Sebenza Questions

[razorhunter]

After being fed up with so called "high quality" knives and their flaws I have decided to purchase a small Sebenza. I am not sure when, but I may wait and see if I can pick up one at the upcoming Blade Show, here in Atlanta, GA.
My questions are about the following Sebenza options listed on their website:
What are these options?

-polished hollow grind

- small swedge

As you can tell I'm no expert here!

Also, how do the leather inlays attach to the knife? Are the just glued on? I ask because I am currently going througha bad experience with a $200 Masters of Defense knife that uses grip tape on the handle, and the adhesive is coming loose.
Finally, does the small Sebenza come in either S30V or BG-42? If so, which should I choose and why?

Thanks to any that are willing to take the time to help me here. I have no experience with Chris Reeve Knives, but I know they are quality.

 

[Mrdi]

The swedge is the coolest and the polish sets off the swedge as well as the dtail of the knife.
My Sebbie will see a lot of real use in the wilderness, so I'm staying away from the more fragile accoutrements. Leather doesn't like water and my Seb will be submersed and used to clean a few trout, no place for leather.
I also did double thumb studs so I could open it with either hand. This has been very useful in the past.
Just seems to me that a Seb was designed to be very functional, and that should help determine your choice of options.

 

[Architect]

The "swedge" is a relief grind on the spine of the blade, forward of the thumblug. It removes a small amount of metal, giving the appearance of a false edge. It takes off a tiny bit of weight, and theoretically, makes penetration a little easier (reduces resistance).

Since the standard blade is "stonewashed" (meaning thrown in a tumbler with ceramic pebbles), it has a spangled appearance. The polish option gives you a shiny, not quite mirror-like appearance on the hollow grind only. The rest of the blade remains stonewashed. This is strictly an appearance preference only.

All CRK folders are now standard with S30V. They are using up any leftover BG-42, but once it is gone, it will no longer be an option. If you want BG-42, call first to see if they have any blanks left in the model you want.

All CRK inlays, wood or leather, are held with a 3M adhesive. I don't recall seeing any feedback related to failed adhesive. I am interested to know if anyone has had this problem as well.

 

[K-guy]

BG-42 is a great stainless steel developed back in the 60s early 70s by the Latrobe(?)company. Heat treated properly, it can have up to 65Rc. It is much more stain resistant then most common stainless steels due to the high Vandium and Chromium content. An awesome steel that hold a great edge!
The new S30V is suppose to be BG-42 on steroids. Great edge holding but a pain in the butt to sharpen. Stain resistance is up there with BG-42.
I don't think you should have a problem with either. I have several Sebenza's, all with BG-42, and never had a problem with stains or rust. The knife is pretty simple to sharpen and holds an incredible edge.
I have a swedge on my large regular wood inlayed Sebenza. But it is a large knife that I use for field dressing game. I don't think a swedge is really needed on a small regular or classic Sebbie. I also carry a small classic and it doesn't need any help penatrating objects.
Good luck deciding!

 

[JEFFREY]

I think the operant word is "inlaid" I assume the leather inlays, like the wood, are "inlaid" and then glued. If I am correct, that process would prevent the leather from peeling off like a MOD, which I believe is just glued on. "I THINK, THEREFORE I MAY BE WRONG "

 

[ARtsig1]

I have two of the leather inlaid Classics, one of which has been an everyday carry since early December. Indeed Jeffery the leather is INLAID, which serves to protect it. The leather is attached using the 3M double sided tape same as the wood inlays. If I am not mistaken the 3M product is the same one used in industrial applications. Prior to carrying the leather inlaid Classic, I carried a large ironwood inlaid 'benza for 6 months. This was through the summer time in hot and humid weather. Several times the knife got totally soaked with sweat, and never presented a problem with the inlays. In fact the only reason I gave it a rest was to carry the Classic.
So far I have not noticed any problem with the leather inlay. Mine hasn't been exposed to a hot and humid N.C. summer yet, but if I do have a problem CRK will take care of it! I have found out that the leather is a very high quality product, same as used on the Gucci brand of leather products. The leather is embossed, which I would think would compress it to a degree, making it a bit tougher and then is sealed. The leather is PERFECTLY fitted to the cutouts and is level with the handle slabs. I agree with Mrdi though and don't plan on exposing the leather to more extreme elements unless absolutley nessecary. That is why I have a large wood inlaid Classic on order

BTW I asked about a swedge on the Classic and was told that it would not be very functional on the Classic blade due to its already pointy shape.

 

[rdangerer]

Originally posted by Architect
All CRK inlays, wood or leather, are held with a 3M adhesive. I don't recall seeing any feedback related to failed adhesive.

I haven't seen a single thing regarding failure of the wood inlay bonding. I read somewhere that Chris felt that the wood would break up and rip apart before the adhesive would let go.

From Reeve's page: http://www.chrisreeve.com/woodsebenzacomments.html

The fourth problem was that of adhering the inlay into the handle. Epoxy was the first choice but cleaning was very time consuming with the risk of damaging the wood or scratching the titanium. The solution came from the 3M Corporation in the form of VHB (very high bond) double-sided tape. This is not your ordinary tape from the local hardware store. 3M VHB tape is used in a variety of industrial applications such as wings on aircraft, name plates truck cabs and the mirrored ceiling panels used in the tunnels under the runways at Chicago O'Hare Airport. With the precision fit of the inlay combined with the holding strength of the double-sided tape, the inlays will never come out of the handle."

About the only thing, other than a really severe and abusive blow or running over it with a car, that I can think of that MIGHT affect the inlays would be if you let them sit and soak in solvent (acetone, MEK, etc) for a long enough period that the solvent worked around or through the wood and loosened up the adhesive. Having said that, I personally wouldn't hesitate to solvent clean my 3 woodies since the solvent would flash off. It would take soaking to even make this remotely plausible.