Second Sebenza and Suggestion to CRK

F

FK

Joined
Sep 15, 1999
Messages
907
Everyone was correct, I purchased my second Sebenza, small classic, in less than one year after small wood inlay. Cannot own just one for very long.

Small item and suggestion to CRK, I prefer to remove the clip and install the blank spacer. On both knives the clip contacting the locking bar made a mark in the surface. The only way to remove this slight mark is to send knive back to CRK and have it refinished with Al Oxide resurface.

Would CRK consider placing a thin piece of plastic or paper with weak adhesive under the clip area on new knives? The owner could remove the protective plastic strip and use the clip or remove the clip and have an unblemished finish on the locking bar. One small point on an otherwise perfectly crafted knife.

Yes, I know the charcter marks etc. however, I would like to make the marks. I show off the new knife and get comments like.... you bought this used? It is marked up on the backside.

I use the CRK small leather pouch for my Sebenza knives at work, and a Gary Graley sheath evenings and weekends. Have no need for clip and immediately remove it and add replacemnent insert.

Now on to the large Sebenza, plain Classic, CGG or Woodie?

Regards,
FK
 
FK,

I wholeheartedly support and agree with you. I have had to send my Sebs in for exactly the same thing. It is irritating to have to do that and your suggestion would take care of that 100%. I even had CRK not even put a clip on my wood inlay for that reason. But, if you don't order it direct from CRK, that doesn't help the situation. And yes...for those who may be wondering...I am a bit anal retentive about my knives...ESPECIALLY my favorites!
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Well, i've never seen one, but it would seem to me that it's much easier to stick some paper/plastic on in the beginning than have to refinish the handle slabs....

Great idea
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The beast we are, lest the beast we become.
 
The susceptibility of the slabs to "character marks" has been, IMO, the Achilles heel of the Sebenza. Don't get me wrong I really like my Sebenzas and use them regularly, I just wish the slabs were more resistant to marring.

I think that your suggestion is a good one. Anyone aware of this could, I suppose, order their new Seb sans clip.
 
I used to have problems worrying about the finish of my Sebenzas. Then I stopped worrying. I've come to like the little shiny spots and small scratches. After a while they all start to blend in anyway. I don't lay it on gravel, or skip it across parking lots, but I do use em. None of mine are decorated or wood inlay BTW. I also carry my much used Umfaan (zig zag) in it's leather pouch though since its my "Sunday go to meetin" knife. To each his own about the scratches though.

Nimrod,
It may be possible to order a Sebenza without the clip attached, but I don't think it is possible to order one without the milling for the clip. I wish it were. I'm not sure which you were writing about.

Paul
 
How about the age old suggestion: Offer the Sebenza without a clip for those that choose... (my three clips sit in a drawer...)

The buyer could save the cost of the clip, the cost of the clip insert AND the cost of refinishing.... Seems like it would be easy enough to stop the CNC before it milled out the "clip hole"....

My $.02 worth,
Michael

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He who has smelt the smoke is never free again...
 
Paul, I was just talking about no clip, but after reading C4's post, I've gotten to wondering.
 
I did not intend my suggestion for the clip/no-clip debate. We must realize that would be expensive for CRK and the dealers, double the inventory to make customers happy.

The present design is great, especially with the new style clip. CRK has avaiable the blank filler which drops into the clip area and matches the titanium finish and color exactly. The additional cost/time for a small plastic/paper sticker to protect the locking bar finish would be an inexpensive addition to an otherwise perfect knife.

Regards,
FK
 
Upon receiving, immediately remove the clip and smooth out the inside surface that makes contact with its respective scale. The marking on the scale should be minimal or none at all if the blade has not been opened and closed. Hope this helps a bit.

Nakano
 
Nakanko 2,

Exactly what I did with small Classic. The dealer opened a new box previously untouched, I opened and closed the blade twice to check lockup and fit. Brought the knife home and removed the clip. Two marks from new clip are present, older clip left one mark.

I believe CRK also cycles the Sebenza several times for check out prior to shipment. This could contribute to (minor) problem.

My thumb is no longer sore from flicking the smooth action blade open. The Sebenza callus??

