Reprofiling a new CR?

F

fzen

Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
47
I just got my first CR Mnandi last week and finally got to play with it today. The fit and finish are superb. But to be honest; the blade sucks. It arrived semi-sharp, duller than the factory edge on my two spydies, two kershaws and one buck. After a few tries at touching it up on the sharpmaker set at 40deg it's still too dull to carry. My tests for "sharp enough" are if the edge will catch on the ridge in my fingerprint and if it will shave hair (I take most of my blades to hair popping sharp).

Here is the questions. Is it worth learning to maintain a convex edge; possibly after sending it back to CR for sharpening? Or should I just bite the bullet and take it down to 30 degrees where I can make it sharp and keep it sharp? It may actually be quicker to learn to maintain a convex edge than to reprofile another 30v blade.

Thanks
 
I received a Sebenza and you could see from 2' away that it had never gone through any kind of sharpening stage. It was only good for spreading peanut butter. CR advised that I should return it for sharpening. Yeah right. Within five minutes I had it sharp enough to skin a grape. I use the Bark River Knives convex sharpening method and a home made convex sharpening system.
 
I had the same exact problem with the Mnandi that I had. I sent it back to CR (which by the way has excellent customer service) and it came back good as new but, still dull. I got fed up with it and regretfully sold it. The first Sebenza that I bought came very sharp and the second Seb that I got came in between.

I say reprofile it that way you like it and when it eventually gets dull you'll have no problem resharpening.

Just my .02$
 
That really surprises me. I've got two Mnandi, one carbon Damascus and one S30V. Both came extremely sharp. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Let me relate my experience with a Small Classic Sebenza. I ordered it online from a CR dealer. It was brand new when I received it and was wrapped in the packing paper. It was not very sharp and I contacted CR knives they had me send in to be sharpened. I sent in UPS 2nd day air and the day they received it they sharpened and lubed the knife and sent back to me UPS 2nd day air at CR knives expense. That is great customer service. All on the same day. It was better but I had an older Large Sebenza that was much sharper. I think they have changed the way they sharpen the Sebenza. I had purchased a Mnandi from the same dealer at about the same time. It was sharper than the Small sebenza and I would say it was acceptable but not outstanding. I sent the Small Classic to Tom Krein for a regrind and now it is the sharpest knife I own. Tom is amazing with his magic on the regrinds. I believe the Sebenza is best made knife i have every seen but the cutting ability is not exceptional unless the edge is redone on the current knives. The edges are being left too thick. My factory Benchmade and Spydercos cut better out of the box. These are just honest observations I have made and I am not an expert but just a man who has used knives for close to 50 years.
RKH
 
Hi RKH,
I sent you an email about the Krienedge. Let me know if it came through please. :)
 
It did Wali and I sent you an answer. You will love the grind and edge Tom puts on these knives.
RKH
 
I have been frustrated for a long time with my inability to get a truly outstanding edge on my Sebbie. Who is this Tom Krein person and how do I reach him?

Please PM if you don't feel comfortable putting that info in this thread.
 
I've had this issue for a long time, there was a whole huge thread about it some time ago. Bottom line, CRK's don't come sharp. Either start over from scratch or send them to Tom Krein.

Look for Tom Krein username and send him a PM.

It's a shame that new knives have to be fixed right out of the box. I'm tempted to just send them a new Sypderco so they can see what we're talking about. Here's the old thread:

Dear CRK,

I love CRK knives but there are a few issues that
I have experienced, and have also seen repeated in
the forums.

1) Sharpening angle of sebenzas. They now come
several degrees more then the 40 degree setting
(20 per side) of the Spyderco sharpmaker. In order
to sharpen a sebenza I first must have to reprofile
the blade before I can actually sharpen the edge itself.

2) Over all sharpness of new sebenzas. I also like
Spyderco knives, and when new they are sharper,
sometimes feeling much sharper then a new sebenza.
I’ve never had edge durability problems with Spyderco
knives. So it seems that sebenzas could be made at
least as sharp without problems. [...]
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=458965
 
So, I was lucky that I received my Sebenza very sharp? :cool:. it is a regular one with CGG and it was make in 22 February, this year.
 
Bulgron, Tom Krein worked for Bob Dozier for around 3 years before going into business for his self. He makes some very very nice fixed blades. Some of the online dealers have his knives for sale; mostly they are sold as soon as they hit the market. If you want one of his you need get on his mailing list. He grinds a knife as thin as possible but yet keeps the edge from being brittle. When this knifemaker starts making folders I will have to get one.My earlier CR knives were much sharper than the last two I bought about a year a go. It may be CR grinds the Sebenzas thicker because they are using S30V and not BG42 or ATS34 steel. I think CRK makes the best folder I have ever used Feels good in the hand and has a great grip it feels very secure and just fits my hand and works great in all applications. I am a big fan of CRK. Have a good one.
RKH
 
So I've been meaning to send my sebbie out to have the edge worked on. Would you guys recommend sending it back to the factory first, to see how they do (hey, it's only $11 and a little time) or would you go straight to Tom Krein?

Just curious. I figure I'll do something about this knife shortly after the holidays are over (can't go on a road trip without my sebbie!)
 
I'd also send it to Tom. I sent him a couple Sebenzas and he did a great job.:thumbup:
 
The blades I've gotten (or gotten back) from CRK have ranged from pretty sharp to very sharp.

If you know how you want the edge laid back, then by all means don't be bashful about putting it there.

Krein definitely knows how to make a knife sharp - either with a regrind of the primaries or simply a final sharpening. Seems kind of ridiculous to me to be sending blades out just for sharpening, but if you can't figure it out for yourself, Tom can certainly put it right.
 
My Reeves have been some of the sharpest knives out of the box but stuff happens. I agree with the advice> Go to Reeve first or go to Krein. Tom is on FIRE!
Lycosa
 
I'll agree with the "old ones were sharper" concept. I do however re profile my knives to my taste. It takes time but you can get them sticky sharp.
 
OK, this may sound nuts but my first Seb was BG-42. That was, without a doubt, the sharpest folder out of the box. I mean that edge would just grab whatever it touched. I now own an S30V Seb and it's razor sharp but the BG-42 "felt" Sharper. There's my two-cents.
Lycosa
 
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