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Flint Hills

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Feb 25, 2013
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I have a small Starbenza made in September of 2010. Just got this small Lignum Vitae inlay today (woohoo!). It has a reissued birth card from 2013 that says S35VN, but the original Birthdate I was told is June 2010. Both blades have "S" stamped on the blade. The Starbenza has an A10 slab and a B10 slab. The inlay both slabs have B09 stamps.

Both blade grinds look slightly different. Did they change the blades slightly around this time or is there some slight variance from blade to blade? Notice how the blade grind meets the handle on the inlay but tucks under the edge of the handle on the Starbenza?





 
If the blade says S then it's S30V. As far as the grind. I think they vary from knife to knife.

I've always liked the Lignum Vitae inlays. That wood is super hard so don't worry about messing it up.
 
Grinds slightly vary amongst regulars, but haven't seen it with 21's. The starbenza looks like it was sharpened and does not look factory. The LG does look factory though. "S" is S30V while "V" is S35VN. Plus, starbenza do not have polished slabs.
 
nyefmaker said:
Grinds slightly vary amongst regulars, but haven't seen it with 21's. The starbenza looks like it was sharpened and does not look factory. The LG does look factory though. "S" is S30V while "V" is S35VN. Plus, starbenza do not have polished slabs.
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Yes, the Starbenza has been polished, sharpened and used. Are you saying you think it looks fake or something?
 
The starbenza is not fake, the blade grind is not factory as well as the finish on the slabs.
 
Ajack60 said:
The starbenza is not fake, the blade grind is not factory as well as the finish on the slabs.
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Ok, I see. Yes, I know the edge has been thinned and convexed by sharpening but I'm asking about the original factory hollow grind on the blade itself, not the sharpened edge. See what I mean, where it meets the handle? The hollow grind has been carried further toward the pivot on the Starbenza than on the Lignum Vitae.
 
The grinds can very a little..depending on many variables. I thought you were talking about the area where your thumb rests when using the blade (just above the pivot)...now, that part looks different
 
Flint Hills said:
Yes, the Starbenza has been polished, sharpened and used. Are you saying you think it looks fake or something?
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What Ajack60 said below. When comparing blade grinds, can't compare a factory edge and a sharpened edge as your original question applied.
 
nyefmaker said:
What Ajack60 said below. When comparing blade grinds, can't compare a factory edge and a sharpened edge as your original question applied.
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I'm not referring to the sharpened edge on either knife. I guess what I'm referring to is the blade shape?
 
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Flint Hills said:
I'm not referring to the sharpened edge on either knife. I guess what I'm referring to is the blade shape?
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I have a couple like that, some of the hollow grind lengths are a little longer and therefore are under the crest of the slab. Nothing to worry about, over the years they have had little variances in the design. So, to many, the Sebenza has not changed significantly enough for folks to see. It's the subtle changes, like the two you have, that keeps them in demand
 
Ajack60 said:
I have a couple like that, some of the hollow grind lengths are a little longer and therefore are under the crest of the slab. Nothing to worry about, over the years they have had little variances in the design. So, to many, the Sebenza has not changed significantly enough for folks to see. It's the subtle changes, like the two you have, that keeps them in demand
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Thank you! That's what I was talking about. I'm just trying to learn more about the knives I have. It's interesting to learn the history and variances in these knives.
 
Another difference I notice in your 2 knives is the depth of the logo. It was stamped deeper in the LV than the Star. Just another subtle difference.

While you're learning about your knives, take a look at this list of wood's hardness ratings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test You'd have to be really determined in order to hurt the wood on your new knife.
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
Another difference I notice in your 2 knives is the depth of the logo. It was stamped deeper in the LV than the Star. Just another subtle difference.

While you're learning about your knives, take a look at this list of wood's hardness ratings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test You'd have to be really determined in order to hurt the wood on your new knife.
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I noticed that too. I wonder it that's from the polishing done to the Starbenza slabs?

Lignum vitae is some cool stuff, thanks for that link! Check out the "Uses" section on this wiki page:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignum_vitae
 
I can't imagine the slab was poliushed down that much! :eek: Actually I've seen variances like that a lot.

I saw that. Just above that, in the description, not that the wood sinks in water. That means you'd better hang onto it in the boat! :p
 
Lone Wolfe, remember the sebenza that had the wording on it and a lot of us passed on it. Turned out the buyer of it had to send it to CRK and the slabs were sanded down too much for them to repair. Not saying that is the case with this one, but it's just an example to be Leary of modded knives as your home grown do it yourselfers don't always know what they are doing.
 
nyefmaker said:
Lone Wolfe, remember the sebenza that had the wording on it and a lot of us passed on it. Turned out the buyer of it had to send it to CRK and the slabs were sanded down too much for them to repair. Not saying that is the case with this one, but it's just an example to be Leary of modded knives as your home grown do it yourselfers don't always know what they are doing.
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I don't remember the Sebenza you're referring to, but the warning is a good one to heed.
 
I never thought a birthday card would have the wrong steel listed! I think the variance in the blades is not only because of the different models but becasue the blades are hand ground and thus vary slightly. I love the wood inlay on your knife:thumbup:
 
Ernie1980 said:
I never thought a birthday card would have the wrong steel listed! I think the variance in the blades is not only because of the different models but becasue the blades are hand ground and thus vary slightly. I love the wood inlay on your knife:thumbup:
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Thanks! Me too! :D
 
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