Sebenzas with Inlays...I like them

photoman12001

photoman12001

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May 23, 2008
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So I've got a few large and small Sebenzas with micarta, wood, and carbon fiber inlays now. I like them all quite a bit. Asthetically I prefer them to the plain titanium handles but functionally they don't seem to add much for me. They sure do look good though. Removing the pocket clips has a tremendous affect on the comfort of the Sebenza for me and I greatly perfer them that way.

The latest (carbon fiber) arrived today. I'm not overly fond of the polished blade and can take or leave the polished portion of the handle. I already called CRK and they stated the blade can be stonewashed. I am planning to send a few of these in to have double thumb studs installed and have the lockup inspected on the large micarta Insingo (see here) so I might have the blade stonewashed. I know they can't repolish the handles but I wonder if they can bead blast it since they can on the micarta inlays. I might like that a little better. Anyway, they are all great knives.

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I forgot to include my small Classic in the group photo.
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This is how I carry mine without the pocket clips:
  • An external sheath on my man purse for the large
  • Inside a pocket sheath in a trouser/jacket pocket for the small.

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They look great! I'm with you on the polished handles. Just don't care for it. At the very least I wish the entire handle was either polished or not polished. The bead blasted lockbar has always bugged me on wood inlay models. I really love the Micartas, though. Awesome knives.
 
My guess is that the bead blast on the lockbar is to mask the heat treat on the lock face.
The polished scales I think hold up better then the bead blast. Since you can't re-blast the wood inlay, this may be the better finish.
Micarta inlay with bead blast scales, stonewashed blade-end of problem :)
I actually like all the configurations, but some are more user friendly
 
I actually like the contrast of the polished and blasted portions of the handle as far as appearance goes. I just think the blasted parts age better. Scratches on the polished parts look more like damage than wear to me if that makes any sense. Honestly, I didn't expect to like to carbon fiber inlay knife as much as I do. I took a chance because the price was good and I'm glad I did.
 
Ive heard that the lockbar remains bead blasted because the handles are polished on a flat surface, and the polishing material doesn't reach the lockbar, as it's already bent inward by that stage. Not sure if I believe it, as that just sounds like laziness to me.
 
photoman12001 said:
I actually like the contrast of the polished and blasted portions of the handle as far as appearance goes. I just think the blasted parts age better. Scratches on the polished parts look more like damage than wear to me if that makes any sense. Honestly, I didn't expect to like to carbon fiber inlay knife as much as I do. I took a chance because the price was good and I'm glad I did.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. The CF inlays are very sexy. I wish they'd make a Mnandi with CF inlay.
 
I don't know why I always expect to dislike carbon fiber handles. Once I actually get ahold of them I like them. It was the same with these:

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Nice pieces you are showing here!

Personally I think that a stonewashed blade in combination with polished presentation side (with cf or other inlays) is a mismatch. I used to have the Blade HQ exclusive with cf inlays and insingo blade. As the insingo blade is only available stonewashed, I did not enjoy this combination. I definitely prefer the polished inlayed scale in combination with a polished blade (besides that the CRK "polished" blades from my point of view are "satin" blades).

Most of my inlayed Sebenza do carry a damascus blade anyway. :p
 
Damascus is the way to go for an inlayed model!

I just picked up a small carbon fiber inlay with basketweave. Man is it sexy!!
 
I used to think that micarta inlays were ugly and thought why would anyone choose it over a nice wood inlay.

After now owning one I appreciate the additional thickness inlays add and the durability and ability to refinish the knife that only micarta offers. I'm a convert for sure.
 
Iron City said:
I used to think that micarta inlays were ugly and thought why would anyone choose it over a nice wood inlay.

After now owning one I appreciate the additional thickness inlays add and the durability and ability to refinish the knife that only micarta offers. I'm a convert for sure.
Click to expand...

I think many have had a hard time buying that 1st micarta-after all it costs as much as those beautiful woods. Once they try one they seem to be hooked.
Best utility Sebenza out there IMHO
 
Peter Hartwig said:
I think many have had a hard time buying that 1st micarta-after all it costs as much as those beautiful woods. Once they try one they seem to be hooked.
Best utility Sebenza out there IMHO
Click to expand...

I was definitely in the same boat. I bought a plain small insingo and then a small box elder. I'm happy with both but after holding and using them, a sebenza without inlays would be my preference for EDC. Obviously, I appreciate the wood inlays on the sebenzas and definitely think they are worth looking at for those looking for something a little more refined.
 
I picked up a Sebenza 25 with inlays and really like it. I feel like it benefits from the inlays more than the 21 (small or large) as far as feel goes. The plain 25 felt awesome but with inlays it feels perfect without the pocket clip.

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A few more photos of smalls and larges.

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Great pictures, you need to post one of the small basketwave with CF inlays - please.
As for the non polished spring-part, you have to watch the video.
I like polished blades, to me it looks more like metal.
 
red mag said:
Great pictures, you need to post one of the small basketwave with CF inlays - please.
As for the non polished spring-part, you have to watch the video.
I like polished blades, to me it looks more like metal.
Click to expand...

Like this one? :D

 
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