Long Winded Neophyte Seeks Advice
First off, I am not a knife guy. I see how I could easily become one (but I'd probably end up an ill-informed dummy), but I am a retiree and simply can’t afford the compulsion. I do find joy and wonder when I’ve held friends prized knives at their beauty.
For me it’s all about holding it in my hand and the art and engineering have come together to just feel right.
But I really know next to nothing about knives.
As a young man I carried around a Buck folder on my hip. It came in handy, and I surely must’ve looked impressive being able to flick it open one handed. (save me from young people, including myself)
When I entered the work force in IT the Buck got retired to weekends. Then the armoire.
Years later I wanted a small EDC and picked up a Case Damascus Butter Bean. More decorative than anything else. But I could drop it in my suit pants and it opened envelopes and the occasional package. But I liked having it as a touchstone in my pocket. It felt right.
Later I needed something a little more functional. So a plain Al Mar Hawk Ultralight was just the thing. It actually saw good light service beyond the office.
Then came retirement and the inevitable gardening. A Benchmade Mini Barrage seemed just the ticket.
But I find that it is just a tad large and the assisted opening has surprised some family members. I am definitely a small EDC kinda guy.
So my grail is on order - a new Sebenza 21 Small clip point. Plain titanium but with a polished edge (it was available).
I finally come around to the point. At no time have I deluded myself into thinking I am more than fair free handing a stone and blade. I can get a nice edge, but definitely not of the calibre that is discussed on these forums nor is it even throughout the length of the blade.
I use a KME system on all my good kitchen knives and with patience I am able to maintain them to my satisfaction. Certainly NOT on a par with the razor edges discussed in the forums, but adequate for my family use around the kitchen. The KME helps me keep a fixed angle and to lightly work the stone around the blade. Good for a ham handed knucklehead like me. (I have peripheral neuropathies that affect my hands)
But since I can’t afford to collect EDC knives, and since I hope the Sebenza to be my EDC for the next years of my dotage I would like to know the best way to pragmatically maintain and sharpen the blade for everyday use.
It will see duty at my desk as well as the garden and maybe even the kitchen. It might also make it down to the creek with my granddaughter and a rod.
The appeal of the Sebenza is visceral and that it easily breaks down into 15 or so parts for maintenance.
With such a short blade, should could it be sharpened on the KME? If so would it be best to remove the blade for sharpening?
If not what are the best alternatives to a novice? I want to do the Sebenza justice and I do have patience if not skill.
I have a nephew who has been studying martial arts for 20 years and is an edged weapon fanatic. He’s at the point of making his own weapons. But I don’t think he owns a single folder and he is a Cold Steel kinda guy. So he's no help.
Many thanks for your considered responses.
Geezer with an Edge - Alex.
First off, I am not a knife guy. I see how I could easily become one (but I'd probably end up an ill-informed dummy), but I am a retiree and simply can’t afford the compulsion. I do find joy and wonder when I’ve held friends prized knives at their beauty.
For me it’s all about holding it in my hand and the art and engineering have come together to just feel right.
But I really know next to nothing about knives.
As a young man I carried around a Buck folder on my hip. It came in handy, and I surely must’ve looked impressive being able to flick it open one handed. (save me from young people, including myself)
When I entered the work force in IT the Buck got retired to weekends. Then the armoire.
Years later I wanted a small EDC and picked up a Case Damascus Butter Bean. More decorative than anything else. But I could drop it in my suit pants and it opened envelopes and the occasional package. But I liked having it as a touchstone in my pocket. It felt right.
Later I needed something a little more functional. So a plain Al Mar Hawk Ultralight was just the thing. It actually saw good light service beyond the office.
Then came retirement and the inevitable gardening. A Benchmade Mini Barrage seemed just the ticket.
But I find that it is just a tad large and the assisted opening has surprised some family members. I am definitely a small EDC kinda guy.
So my grail is on order - a new Sebenza 21 Small clip point. Plain titanium but with a polished edge (it was available).
I finally come around to the point. At no time have I deluded myself into thinking I am more than fair free handing a stone and blade. I can get a nice edge, but definitely not of the calibre that is discussed on these forums nor is it even throughout the length of the blade.
I use a KME system on all my good kitchen knives and with patience I am able to maintain them to my satisfaction. Certainly NOT on a par with the razor edges discussed in the forums, but adequate for my family use around the kitchen. The KME helps me keep a fixed angle and to lightly work the stone around the blade. Good for a ham handed knucklehead like me. (I have peripheral neuropathies that affect my hands)
But since I can’t afford to collect EDC knives, and since I hope the Sebenza to be my EDC for the next years of my dotage I would like to know the best way to pragmatically maintain and sharpen the blade for everyday use.
It will see duty at my desk as well as the garden and maybe even the kitchen. It might also make it down to the creek with my granddaughter and a rod.
The appeal of the Sebenza is visceral and that it easily breaks down into 15 or so parts for maintenance.
With such a short blade, should could it be sharpened on the KME? If so would it be best to remove the blade for sharpening?
If not what are the best alternatives to a novice? I want to do the Sebenza justice and I do have patience if not skill.
I have a nephew who has been studying martial arts for 20 years and is an edged weapon fanatic. He’s at the point of making his own weapons. But I don’t think he owns a single folder and he is a Cold Steel kinda guy. So he's no help.
Many thanks for your considered responses.
Geezer with an Edge - Alex.
Last edited:
