How To Just "broke-in" my new small Sebenza + thumbstud mod

[Jake Bluetile]

Hi all,

I did not much like the abrasive stock finish on the scales, and wanted to polish the washers anyway, so I took the knife apart and wet-sanded the scales with 2000 grit sandpaper. I went lightly and slowly–took about an hour. I *only" sanded the outside of the scales so as not to change the internal dimensions in any way. The knife ended up looking like it had a couple of years of pocket time. Looks pretty natural, I'd say. Not the kind of thing I would do if I liked the finish in the first place, but I think it worked out pretty well. I used the 2000 grit sandpaper to polish the washers too, and that made the knife open much more smoothly.

Update:
After having the knife about a week, it became clear that the thumbstud was poorly designed-way too pointy. So out came the Dremel tool today, and the knife is a whole lot better now. Going to do the final smoothing and sanding of the thumbstud tomorrow when the light is better.

 

[aquaman67]

Gutsy... but I like it.

I took the black coating off a Benchmade 720 with a media blaster. I'm sure most people will think I ruined the knife but I like it. And if it's your knife and you like it - that's all that matters.

 

[Jake Bluetile]

Glad you like it. Yeah, no safe queens for me! To me they are all users, even a Sebenza (which I sold half of my collection to buy). Also, the minute I picked up the small Sebenza, I knew it was mine for life. It is definitely a keeper. Fits me perfectly, and OMG the simplicity and quality is amazing.

Good for you on the Benchmade. Got pix?

Gutsy... but I like it.

I took the black coating off a Benchmade 720 with a media blaster. I'm sure most people will think I ruined the knife but I like it. And if it's your knife and you like it - that's all that matters.

 

[aleforme]

I like it. I used a green Scotch Brite pad on my Kizer Tuff which had a similar look at the plain CRK. It came out with a shinier metallic look.

 

[Jake Bluetile]

Yep, green Scotch Brite is good stuff. It is awesome for cleaning up brushed steel! I have a stainless watch band that I hit with the Scotch Brite dremel bit once a year or so. Makes it look like new.

This Sebenza has been a learning experience. It has a lot of lock bar tension. Hard to open...until I figured out that the pocket clip adds to the lock bar tension *big time*. Once I bent the clip back a bit to reduce it's force, the knife opened like butter. Now the clip touches the knife when it is closed, but there is maybe .5 mm space between the clip and lock bar when open. This is a good way to judge adjustment. Now I know why CR angled the clip on the new Inkosi (Sebenza V2). He did it to get the tension off of the lock bar.

I like it. I used a green Scotch Brite pad on my Kizer Tuff which had a similar look at the plain CRK. It came out with a shinier metallic look.

 

[BellaBlades]

Years ago I did that to a sebenza with an oxy treatment and greatly regretted it. Makes the handles way too slick imo. Looks great though.
Just be aware most guys I know that have done this, wish they didnt.

 

[Jake Bluetile]

Only way I will regret it is if I have to sell it, I'm sure; I have a skin condition on my hands. Basically there is just one layer, and any kind of abrasive surface is a no-go. It's kind of funny. I don't really have fingerprints. They are more like smudges.

Years ago I did that to a sebenza with an oxy treatment and greatly regretted it. Makes the handles way too slick imo. Looks great though.
Just be aware most guys I know that have done this, wish they didnt.