Sebenza with different date stamps

kawr · Mar 10, 2012

Checked my edc Large Sebenza Tanto today and I noticed that the dates stamped on the scales are different. One is stamped B11 and the other is A12 and was wondering if thats normal. I got this new from a reputable dealer so it left CRK that way. Does CRK use scales from different years? Not a big deal but it got me curious.

four_shore · Mar 10, 2012

yeah it's normal, even though it drives me crazy when it happens haha.

damn ocd...

kawr · Mar 10, 2012

This is your fault that now I notice these things! haha...

nyefmaker · Mar 10, 2012

Yes, its completely normal. One of my large regulars has A00 Lock-Side and B03 CGG side. Knife was new. Doesn't bother me at all.

Here are some of my sebenza's that have scales that don't match: Was never an issue for me.

A05 - B05
A00 - B03
A06 - B06
A08 - B05

Its funny that since CRK are pretty much PERFECT, some still find things to point out....lol

Slider817 · Mar 11, 2012

It happened to me once with a damascus unique graffic that the scales were about 3 years appart, I purchase it second hand. I only noticed it a year or so later when i took it appart to clean it. The Seller never mentioned it (I think he was the thrid or fourth owner, so he may not have know either), CRK told me that someone likely switched the front scale because they were a couple of years appart. I probably would not have bought it if I had know that the scales were mismatched, it performed flawlessly, but it just bugged me.

nyefmaker · Mar 11, 2012

Slider817 said:
It happened to me once with a damascus unique graffic that the scales were about 3 years appart, I purchase it second hand. I only noticed it a year or so later when i took it appart to clean it. The Seller never mentioned it (I think he was the thrid or fourth owner, so he may not have know either), CRK told me that someone likely switched the front scale because they were a couple of years appart. I probably would not have bought it if I had know that the scales were mismatched, it performed flawlessly, but it just bugged me.

I have seen and experienced this way more than once. Most of my sebenzas were bought second hand, but like you said, they have performed flawlessly. I have gotten some over the years though that you just felt something was wrong with them. Mostly I notice the lock-up%. If you have one that has like a 25% lock-up or say a 95% lock-up, there most likely has been something done to it. Thats why I ALWAYS ask for the lock-up pic. Some sellers get pissed when I ask for a pic, but to me, that is also a sign that something may have been done. But, I will add that lock-up % can also be off if you have a pinched washer or it was assembled improperly in any aspect. Lots of variables. I guess its the chance you take buying secondhand. It makes it tough because many of the sebenzas we like are no longer made like the classics and regulars, so its pretty much secondhand when it comes to them.
But if everything works like it supposed to and the date is a year or so off like some of mine, I don't worry about it. One that I had bought new from a dealer was the A00 - B03 like I mentioned above, so I am sure it does happen from the factory, its just not the norm is all.

Paradiggum · Mar 12, 2012

My main EDC is a small 21 and not only are the dates different but at the pivot end of the knife the tapered part of each scale is a different thickness. But it functions just fine so I don't really care. It's the only Sebenza I have that's not symmetrical if you look at it from the blade end.

nyefmaker · Mar 12, 2012

Every once-in-awhile you will see a CGG graphic scale for sale. I have seen them several times, just not lately. Someone buys one, puts it on their sebbie, then sells it down the road, its un-likey to have the same date and now, its not original. The scales are not as bad as you see many of the fine G10 scale makers on here sell scales. Its when people mess with changing blades with the lock-bar side that problems arise, then later become CRK warranty issue nightmares.

I even have a large regular sebenza that I picked up quite awhile back. It has plain scales with a polished blade. Nearly all plains you see always have stonewashed blades, but CRK used to offer polished blades I believe quite awhile back when the regulars were still being made. So was this a mix-a-rue, or a special order...? Scales read A08-B05. Since I am not the original owner, I will never know. All I know it is locks up and functions perfectly, just like all my other sebenzas. Before I got a new sebenza from a vendor that was A00 - B03, I thought this one was swapped around.