Regards,
FK
 
Just so you don't think I am ignoring you, I am printing this out for Chris to have a look at. I'll let you know his comments.

Anne
 
I just posted about what changes the Sebenza has gone through over the years and then I read this post. Good idea FK!

Putting a paper or plastic under the clip for the new buyer is a great idea. It isnt really an improvment on design but it is an improvment on quality for those who like thers without the clip.

I just got a new Sebenza last saturday and I put my insert in, but I too have the two little marks on the handle from the clip.

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Keith D.Armacost
If At First You Don't Succeed,
Skydiving Is Not For You.
 
Allow me to be the Devils advocate, Chris made the Sebi as a working knife. I am sure as a working piece this is an area that had never crossed his mind.

Then again, I have yet to use mine so I had better shut up and keep my daft opinions to myself.

W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
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A $300+ knife is always going to be a collectable to some, and I dare say CRK knives are certainly collection-worthy what ever Chris intended. At the same time, I certainly use mine a lot, and indeed, the handle slabs get a bit scratched up with hard use. By no means does this make them any less functional.

Received a pleasant suprise though when I recently sent my large back to CRK (along with a mere $12 for S&H) to have the blade tip reground. Not only did the knife come back with a new tip (can't tell the difference from the original hardly), but the scales were re-ground a bit and all the scratches were gone! It looked like a brand new knife!

If some of you are collecting and are really concerned about the marks under the clip, consider removing the clip and then sending the knife back to CRK for a little polishing work on the scales... Until they get something under the clip that is...
 
We fully understand your concerns about marks under the clip area and this so completely illustrates that it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time!!
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We estmate that the dedicated "non-clip" segment of our customers is somewhere around 20%. Does it make sense to add another step in the process, and thereby add cost, to every knife we make? We know already that our knives are on the upper end of the price scale and we try to add in as much value for money as possibly can.

If you are planning to keep your knife as a pure collectible, let us know. We can put the insert into the knife at the shop - or send it back to us, let us know what you want for your particular collector needs. We are happy to work with you as best we can.

As to making handles that do not have the recess for the clip machined into them - well, it is possible and maybe we can do that as a special option. However, consider the cost and logistics. We profile and machine the handle slabs in batches that will last us for the about 4 months. It means that we would have to save some (and anyone's guess as to how many is good here) handle backs of each of the four models (large and small, regular and Classic) and have them sitting around for an indeterminable amount of time. Now the cost of the material is not that huge, but once the pieces have been machined, there is tremendous added value. In addition, these handles, and then completed knives, have to be tracked all the way from machining to final sale. None of this is really all that difficult but it an added factor for everyone involved in the manufacture and sale of our knives. It has the potential for significantly increasing delivery times too. I don't know whether our customers would be willing to pay another $30 or $40 for this option.

Let me know what you think and we can consider it!

Anne
 
Hi Anne,

With all due respect, I don't think that slipping a thin piece of plastic under the clip during assembly would add that much cost to the knife. It would probably take an extra 10 seconds max to do. Yes, it is an extra step as you said. But, not a big deal if you look at the total process, IMHO.

Speaking from experience, I have bought several Sebenzas from dealers stock and only ordered one directly from the factory. I am one of the 20% non-clip folks and it is a pain to send it back to get reblasted and an insert put in it. Not to mention the cost of $20 for the bead blast, the cost of the insert ($20?), and the shipping cost both ways. Then you are also without your knife for two weeks.

I do very much like the thought of a totally clipless and clip recessless Sebenza. Many of us have been trying to get CRK to do that for a long time! However it seems a bit silly to charge $30-40 more for something that would take less time to make and require one less mill, hole, and tap. Plus you would not be including the clip and screw, which is retail valued at $20. My bet would be that if CRK made 20% of their Sebenzas without clips totally, you would sell every one of them and have a backorder for them...maybe even a bigger backorder than regular Sebs!

Steve Goddard
 
Here's the solution about the scuffing regarding the clip. Ship the knives with the clip off. The owner has the option of puting it on.
 
EXCELLENT idea Doc! Just put the clip and screw in a little plastic bag and drop it in the box with the knife. That would work!
 
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