Just got my first Chris Reeve Knife - Stars & Stripes

The parallels do make a lot of sense. First and foremost, my sebenza is for cutting. Just like my omega speedmaster is for telling time. I will be the first to admit that both are simply luxury items. There are very few cutting tasks I've ever faced off with that my $20 dozier couldn't handle. But my dozier isn't the greatest production knife out there. I can't sit and admire the simple but important attention to details. Will the sebenza last longer than the dozier? Sure. But I could have simply bought 15 doziers that would likely last more than a lifetime. Same thing between my speedmaster and a g-shock. There are few things in the world that show a human's desire for luxury than a high end watch. My speedmaster will cost me roughly $100 every year I own it just to keep it running. I could buy 2 g-shocks a year with that alone. If I dropped my speedmaster on a hard surface theres probably a 75% chance it's going to break. I could throw my g-shock around all day and it's highly unlikely it will ever see more than minor scuffs. With both the knife and the watch I payed the extra money simply for the extra enjoyment I get from them.
 
RJ--take the time to read the stickies in this forum and go to the CRK website to learn more. In particular, the CRK website has detailed instructions on how to take apart and reassemble your knife.

Sebenzas often have a somewhat stiff action when new. They break in after a while. Some people polish the washers to speed the process.

You might also want to get a copy of the CRK DVD.

Also, you've now expressed your first imressions. I've found that I came to appreciate my Sebenzas more after using them for several years. I suggest you use your over a period of at least six months, and then come back and share your views on how it performed for you. In addition, take it apart and reassemble it at least once. The process drives home the simplicity of the design and the way it fits back together will give you a better feel for the close tolerences.
 
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Congrats on a great find! That's my favorite CGG.

Here's a unique graphic, before the Stars and Stripes CGG was developed and offered.

P30_stars_n_stripes.jpg
 
Thought I'd report back after last evening's experience.

I disassemble the knife last night (it was quite clean) and applied some Militec oil to both sides of the blade, on the outside of the washers (friction point) and reassembled it. It made absolutely zero bit of improvement.

Based on some other posts I've read, it would seem that this knife needs considerable "working in" to make the action smoother, but that it's not likely to ever be as smooth and fast as my Bradley Alias II. I've also noticed that the thumb studs are smaller and pointier, and that there isn't any sort of a thumb ramp on the handle like on the Alias II either.

I'm going to try to work with it more, and do some soul searching about what's important to me. Aesthetically, I like the Stars & Stripes better. But as it stands, I'd reach over to use my Alias II every time.
 
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I've found that, over time, the ball detent wears a mirror-like path on the side of the blade that it interfaces on.

Enough open/close cycles and the Sebenza becomes extremely smooth.

I'd also like to point out that heat-treating the lock-bar face is like using synthetic ruby or sapphire for gear interfaces in watches--it virtually eliminates the possibility of significant wear. You won't find that on the Alias or Sage 2.
 
the alias definitely has "ease of use" with its smooth opening. i hated opening my sebenza.
 
Rolex John said:
t's not likely to ever be as smooth and fast as my Bradley Alias II.
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I wouldn't assume that. My broken in Sebs are among the smoothest knives I own, and they were quite stiff when new. So I'd either give it time, or search this forum for the ways others have worked on the washers (fine steel wool, etc.) to speed up the break in period.
 
Well, my poor thumb quivers at the notion of a couple of hundred opening cycles....but I'll give it a try. :o
 
I just posted my review of my Stars & Stripes (with photos and video) over in the Knife Reviews Forum. Head on over if you're interested.
 
Nice sebenza, the Stars & Stripes has long been one of my favoite CRK Designs. I prefer this US Flag version over the other version made. Maybe someday I will come across one, havent been looking as of late. Prefer the large over the small, but thats just me. As for the sebenza itself, you will not find a better folder ( other than maybe the umnumzaan ). I have tried many of the high end folders out there such as CRK of course, Strider, Hinderer, etc. I keep coming back to CRK. Some of the others are nice and of sweet design, but its CRK all the way for me.
 
Guess it didn't make the grade... :p

Rolex John said:
Up for sales is this Chris Reeve small Sebenza unique graphic model called "Stars and Stripes":

sebenza1.jpg


sebenza2.jpg


This one looks to be a "safe queen" - I have not used the blade and it appears to still have a factory grind on it.

With the knife I have the box, leather sheath, and the lanyard (removed from knife) as well as the certificate pictured above.

PRICE: $375.00 with PayPal gift option, plus your choice of shipping. Please email me a john@jbhenterprises.net for fastest response.
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So we are to understand he didn't even use the knife while evaluating it?
 
Guess he didnt like how it opened and closed lol.. The irony of this entire thread created by a guy who collects rolexes is rich.
 
Takes some longer than others to figure out or realize that they will be back to the Sebenza sooner or later :D. Rolex John just needs to fiddle and dabble for a while longer until he figures it out. The more he does, the sooner he will realize why the Sebenza is THE standard to which all other folders are compared.

I, too, find it ironic that someone who is into "Rolexes" or super expensive watches fails to see the craftsmanship and tolerances in the Sebenza. I don't know, maybe I am missing something?

Good luck with the search John :thumbup:
 
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