Seb 25 questions.......Few More Q's

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d.weglarz13

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Jun 4, 2008
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Sorry, but a few more last minute questions before I order.....Scroll to the end please..


Okay guys, its been a long time trying to decide on my next edc high end production folder. And, the Sebenza 25 is really growing on me. Actually, I find myself thinking about it all day now, and didn't even order it yet.
I can't stop looking at pics of it, and have decided that I am going to be ordering a 25.

So, this brings me to a few questions...
1. I tried searching for this answer, and still don't know....What in the heck is the notch on the spine for? I have heard theories, but any real answer?
2. I know a lot of guys seem to buy from TNK, Knifeart, etc, but these seem to be out of stock on the one I want. Any recommendations for a dealer that has preferably newest birth dates available? I wouldn't want to buy one from 2013 if Im buying full price, you know? Price doesn't seem to vary really at all, so Im guessing no deals on this one. Im not sure if this question is ok here, so PM me if needed or email me.
3. I know a lot of people hate the clip, any advice on keeping it or getting the fill in adapter piece for the spot where it should be when you remove it? I do plan on probably keeping this in a pocket slip seeing how expensive this little knife is, at least at the beginning until i get her real dinged up. Any advice from experience on the clip?
4. This might have been asked before, but I don't get why I really don't see too many pics of anyone using their Sebbys for real hard use....I plan on using the crap out of mine.


I know this is gonna sound real "mall ninja" now, but for a few months now, since knife funds have been low lately, I have really been trying to decide on my first frame lock high ender, and it was kinda between this and a strider. I know, I know. But, I have been on this forum for years now, and I know its funny but Im only getting in to frame locks recently. And, to even take this further, I have only recently gotten into traditionals/slippy's too....

I know, weird. But I have been busy lately with some other projects.....mainly STILL learning the craft of knife making, and trying to acquire the knowledge of being worthy of putting the word "knife maker" under my name some day..., and my head has been all over the place and like I said, just wrapped up with other things. I just haven't really had too much time to research a new "toy" for myself, and kinda hoping for some good advice from you guys.

Sorry if this post doesn't make too much sense, its late and I've had a couple. Just jabbering, and wanting you guys to talk me into buying another production knife for my personal enjoyment, and tell me that its worth the 450 bucks. Oh yea, plus the pocket sleeve and maybe the piece for the clip void....

Ok, I'm going to sleep. Sorry for the craziness. Anything you guys feel like throwing out there, I'll take to heart.

...may have to edit this post tomorrow when I can see straight.

thanks guys
dave
 
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Hi Dave,

1. I've read, but can't quote that the notch is a locator for machining and that it provides the transition point to the rounded spine. Not sure if that is true. It does give your thumb an indication of the start of the cutting edge in low or no light via tactile feedback, but it's not sharp enough to spark off a ferro rod. I like the feedback and for that use alone I would prefer to have it.

2. If you see someone is out of stock, wait for them to get more in and you are likely to get the newest batch available. Otherwise call them and ask. I got mine from the January 29th, 2014 batch so there are new ones out there.

3. Clip ends between my fingers, so it fits my hand perfectly. No problem with it. Your hand size will tell you if it's for you or not.

4. I use mine daily, and I don't take pics. My small micarta is going back to CRK with the texture rubbed off where my fingers lay on the handles, the edge is not sharp enough to cut butter if it was hot and the action is worse then a $20 Chinese folder. I expect it back almost as good as new.

I want so bad to like Strider, but I have had to flip or return every one I have bought. I have great attention to detail, and I can't handle the fit and finish on a Strider for the same price a CRK will cost. To me the quality of a Strider is not more than $200 and less than almost every Spyderco I have seen. My last Para 2 was better.

I wanted something harder use than a 21, my recent attempt to meet this need was a Z-Wear SnG I bought new from TNK. The lock was sticky, the action was crappy, the back of the blade tang looked like it was finished on 100 grit belt so the lock felt terrible, the tip was centered, but the grind was not even. The flame anodize didn't go down into the cutouts that create the tension for the lock, the thumb stud was pressed in after it was coated so the coating was scratched off half the thumb stud and it was not pressed in evenly... and this was the newest 7th generation knife. And it costs as much as a CRK. I called Strider and they told me, our knives are for using, the issues I had didn't effect that thus they are not manufacturing flaws. This was in fact an improved version of the knife and perhaps it was not what I was looking for.

