool:
 
I really like the dark wood like the gabon inlay bc it goes well with anything (I'm kind of a visual guy) and the gold accents just makes it classy
 
I personally like woods with alot of grain. Plain woods like african blackwood, gabon ebony, bloodwood usually dont interest me, but there are exceptions as some of these woods have some light streaks that give them character. My personal favorite has always been Bocote, but that too can be plain and look like oak, or highly figured as to where it almost looks like mammoth. Cocobolo can be nice as well. Pretty much what it comes down to is if a particular wood or specific inlay calls out to you.
 
There is a killer large Bloodwood on "Only Fine Knives" RIGHT NOW with your name all over it. Go get em.


So, since it seems that every inlay I'm interested in is discontinued and most people, understandably, don't want to part with these exclusive beauties I'm forced to expand my search. Right now I'm trying to decide between snakewood and cocobolo but I'm open to suggestions. Please respond with a vote or other suggestions. Problem is some of the stock photos don't accuratly represent the character of each wood so feel free to sway my decision with photos.
 
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