Sebenza EDC choices

mag1 said:
I have had both, small and large. At first I never used the inlaid seb's, thought they were too pretty.
I had 3 new Zaan's, but bought a used Zaan to carry and use. Used it til it went dull. I cut everything with it.
Next went to a new 21 i had in the safe, again, carried and used til dull.
I never got around to sharpening them. I suck at it.
3rd user was the small NIB snakewood, which I absolutely love. Love the feel of the wood.
Once you can get over the obstacle of using a new knife, you will want to use them all in rotation.
It took me about a year to feel comfortable using my CRK's, but believe me, all carry well. The zaan is a little heavy for me, but awesome blade.
Mnandi, too small for me, but I do use one sometimes when I am at the office to open mail.
When you get tired of them, or beat them up, either sell it or send to CRK for a treatment. The knife will look brand new if not better.
I started out with a kershaw blur, $80 bucks, and had a hard time using it cuz I did not want to ruin a new knife.
So use that snakewood and get the satisfaction you deserve! It isn't going to go up in price.
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Ye gods man learn to sharpen those suckers! Hell I'll sharpen them for you if they're just sitting there dull and abandoned! Once you get a good edge on them all you'd need to do is strop them with some compound once a week (depending on use) and they'll stay hair popping sharp forever..
 
I think that is pretty normal.
If we (each one of us) had only one, that there would be no question wether to use it or not.
Since we have the option, we do not want to mess up a perfectly good knife.
While the knife wouln't mind getting used, we are more worried about it's beauty.

Then there are those well used knives, even old ones, that still function and have a patina, some scratches, which all tell their little story.
I think these are desirable from a knife-lovers point of view.
If you think about the value (in the sense of reselling it), then of course a mint knife is worth more.

I stopped using each and every new knife some time ago, when I realised, I ended up accumulating a heap of used knives.
This did not stop me from buying new knives, but it changed my approach. Nowadays I get much satisfaction from owning the knife.
My solution is to carry more than one piece.

red mag
 
Steel_Addiction said:
I say, use em if ya got em!

Today I changed out an old panel and all the old wires were rubber coated and cloth wrapped, and I didn't even think twice about digging my fresh Large P into that old crusty crap.

Nothing some high percentage iso-alcohol and a blue shop rag can't fix!

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Nice blade.Its nice to see someone use sebenza hard.Thats what the knife is for.
 
I've used my large snakewood as a work edc for some time. Used it for food prep, cutting up boxes, slicing parchment paper, and cutting what random things need it.

Only thing is about the wood is when I washed it the wood would dry out if I used paper towels. But a bit of oil on the scales would make it look like new.

As for the blade, cardboard didn't really do much to it. Plastic didn't really do much to it, nor did any food. Only thing that put noticeable scratches on it was the rough end of a kitchen sponge. Didn't expect that so beware lol Even still though are ways to get rid of that.
 
I've only got one Seb I won't carry, it's a Annual that's too pretty to mess up. Not to mention too collectible.

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My favorite user Seb is a large CGG that's long out of production. It's a regular that I put the blade from a 21 on.

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Another that gets most of the pocket time when I want to carry a small is my CGG 'Freedom'.

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I do have one that I carry when I want a 'dress' knife. It's an old UG from back in the day when Chris did the graphics, and it's got a damascus blade. Sweet knife that cuts like a dream.

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Use them or collect and don't use. There is no in between, IMO. I collect and carry Colt M1911's and M1911A1's, as my forum name suggests. Some are safe queens being way too valuable and rare to carry and shoot. Others, although still valuable historically, I carry and use everyday. As you gain experience in use or collect, I think you'll understand where I'm coming from. BTW, I also have a use and collect knives CRK's being the primary pieces...

But, ost of all, enjoy these works of art, be they knives or firearms. Life is way too short not to appreciate and use what you own in your own way.....cya


JW
 
Only sebenza I own is an inlaid. It's tough, I wouldn't be hesitant about carrying the snakewood if I were you, they look great.
 
