Question about Sebenza Warranty

BMCGear

BMCGear

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I've owned a few Sebenza's now. I'm considering getting another. I love the simplicity of CRK knives. For some reason though I worry about the longevity of the framelock on a 400 dollar knife. I have read comments that CRK doesn't always warranty the lock bar? I'm not sure what they warranty and obviously can't call them tonight. I'm curious what you guys have experienced with CRK?

Also, trying to decide if I wanna go Sebenza 21 (inlay or plain) or Umnumzan...
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I've owned a few Sebenza's now. I'm considering getting another. I love the simplicity of CRK knives. For some reason though I worry about the longevity of the framelock on a 400 dollar knife. I have read comments that CRK doesn't always warranty the lock bar? I'm not sure what they warranty and obviously can't call them tonight. I'm curious what you guys have experienced with CRK?

Also, trying to decide if I wanna go Sebenza 21 (inlay or plain) or Umnumzan...
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What comments have you read?

I have never utilized the warranty, but my understanding was that the knife was warranted for life....and the stories I have heard (all ubiquitous) indicate that IF you have a problem with lock wear, it is taken care of.

I would have a hard time believing that CRK has risen to the level they are by making a knife that they won't stand behind if it wears out from sennsible use.
 
unit said:
What comments have you read?

I have never utilized the warranty, but my understanding was that the knife was warranted for life....and the stories I have heard (all ubiquitous) indicate that IF you have a problem with lock wear, it is taken care of.

I would have a hard time believing that CRK has risen to the level they are by making a knife that they won't stand behind if it wears out from sennsible use.
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I can't remember everything I've read specifically but I was watching some CRK reviews this morning on youtube and read a comment that the user's lock bar deformed and CRK would not warranty it.

Now, I realize not everything I read on the internet is true; it's just something I have a slight concern about.
 
Don't worry about it unless you are abusing it..Plain and simple.

I would venture to say that the people that have issue have done some stuff that isn't good...Like trying to adjust the lockbar on their own.
This is coming from someone that has used the warranty 1 or 2x before. Each time,..they took care of it.

No pounding knives through cinderblocks and expecting the warranty to take care of it if you know what I mean...
 
bhyde said:
Don't worry about it unless you are abusing it..Plain and simple.

I would venture to say that the people that have issue have done some stuff that isn't good...Like trying to adjust the lockbar on their own.
This is coming from someone that has used the warranty 1 or 2x before. Each time,..they took care of it.

No pounding knives through cinderblocks and expecting the warranty to take care of it if you know what I mean...
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I appreciate you sharing; especially since you've used the warranty. And no, I don't abuse my knives at all.
 
I believe it is flipping and abuse they balk at. I have only had one issue(that I wasn't even aware of), that they found and fixed. Only they would know for sure, but I think total lockbar failure , where they need to replace the lockside is fairly rare.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I can't remember everything I've read specifically but I was watching some CRK reviews this morning on youtube and read a comment that the user's lock bar deformed and CRK would not warranty it.

Now, I realize not everything I read on the internet is true; it's just something I have a slight concern about.
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Yeah...the stories I could tell you about comments on youtube...you could get more accurate information from graffiti.

I think you will be ok. Chances are you won't ever need to worry about it anyway.
 
unit said:
Yeah...the stories I could tell you about comments on youtube...you could get more accurate information from graffiti.

I think you will be ok. Chances are you won't ever need to worry about it anyway.
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I imagine you're right. :)

I'm considering an inlaid Sebenza.
 
I'm not a good representation of most Crk owners. I say that in I have only one.

I like many got bitten. Bad. Excellent form and function. And just a great knife maker.

Did some research. Read some posts. Asked a ton of questions.

I ended up getting an umnumzaan. I can't say enough good things about it. It definitely is a world class knife. I haven't experienced a sebenza yet but I can say with absolute certainty the umnum is a rock solid life dependable folder.

Just my .02.
 
I have a 16 year old Sebenza that had been carried daily by it previous owner. I used it as well, and the lock bar eventually made its way to the other side last year. I called crk, and they told me to send it in and they would take care of it. I sent it in, and it came back with some room for additional lock wear. (I think they put in a larger stop pin??) There was no charge, even though I bought the knife second hand.
The only time I have heard about crk balking at a claim is from the owners that bend their lock bars. This is actually the reason the zaans have the LBS!!
 
CRK has the best warranty in the business. I have owned dozens and dozens of CRK. In that time I have used the warranty a few times. They took care of the issues, no questions asked. On 2 of the occasions, I got to speak to the CRK GOD himself, Mr. Reeve. Easily something I will remember all my life and its moments like that, that will stay with me forever and keep me coming back for more and more. CRK will cover pretty much anything UNLESS it was modded or intently abused. The ONLY thing they ask is that we go to them FIRST rather than blab an issue all over the place on the forums and the like. Let CRK take care of it first.
 
