Replacing 21 Blades

H

Honed_Edge

Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
557
In hindsight, this seems obvious and I'm not sure why it hit me so hard. There are probably people like me that are currently living under a false security. If you already knew this, sorry to waste your time reading my post. However, this may be news to you.

I called CR and got a friendly and knowledgeable person to answer all my questions. I have been wanting to EDC some of my lefty damascus 21's, but am afraid of the far out "what if" moment. I called to ask if a lefty damascus blade could be replaced if somehow I damaged it. The short answer is that no 21 blades can be replaced unless the damage is due to a defect in workmanship. Crack by the thumb stud would get a new blade, a broken tip or other damage is not repairable.

This obviously sucks very much. I have collected over a dozen 21's and always felt invincible with CR service behind me. I could do whatever I wanted and a safety net was there for me. I knew that I may have to pay if I do something dumb, but the option to repair was always available. I now have the thought in the back of my mind... this blade can never be replaced.

I have enough 21's that I can't be stupid enough to run out in several life times. I will still carry, use and love them for so many reasons. I guess the cost of carelessness has increased for us 21 users.

If you are still here and wondering, the damascus got put back in my pocket. I'll risk it to carry what I love. Life is short.
 
Honed_Edge said:
I knew that I may have to pay if I do something dumb, but the option to repair was always available. I now have the thought in the back of my mind... this blade can never be replaced.
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You can pay, it just involves buying a 31. I know that's not the best answer. I also believe CRK wishes they had the capacity to continue producing parts (mostly blades) for discontinued models (like the Regular), but until that happens they have to focus on the current production. :(
 
From what I understand all CRK folder blades are custom fit to each knife there very best grinder folk.That came from one of the guys in our knife club who was a grinder over there at CRK.
 
Josh,
I'm sure you're right. I also wont be the last to go through it. I guess these new guys getting in on the 31 will see that all things pass when the sebenza gets into its 40's. It would be nice if they offered older discontinued model blades. Even just doing the last model out would be great. I can see why they don't though. I just felt that some people, even those into CR's like me, can be shocked when they find out some Reeve policies and procedures. Damn it... why cant the perfect knife company exist? Guess CR's will have to do. ;)
They are still lifetime knives, that just means something different to me now.
 
Just my opinion, but this is one area I feel CRK could improve on. While it is not unusual for a company to stop supporting discontinued products at some point, CRK's parts are not easily or at all available on the secondary market. I think their customers would greatly appreciate it if they would continue to provide parts. Not a beef on my part, just something we/I would appreciate if they did.
 
Danke42 said:
Just take the 12 and name them Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, so on and use that one for just that month Statistically speaking you could go decades before there was an issue.
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While the OP has over a dozen, not all Sebenza owners who have a preference for the 21 do :oops:.

I happen to be a lefty, and my grail is a lefty Mammoth Sebenza. Statistically speaking, I will go decades before even having an opportunity to obtain one (and likely wouldn’t have the cash to follow-through if I did).
 
gaucheist said:
While the OP has over a dozen, not all Sebenza owners who have a preference for the 21 do :oops:.

I happen to be a lefty, and my grail is a lefty Mammoth Sebenza. Statistically speaking, I will go decades before even having an opportunity to obtain one (and likely wouldn’t have the cash to follow-through if I did).
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The knives I collect (accumulate) that don't get used I don't worry about.

The knives I use I consider as consumable items. Eventually they'll wear out or break or whatever. When that happens I won't worry about getting another of the same; I know that there will be a whole world of choices ready and waiting.

And for all I know by the time that happens the tech to 3D print the replacement parts will be prime time and a new blade can be printed at home over a weekend.
 
Here’s the way I look at it, there is no more and I mean no more blades for the regular Sebenza’s. I bought one a couple years back for $500.00
If it lasts me 10 years, that’s $50.00 a year I’ve spent to bring a smile to my face every time I use it. Not a bad deal in my book.
CRK has stopped living in the past and is moving forward with their business. I guess they want their customer base to do the same. I can live with that. That’s why some of the CRK’s I have will see little to no pocket time. As disappointing as it is, I figure if I use my knives without getting stupid, they’ll be around after I’m gone. If for some reason I happen to break a blade and it’s my fault, I will be upset knowing that it won’t be replaced but not so upset that I won’t replace it. I’ve got one Damascus 21 that is a work knife. I know I run a chance of breaking it, that’s why I ordered a 31 in Damascus ;)
 
Great replies, thanks everyone. Those are some good points to consider. I give everyone an A+ for keeping this conversation moving in the right direction!
 
johnnytoxin said:
How will we heat treat them?
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There would be a protocol or the steel would "print" treated already. It's not a Star Trek replicator but it is going to be coming. If you have kids in school they're probably 3D modeling and printing in shop class instead of turning wood on a lathe.
 
Not to add insult to injury :D but I secured replacement blades for six of my coveted 21s about a month before the cut off to do so. Woohoo! It’s not just CRK though, right - you can’t get a new blade for a disco’d benchmade, spyderco, Emerson, etc.?
 
Honed_Edge said:
I wonder how long until we see the lefty stuff in the 31's?
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The plains should start appearing several months once dealers are stocked. The lefties have always lagged. There’s still plenty of lefty 21’s still on shelves. I read on the web site to expect at least a year for Damascus, which I ordered. The only Damascus I ordered direct took over a year.
 
I'm in the market for a Sebenza and this is a bit of a point of contention for me as well. I'm considering a small 21 Insingo (actually waiting to hear back if a local dealer has one in stock) and while I understand CRK's to be "lifetime" knives the idea that if I ever have that "oh crap" moment and need a new blade I won't have that option. That makes the 31 sound like a safe bet but unfortunately I can't find any info on when a 31 Insingo will even be released.
 
amngwlvs said:
I'm in the market for a Sebenza and this is a bit of a point of contention for me as well. I'm considering a small 21 Insingo (actually waiting to hear back if a local dealer has one in stock) and while I understand CRK's to be "lifetime" knives the idea that if I ever have that "oh crap" moment and need a new blade I won't have that option. That makes the 31 sound like a safe bet but unfortunately I can't find any info on when a 31 Insingo will even be released.
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Tim mentioned in a video recently that they are shooting for the end of this year or first of next for the Tanto and Insingo gronds
 
RTedder2 said:
Tim mentioned in a video recently that they are shooting for the end of this year or first of next for the Tanto and Insingo gronds
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Ah, thank you kindly! That helps with my decision. If you had said another month or two I'd probably have held out but if I'm looking up to a year, I'll probably just continue the looking into the 21 for now. Thanks again for the info!
 
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