Sebenza patina: the heavier the better?

Macchina

Macchina

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
5,213
I got my first Sebenza about 10 years ago (a large regular I got CHEAP because somebody hacksawed jimping into the handles... Nothing a Bridgeport couldn't fix) and it was heavily used. I think that worn Sebenza being my first made me really like the feel they get after a few years of wear. I owned 6 Sebenzas since then and they have all been used and always seem to get a bit better (warmer?) with a year or two of carry. I currently own a 21 and 25 and these knives are perfect knives to carry anywhere: work, hunting, fishing, backpacking, etc.

I cleaned my 21 today and noticed it's getting to that point where it's well broken in and thoroughly tested. The strange thing is that instead of losing any functionality like most things do during normal use the Sebenza seems to gain a bit of functionality through use because it opens another, locks a bit tighter, and has been sharpened enough to keep an edge noticeably longer than the factory edge. The edges on the Regular were radiused and I loved that feel. The edges on the Classic/21/25 are double-chamfered and definitely require a bit of wear before they feel right.

What do you think: does a used Sebenza "work" better than a snail-trail-free Sebenza?
 
Some pictures to emphasize the point:
My "fix" for my first Sebenza that somebody sawed on. I wish so bad I had taken before pictures of the damage...



And my latest Sebenza, my 25 going steelhead fishing:
 
Had to share this one. Got it recently from an AWESOME BF member who fully and accurately disclosed the condition prior to my purchase. As you can see this is a war horse and has the scars to proove it. It came with late lock up and very stiff. Took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, found that one of the washers had been put on backwards so I flipped it around and rolled the stop pin so the blade was contacting virgin territory. Now the knife locks up solid at 50% and is by far the smoothest seb i own (out of 7). There is no damage to the handles, all the scratches and scuffs are superficial, no dings dents or gouges. I was going to send it back to CRK for a spa but i'm now having a hard time sending it in. I'm enjoying carrying it and don't worry about scratching it and I'm not sure I want to earse all the character and history that this knife has picked up along its journey. Plus if I had it re-done i dont't think i'd carry it any more. I think its pretty cool the way it is.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    41.7 KB · Views: 114
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    54.7 KB · Views: 112
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    73.2 KB · Views: 120
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    42.2 KB · Views: 105
Very well said !
I couldn't agree more about the knives getting better with age and use. I have a few that have seen years of carry and love the " pocket washed " finish that they earn from honest use.
It wasn't always that way though. The first few CRK's I bought were above my comfort level in regards to cost. It took me a bit to start carrying and use them like any other knife. The first scratches killed me but now I find relief in them because I don't have to try to keep it "new" anymore when they happen.

Shadow,

I'm ecstatic that you're carrying that knife, and yes, yes I am pretty AWESOME :D

For the record, in case anybody is wondering, I didn't flip that washer- it would've been impossible for me to do solely because of my sheer awesomeness
 
Didn't want to throw your name out there but yes 1AbominAble1 is the man!! And i totally know the washer oversight couldn't have been you. Thanks again, carrying this gem as we speak!
 
The fix actually looks pretty good, you did a nice job! I don't see a patina though......
 
I too like many were hesitant about those first love marks, but I've warmed heavily to the pocket wash look. Mine are still in the early stages, but mine all being new and pristine when I got them, I like the honest wear that comes with age. It just seems to give each knife a story of its own, and I'm eager to see how they look in a couple years from now.
 
Sterling silver looks better with a patina than fresh from the jeweler. Why should titanium be any different? To my way of thinking, fresh from the box it looks too sterile and "perfect." You need to carry it and make it look lived-in.
 
Shadow449 said:
Had to share this one. Got it recently from an AWESOME BF member who fully and accurately disclosed the condition prior to my purchase. As you can see this is a war horse and has the scars to proove it. It came with late lock up and very stiff. Took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, found that one of the washers had been put on backwards so I flipped it around and rolled the stop pin so the blade was contacting virgin territory. Now the knife locks up solid at 50% and is by far the smoothest seb i own (out of 7). There is no damage to the handles, all the scratches and scuffs are superficial, no dings dents or gouges. I was going to send it back to CRK for a spa but i'm now having a hard time sending it in. I'm enjoying carrying it and don't worry about scratching it and I'm not sure I want to earse all the character and history that this knife has picked up along its journey. Plus if I had it re-done i dont't think i'd carry it any more. I think its pretty cool the way it is.
Click to expand...

That is hands down the nicest CRK I've ever seen. Of course I am a bit biased with a July 4th birthday :D
 
Quick kinda off topic question - how do you tell if the washers been flipped? Aren't they same on both sides?

And a great knife too - has a nice lived in look!
 
Joe58 said:
Quick kinda off topic question - how do you tell if the washers been flipped? Aren't they same on both sides?

And a great knife too - has a nice lived in look!
Click to expand...

The washers may very well begin their life the same on both sides, however with years of use the side that contacts the blade becomes worn and polished from opening and closing. This is why an older sebenza is usually much smoother than a newer one. Some folks will speed up this process by lightly sanding their washers to give their knife a loose, silky smooth action. I personally don't recommend it, if you go too far you're screwed. You can take material off but you can't put it back on. Just make sure you put the washers back on the same way they came off after each disassembly and they will polish themselves with years of use.
 
I have a large Moon Song user. It's my favorite CRK with lots of character marks on the clip, blade, and back scale. I'm the third owner. I sent it to CRK for a very light spa...

they refinished the front scale and sharpened the blade. I didn't want it to look new again with so many years of someone really using the knife. Ya, I've added some scratches

marks why not. They function and look much better 'used' IMO.

Yes, I do think older sebs are much smoother than a newer 21 or 25. I have 2 other large regs, a Metor Shower and a plain jane that get used all the time too.
 
I love that modified jimping mod!

I recent bought a Zaan off of the Exchange that is in very good shape. It has some snail trails and minor scratching on the blade (which was fully disclosed). I am sending some knives into CRK for other work and was planning on sending the Zaan in for a spa treatment and possible a blade blast. I probably wouldn't do this on its own, but since I'm sending others in....

But now I am wondering if I should just continue to use it as is. Getting it back like new may make me hesitant to use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top