My New Sebenza + Question About Spa Treatment for Wood Inlaid Models

[Ajax Ademaro]

Hi guys,

This is a two part thread. One, I just wanted to share with you my most recent acquisition that I was lucky enough to score on the exchange. It's a large sebenza with Lignum inlays. Ever since I first saw an lignum inlaid Sebenza I knew I had to have one. Something about the extreme properties of the wood and it's history of use just called to me. So when this knife showed up on the exchange, pre "Idaho Made" and all, I just knew I had to have it.







So this morning I called into CRK to place an order for a Damascus blade for my new sebenza (which I was told was up to a 9 month wait... yikes). During my conversation with Angela I asked her about what a spa treatment for an wood inlaid sebenza entailed. She advised me that unlike the blasted sebenzas, which they will reblast no charge, they do not offer a polishing or refurbishing treatment for wood inlaid sebenzas. She basically said that they would clean them but that's about it. This kinda took my by surprise, as to my knowledge CRK would refurbish any of their knives. I was really hoping to make this knife my new EDC but am now hesitant knowing that I wouldn't be able to get it refurbished should anything happen to it. I am hoping someone with experience can speak up in this thread and advise me if they ever had a wood inlaid sebenza refurbished by CRK. I'm hoping this was just a misunderstanding on my part.

Cheers,

Kyle

 

[MVG]

It is my understanding that inlaid handles can not be refurbished. I imagine the only way to properly refinish the inlaid handle would be to remove the inlays first. That would
most certainly damage the original inlays.

The blade on an inlaid Sebenza can be refinished and sharpened by CRK. Also the lockup and blade alignment can be adjusted if needed.

I have sent in UG and CG Sebenzas and they were able to refinish the handles.

Congrats on your Sebenza...that is one of my favorite woods.


Mike

 

[Ajax Ademaro]

Thanks for the reply Mike. That's pretty much the answer Angela gave me as well. I can say that I'm slightly disappointed by the news but not overly surprised. Either way, I'll still carry it, but now more then likely in a CRK pouch. I have never been overly sensitive when it comes to a marked up knife as it generally adds character. I have been waiting a long time to find this particular combo and wouldn't feel right just safe queening it.

 

[machine26]

That sucks, was hoping to get my inlaid spa treatment sometime. CRK sheath button scratches up your knife when removing and inserting it, so keep that in mind if you plan on using one. I just use the slip sheath now.

 

[Ajax Ademaro]

That sucks, was hoping to get my inlaid spa treatment sometime. CRK sheath button scratches up your knife when removing and inserting it, so keep that in mind if you plan on using one. I just use the slip sheath now.

Thanks for the heads up. Ya I meant the CRK sheath as well. I live in an urban city where wearing a knife on your belt generally is frowned upon.

 

[bamahabir]

What exactly are your concerns? And how hard are you going to be using your knife?

If its just regular stuff like cutting boxes, or food prep then as long as you take care of it, you should be fine.

 

[Rosh]

Too bad to hear that !

I have a small Classic MM Sebenza with wonderful African Black Wood... Has been my EDC for more than 3 years and I was thinking of sending to the SPA eventually...

That being said... It has ride clipped in my pocket, with keys and coins and other stuff; and on all honesty is not that badly scratched at all (I guess the wood catches, stops most of the grind). Just a few scuffs here and there, and some worn marks on the clip.

Sebenzas could be viewed as jewelry on their own right... but they are actually made for real work.... use yours by all means and never regret to have a knife with some "character" marks.

--- Regards.

 

[Ken44]

Congrats on your new Sebenza!

It is my understanding that inlaid handles can not be refurbished.

It can be on the Micarta versions.

 

[Ajax Ademaro]

Congrats on your new Sebenza!



It can be on the Micarta versions.

I had my small micarta reblasted a few years ago. They blasted right over the micarta. The knife looked brand new when I got it back. Definitely the most utilitarian sebenza in my opinion.

 

[MVG]

I had my small micarta reblasted a few years ago. They blasted right over the micarta. The knife looked brand new when I got it back. Definitely the most utilitarian sebenza in my opinion.

That's good to know the micarta can stand up to blasting.