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Agreed with the others. Get the Umnumzaan. You've had a fair few Sebenza 21s already and it'll be nice to experience a different model if you're already considering one.
 
I can echo the posts above. I have a small Regular from 1996 (give or take a year) that finally went to full engagement and actually got a little loose a couple of years ago. CRK completely fixed it and fixed it up. It only needed a new stop pin but it got new washers, the scales were refinished and the blade was sharpened - all free of charge. I expect it's good for another 15-20 years.:thumbup:
 
I have read nothing but good reviews about the CRK warranty. And if it was deemed abused, they would still fix it for a fee.

On another note I ordered a Strider SNG, mainly to see what the hype is about. Also, I have read many reviews comparing 21, 25 and the Umnumzaan against Striders. One thing the Strider owners say is they choose the Strider because their warranty is better then the one from CRK. I have read them both and they are both lifetime warranties. The main difference is CRK allows and encourage you to take apart your knife. Strider will void the warranty if you take it apart.
 
Screwdriver said:
I have read nothing but good reviews about the CRK warranty. And if it was deemed abused, they would still fix it for a fee.

On another note I ordered a Strider SNG, mainly to see what the hype is about. Also, I have read many reviews comparing 21, 25 and the Umnumzaan against Striders. One thing the Strider owners say is they choose the Strider because their warranty is better then the one from CRK. I have read them both and they are both lifetime warranties. The main difference is CRK allows and encourage you to take apart your knife. Strider will void the warranty if you take it apart.
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Striders have their fans, but their warranty could only dream of being close to CRK. I had 3 striders ( 2-sng , 1 smf ). All had lock issues. I called Strider several times to no avail. I also emailed them several times as well. NOTHING. Never a response. This was with their old original lock design. Based on that experience I will will just not buy from them again. I recently bought a RCC and its a liner lock and has no issues YET. Strider in my experience is a horrible company to deal with. To me, Strider fans are like Patriots fans. They will defend them to the bitter end, even knowing they are wrong.

CRK on the other hand has been beyond good to me over the years. EVERY call or email is met with an answer. With all the CRK I have owned, I have had to send a couple in for repairs. Twice I have talked to Chris himself. He explained the issue, the cause, the remedy. Plus, you do not have to be the original owner to have warranty work done by CRK. I once had a small vines sebenza. It was previously owned. Someone took it apart and put it together incorrectly and then carried it for some time. It had a pinched washer which by using it led to abnormal lock wear because it was binding and the previous owner kept using it. I immediately took it apart and fixed it, but at the time I was sending in my NCIS sebenza in for engraving. Sent that one in as well and they replaced the washers and re-heat treated the lock. Good As New. Customer Service just simply cannot be beat.
 
Screwdriver said:
I have read nothing but good reviews about the CRK warranty. And if it was deemed abused, they would still fix it for a fee.

On another note I ordered a Strider SNG, mainly to see what the hype is about. Also, I have read many reviews comparing 21, 25 and the Umnumzaan against Striders. One thing the Strider owners say is they choose the Strider because their warranty is better then the one from CRK. I have read them both and they are both lifetime warranties. The main difference is CRK allows and encourage you to take apart your knife. Strider will void the warranty if you take it apart.
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Strider warranty is only good if you stay quiet, don't "bother" them, and follow their rules to a T. Following their rules includes shipping only via FedEx or UPS and including $25 dollars on top of the $25 you spent sending it to them. I've used their warranty, it's nothing to write home about unless you're a good friend of SKI, or if you have generally low service standards.

My SnG is one of the best knives I own, but SKI warranty isn't near CRK level. Manufacturers have their strong points, and SKIs strong point is not CS. SKI does several redeeming qualities but, I prefer CRK for several reasons, one of them being their excellent service.
 
Most companies I have dealt with including SKI and CRK have good warranties, although they do differ on what is or is not covered. One area I think CRK stands out are their customer service reps. They are very easy to get hold of and very helpful when you do get hold of them. That said, not all companies can afford to have employees full time for that job. CRK's reps certainly are great IMO.

Just like with the knives one warranty doesn't have to be bad for the other to be good. CRK does have a good warranty and service as long as you use a knife as it was intended, and they will take care of your problems.
 
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nyefmaker said:
Striders have their fans, but their warranty could only dream of being close to CRK. To me, Strider fans are like Patriots fans. They will defend them to the bitter end, even knowing they are wrong.
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I agreed with everything you said EXCEPT the comparison to Patriots fans!!! :)
 
I called monday and requested a new screw for the clip as mine was deformed on my new knife.
It came in today.
That is good service!
Matt
 
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