Sandblast vs glass last?

Q

Qball45jr

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Mar 31, 2021
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Maybe this has been asked already but I'm thinking about sending my to me PJ large 31 in for spa treatment. Is it worth the upgrade? Pros and cons for either would be appreciated.
 
I’ve sent a Micarta 21 in and it’s amazing! Smooth yet still nice and grippy.
I
Also have a Micarta 31 that was a factory made GB that’s just awesome!

Here’s an old school sand blast between two glass blast. 21 a spa blast and 31 factory production.
View attachment 2474692

Mustacheben Mustacheben just had a PJ done so he probably can be a better judge.
 
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Qball45jr said:
Maybe this has been asked already but I'm thinking about sending my to me PJ large 31 in for spa treatment. Is it worth the upgrade? Pros and cons for either would be appreciated.
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I think it’s well worth the $50. I have 5 that are glass blasted and I’m a huge fan. They are both great but the glass blast shows snails less if that is important to you. They both offer great grip but the glass blast is a bit smoother which I like. I just got one back from the mothership and it was 7 weeks total to keep in mind it won’t be quick.
 
Sent my Inkosi and Umi in a while ago. Absolutely love the glass finish and been carrying the knives much more because of it.
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One of the previous owners installed an aftermarket thumb stud. Is it going to be an issue to send it in with it on? Or should I try and remove it?
 
Qball45jr said:
One of the previous owners installed an aftermarket thumb stud. Is it going to be an issue to send it in with it on? Or should I try and remove it?
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They do state on the service form to not send any aftermarket parts.
 
My 31 in black micatra is glass blasted. It's a really nice finish and doesn't show any snail trails unless you tip it just right in the light. If you want your knife to stay looking factory new go with the glass blast. If you want the rough worn look that develops on most carried CRKs go with the sand blast.
 
Put me in the pro glass blast camp. I've been progressively sending mine in for the service. I prefer the look, and it's nicer on my pants and hands texture wise. Also looks classier in my estimation. I work a white collar job, and my knives are for food and packages primarily, so while I appreciate a heavily snail trailed work knife, it's not my personal aesthetic.

Side note, swapping the thumb studs voids the blades warranty. They will likely still do the scales, but be aware that swapping thumbstuds increases the potential for a cracking blade, which is why they don't allow for it. They may on a case by case basis help out. Or you can contact them to get in line for a blade replacement at $150.
 
I have 4 glass blasted including one Large PJ 21 and overall I do prefer the look and feel of it. It’s also much friendlier to my pocket, although I’ve recently discovered a glass blast clip with sandblast scales is a nice compromise there. Glass blast feels a bit more “premium” but that said there is nothing wrong with the sandblast. Two of my most carried are a small plain 31 and large plain Inkosi sandblasted and the worn look is nice also. Really I’m glad we don’t need to pick because I like having both options.
 
I like glass blasting in concert with wood inlays, especially box elder. The glass blasting next to polished flats on the 2023 annual Sebenza is pure hot knife porn.

Sandblasting feels more rugged, though. Works better with plain handles or with micarta. Just one guy's opinion.
 
Qball45jr said:
One of the previous owners installed an aftermarket thumb stud. Is it going to be an issue to send it in with it on? Or should I try and remove it?
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I sent mine in with the aftermarket stud and LynchNW clip. They had no issue with that and reblasted the scales and clip, no questions asked. Note - I did remove the LynchNW clip and specifically asked if they could blast the clip to match.
 
Mako109 said:
I sent mine in with the aftermarket stud and LynchNW clip. They had no issue with that and reblasted the scales and clip, no questions asked. Note - I did remove the LynchNW clip and specifically asked if they could blast the clip to match.
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Are you saying they reblasted your Lynch clip too? I’ve been holding off sending my large in for a glass blast because I use a Lynch Clip and want them to match but they said they couldn’t do aftermarket parts when I emailed them
 
I have one of each and have found the glass blast to smooth the edges and points to be a lot more comfortable. Sand blast is fine of course, but the glass blast does make a difference in comfort in my experience (with Inkosis).
 
WedgeAntilles said:
Put me in the pro glass blast camp. I've been progressively sending mine in for the service. I prefer the look, and it's nicer on my pants and hands texture wise. Also looks classier in my estimation. I work a white collar job, and my knives are for food and packages primarily, so while I appreciate a heavily snail trailed work knife, it's not my personal aesthetic.

Side note, swapping the thumb studs voids the blades warranty. They will likely still do the scales, but be aware that swapping thumbstuds increases the potential for a cracking blade, which is why they don't allow for it. They may on a case by case basis help out. Or you can contact them to get in line for a blade replacement at $150.
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There are some very good modders who know this and carefully drill out the original studs to avoid stress on the blade😉
 
acorazza said:
Are you saying they reblasted your Lynch clip too? I’ve been holding off sending my large in for a glass blast because I use a Lynch Clip and want them to match but they said they couldn’t do aftermarket parts when I emailed them
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Yes they glass blasted my LynchNW clip and Hawkclip! Addendum - LynchNW also offers glass blasted clips for CRK, at least they did when I checked a year ago.

Addendum 2 - Just to clarify, I had this done maybe two years ago (?) and I didn't ask them to glass blast the aftermarket clip before sending it in. I just sent it in with everything else with a note in the box requesting they also blast the aftermarket clip to match. Perhaps they would have said "No" if I made the request before including it with the rest of the CRK stuff. Also I believe had the blasting done before CRK got into 6 year production backlogs.
 
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I guess I'm all alone as I prefer the sand blast versions. I am a PJ guy and I like all the character the wear brings to the knife.

IMHO the glass blast is much better suited on Inlay versions, annuals, and UG versions, and very few examples of these versions appeal to me. That said, the 2023 annual makes my pants a little tighter every time I see one.
 
analoghog said:
I guess I'm all alone as I prefer the sand blast versions. I am a PJ guy and I like all the character the wear brings to the knife.

IMHO the glass blast is much better suited on Inlay versions, annuals, and UG versions, and very few examples of these versions appeal to me. That said, the 2023 annual makes my pants a little tighter every time I see one.
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You are not alone.
 
analoghog said:
I guess I'm all alone as I prefer the sand blast versions. I am a PJ guy and I like all the character the wear brings to the knife.

IMHO the glass blast is much better suited on Inlay versions, annuals, and UG versions, and very few examples of these versions appeal to me. That said, the 2023 annual makes my pants a little tighter every time I see one.
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not all alone, I agree with you. I carry a glass blasted micarta inlaid 21 and if I ever send it for something else I’ll have it returned to sand blasted. I would definitely not prefer a glass blasted PJ.

I do think glass looks nice with wood inlaid.
 
Don’t get me wrong, the glass blast is amazing in both looks and feel. Its just not the same feel.

I sent a Micarta 21 in for a blast and it came back amazing, I have since sold it and bought it back and sold it again.
I bought a GB 31 Micarta, sold it , bought it back and just sold it again.

I like others are a bit old school I guess and really like that Sebenza feeling we have all come to know and appreacate. The GB is so sleek and sexy and I want to put it in my pocket but….

Now someone offer to GB my carbon fiber Mnandi and we are ON!
 
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