Pretty much have a 3 knife "combo/rotation" ...small Sebenza African Blackwood, GEC 85 Cocobolo, & a '65-'69 Case peanut. I have others including a ZDP Delica, and a GEC 66 Moose. All my knives are users. On average i carry the sm. Sebenza 2 days a week (weekends). GREAT knife for EDC. Go ahead and use it ..... enjoy it! It was made to work

Peter
 
Here I am, post No. 1.

For whatever reason I decided I wanted to buy a knife. I have never owned a knife before, never even wanted to own a knife before. I did some research and looked around (but didn't touch any though, not one). I learned of Chris Reeve through the Wilson Combat website. They sell a version of a Sebenza with "starburst" pattern handles (http://tinyurl.com/absddek) that seemed really attractive, and would match my gun (it is stainless/black with starburst G10 handles). Not that it matters, but still.

I long considered the small versus large decision. I work in midtown Manhattan. The small seemed too small but the large was plainly too big in my environment. However I read that some people felt the small was a little too small in the hand but I also learned inserts would take up some space in the hand, provide a little extra grip and so might really make the small pretty much perfect. That meant I eliminated purchasing the WC version but there you go. As to inserts, I learned micarta is even more textured than wood, but that comes with sandblasted handles ("ecause we have found most customers choose the micarta inlay as a working knife"). No problem, since I am not using it at all as a "working knife" I will simply get the grippy micarta with polished handles. That will look a lot like the ebony insert knife which is simply stunning but with the preferred micarta. And that will really match my WC Classic although, again, not that it really matters. :)

Since this is not a catalogue item I'll have to custom order it. I mean, these are semi-custom knives, right? No problem, I call Chris Reeve and talk to them.

Nope. Won't do it. I asked several times at a few levels and always they just flat out refuse. I mean seriously. An inlay is just an inlay and they are all the same size and shape anyway. It is just a matter of putting a piece of micarta in the same exact hole in a different handle. But CR says most chose to sell micarta inserts with sandblasted handles. So? I want it different and am happy to pay for their trouble anyway. Nope, they're just not interested.

But I really want the polished handles so I ordered the Ebony -- which I do NOT want. I also ordered a tumbled blade so it won't show scratches less (which option they do permit me) and a double silver thumb stud (ditto). But not micarta. No, no, no, because that is not their corporate vision.

I've now orderend a $480 knife and I can't get the handle finished the way I want. Simply amazing.

So I wonder if, once it comes in, I can just send it back and have the wood inserts replaced. Any thoughts?
 
Before going to all that trouble why don't (didn't?) you just buy the small star-benza, and try it, if you don't like it you can flip it for a very small loss.
The small starbenza is my EDC and it's really nice. Inlays that stick up about 1mm per side don't fill up the size much.
Double thumb studs, stone washed finish blade, and the sandblasted finish actually adds a bit to the grip. I use it without the clip.
 
Well, that was certainly an option but I ultimately decided I liked a different knife better. So I had hoped to be able to order that one instead.

Does anyone have experience with replacing inserts?
 
If they won't make the knife the way you want it I doubt they will want to replace the inserts later. If you are talking about someone else replacing the inserts, that really doesn't sound like a good idea.
 
franzdom said:
If they won't make the knife the way you want it I doubt they will want to replace the inserts later. If you are talking about someone else replacing the inserts, that really doesn't sound like a good idea.
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I have to agree with this 100%. Just doesn't sound like a good idea man.
 
raym0016@gmail.com said:
I only have one, a large insingo with micarta, but I was told by someone on this forum to buy the plain to use and the inlays to collect.
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I remember reading that somewhere here as well. I took that advice to heart and bought one of those Starbenzas.

I have no problem with using that as a hard use knife!
 
Welcome to Bladeforums.
While it is your choice to buy their product or not, it is their choice to make their product they way they like it.
Different flavors i guess. IMHO you made a wise choice - you will like the knife you ordered.
Then I recomend: use/carry it and see how you like it.
Let us know how it came out.
all the best
red mag
 
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