Thankfully I got a 25, and it's damn near perfect.
Sebenza25.jpg
 
CRK is a price controlled brand. All dealers must sell for the same price or they lose their dealership. The only bargains are on the used market.

If you are looking for the silver stud model that is a TNK exclusive (or was). They sell out all the time, but also come back in all the time, so just sign up for the email notification. TNK is a great place to buy.

The notch gives them a way to transition between the square edge of the jimping and the rounded spine. It has no functional purpose. In my opinion, the notch allows them to do this transition easily with a machine, while the direct transition as found on the 25 prototype likely required more skill and attention by the worker who was hand-grinding the round spine. Its a cheat of sorts, but it doesn't bother me any more.

I hard use the 25, as do others on this forum. I don't cut it any slack and it keeps trucking. You could thump on it without worry.

My enjoyment of the 25s handle design increased severalfold with removal of the offending clip. I have yet to buy the 25 dollar spacer. Seems a bit of a gouge.
 
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I think the notch thing is answered. There are reputable CRK dealers on eBay. You may have to ask them through text but their there. I bought my 25 from eBay through a dealer on the site. It's the ones for sale by individuals that needs caution.
Go to grand prairie knives for the filler and other CRK accessories. They keep a stock. The reason I don't hard use mine is that it's just eye candy for me. Once you have one in hand you'll understand why folks don't hard use them. That's why I got a second 25, to use. Be warned, you will get the fever and go batsh-- crazy on owning more than one CRK.
I love my striders, have not had any issues with the ones I have....Now that's my hard use knife. I always have a strider and CRK on me. Gook luck with your buy
 
Are they worth the price? Absolutely, it's not just the knife, it's the whole enchilada: great warranty and service, well built product and proven for 25 years, how many are in that class? And the very best reason to own a CRK is the bragging rights and the great folks here to share stories with. The end
 
If you have the time watch meeting your maker on you tube . I only have two small 21s, both came straight from reeves.
Jake
 
Go for it.
the blade alone is worth it.
I love mine.
red mag

PS: As for pixs, probably if you use it hard you do not think about pictures.
 
I don't think you will have a problem getting one from 2013 as they sell out very quickly everywhere. I don't know why getting one from 2013 would be bad though. I love my 25 and it's as tough as nails. Just keep looking, they pop up in stock places every so often. Good luck.
 
I love mine. I owned 3 at one time, but one is good for me now. I will eventually buy a back up again. I carry mine with the filler insert as opposed to the clip. I carry it belt pouch or back pocket.
This is becoming one of my favorite CRKs and might even pass the insingo in that category
 
Well, you guys have definitely answered my questions. Thanks for all the help.
I don't personally have any gripes with the cutout on the spine, really just trying to find an answer. But thats what I kinda thought.

Now, its back to deciding if I should go with the small first, or the large. Im really leaning towards the large honestly, but hey if anyone needs to yell out how much they love their smalls, thats fine too. I know a lot of you guys prefer the small version over the large. And, my hands are not the huge mitts that some of you guys have. I wear size medium gloves, and about 5'11", but the difference between the large and small seems pretty minor.

Im pretty excited to order one of these now. Thanks for all the advice again guys.

Now, care to talk me into the large or small version? Thats really the only thing holding me back now, and I guess I do plan on having both in the future, but not too soon by any means. Life is really claiming all my knife funds these days. This will be my edc blade, for the next few years at least hopefully. That price, is gonna really make me stick to this one I think.

Cheers
dave
 
Dave,

I have medium/large hands, same height as you. So not huge mits, most guys I shoot with have bigger hands. My knuckles are not as fresh as they once were though, so in small I find it is quite narrow and when its cold or changing weather I get a little sore when I get a full grip on a small so I went with a micarta inlay on my small to widen it just slightly. That's how it works for me. The 25 fits me way better though, I will keep the small around maybe in my edc bag or something, maybe just sell it, it's served me well, but the blade alone on the 25 is improved enough that I won't switch it out for a 21 unless it's necessary.
 
