Sebenza life span

I've made it perfectly clear to my wife that I will haunt her if she sells my sebenza's at a yard sale after my death!
I expect some of "you folks" will be enjoying my knifes after my death - hopefully not less than 30 years from now!
Sebenza's should last many many years before needing a 'rebuild'...
So I'm guessing a Sebenza should last 75 years...what say you?
 
aj1985 said:
Time-less design

After you buy one you will understand it's worth it. Plus it will save you a lot of money in the long run, because then you will compare all future purchases to a Sebenza and 99% of the knives out there don't even compare.


So buy a Sebenza, help the economy and save a lot of money, because you will stop buying lower end knives. :thumbup:

aj
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth.....I haven't bought any other knives since getting my Sebbie about four years ago. :cool:

Btw, I plan on giving my Seb to my son once he graduates from high school....of course, my Sebbie will be getting a regrind and reblast of the handles before then.
 
I did have one of the early Benchmade Emersons that I carried, used and abused for years. Used it as a hammer, shovel, pry bar and anything else I needed. Sent it back to Benchmade for re-sharpening, and finally sold it, after it came back from Benchmade and set on my bookshelf for a couple years. The cost of that knife broke down over the years was basically nothing. It seems like once I put my hands on the Sebenza, the rest of the knives (all great products) did not seem to measure up. Ya I got a few more setting on the book shelf, Para Military, Ritter Grip, ZDP Endura, Digi Camo Military, a few Gec's. I have been collecting knives for 40 years, dont have any children so I best be finding someone young to leave this large Dog Paw Sebenza to, because I am sure it will out last me.
Are they worth the cost, sure they are.

Calemerson
 
calemerson said:
I did have one of the early Benchmade Emersons that I carried, used and abused for years. Used it as a hammer, shovel, pry bar and anything else I needed. Sent it back to Benchmade for re-sharpening, and finally sold it, after it came back from Benchmade and set on my bookshelf for a couple years. The cost of that knife broke down over the years was basically nothing. It seems like once I put my hands on the Sebenza, the rest of the knives (all great products) did not seem to measure up. Ya I got a few more setting on the book shelf, Para Military, Ritter Grip, ZDP Endura, Digi Camo Military, a few Gec's. I have been collecting knives for 40 years, dont have any children so I best be finding someone young to leave this large Dog Paw Sebenza to, because I am sure it will out last me.
Are they worth the cost, sure they are.

Calemerson
Click to expand...

I call first dibs:D:D:D:D!!!!
 
nifegrinder said:
You mention the ATS34 run; we've replaced blades in knives from the early years.
We can re-heattreat the lock, re-blast the handles, fit a brand new S30V blade with washers, bushing, pins, screws, spacer and stop sleeve. You'll basically end up with a brand new sebenza that is ready for another 20 years of use. It will get back to you with the original blade and fittings cleaned and stored in a little ziplock bag.
The cost of what could be considered your second sebenza would be considerably less than a good Benchmade and between 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of a brand new Seb. This type of thing is not a hastle, it's part of our production. We refurb and pimp hundreds of our customers sebenzas every year.
The life span of a sebenza? The titanium handle could last for(ever) millenia and all of the parts that do wear out can be replaced as long as we keep making them.
Click to expand...

Matt's right -- the Sebenza simple design (one of the greatest compliments you can give a design, BTW), coupled with CRKs best-deal-on-the-planet refurb service, makes the question of lifespan a dead topic. Perhaps discussing wearout w/o the refurb service is more interesting. Here's my EDC, which has cut 11 years worth of boxes, rope, etc., assisted in every indoor and outdoor DIY project, and cleaned every fish that I've caught (but not as many as I'd like :)). I use, but don't abuse -- the right tool for the right job. (OK, so the handle's not made to be a hammer or scraper. No one's got the perfect tool with them every time . . .) Because of CRK's high, large diameter grind, a lot of blade can worn away, and the cutting edge stays a useful, easily sharpened thickness.

sharpened_blade_comparison_600.jpg


BTW, the ATS-34 blade on my EDC on top is still fully functional, and easy to sharpen; however, I wanted to experience EDCing CPM S30V, so I had the blade exchanged out for a new one in 2007. Great exchange, BTW. It seems like I'm doing sharpening less often for the amount of use I get. Hard to say, though, since I don't keep records . . . As far as the other components, everything else is original, with the exception of the Nozomi unique graphics face, and a new ball in the lockbar at the same time the blade was replaced. At 11 years, the lockup was still great and within spec, and . . . no blade play!
 
One thing about Sebenza's...you can pick a really nice one up on the used market for around $300 or so, and carry it, use it, and if you lose interest in it, sell it for what you paid for it. Same can be said of most quality production knives like Benchmade and Spyderco, some even go up in value. Now can you say that about most other products we spend our hard earned money on? How many people rushed to buy a $400 iphone when it first came out? Try and sell one for even half what you paid for it five years from now. You won't be able to give it away. Same with laptops, cameras, and most electronics. Even jewelry, go buy a gold chain at Macy's for $400, then go to a pawn shop and see what they offer you for it, probably around $50.