 

[red mag]

If you are concerned about a sheath button scratching up you knife handle, why don't you try and glue a circle shaped piece of felt on the inside of the sheath.
Such should be avaliable at your local hardware store.
Another option is to carry a cordura sheath.
That's what I do; removed the clip fom my large Sebenza and carry it in a slim cordura sheath.
Hope this helps.
red mag

 

[Ajax Ademaro]

If you are concerned about a sheath button scratching up you knife handle, why don't you try and glue a circle shaped piece of felt on the inside of the sheath.
Such should be avaliable at your local hardware store.
Another option is to carry a cordura sheath.
That's what I do; removed the clip fom my large Sebenza and carry it in a slim cordura sheath.
Hope this helps.
red mag

I'll check out condura sheath as an option. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mario Jones]

Hi guys,

This is a two part thread. One, I just wanted to share with you my most recent acquisition that I was lucky enough to score on the exchange. It's a large sebenza with Lignum inlays. Ever since I first saw an lignum inlaid Sebenza I knew I had to have one. Something about the extreme properties of the wood and it's history of use just called to me. So when this knife showed up on the exchange, pre "Idaho Made" and all, I just knew I had to have it.

View attachment 319159

View attachment 319160

View attachment 319161

So this morning I called into CRK to place an order for a Damascus blade for my new sebenza (which I was told was up to a 9 month wait... yikes). During my conversation with Angela I asked her about what a spa treatment for an wood inlaid sebenza entailed. She advised me that unlike the blasted sebenzas, which they will reblast no charge, they do not offer a polishing or refurbishing treatment for wood inlaid sebenzas. She basically said that they would clean them but that's about it. This kinda took my by surprise, as to my knowledge CRK would refurbish any of their knives. I was really hoping to make this knife my new EDC but am now hesitant knowing that I wouldn't be able to get it refurbished should anything happen to it. I am hoping someone with experience can speak up in this thread and advise me if they ever had a wood inlaid sebenza refurbished by CRK. I'm hoping this was just a misunderstanding on my part.

Cheers,

Kyle

Oh My Goodness... This is exactly what I just found out Myself. The guy even told me from Chris Reeve that I should get a Benchmade if I need a Knife to EDC in rougher environments to avoid scuffing my shinny titanium base or Macassar Ebony inlays because they won't do anything but clean my kind of Sebenza up. So buyer beware.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Oh My Goodness... This is exactly what I just found out Myself. The guy even told me from Chris Reeve that I should get a Benchmade if I need a Knife to EDC in rougher environments to avoid scuffing my shinny titanium base or Macassar Ebony inlays because they won't do anything but clean my kind of Sebenza up. So buyer beware.

EDC it and learn to enjoy it's battle scars. They can keep it in working order for you(tune and replace needed parts), just not show room pretty. I don't know what the Benchmade comment was about-maybe he liked benchmade knives. The PJ and micarta inlay can be refurbished, so they make a good choice, if scratches both you. They can also do a lot with the UG & CGG's to bring them back.
But IMO a little wear just shows you love and use your knife-not a bad thing for an EDC

 

[Bandaids or stitches]

Like Peter, I like a little wear. Here are a couple of my grandpas well used knives with a CRK that I use...I wouldn’t think of refurbishing them.

-Sean-

 

[Lapedog]

Hi guys,

This is a two part thread. One, I just wanted to share with you my most recent acquisition that I was lucky enough to score on the exchange. It's a large sebenza with Lignum inlays. Ever since I first saw an lignum inlaid Sebenza I knew I had to have one. Something about the extreme properties of the wood and it's history of use just called to me. So when this knife showed up on the exchange, pre "Idaho Made" and all, I just knew I had to have it.

View attachment 319159

View attachment 319160

View attachment 319161

So this morning I called into CRK to place an order for a Damascus blade for my new sebenza (which I was told was up to a 9 month wait... yikes). During my conversation with Angela I asked her about what a spa treatment for an wood inlaid sebenza entailed. She advised me that unlike the blasted sebenzas, which they will reblast no charge, they do not offer a polishing or refurbishing treatment for wood inlaid sebenzas. She basically said that they would clean them but that's about it. This kinda took my by surprise, as to my knowledge CRK would refurbish any of their knives. I was really hoping to make this knife my new EDC but am now hesitant knowing that I wouldn't be able to get it refurbished should anything happen to it. I am hoping someone with experience can speak up in this thread and advise me if they ever had a wood inlaid sebenza refurbished by CRK. I'm hoping this was just a misunderstanding on my part.

