I only recently got my first CF knife, a ZT 0450CF and I love it! I love the lightweightness, the look, and the color.
It got me thinking more about the knife art exclusive CF models. I'd like to hear people's thoughts on these CF models in general and any recommendation on whether they are worth the buy. To me, CRK folders have always meant grey bead blasted titanium so it goes against that original aesthetic to me but not necessarily bad! Please tell me your thoughts in general and help answer a few specific questions I've been wondering.
1- Does CF make a better or worse carry piece than standard titanium? Is it more of a safe queen like a mammoth bark inlay or a pure user?
2- How bad is the centering issue that I hear discussed? I've read that CRK doesn't guarantee centering and states over time the knife will develop asymmetries and it's not a matter of if but when it happens because of the nature of the material. This honestly is the main thing that's kept me away so far.
3- I've read on the forums that CRK will replace a titanium handle slab for $100 to $200 so you can buy a CF sebenza, and mail it in and for the right price, they'll install and fit a titanium slab. On the surface this seems like a cool idea so you could swap handles and sort of have two different knives but I imagine it also requires new washers to be fitted, and you'd probably have to maintain two sets of washers, one for each handle, since it's my understanding that's what they grind a few microns off to make it fit correctly. Also, I'm wondering if this is even a good idea or if you're better off putting that money towards a second full titanium knife, if you so wanted a titanium version and a CF version.
4- Does the CF get scuffed up over time and can CRK refinish it?
5- Overall is it gimmicky and/or just kind of a fun knife to have to collect, or does it excel in actual usage performance, perhaps due to the slightly reduced weight?
6- If you were just going to get one CF model, how do you choose size/blade style? Do you get something that you're lacking, such as if you don't own an insingo, you get an insingo CF model, or do you get something that duplicates your primary EDC so you match the size/blade shape you prefer.
It got me thinking more about the knife art exclusive CF models. I'd like to hear people's thoughts on these CF models in general and any recommendation on whether they are worth the buy. To me, CRK folders have always meant grey bead blasted titanium so it goes against that original aesthetic to me but not necessarily bad! Please tell me your thoughts in general and help answer a few specific questions I've been wondering.
1- Does CF make a better or worse carry piece than standard titanium? Is it more of a safe queen like a mammoth bark inlay or a pure user?
2- How bad is the centering issue that I hear discussed? I've read that CRK doesn't guarantee centering and states over time the knife will develop asymmetries and it's not a matter of if but when it happens because of the nature of the material. This honestly is the main thing that's kept me away so far.
3- I've read on the forums that CRK will replace a titanium handle slab for $100 to $200 so you can buy a CF sebenza, and mail it in and for the right price, they'll install and fit a titanium slab. On the surface this seems like a cool idea so you could swap handles and sort of have two different knives but I imagine it also requires new washers to be fitted, and you'd probably have to maintain two sets of washers, one for each handle, since it's my understanding that's what they grind a few microns off to make it fit correctly. Also, I'm wondering if this is even a good idea or if you're better off putting that money towards a second full titanium knife, if you so wanted a titanium version and a CF version.
4- Does the CF get scuffed up over time and can CRK refinish it?
5- Overall is it gimmicky and/or just kind of a fun knife to have to collect, or does it excel in actual usage performance, perhaps due to the slightly reduced weight?
6- If you were just going to get one CF model, how do you choose size/blade style? Do you get something that you're lacking, such as if you don't own an insingo, you get an insingo CF model, or do you get something that duplicates your primary EDC so you match the size/blade shape you prefer.
21, Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 01
21, Insingo Carbon Fiber Exclusive, 03
21, Carbon Fiber, Basket Weave, 05
21, Carbon Fiber, Basket Weave, 08
21, Carbon Fiber, Basket Weave, 07a