Get yourself a Sebenza, and if you decide it was too much money, flip it and you won't lose a dime.
 
Now that some time has already passed since this thread was started, I think it would be a good time to see how your sebenzas have held up and through what use. Thanks
 
Like Slimshanee, I use a titanium Stiletto hammer. The wear and tear on my joints is significantly lessened, so it was a very worthwhile investment.
My '97 lg reg Seb has been opened and closed thousands of times, shows acceptable lock wear, and still cuts anything I ask it to.

Longevity is but one reason I chose CRK.:thumbup:
 
Had a small sebenza since 2001 and love it. The use and pleasure of using it are worth the cost, imo. How often can you buy a product that is at the top of its category for no more than a CRK costs? I can't afford a custom hunting rifle made to my specs, or a top drawer truck like I want but I can afford a CRK.
 
The most salient point in the older thread, at least to me, was that a CRK could be completey refurbed for 1/4-1/3 the cost of a new one. They probably don't clear much of a profit in so doing, but I'll wager they don't lose a dime, either. I'll further wager that they can make a new one for less, considering the labor cost. I don't know what CRK sells there wares to dealers for, but many knife companies do so at half MSRP. You gotta like your dealer to put that much moola in his pocket for a sale. Nice knives - but overpriced.

I like frame-lock Ti knives - with good 'upgrade' steel blades. I have a BM 630 Skirmish... bigger/heftier than any CRK. I have a 790 Subrosa... does CRK make anything assisted? (That's unfair... I hate assisted openers!) I have a blemished/second Kershaw JYDII in Ti & SG-2 steel. New - I paid less total for that trio than the $385 of a plain large Sebbie I saw yesterday at a store near where my wife and I are vacationing. Never stop at a knife store on the way to the beach.

All of my rationalization was lost yesterday when I looked at that plain Jane large Sebbie. My wife wants a seafood dinner - I did bring a few cans of tuna... and there are always the Ramen noodle soup packets... It's not that far back to that store...

Stainz
 
Stainz said:
The most salient point in the older thread, at least to me, was that a CRK could be completey refurbed for 1/4-1/3 the cost of a new one. They probably don't clear much of a profit in so doing, but I'll wager they don't lose a dime, either. I'll further wager that they can make a new one for less, considering the labor cost. I don't know what CRK sells there wares to dealers for, but many knife companies do so at half MSRP. You gotta like your dealer to put that much moola in his pocket for a sale. Nice knives - but overpriced.

I like frame-lock Ti knives - with good 'upgrade' steel blades. I have a BM 630 Skirmish... bigger/heftier than any CRK. I have a 790 Subrosa... does CRK make anything assisted? (That's unfair... I hate assisted openers!) I have a blemished/second Kershaw JYDII in Ti & SG-2 steel. New - I paid less total for that trio than the $385 of a plain large Sebbie I saw yesterday at a store near where my wife and I are vacationing. Never stop at a knife store on the way to the beach.

All of my rationalization was lost yesterday when I looked at that plain Jane large Sebbie. My wife wants a seafood dinner - I did bring a few cans of tuna... and there are always the Ramen noodle soup packets... It's not that far back to that store...

Stainz
Click to expand...


Lol!

Since you have lost all rationale.....
Lets see some photos of that Sebe on the beach, maybe opening a Tuna can.
 
Accidently ended up at that store yesterday... again. This time, I fondled it. Nice - very nice - but I just had to fondle my pocket pal BM 755 MPR. It's really nice, too. And - I could buy 2.5 of them for the plain Jane Large Sebbie's cost. I left without the Sebbie... and bought my wife that seafood dinner she wanted. Guess a Sebbie would have a short lifespan with me... spending that much on one knife wouldn't stop my desire for others... it would just up the cost of my folly.

Stainz

PS Of course, I will pass right by that store on the way home Saturday...
 
The life span of a Sebenza isn't limited like other knifes. Every part can be replaced or refurbished. It's like buying an Electrolux or Hoover vacuum cleaner.

As a testament look at the people who are still using their "P" Sebenzas after 20 yrs.
 
Josh K said:
The life span of a Sebenza isn't limited like other knifes. Every part can be replaced or refurbished. It's like buying an Electrolux or Hoover vacuum cleaner.

As a testament look at the people who are still using their "P" Sebenzas after 20 yrs.
Click to expand...

Josh,

does it mean the following: I have a 10 years old Sebenza with BG-42 blade - sure, they cannot replace a blade in BG-42 because there is no more such blades.
But, could they replace a handle slab if the lock gets weak because of wear? A new handle + keep the old BG-42 blade?

Is it possible?

Franco
 
Franco G said:
Josh,

does it mean the following: I have a 10 years old Sebenza with BG-42 blade - sure, they cannot replace a blade in BG-42 because there is no more such blades.
But, could they replace a handle slab if the lock gets weak because of wear? A new handle + keep the old BG-42 blade?

Is it possible?

Franco
Click to expand...

I can't speak for CRK, however I am confident that is possible.

I'm not sure if they still have regular pattern scales, they might be able to make one for the purpose. Another thing to note is you don't have to replace the scales most of the time. There are adjustments that can be made to the existing ones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top