pocket wear on wood inlays??

kidcongo

kidcongo

Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
3,195
Can anyone out there tell me how the wood inlays wear in normal use? I am considering a puchase of a wood inlay sebenza, but I am not a fan of sheaths or pouches. I would plan on using this knife in an EDC function and was wondering if anyone could post a pic of a wood inlay sebenza with some decent pocket wear on it so I can decide if its right for me?
 
somber said:
It's a freaking knife.
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Somber--excellent observation old chap. Perhaps you can elaborate?

Kidcongo--valid question sir. The wood wears very well Mnandis, but I do t have much experience with the wood inlay Sebenzas. Someone will be along and post some pics I'm sure!
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
Somber--excellent observation old chap. Perhaps you can elaborate?
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I don't believe there needs to be any more elaboration on the matter. A scratch has no bearing on the performance of anything, ever, and if an object that has been exposed to the elements being scratched turns you off from purchasing it you shouldn't buy it in the first place.

These are knives, not Ming Dynasty vases.
 
somber said:
I don't believe there needs to be any more elaboration on the matter. A scratch has no bearing on the performance of anything, ever, and if an object that has been exposed to the elements being scratched turns you off from purchasing it you shouldn't buy it in the first place.

These are knives, not Ming Dynasty vases.
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Couldnt agree more, which is the exact purpose of my question. Most of the wood inlay knives on this forum are in pristeen shape and are likely part of collections (which is totally cool in its own way......theres nothing wrong with being a collector of anything, and it needs no justification). I am not a collector, but imagine it would annoy me if the wood cracked, fell out of the handles, or gave me splinters. I would like to get some idea what to expect with DURABILITY of the wood. Scratches are not the main issue.

I can guarantee you I do not covet my sebenzas, I was cutting rope covered in beach sand with my 21 today, and its nice and gritty now. You are judging my question based on your own opinions and no knowledge of me or my purposes. If you buy CRKs because they are `just freaking knives`, you would be wise to switch to a lower cost brand that would likely do the same exact same task at a fraction of the cost. Also, why would anyone pay more for a wood inlay, if they didnt like the way it looks. The wood serves no other purpose. Does snakewood add to the knife`s functionality? Furthermore, whats the point of a forum about knives when we should all clearly accept them as boring tools that are not worth discussing. Does CRK put unique graphics on knives to make them cut better?
 
If anyone out there has some more good information on my questions I am all ears. I would love to see what a well worn-in wood inlay Sebenza looks like if such a knife exists.
 
kidcongo said:
*snip*
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Wood is wood, son. The stabilized wood on CRK knives is no different from the stabilized wood you find on hard-use camp knives. If the wood cracked, fell out of the handles and gave people splinters CRK wouldn't continue to use it. Durability is determined by the species of wood. Lignum Vitae or Ironwood will fair better than a soft wood like Amboyna Burl.
 
I have many wood inlay CRK sebenzas, and they wear very well. I would post a pic, but they look new because I keep the wood waxed. I have had some for years with no noticeable wear. Not all of the wood CRK uses is stabilized, but all of them are quite durable.
CRK makes a very nice "freaking knife" and I would not worry about carrying and using it:thumbup:
 
somber said:
Wood is wood, son. The stabilized wood on CRK knives is no different from the stabilized wood you find on hard-use camp knives. If the wood cracked, fell out of the handles and gave people splinters CRK wouldn't continue to use it. Durability is determined by the species of wood. Lignum Vitae or Ironwood will fair better than a soft wood like Amboyna Burl.
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Its been several decades since I got called son, but thats cool. The difference between a camp knife and a sebenza is the thickness of the inlays. I dont see them at all as equivalent to a wood handled camp knife in any regard, but whatever. Thanks to the others who answered my question without attitude.
 
I don't have any pics, but the only wood inlay I have is a small lignum vitae 21. Its been an ocassional edc for a couple of years, and the wood has no noticible wear. Granted, I won't use it at the beach or in other gritty places; it has only seen light office duty, mostly clipped to slacks.

I do not like the large wood inlays; the satin finish on the scales does not age well, and wood doesn't add much grip on a larger knife. If your looking at a large and concerned about wear, get the micarta inlay. You'll be much happier in the long run. It will put up with all the abuse you can give it, and looks even better with use and wear. I have about a dozen large micarta 21's (3 with Damascus blades) and even after hard use & abuse, they still look great.
 
