Regular Sebenza RIP; what about those in service?

SALTY · Feb 21, 2015

I posted this comment/question in another thread here and given that it was slightly off-topic there I decided to make it a new thread. The concern has to do with what I understand to be the discontinuation and lack of forward availability for blades and manufacturer support for the "Regular" Sebenza.

I love CR Knives and the company is beyond reproach.

That said, am I to understand that if anything happened to the blade on my large regular Sebenza that I am SOL? That I would have a couple of Ti slabs and no chance of making it a knife again???

I always viewed my CR knives as users, cherished and appreciated, but users nonetheless. Utmost in this consideration was what I perceived to be incomparable manufacturer's support. Is my understanding correct? If so, it would seem to be a game-changer.

Joe58 · Feb 21, 2015

I would imagine it'd work the same as any knife maker out there who discontinues a particular model.

Once the on hand spare parts are exhausted, usually you are afforded the opportunity to upgrade to a current model. Sometimes on the house, sometimes at reduced cost.

Speaking just for myself, I would not expect a maker to maintain a stock of spare parts forever just in case my 25 year old knife craps out. Not trying to come off as a smart ass or anything but I'm sure you know what I mean.

sgbeskin · Feb 21, 2015

Two years ago, I sent my small Regular in for a handle reblasting. Well, I got a call a week or so later, it was a CRK rep. She said Chris looked at my knife and saw that my lock side was damaged. I told her that I didn't know that, as I was only sending it in for a blasting. I don't know how the lock was damaged. She said ok, and she would let Chris know. A day or two later, Chris called and told me that he would be making a new lock side for my Sebenza!!! He wouldn't take no for an answer. I told him I didn't know that the knife was messed up. He said it was and we talked about it for a while. Super nice guy.
I have carried this knife for 15 years. Used it for everything, skinning deer, cleaning fish, cutting and whittling wood, etc..I would be lost without it. So to make a long story short, I think you would've safe, should anything happen to your knife!!!

SALTY · Feb 21, 2015

There is absolutely no question in my mind about Chris, Anne and CRK Company. A1 in my book.

That said, I would really hope that us Regular Sebenza owners would have some sort of support going forward. Currently, there is something similar going on with Rolex watches whereby certain vintage models no longer have replacement parts support by Rolex. However, these watches are over 50 years old and there is lots and lots of parts available in the marketplace that Rolex had supplied to watchmakers over the years. The situation with CRK as it relates to the Regular Sebenza is that CRK is and was the sole source of parts - to include blades.

While I am disappointed, in all my years of using knives i have only broken a grand total of one blade - that's right, one. I was young, foolish and batoning a Buck 110 through a piece of firewood. i sent it back to Buck, with an honest explanation of my foolishness and fully expected to pay for repairs. I got the knife back in "like new" condition with no charge - despite the fact that it was a damage by abuse situation, not a defective knife to be warrantied.

I said that to say this, I highly doubt that my Regular Sebenza blade will break but, as silly as this sounds, not having the availability of factory support makes me feel different about the knife - certainly not the company or the other CR knives I own, just this one.

338375 · Feb 21, 2015

sgbeskin said:
Two years ago, I sent my small Regular in for a handle reblasting. Well, I got a call a week or so later, it was a CRK rep. She said Chris looked at my knife and saw that my lock side was damaged. I told her that I didn't know that, as I was only sending it in for a blasting. I don't know how the lock was damaged. She said ok, and she would let Chris know. A day or two later, Chris called and told me that he would be making a new lock side for my Sebenza!!! He wouldn't take no for an answer. I told him I didn't know that the knife was messed up. He said it was and we talked about it for a while. Super nice guy.
I have carried this knife for 15 years. Used it for everything, skinning deer, cleaning fish, cutting and whittling wood, etc..I would be lost without it. So to make a long story short, I think you would've safe, should anything happen to your knife!!!

That is very cool :thumbup:

sgbeskin · Feb 21, 2015

Salty,
I have wondered the same, further on down the road. If it does happen, I'll just get a different type of Sebenza. I have been curious about the insingo!!

BellaBlades · Feb 22, 2015

I see you sold that thing.
Heck of a knife with good steel too. For 350$ that will be a great user for a life time. It already has been. 2002. That is awesome.

JNewell · Feb 22, 2015

SALTY said:
There is absolutely no question in my mind about Chris, Anne and CRK Company. A1 in my book.

That said, I would really hope that us Regular Sebenza owners would have some sort of support going forward. Currently, there is something similar going on with Rolex watches whereby certain vintage models no longer have replacement parts support by Rolex. However, these watches are over 50 years old and there is lots and lots of parts available in the marketplace that Rolex had supplied to watchmakers over the years. The situation with CRK as it relates to the Regular Sebenza is that CRK is and was the sole source of parts - to include blades.

While I am disappointed, in all my years of using knives i have only broken a grand total of one blade - that's right, one. I was young, foolish and batoning a Buck 110 through a piece of firewood. i sent it back to Buck, with an honest explanation of my foolishness and fully expected to pay for repairs. I got the knife back in "like new" condition with no charge - despite the fact that it was a damage by abuse situation, not a defective knife to be warrantied.

I said that to say this, I highly doubt that my Regular Sebenza blade will break but, as silly as this sounds, not having the availability of factory support makes me feel different about the knife - certainly not the company or the other CR knives I own, just this one.

Someone needs to confirm or correct me on this, but I think I recall at least one Regular owner who needed a replacement blade reporting that CRK was able to fit a 21 blade. I could be wrong... Actually, CRK is open tomorrow - if you have a few minutes, give them a call (don't email ) and ask. If you do, let us know? :thumbup:

Ernie1980 · Feb 23, 2015

Crk still has some spare regular parts on hand. I needed a new blade a little while back and they took good care of me! They are a top tier company that stands behind their products:thumbup:

biggerjon · Feb 23, 2015

I know that CRK keeps a 'stock pile' of blades on hand for warranty repair. How many? I don't know.

JNewell · Feb 23, 2015

Ernie1980 said:
Crk still has some spare regular parts on hand. I needed a new blade a little while back and they took good care of me! They are a top tier company that stands behind their products:thumbup:

biggerjon said:
I know that CRK keeps a 'stock pile' of blades on hand for warranty repair. How many? I don't know.

I had thought someone had posted that they were out of blades - looks like I was mis-remembering. Very happy to be wrong about that! :thumbup: Nevertheless, it will happen at some point.