I know Sebenza blades are not swappable etc etc, but i can't resist.

pj551016

pj551016

Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
287
well, the pics will tell the story.
Basically, i got a double lug large sebenza insingo from my bud Markous *Thank you Markous*, and i decided to swap the blades of the insingo with my large micarta sebbie. So now i have two sebbies
one is micarta handle double lug large sebenza insingo, and the other one is plain jane large sebbie, both with MISNAMED birth certificate and MISNAMED box

Attention: Chris Reeve Knives stated that Sebenza blades are not swappable, so please don't try this at home.

09102010653.jpg

09102010654.jpg

09102010655.jpg

09102010656.jpg

09102010657.jpg

09102010658.jpg

09102010659.jpg
 
That combo looks hott!!!!!! I can't wait until the insingo becomes part of the regular CRK line up. 2011 will be an interesting year!
 
Couldn't you send the Insigno in and have them inlay it? Or make a set of scales with inlays?
 
Josh K said:
Couldn't you send the Insigno in and have them inlay it? Or make a set of scales with inlays?
Click to expand...

it costs more $$ to send it back and have everything i want installed than to simply swap it. besides, i have the Canadian Customs to deal with if i want to send it back, not to mention the wait.
 
Gravelface said:
So what are the faults in swapping the blade?

Does it still lock up fine?
Click to expand...


shouldn't be too much of a problem.

but each knife is hand fitted, so theoritically, the tolerances wont be the same if the blades are swapped.

i can say that blades cannot be swapped with a 21 and a regular.
 
Yup it still looks as good as the first time you showed me the pictures :cool::thumbup:

Glad i could help PJ :)
 
Looks great, I have a few I am looking to do similar swaps with, and was wondering if there would be any drawbacks?

From what I understand, you can readily swap the plain ti-side but keep the look and blade side together; However, things can get complicated if you swap the blade on a new lock-side?

Glad it worked out for you!
 
Awsome Combo, I cant wait for the insingo to become regular production in 2011. Then hopefully, CRK will come out with this micarta/insingo combination. Looks like the ultimate EDC.

I have tried to switch blades with different sebenzas, but it never worked on any of mine. The lock was either loose or the lockbar would not engage at all. Mine were all regulars, maybe people have better luck with the 21's.
 
I suspect, but cannot prove :rolleyes:, that manufacturing and machine finishing tolerances at CR have continued to improve over time. This would mean that, even unintentionally, the blades on recent Sebenzas may be more likely to be "swappable" than older models between knives. It is still true however that each knife is inspected by hand multiple times before it is shipped out, and final fittings and finishes are completed individually by hand. The lock-up on each knife is calibrated to fall in a certain range of travel for the locking tab, and when blades are swapped on any Sebenza model, it throws all that out the window.

As an aftermarket knife junkie, I'd like to implore all CR owners to NOT swap blades and pollute the aftermarket with hybridized knives. Of course, if you plan on keeping the knife forever and ever amen, then experiment to your heart's content.

Time for coffee.
 
Last edited:
I did not know that.

why are they not swap-able?

how does this work?

the blades are matched to scales, in particual the lock side?
 
ipm said:
I did not know that.

why are they not swap-able?

how does this work?

the blades are matched to scales, in particual the lock side?
Click to expand...

Although the tolerances of CR products are tight, they still need to be hand fitted to pick and match the blade/handle slabs to make sure that everything is within specs. Since there always exist slight variances from blades to blades, and from lockbars to lockbars.
 
MiG Angel said:
So you can buy an Insingo and send it to CRK to have them inlay micarta? Is this fact?
Click to expand...

I have no idea, call CRK and ask.

I can't think of a reason that they wouldn't. I know that they have made new scales (either plain, engraved, or inlaid) for other knives, why not the Insigno? You simple aren't able to get it inlaid from the get-go.
 
DallasSTB said:
I suspect, but cannot prove :rolleyes:, that manufacturing and machine finishing tolerances at CR have continued to improve over time. This would mean that, even unintentionally, the blades on recent Sebenzas may be more likely to be "swappable" than older models between knives. It is still true however that each knife is inspected by hand multiple times before it is shipped out, and final fittings and finishes are completed individually by hand. The lock-up on each knife is calibrated to fall in a certain range of travel for the locking tab, and when blades are swapped on any Sebenza model, it throws all that out the window.

As an aftermarket knife junkie, I'd like to implore all CR owners to NOT swap blades and pollute the aftermarket with hybridized knives. Of course, if you plan on keeping the knife forever and ever amen, then experiment to your heart's content.

Time for coffee.
Click to expand...

My esteemed colleague (a more sophisticated term than "junkie" :)) is correct. Even with the superb precision with which CRK manufactures their knives, if you do the lock tolerance analysis, custom adjustments on a knife-by-knife basis are required to guarantee the amazing lockup that we have all come to love. Do what you must with your knives while you own them, but PLEASE don't sell part-swapped knives . . .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top