New Sebenza lover

[cpirtle]

I got my first large Classic with G2 sheath a while ago.

Now for the question -- I would like to add a CRK fixed blade to the mix to act as a hard use camping, hiking and general outdoors knife. I like my fixed blades to have a blade in the 3-4" range. Does or did CRK make a fixed bade like this that I should be keeping my eye out for?

I'm not on top of the fixed blades like I am the folders because they're not my passion. I own 1/10th the amount of fixed as I do folders. My current hard use fixed is a Fallkniven F1.

Does CRK make a fixed in the BG42? From my experience with it so far it's proven to have great qualities!

Any and all info is appreciated!

 

[bandaidman]

Sebenzas are nice!

No BG 42 fixed blade although 3V has been hinted at.

Reeve makes several nice 4" fixed blades although they all have 4" handles (little small for me, you might want to handle one before you buy it). The blades themselves are great and are made from A2.

I've heard that BG 42 is tough to heat treat especially with longer blades. Is this true?

 

[Will.223]

I've heard so much about the new Umfaan decoration that I'm like a fish on a hook. (Ya hear that, Mike?) But then it's going to be an Aviator, fixed blade. Take a look. It may fill your bill.

Will

 

[Paul Work]

And I thought I had it bad!

Paul

 

[Chris Reeve Knives]

As good a steel as BG42 is for the folding knife blades, it is not the ideal material for one of our fixed blades. It would rocket the price because the price per lb. is quite a bit higher and it also requires different machining techniques, but mostly, it does not have the shock absorbancy that Chris feels is vital for a larger knife. The larger the knife, the more shock absorbancy it needs simply because you have a larger tool to wield. You can't chop a tree limb with a Sebenza but you can with a fixed blade - that chopping action requires shock absorbancy. The composition of A2 is far more appropriate for that kind of work.

Difficulty of heat treatment is not a contributing factor to why we don't use BG42 for the fixed blades.

Anne

 

[Ken C.]

If you are planning on using a knife for hard use during camping and hiking I would suggest you go with something in the 5" bladed range. The smaller blades are great knives, I just don't think that they would chop anything you need to chop or be all that effective for "hard use". If you go with a 4" knife, you might as well carry a folder. I would recommend you look at the Mk VI or the Mountaineer I for such a knife.

Here is my Mk VI...I always have it with me when hiking, camping, hunting or whenever I venture "outdoors". This knife has never failed me, it has always performed as asked and then some. I have sharpened it once in the 4 years that I have put it through its paces. Good luck on your search.

 

[Bugs3x]

Hey, Remster. Nice pic of your knife. Looks like an ad for CRK sales.

I've kind of wondered how the finish on the 1-piecers holds up. Could you possibly provide a bit more detail in the tasks for which you've used your knife in the 4 years of ownership? WOuld appreciate that.

Thank in advance,

 

[Ken C.]

Bugs,

No problem my man. Like I said, I've had it for 4 years and have used it many times in the camp kitchen cutting up veggies and meat and chopping wood for the fire. The finish has held up through the chopping and has never "worn through" like it has on knives I've had with lesser quality coatings. The edge has held up remarkably well through all of it. The only time I needed to sharpen was when I hit a rock embedded in a log I was chopping up for kindling. A few passes on the old Sharpmaker and it was hair popping sharp once again.

I have used it field dress pheasant many times and gutted a few deer with ease. Snap cuts into bone took one, at the most two, good blows to cut it cleanly. Never needed to sharpen it afterwards. Though I truly believe that one should use the right tool for the job, such as a camp axe for chopping wood and a saw for the bone cutting, I would not hesitate to use the Mk VI again if I am without these items. I have also used it to hammer in tent pegs, and have sustained a few dings in the aluminum butt cap, but other than that the finish is perfect just as when I bought it.