Its definitely a valid question. CRK uses stabilized woods with tight grain for their inlays and with the special tape they use to hold them in, there is virtually no twisting, shrinking, there is no loose or wide grains ( like you find in say oak ). I have owned several mnandi that I carried and they never even shown any blemishes. I am newer than some to the 21/annuals with wood inlays and I have some and they are blemish free as well. I do have some used inlays that I have bought and the Ti around the inlays is scuffed a little from carry, yet the inlay remains in like new condition......................The only inlay I can see babying would be the mammoth, but that pretty much goes without saying. As far as the wood goes though, pick a nice grain and wood that suites you and use away and enjoy it. I know " its a freaking knife ", but its a Chris Reeve Knife and they are special to all of us here.
 
Your question is a very good one. There are several reasons customers like inlays, including:
  1. Higher friction grip (leather and micarta, primarily)
  2. Greater handle volume (all except for leather)
  3. Aesthetics

Perhaps #3 is not of high value for Somber. ;) For me, #2 is an advantage for for small Sebs, and a disadvantage for large Sebs -- I like the grip of a standard large Seb and value its slimmer carry in the pocket. Here are my observations/assumptions on the various inlays:


  • Moisture resistance: Tolerance to moisture is one of the biggest factors I consider when choosing an inlay for EDC. My first EDC Mnandi was a gorgeous camelthorn. Between carrying it IWB during workouts and accidentally running it through the wash :o, I ruined #3 (and at the same time, inadvertently improved #1 :)) For wood, lignum vitae and cocobolo do really well in moist environments. I've also had great luck with carrying giraffe bone. Micarta is, of course, superb from a moisture resistance perspective.
  • Abrasion resistance: The harder woods are superior for not denting/scratching. I'm assuming that LV is a high performer in this category -- of course, micarta isn't hard, but tough, and is nearly indestructible. My EDC cocobolo has very small dents, but even so, still looks great after several years of EDC. Mammoth ivory is pretty soft, can crack, and I've seen a few that were carried clipped to pocket, and don't look all that great after carry. I carry my MIB Mnandi in the standard slip cases to preserve #3.
  • Fracture or separation of inlay from scale: It could have happened on some knife out there, but I've never seen it, never heard of it. The mounting scheme of sitting in a milled pocket, providing a very small perimeter gap between the inlay and the pocket wall, and attaching with VHB tape is the best mounting scheme on the planet for this sort of stuff. The milled pocket gives the inlay side-to-side stability so the VHB tape's only function is to resist what little vertical tension exists. Between the perimeter gap and the compliant VHB tape, mismatches between the expansion coefficients of the titanium and the inlay material is a non-issue.

I carry my cocobolo small Seb clipped to a pocket. After years of EDC, it has a few very small dents, but still has reasonable gloss. The wood has darkened to a very rich dark-redish brown. It still looks great, IMHO. In the photo, what looks like scratches are the natural figurings in the wood that are reflecting the lights. The few marks that are not parallel to the figuring are the dents of which I spoke.

Sm_Classic_Cocobolo_Seb_Tactical_Backspacer.jpg


I hope that helps.
 
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Don't know if this will help but here is a photo of my 2 year old small 21 with ebony inlay. I do have a rotation of knives so I don't carry this everyday but I carry it quite a bit and have never used a sheath. It may not be quite as shinny as new and the the corners of the inlay may have gotten worn a bit but I think it adds character and to me, it still looks great.

 
Fantastic info and pictures guys! Thank you. I think I am going to add a wood inlay into my rotation after seeing how nicely they wear in. I love the character on those knives.
 
Not really sure why this question angered Somber so much but seems valid to me. I'm pocketing this knife for the first time and I, like the OP, don't like the pocket sheath. I'd rather clip it. So far it wears much better than the regular sandblast. That knife scratches when you look at it. The wood protects the satin finish from handing scratches and the wood in the case, Honduran Rosewood is holding up nicely as well. As someone said about, not all the woods CRK uses is stabilized and I'm not sure if this wood is or isn't. What I can tell you is that CRK to the best of my knowledge not only chooses a wood based on it's beauty but they also pick very hard woods as well. I've read that Mr. Reeve considers the wood inlays to be "art" knives of sort, so though they may not be Ming vases, they do look better the less beat up they are.

About a week in my pocket and I use it as a secondary knife. I carry another knife to beat on when I need it.

I Renn Waxed it when I first bought the knife about 8 months ago to store it, I did it again to start carrying it last week. And rewaxed it again last night at the one week point. Also I wear denim daily.
 
It doesn't anger me in the least. Personally, I think this is synonymous with asking what the inside of your dishwasher will look like after five years or how your couch will hold up. It's a knife...
 
Well its the same with offering color paint options on a work truck. People like options.

The fun part for me is waiting for the wood to wear down so I can buy a new one (which could be years).
 
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