Q: Sebenza 1997

F

Franco G

Joined
Dec 29, 2000
Messages
399
I need un urgent answer to the following questions, since an auction on eBay ends in 6-7 hours.

1. It is a small regular Sebenza, year 1997, BG42 steel. Is there any complaints to the Sebenzas produced in 1997?

2. In the beginning, there were problems with titanium part of the integral lock which was wearing fast (titanium is rather soft). Chris started to heat treat a part of titanium liner which is in contact with a blade tang - ending with a tiny oxides layer with Rc 90. Are liners in 1997 Sebenzas heat treated?

3. I own a small regular Sebenza with S30V blade, y. 2005. Are blades in the 1997 and 2005 Sebenzas interchangeable?

I would appreciate very much your esteemed opinions/answers,

Franco
 
Im pretty sure there has never been a year for sebenza complaints.
The end of the lockbar is case hardened, and will appear that way in photos, looking darker and off colored. As for the interchangible blades, every blade is hand fit to its handle. So while it would technically fit in the handle, the fit would not be perfect.
Good luck on getting some BG!
 
1997 was a very good year, Scott Cook most likely ground the blade. A very complete package being offered on that auction as well.
 
This is an Excellent Sebenza. I had been watching this auction all week, but rest assured, I am not going to bid on it as I spent all my money on my Chris Reeve Holy Grail, a Jereboam I with sawteeth. Back to the sebenza, you will Love the BG-42 Steel. I have one with BG-42 and one with S30V. I love both steels, but the BG-42 is something special to behold. The blades are indeed Hand Fitted to each knife, so while near identical, those couple thousandths of an inch make a big difference. I have never heard any legitament complaints about the sebenza. Any issues will be corrected by CRK Very Quickly. Those that do gripe about he sebenza only do because of the huge success of it and the fact that they are fans of other companies. Once you try a sebenza, you will look WAY down on ALL Others. ENJOY, Let US Know If You Win It And What You Think !!!
 
Thank you very much for your kind answers. I am a winner on auction and an Excellent Sebenza (a name nyefmaker suggests) left Denver and would, hopefully, end in my hands in 2 weeks.

1997 was a very good year, Scott Cook most likely ground the blade. A very complete package being offered on that auction as well.
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I'm really happy with that.

Once in my hands I'll do some photos of the Excellent Sebenza, hope you would enjoy it.

Franco
 
Congrats on your Winning Bid on the Sebenza. You are going to Love It. Let US know what you think........
 
stjames said:
1997 was a very good year, Scott Cook most likely ground the blade. A very complete package being offered on that auction as well.
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Franco G, congrats on winning a beautiful CRK and again you'll love the BG42 steel.:thumbup:

stjames, Do you happen to know what year Scott Cook left CRK ?
 
I got a Small Sebenza with BG-42 today.
What an unpleasent surprise!

The message on eBay was very clear

In very good unused condition in original box with paperwork shown
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It was not unused, not NIB, not MINT condition.

It is used, with usual wearing signs on Titanium handle. A blue colored spacer is not completely blue - a color faded on upper part.

Blade is fortunately in very good condition - only a careful inspection reveals the traces of sharpening. Obviously, knife was not used heavily. Blade is not very sharp - does not cut a printer paper easily. Actually, I wanted this Sebenza because of the BG-42 steel. I already own one with S30V.

All of these objections are not so much important for me - I am not a collector. However, what really bothers me is that lock is moving to cover about 90% of the tang. Presently it locks like a bank vault - no problem. According to the FAQ it is still OK,

My problem is that the lock travels and hits the opposing liner when a firm grip is applied. I disassembled it and cleaned it thoroughly but the problem persists.

There is nothing to fix!! The lock will move over toward the back of the front handle slab if you press hard on it. After all, it is a spring that has a natural position and can move further if pushed. The spec position for the lock is to cover 75% of the blade. If it falls naturally further than that, we will adjust it.
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I have a question:

- is it possible to fix a problem if a blade play appeared, e. g. to replace a locking liner/slab or anything else? At official site Chris states that
If needed, parts may be replaced - we will discuss relevant costs with you.
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.

I would appreciate your answers or any help.

Franco
 
I would think that if it developed blade play, or you were realy dissatisfied with the lock travel, CRK could remedy it for you. Unfortunately, I believe it would involve replacing the blade and mating it to the existing lockbar face, which defeats your purpose of purchasing it for the BG steel. Of course I may be wrong (and often am :D ) but I recall someone having a similar issue in the past and that's what CRK did.

-Dan
 
I have 3 sebenzas and all 3 only travel about half way to the center of the blade when locked. I have not had any experience with a lockbar that moves all the way to the mating handle. Email Heather at CRK, she will take care of you. I had a problem not too long ago, they even sent me a check to refund my shipping charges. The small vines sebenza I won n ebay said basically the same thing, MINT, Never Used, etc. I even emailed the seller and asked point blank, Has the blade been sharpened ??? They replied it was mint with factory edge. So when I got it, that was the first thing I looked at. The knife did not have factory edge, was scuffed a little. So now I use it as my EDC, I figure if it gets scuffed up, so what. I paid $299 for a small vines sebenza that if new was $400, so I did get a deal, but it kills me when someone cannot be honest with you, if they dont know, say they dont know, not tell you what you wanna hear. I did email them and they told me to send it back and they would refund me - minus shipping. But by the time I pay shipping, more paypal fees, and if they were honest enough to refund the money in the first place, which I doubt since they lied in the first place. Thats the trouble with ebay. Though my first sebenza, a large regular with BG-42 blade, was everything and more the seller said it was. So not everyone is dishonest. Sorry for rambling, just wanted to let you know your not alone........ When I emailed CRK and asked them if I had a damaged blade and it was Bg-42 what would they do since it is no longer offered. They replied they would replace it with a BG-42 blade, so they must have some stockpiled for warrenty issues, OR they custom make one for you there. I would definately email them if your not happy and find out your options. Heather is the best and will surly take care of you.
 
nyefmaker said:
...... When I emailed CRK and asked them if I had a damaged blade and it was Bg-42 what would they do since it is no longer offered. They replied they would replace it with a BG-42 blade, so they must have some stockpiled for warrenty issues, OR they custom make one for you there. I would definately email them if your not happy and find out your options. Heather is the best and will surly take care of you.
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How long ago was this, if I may ask? I wasn't aware that they would do that, but if so, that's good news!

-Dan
 
I would say it was around the holidays. I asked them that hypothetically. I also asked them to make me a sebenza with a tanto blade. They stated that the tanto blades came in the nica knives and no more would be made. So I asked them if I had a tanto sebenza and it needed a new blade, what would they do since they are no longer made. They then stated a damaged tanto blade would be replaced with a new tanto blade. That is what I got from them, so I am taking that they have some for warenty issues or they make one if needed. There are no other options I can think of ! Thats how I see it anyways. Hope this helps !!!
 
Awesome, that is good news. I'll have to contact Heather about a possible BG-42 blade replacement. Thanks! :thumbup:

-Dan
 
Thank you all for very kind answers and advices.
I contacted the guy from eBay from whom I bought the knife and complained. His answer was that he had not written 'in excellent condition' but 'in very good condition'. My perception of very good condition is largely different.

Heather is the best and will surly take care of you.
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Could somebody provide me with the e-mail address?

Franco
 
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