Inlay Adhesive Resilience

Just don't submerge it in solvents and you should be OK.

 

The product is 3M VHB. You can do some Googling on it. Interesting product

 

I wonder about the effect of paint thinner or other solvents on the adhesive. I don't know how to check that other than by contacting 3M. Even if it can't easily get under the inlay, over time with repeated application it might.

 

The 3M tape CRK uses is the best of the best. I used it for years at another job. I used some to attach molding trim to a vehicle. It was still on there 10+ years later and never came off. The vehicle was never garage kept and was out in the elements all that time and never washed. ( wasn’t my vehicle....lol. ). But it’s good stuff. I would stick to the least evasive cleaner.

 

I've used it as well in manufacturing. Worst case. Epoxy would be a permanent fix.

 

People are sometime too paranoid about Sebenzas. My Micarta 21 stayed soaking wet for two weeks on a camping trip. I wash it in the sink, and use windex on it if the inlays need cleaning. No problems. Water does not affect the VHB tape. I would not leave the knife sitting in paint thinner, but water is no issue.

Chris Reeve designed threes knives to work (hence the name). People treat them as more precious than they are.

For sure, if you have a nice graphic or a wood or mammoth inlay you treasure, keep it in a velvet-lined safe, and that’s fine. But a plain-Jane or Micarta inlayed Sebenza is meant to be rough handled. I heap a good amount of use/abuse on my wood inlayed CRK knives as well and also no issue, though the wood does dent and scratch more easily than the Micarta, which is basically bulletproof.

 

I've replaced several sets of inlays when I used to do service work. Nothing works better than a heat gun and the tip of an xacto blade to lift out the inlay. You should not have any issue lightly using mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to get gummy residue off your knife

 

I don't think the OP wants his inlays to come off..

 

I realize that. I phrased my reply to say that occasional cleaning with solvents will not affect the adhesive tape.

 

Ah, I misread, gotcha!

 

What do you do that requires industrial solvents? I use my knives for most things. But most of the time studies show dish soap and water is about as good as it gets. Then alcohol for surface cleaning.


Otherwise I'd Reccomend NO inlays.

 

Tim told me as long as I don't constantly submerge it in acetone it'll be fine

 

Is your avatar Burt Reynolds in a Batman suit?

 

They didn't "need" to be replaced: The owners wanted different material/

WD-40 or Goof-Off is a pretty decent choice for removing most crude without disrupting the 3M adhesive tape. Denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner are better for dried paint. If you use solvents, apply to a rag and wipe till crude is off. Do not submerge knife handles in a container of solvent.