Possible Purchase. Need Advice.

mezeno

mezeno

Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
121
Okay guys,
I need a little guidance on this one. I have a chance to buy a Small Sebenza Classic with bocote inlays. I asked the owner some questions and he said that he has its birth card and original box, but said that there is one issue with the birth card. It states that it has bloodwood inlays but these were damaged and it was sent back to CRK and they replaced them with bocote inlays. He further stated that he purchased it used in January from a police officer in Colorado, who described it as follows:

"I have a small Classic with Bocote inlays. I purchased it from an online retailer and when it arrived the Bloodwood inlays did not match so I sent it in to CRK and they replaced the Bloodwood with Bocote. They sent it back in the original Bloodwood box and birth certificate. It has been carried and the edge has been touched up on a Sharpmaker (no blade scratches) Very smooth action with excellent 30% lock-up. Also comes with an extra pocket clip. I have only carried it once or twice a month when wearing a suit"

The present owner doesn't have any documentation about the replacement of the inlays.

My questions are:
1. Has anyone seen this before where the inlays are replaced with a different wood?
2. Would this cause you any worries regarding verifying authenticity?
3. What is a would you consider to be a good price for this knife if everything checks out?

Thanks for the input.
 
A few thoughts (and I'm sure other that are more knowledgeable than I will weigh in shortly). First- you can always call CRK and ask them the same questions regarding the replacement of the inlays. Their customer service is the best you will find. Secondly, how much is the guy asking for the knife? Pay a price that makes you happy or wait for a better deal.
 
I wouldn't want to cast insinuations or imply that the seller has anything to hide, but as a general rule aftermarket sales are more risky than those from reputable dealers. The feedback functions here and on d'Day try to alleviate some of that, but it still exists. Personally, I would probably walk away from the deal unless it is a screaming bargain because of the potential for fraud. Right now you are getting second party information at best and I would judge the risk too high for my comfort - but that is strictly MHO.

EDIT- Sorry but I didn't address any of your questions. Here you go:

1. Has anyone seen this before where the inlays are replaced with a different wood? - I haven't but my knowledge of CR history is much less than others here.
2. Would this cause you any worries regarding verifying authenticity? - Big Fat YES
3. What is a would you consider to be a good price for this knife if everything checks out? - Maybe $200-250. Lots of unknowns here.
 
In my experience with CRK Warranty, If there was indeed an issue with the Bloodwood Inlays, CRK will replace them, but with only Bloodwood Inlays. I have yet to hear of someone changing the wood ??? It IS Possible that they would do this, but with what I know, unlikely.

In the secondhand market, my motto is to not overpay. BUT, I did pay $500 + shipping for my Jereboam I way back when. It was a knife that you never see up for sale and I wanted a Big CRK 9" blade Sawback, so I bought it, by far my most expensive CRK. So if its something you have to have, I can see spending a few extra bucks for it.

When there are issues like this ( with this particular knife ), sometimes its best to wait for a better deal or similar deal to come along. It does sound "Fishy" to me for sure. I would request Pics if you havent done so already. To make things clearer about the CRK policy and if its possible they did change the wood, I would give them a call. Talk to Heather, Anne, or Chris himself. They will clear things up. They probably have a record of knives made and may be able to give you some insight.

Anytime I have seen alterations with CRK, they always give you a new BD Card to authenticate it was indeed done by them. Since this is lacking this, I would question it for sure !

Would this cause you any worries regarding verifying authenticity ??? YES

I would not pay more than $300 for any used small sebenzas. Unless its MINT NIB and it woudl have to be a unique of some kind. Most small sebbies I have had were in the $250 range and they were NIB. With this one with the questionable issues, I would say $200-$250 max.
 
Thank you very much for the initial responses they are very helpful. Below are some answers to your questions so that everyone will have a better feel of what I am looking at.
1. The seller is providing me numerous pics and says the knife was made in 2005. As soon as I get the pics I intend on calling Chris with the birth card info and see if he can verify the inlay replacement and if a new card would have been issued.
2. The seller is asking $275 for the knife. It seems that given the questions regarding the knife, this is way too high and it is not worth taking a chance on purchasing at this price.

Thanks again to everyone for their help. I think that I will take nyefmaker's advice and wait for a better deal or similar deal to come along. One thing is for sure, I won't be willing to pay more than $200 this knife. Heck, I would rather have a plain small sebbie anyway. So if anyone has a plain small sebbie for sale I may be interested. :D
 
How is this for an interesting twist. The seller sent me pictures this morning with the BD Card and the knife happens to have been made on my birthday.:eek: I am trying not to look at this as a divine sign that I need to buy the knife as I am used to looking for any signs available when I want another CRK. I am pretty sure that he is not budging on his price so that will make it easy for me. Just out of curiosity, how does one go about trying to get a knife that was made on his B'day?
 
You can ask most dealers what manufacturing dates, the knives have, but it really is a crap shoot. Most high volume places have knives manufactured in the last 3-4 weeks. So just ask around close to your Bday. I too found one that had my bday. I bought it, but when I got it, it really wasn't the one for me so I sold it in the next few weeks. Same bday and all!

