Sebenza questions. Lots of them...

[sqoon]

So, as stated in my story post, I've finally committed to buying a CRK. At the moment, the Large Sebenza 21 with micarta inlay and stonewashed blade seems to be the knife of choice, but considering that I'm likely looking at a few months to get rid of some other knives in order to finance what is, for me at least, a lofty purchase, it is possible that it will change.

In the meantime, I've been left with little to do but read just about every thread that pops up here, along with the FAQ. Even still, I have a few questions whose answers I have either missed, or I just haven't gone back far enough to find their answers. Anyway, here they are:

Micarta
Is there more information on the micarta that CRK uses?
Does CRK produce it themselves, or is it purchased?
What kind of micarta is it (canvas, linen, denim, etc.)?
Is each inlay custom cut to the knife it is going to be placed in, or is the machining of both the handles and the inlays always so precise that one could just pop any inlay slab into another knife?
In particular, how does the micarta hold up to moisture? Does it swell at all from either sweat, or other liquids?
It seems to me that the more polished, or resin impregnated micarta is, the less likely it is to absorb water, blood, or other types of yuck. In other words, and in the form of a question, does the CRK micarta clean up easily?

S35v vs. Titanium
I'm curious about the relationship between the S35v steel and titanium. Basically, as the titanium lock face engages the blade, and over time, these surfaces break in, allowing the lock bar to slide over further, is it the titanium that is wearing down to allow for the movement, or the blade steel? Or it it neither and I'm misunderstanding the way in which the locks "break in" and move towards later lockup.

Spa Treatment
Does the spa treatment include the re-stone washing of a knife blade?
Is dirty, or funky micarta (if indeed it does not clean up easily as asked above) replaced, or is it sanded down to reveal a layer less funky?
Relating to the above question about blade steel versus titanium, when the handles, and I assume the lock surface are sandblasted, and the knife blade re-stonewashed, if that is part of the treatment, how does CRK ensure that the two pieces are still compatible? That is to say, from my understanding, each blade and handle are essentially married together at the time of production to ensure the closest of tolerances. Does the spa treatment process undue this work and therefore result in the two surfaces being reworked in order to make them like new? I'm sure that with both sandblasting and stonewashing, the amount of material being removed or modified is negligible, but from what I understand about CRK's attention to tolerances, even "negligible" may be too much. I just have no idea.
If handles are re-sandblasted during treatment, how are things like the computer generated graphics preserved? or are they reapplied?

I know it's a lot of questions, but again, these were things I couldn't find the answers to. Thanks for reading, as well as your patience as I learn more about these amazing knives.

 

[sk8n]

I believe that CRK uses canvas Micarta and that it is purchased, not made internally. The inlays are machined via CNC and theoretically should just snap in. I would imagine there are instances when some minor modifications are necessary for proper fit. I do not believe it is easy to "swap" inlays without destroying the ones already in the knife. The double-sided 3M tape used to bond the inlays has a very strong adhesive.
The Micarta itselfs cleans up rather easily. I sprayed with Windex the few times I felt the need to clean the Micarta.
There is an additional charge for tumbling a blade when sending your knife in for spa treatment. The existing thumb stud is removed and a new one is installed after tumbling. I may be wrong but I do not believe CRK will blast handles with inlays. I know that there have been forum members that have blasted their own. Others have scotch-brited them as well with good results.
I will let others answer your questions about wear due to the spa treatment. I believe they protect wear surfaces but don't know this as a fact. This would not be an issue I would be concerned with if sending into CRK.

 

[roughneckrob]

If anything ever happens to your knife during spa treatment CRK will just ship you out a new one.

 

[sqoon]

If anything ever happens to your knife during spa treatment CRK will just ship you out a new one.

I would assume as much. The question isn't about damage that may occur during treatment, but rather how much wear the treatment incurs on the parts. For example, all things being equal, would a knife that has a treatment every nine months for seven years show anymore wear than a knife that never had any treatments for the same amount of time?

 

[HuntBomb]

My lg micarta Insingo gets covered in blood at least once a week and cleans up with no trouble at all.
I'm still waiting for the micarta to develop a "smell", but so far no problem.
The micarta inlays are very tough and barely show any damage/scratches.

 

[roughneckrob]

I would assume as much. The question isn't about damage that may occur during treatment, but rather how much wear the treatment incurs on the parts. For example, all things being equal, would a knife that has a treatment every nine months for seven years show anymore wear than a knife that never had any treatments for the same amount of time?

I'm going to guess that there would be some very small changes in the knifes dimensions after a spa treatment as material is being removed. As for how much material can be removed before the knife has been compromised I can't say. This is actually a very good question and I am interested in hearing from other members who have more experience with this.

 

[Mad_Maxx]

Is there more information on the micarta that CRK uses?
Does CRK produce it themselves, or is it purchased?
What kind of micarta is it (canvas, linen, denim, etc.)?
Is each inlay custom cut to the knife it is going to be placed in, or is the machining of both the handles and the inlays always so precise that one could just pop any inlay slab into another knife?
In particular, how does the micarta hold up to moisture? Does it swell at all from either sweat, or other liquids?
It seems to me that the more polished, or resin impregnated micarta is, the less likely it is to absorb water, blood, or other types of yuck. In other words, and in the form of a question, does the CRK micarta clean up easily?

it's canvas micarta, black/white colour, it's not polished but rough (I know micarta well but never saw a CRC micarta other than pics, so I assume)
it should be bought, there are quality manufacturers out there
only the exernal layer of the micarta "absorbs" liquits, the rest is just cloth and resin, clean it with toothbrush if needed, 5 mins and it's dry
it does not sweat, shrink or enlarge at all (any material does) as it's basically resin, a chink of pressed resin and cloth
polished micarta absorbs less or near nothing as no part of the "cloth" is exposed, but again it's the outer layer (less than a mm) that gets wet evenually

 

[iamsmiling]

I imagine they mask off critical items (lock bar face and dimensioned screw holes) before blasting but aside from that, nothing else is really critical. No matter how thick the handle slabs are, the two pieces still mate on the blade bushing (and washers) and the spacers so the "inside" dimensions should remain the same.

 

[Sonnydaze]

The harder steel blade does wear the softer titanium, so with time and use, the lockbar will move to the right. With "normal" EDC use, it might take many yrs before the entire lockbar engaged the knife-steel tang. Even so, CRK will take care of it for you, so not to worry. Your kid will never wear it out. I'm a believer.
Sonny

 

[JNewell]

I imagine they mask off critical items (lock bar face and dimensioned screw holes) before blasting but aside from that, nothing else is really critical. No matter how thick the handle slabs are, the two pieces still mate on the blade bushing (and washers) and the spacers so the "inside" dimensions should remain the same.

My recollection is that they will not refinish inlay slabs. I know that's true for wood inlays, but I am not sure whether that applies to micarta.

 

[JNewell]

I would assume as much. The question isn't about damage that may occur during treatment, but rather how much wear the treatment incurs on the parts. For example, all things being equal, would a knife that has a treatment every nine months for seven years show anymore wear than a knife that never had any treatments for the same amount of time?

I think your assumption that the lockbar face is blasted is not correct. They will resurface the lockbar face. Presumably any changes that affect lockup are taken care of with a larger stop pin.

There would be no need for even annual spa treatment. The only one I have sent in went a dozen years before it needed service and it was a genuine user.