Critter
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,782
Esav,
Just to clear up what may be a misconception or misunderstanding of what's posted on my site. I didn't deliberately copy the Sebenza blade. I was certainly heavily influenced by that blade, as I was by a number of others I have used (such as the Buck Cross-Lock with drop point and shroud cutter I carried in my flight suit inner thigh pocket) and carried or admired over the years, and I had carried a Sebenza as my EDC for some years partly because I liked the blade shape. When I introduced the RSK Mk1 I gave credit for that influence where due. However, if you look into the history you'll see I was promoting this wide chord drop point blade style, and carrying knives that were so configured, long before I ever held a Sebenza.
The RSK Mk1 blade shape was sketched out freehand and using a french curve after tracing the then current Grip blade shapes, the available space in the handle, and going from there, in layers, until I found a shape that seemed right to me, fit into the handle and had the attributes I wanted. It was only well into the project after the first prototypes were made that someone, I forget who, actually held up the RSK Mk1 to a Sebenza and it turned out the edge shapes were quite close. Mine has a bit more belly and a lower point via-a-vis the bottom edge. In other respects the overall blade shape is pretty different, considering they are both conceptually wider chord drop point designs. I suspect that had I not been a fan of the Sebenza and did not already at that time feature the Sebenza with the ETS logo on the site, that this confluence of designs might not be quite so well noticed and not necessarily correct inferences made.
As for the steel, that really is simply a coincidence of timing. I'd tried a few S30V blades and was favorably impressed. Knife guys I respected, including Chris, were going to it for all the same reasons. Done right, it was proving to be a great compromise in the qualities many of us feel is desirable in a stainless knife steel and noticeably better than either BG42 or 154CM, the other alternative high end steels at that time. Benchmade was already producing S30V blades by then, so they were familiar with the steel, easing production issues. The second fully functional prototype was made in S30V and I beat the crap out of it and we decided that it was worth the considerable extra cost for the attributes it brought to the party.
I am always flattered that the RSK Mk1 is compared to the Sebenza, it is an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as one of Chris' creations. I hope this better explains what that relationship is.
Just to clear up what may be a misconception or misunderstanding of what's posted on my site. I didn't deliberately copy the Sebenza blade. I was certainly heavily influenced by that blade, as I was by a number of others I have used (such as the Buck Cross-Lock with drop point and shroud cutter I carried in my flight suit inner thigh pocket) and carried or admired over the years, and I had carried a Sebenza as my EDC for some years partly because I liked the blade shape. When I introduced the RSK Mk1 I gave credit for that influence where due. However, if you look into the history you'll see I was promoting this wide chord drop point blade style, and carrying knives that were so configured, long before I ever held a Sebenza.
The RSK Mk1 blade shape was sketched out freehand and using a french curve after tracing the then current Grip blade shapes, the available space in the handle, and going from there, in layers, until I found a shape that seemed right to me, fit into the handle and had the attributes I wanted. It was only well into the project after the first prototypes were made that someone, I forget who, actually held up the RSK Mk1 to a Sebenza and it turned out the edge shapes were quite close. Mine has a bit more belly and a lower point via-a-vis the bottom edge. In other respects the overall blade shape is pretty different, considering they are both conceptually wider chord drop point designs. I suspect that had I not been a fan of the Sebenza and did not already at that time feature the Sebenza with the ETS logo on the site, that this confluence of designs might not be quite so well noticed and not necessarily correct inferences made.
As for the steel, that really is simply a coincidence of timing. I'd tried a few S30V blades and was favorably impressed. Knife guys I respected, including Chris, were going to it for all the same reasons. Done right, it was proving to be a great compromise in the qualities many of us feel is desirable in a stainless knife steel and noticeably better than either BG42 or 154CM, the other alternative high end steels at that time. Benchmade was already producing S30V blades by then, so they were familiar with the steel, easing production issues. The second fully functional prototype was made in S30V and I beat the crap out of it and we decided that it was worth the considerable extra cost for the attributes it brought to the party.
I am always flattered that the RSK Mk1 is compared to the Sebenza, it is an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as one of Chris' creations. I hope this better explains what that relationship is.
mine has a saber grind
. That's what I get for typing from memory.