Rolled the dice on the big auction site...

[photoman12001]

I've been gobbling up used CRKs over the past month to try different versions, mostly of the Exchange here. I avoided the auction site for fear of fakes but recently spotted one that I wanted to try. After asking a few questions I shot the seller an offer that I didn't figure he'd accept but he did. I was pretty confident in its authenticity but was still a bit nervous until it arrived today. After disassembling it I couldn't find any cause for concern.

It's the small 21 with wood inlays, a very pretty knife but I'm not nuts about the polished portions. The polished part of the blade seems to suck up finger prints. I do like the contrast between the polished and bead blasted areas on the handle but overall I prefer the completely blasted finish.

It didn't come with a birth card but I'm assuming 2011 based on the handle codes and the "V" marked blade. I have a few 2010 knives that are marked "S" on the blade where this one has a "V" marking. Based on the CRK history sticky thread, they switched to S35VN in early 2011.

This one and my 2010 plain small 21 with standard blade are the only ones I have with lines on the stop pin. I like it and think it adds a a nice detail to the knife.

I noticed the lanyard pin on this one is completely countersunk on the ends while all my others have a conical peak in the center.

These are all my current small Sebenzas. I didn't really seek them out but they are all pre "Idaho Made" marked.

 

[marcus52AR]

Some very nice pictures of some very nice knives! The insingo blade almost looks photoshopped the way it stretches out.

 

[Anarchy84]

I've always been terrified of the big auction site. Glad it paid off for you! Beautiful knives.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

Nice, congrats! I saw it over there, and have been trying to figure out what wood that is.

 

[socom1970]

Is it cocobolo? I'm wondering about it myself.

Congratulations on your score!

 

[nyefmaker]

Looks like bloodwood to me, more because of the grain than the color. Damn, I like that Classic Micarta though. Still have yet to snag a micarta. A Classic would be the one I would choose if possible. The search continues....lol.

 

[photoman12001]

Some very nice pictures of some very nice knives! The insingo blade almost looks photoshopped the way it stretches out.

Thanks. The distortion is just camera lens trickery with the iPhone. I rarely even break out my DSLR for these photos any more because the iPhone does such a good job and makes the process so easy with the Photobucket application. I did buy a few third party camera applications and a tripod mount though.

 

[photoman12001]

Looks like bloodwood to me, more because of the grain than the color. Damn, I like that Classic Micarta though. Still have yet to snag a micarta. A Classic would be the one I would choose if possible. The search continues....lol.

I snagged that one off the Exchange quick, fast, and in a hurry when I saw it; it's my favorite CRK so far. The action is perfectly smooth and the titanium has a nice, soft feel to it. It's hard to describe. I like the Classic MM inscription too. It would be my last CRK to go if the need arose and a top contender for last knife overall. I've got a large 21 micarta Insingo inbound now that I'm anxious to try. That will likely be the last for a while because I'll have CRKs with all the features I wanted to try.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

Looks like bloodwood to me, more because of the grain than the color. Damn, I like that Classic Micarta though. Still have yet to snag a micarta. A Classic would be the one I would choose if possible. The search continues....lol.

I'm favoring bloodwood myself, or possible Tamboti?

 

[Iron City]

I had to Google Tamboti never having seen it before on any inlay and it looks lighter with dark streaks running the full length. Looks to strongly favor Bloodwood.

 

[ice_man]

I am pretty sure it's Bloodwood also because of the grain. It has the same grain as the one on my Mnandi...

Congratulations on that awesome score!

 

[lemmuhj]

Some nice pics and awesome looking knives there! That Classic is nice

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

Same grain and same color. I do believe you guys are right. Of course a trip to the mothership could confirm that.

 

[ice_man]

Same grain and same color. I do believe you guys are right. Of course a trip to the mothership could confirm that.

That's the best thing to do.. not to mention that it will get pampered as well...

 

[photoman12001]

Thanks for the wood information. I didn't think to ask what it might be.

 

[photoman12001]

After searching for other images of Sebenzas with bloodwood, I'd agree with that assessment.
I snapped a few more that might show the wood better

Here is a better shot to show the difference in the lanyard pins.

And a few more for good measure.