Cheers,

Kyle

It is my understanding that inlaid handles can not be refurbished. I imagine the only way to properly refinish the inlaid handle would be to remove the inlays first. That would
most certainly damage the original inlays.

The blade on an inlaid Sebenza can be refinished and sharpened by CRK. Also the lockup and blade alignment can be adjusted if needed.

I have sent in UG and CG Sebenzas and they were able to refinish the handles.

Congrats on your Sebenza...that is one of my favorite woods.


Mike

I believe it is only the wood inlay models they will not refinish. Blasted inlay models like the micarta inlays they do refinish.

If I remember correctly it has to do with the fact that the wood inlays may crack when they pull them out and also unlike the blasted models they can’t just throw them in to be blasted in order to get the finish like new.

If you are buying a wood inlay Sebenza as an investment then I can see why one would want to keep it pristine. However if you are buying the knife as an edc its up to the owner whether or not they want to put wear on it.

Imho a sebenza with wear on it looks great!

 

[Mario Jones]

EDC it and learn to enjoy it's battle scars. They can keep it in working order for you(tune and replace needed parts), just not show room pretty. I don't know what the Benchmade comment was about-maybe he liked benchmade knives. The PJ and micarta inlay can be refurbished, so they make a good choice, if scratches both you. They can also do a lot with the UG & CGG's to bring them back.
But IMO a little wear just shows you love and use your knife-not a bad thing for an EDC

Thanks but no thanks. I am returning my Sebenza Macassar Ebony Inlay. I didn't buy this knife to not EDC it. And I didn't buy my knife to carry around something that looks like it belongs in a scrap yard. Satan finshed titanium scratches easily and without the option for spa treatment, you just guarantee yourself a very poor looking $550 knife if you EDC it. I will have to seek out a different kind of Chris Reeve knife or just do what Chris reeve rep told me to do... Buy a benchmade.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Thanks but no thanks. I am returning my Sebenza Macassar Ebony Inlay. I didn't buy this knife to not EDC it. And I didn't buy my knife to carry around something that looks like it belongs in a scrap yard. Satan finshed titanium scratches easily and without the option for spa treatment, you just guarantee yourself a very poor looking $550 knife if you EDC it. I will have to seek out a different kind of Chris Reeve knife or just do what Chris reeve rep told me to do... Buy a benchmade.

The others will show wear also. They can be refurbished, but the wear will be there between refurbishings. The wood inlay will not be that scratched up(very fine scratches) if you keep it separated from other items in your pocket or use the leather sleeve.
Just trying to give you the info-your knife, your decision.

 

[bhyde]

I don't know..sounds like buying a car and not expecting the paint to chip or the underbody to rust with usage. CRK does the "spa" treatment for a nominal cost but there has to be limitations.
Woods are often a very personal preference in regards to inlays and I wouldn't expect them to bring something like that back to new looking.

Consider this- How would you propose they make a wood inlaid knife look new? The inlays are taped into a shallow pocket with VHB tape- The wood typically will have to come out in pieces to lap the scales to that satin finish IF they can get all the dings, scratches out.
A laborious process for what they charge for spa treatment these days and that says nothing about having to replace the wood inlays that will likely be destroyed on removal.
After all this has been said, name one maker or manufacturer that would even attempt to make their knives look new with those options at a higher cost even.

For what it's worth, I have a bunch of these knives but do not own any wood inlays currently..I realized long ago that they are something to collect for me but never something I would personally want to see the wear on.
Have owned them, just sold or traded them off. My users are either plain scales or Micarta inlays which can be reblasted.

 

[willard0341]

I’ve carried this one on and off for 4 years. It’s been baptized in the gulf, Kentucky lake and rend lake in Illinois. I’ve not beat slag off a weld or cantilevered beer bottle caps with it. Used it to cut stuff. I purchased the knife used off the exchange the gentleman told me it was the smoothest sebenza he’d ever had... when I received it the pivot screw was backed half way out. When I tightened it down the blade was froze haha. Gotta love the exchange, former jarhead out of all people.