Interesting. Thanks.
Tell me, did the 21 come with a bushing pivot and now the 25 doesn't? I see something like this in other threads, just wondering exactly what they are referring to...and, Im guessing if its not an upgrade from the 21, you guys seem to still love it?

dave
 
Dave,

For starters, there may not be a big difference in what you can get done in a day with these knives, but make no mistake, the small is small! I have both sizes. I would say the 'large' is a normal sized utility folder, while the small is a small knife for your pocket (if that makes sense). If you are a knife guy, and like cutting stuff, I'd get the large 1st. If you are looking for an addition to your well planned EDC set up, the small. Smart guys know that the small is lighter, less offensive, takes up less pocket space, and does all the jobs the large will.......however......the cave man that lurks in my genes just really likes the big hunk of steel the large size offers.

The 21 uses the bushing system, and the 25 a standard adjustable pivot type arrangement.
 
^^^gotcha.. yea, from what Im seeing in pics, the small does seem tiny. I do also like to carry a slip joint too, so that can be my sheeple knife, and I think the large 25 is going to be it for me. I am pretty darn excited.
Its funny, throughout the years I have bought some pretty expensive knives. For instance, I recently, due to much needed funds for an engagement ring, had to sell my Busse Satin Jack that I paid around 600 bucks plus an crazy custom sheath for about another 200, and it was my user knife for all my outdoor uses! I bought it years ago, when I was younger and didn't really have bills...But now, its almost as Ive gotten more mature...I know, that can't be it....but I do feel like spending the big bucks just kinda hurts more now, maybe the fact that Im a bit older and realizing all my money can't just go to knives....

So, yea 500 bucks for this user edc blade, especially living in NY with the darn knife laws here, has really taken me some time to build up to ordering this one. Not that I feel like its over priced in any way, because I guess I don't, especially that comes along with it like the community, service, warranty, etc. But it is expensive either way to me for a knife these days.

Ok, time to find some in stock somewhere hopefully...Large 25 it is.


Edit: Okay guys, I must be going crazy. What am I talking about this whole time? What has really drawn me here was the upgraded look of the 25. But, now that Im looking into it in detail, does the 25 even come in a small version? Or is the 25 just one size? On Chris Reeves site under the 25 I don't see any pics of more than the one size. I know the 21 comes in Large and Small....If you can clear this up, I can consider myself totally nuts now. thanks
 
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I don't think you can go wrong with a 25. I have two 21s (small/large) and a 25. If I could only have one, it would be the 25.

To me, it feels beefier and more heavy-duty than my large 21. Especially if you carry a small slip-joint as your sheepie knife, the 25 is the way to go.

I just checked and Knives Ship Free has 19 of them in stock. They are a paid dealer on the forum and Derrick is actually a member here (okbohn)
 
d.weglarz13 said:
Edit: Okay guys, I must be going crazy. What am I talking about this whole time? What has really drawn me here was the upgraded look of the 25. But, now that Im looking into it in detail, does the 25 even come in a small version? Or is the 25 just one size? On Chris Reeves site under the 25 I don't see any pics of more than the one size. I know the 21 comes in Large and Small....If you can clear this up, I can consider myself totally nuts now. thanks
Click to expand...

There are sketchy rumours of a 25 small, but nothing official. Just the one size for now.
 
d.weglarz13 said:
Ok cool. I know the guys over at KSF are good people. Thanks for all the help
Click to expand...

Yeah Greg dug through their stock to find me a 25 with a birthdate of 1/29 today. He said they just got another shipment of 2/28/14 25's so he has some fresh off the machine. :thumbup:
 
Okay, last question. I hear guys talk of polished vs. stone washed blade, bead blasted or scotchbrited handle slabs.
I know already that I don't want a polished blade, but rather the stonewashed. I have to look into pics of the different handles.
Is there some way to get either or I have to special order for that? What do the ones from the regular dealers like KSF carry? Thanks
dave


also, I know I have seen sebenzas with blue standoffs to match the thumb studs. What model was that? Im assuming the 25 has blue thumb stud but silver standoffs? thanks again for any clarification..
 
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