--
L0mein
 
mezeno said:
....Just out of curiosity, how does one go about trying to get a knife that was made on his B'day?
Click to expand...

First you would have to find out if your birthday is/was during the workweek for CR, which has been Monday-Thursday for some time now. Even if you found an existing birthday knife at a dealer, however, it might not be a design you like. IMO, the best choice would be to start planning in advance with a call to the CR shop and talking to someone about having a specific knife made on your Bday.

You can also list a "Want to Buy" ad in this and other forum websites. Stranger things have happened.
 
Well, I am still looking at the deal as I have talked to Heather at CRK and she verified that they put new inlays on this knife. Just as an FYI, Heather said that CRK does not give a new BD Card if they have done work on the knife such as change out the inlays, as that would not be representative of when the knife was finished. Therefore, she said that there are knives out there where the BD Card does not match the knife because the owner decided to change something about it. I would think that when this happens the owner would be smart enough to keep all of the information verifying the work that was done.
 
Last edited:
mezeno said:
Well, I am still looking at the deal as I have talked to Heather at CRK and she verified that they put new inlays on this knife. Just as an FYI, Heather said that CRK does not give a new BD Card if they have done work on the knife such as change out the inlays, as that would not be representative of when the knife was finished. Therefore, she said that there are knives out there where the BD Card does not match the knife because the owner decided to change something about it. I would think that when this happens the owner would be smart enough to keep all of the information verifying the work that was done.
Click to expand...

It's a good thing that you cleared that through CR, but I still think that the lack of hard documentation could hurt the value of the knife. Otherwise, what do you have if you decide to trade or sell it eventually? Maybe Heather could send you a confirmation e-mail or something that you could pack away with the knife, just in case.
 
DallasSTB said:
It's a good thing that you cleared that through CR, but I still think that the lack of hard documentation could hurt the value of the knife. Otherwise, what do you have if you decide to trade or sell it eventually? Maybe Heather could send you a confirmation e-mail or something that you could pack away with the knife, just in case.
Click to expand...

I agree. I am sure that Heather will be glad to do that if I am able to work something out. The fact that the BD Card is on my birthday is making it more appealing, and based on that I doubt that I will trade or sell it if I get it.
 
Well guys, add another CRK to my collection.:D Pics below. Heather is sending me all the documentation regarding the change of the inlay and I was able to offset my out of pocket cash by trading the seller a couple of other knives that I had. I really like the looks of the knife and I am psyched that it was made on my B'day too. I can also breath a sigh of relief as I will no longer feel the overwhelming need I have had to carry my Mnandi on a daily basis. My first CRK less than two weeks ago, and now this. Scary. Is there a CRK addiction hotline or 12 step program out there, because that Umnumzaan sure is a good looking knife?
 

Attachments

  • HPIM2684.JPG
    HPIM2684.JPG
    3.6 KB · Views: 30
  • HPIM2672.JPG
    HPIM2672.JPG
    3.9 KB · Views: 22
Last edited:
a true CR fan is ALWAYS planning their next CR purchase. Unless you have unlimited resources, I would recommend setting yourself some sort of "fun money" budget for these things, or your credit card will get whacked.

There's one sure-fire, ONE-step recovery program if you are willing to try it:

1) DO NOT VISIT THE BLADEFORUMS CHRIS REEVE SUB-FORUM. EVER.

There, all better now?
 
Congratulations on doing your homework on this knife. It is going to mean much more to you now than just another purchase. We would have far fewer buyer's remorse complaints if everyone paid as much attention to detail as you did. :thumbup:

Congrats on your belated birthday present! :D
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Congratulations on doing your homework on this knife. It is going to mean much more to you now than just another purchase. We would have far fewer buyer's remorse complaints if everyone paid as much attention to detail as you did. :thumbup:

Congrats on your belated birthday present! :D
Click to expand...
Esav, Thanks for the kind words and congrats. The knife arrived today and is exactly as it was described. I really like the look and feel of the inlay handles more than I thought I would. Just out of curiosity, what is the significance of the "R 06" on the inside of the scales?
 
06 means the slabs were manufactured in 2006. The "R" should represent a period of months although I don't remember an "R" so someone else more knowledgeable will have to help you with that one.
 
mezeno said:
Well guys, add another CRK to my collection.:D Pics below. Heather is sending me all the documentation regarding the change of the inlay and I was able to offset my out of pocket cash by trading the seller a couple of other knives that I had. I really like the looks of the knife and I am psyched that it was made on my B'day too. I can also breath a sigh of relief as I will no longer feel the overwhelming need I have had to carry my Mnandi on a daily basis. My first CRK less than two weeks ago, and now this. Scary. Is there a CRK addiction hotline or 12 step program out there, because that Umnumzaan sure is a good looking knife?
Click to expand...

I'd would definitely take it at that price! In fact... If you change your mind let me know!!!:p
 
TLR said:
06 means the slabs were manufactured in 2006. The "R" should represent a period of months although I don't remember an "R" so someone else more knowledgeable will have to help you with that one.
Click to expand...

The "R" is probably a "B", which would mean that the slabs were made somewhere between May and August of the year in questions - 2006
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top