Small P Sebenzas

MVG

MVG

Joined
Jul 14, 2009
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Here are two of the latest additions to my growing CRK family.

The left one is an unused small Sebenza born 12/1/93 with ATS 34 blade steel and stamped "P85".

The right one is an excellent condition small Sebenza born 2/22/94 with ATS 34 blade steel and stamped with a "P' with no number.

The micrometer was my Grandfather's that he used as a machinist in the early 1900's. It seemed like a fitting prop given the precision of Chris Reeve's Knives.


I have read the Sebenza time lines but I still am not clear on the details. Hopefully some of you more knowledgeable about Sebenza history can educate me.

When did CRK stop numbering the small Sebenzas? There are only a few months separating these two knives so I imagine it must have happened in that period. But according to Anne Reeve's comments in the time line, she is not sure if any small Sebenzas from that period were unnumbered.

I was just curious and thanks in advance for any information.

Here they are....now I just need to find a large P Sebenza. :)



Sebenza_P_4.jpg
 
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The large P sebenza was my first Chris Reeve, purchased in 1994. Still have it and love it more than ever. Congrat's on your score.
 
I have a very early lg P thats pretty much mint. Its one of the highlights of my collection. I also have thr origional nylon case.
 
Well, most of the information you are looking for can be found in the forum stickies but I'll help if I can. CR started making the original large Sebenzas in late 1990 with the "H" or Handmade models. After buying some CNC equipment in late '91, they starting producing the "P" or Production models using computer controlled cutting and shaping processes. The first couple hundred "P"s had numbers (P#). In October of 1992, CR introduced the small Sebenza model, also marked with a P and a number. Sometime in 1993, they stopped numbering the knives and just put a "P" next to the CR logo. From 1994 until the design change in 1996 to the "Regular" style, CR dropped the "P" from the models entirely.

So, in general the timeline is as follows:

#'d H -> #'d P -> unnumbered P -> unmarked P-style -> #'d Regulars -> unnumbered Regulars -> and so on.....

Anne will tell you there were very few records kept of the early days of Sebenza production. I think I read that there were only about 121 #'d small P Sebenzas, but that may have been a guess. There are also several exceptions to the general timeline. For example, this knife below was produced for the Knifemakers' Guild 25th anniversary in 1995. It is marked with a P even though the standard production models from CR during this time period didn't have the P mark. It's really part of the charm of a low-production, high-quality operation I think.

Oh, and if you run across any early models with carved and anodized decorations, those were done by Chris himself. He didn't train anyone else to do it until later in the '90's.

Great knife you have there. Congrats
 
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These P sebenzas are wonderfull, I wich I had one, but thay are really hard to find these days.

Nice pair there you have, really nice.
 
crackerjax said:
I dont think they had numbered P lg Sebenza's did they?
Click to expand...

Yes, the first Large P's were numbered. I've seen up to P279, but don't know how far they continued with the #'s after that. This is from Fooj's most excellent collection:

P30_stars_n_stripes.jpg
 
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Thanks for all the info DallasSTB. :thumbup:

That certainly clears things up for me.
 
Wow, those are nice. :thumbup::thumbup: If you ever feel like letting one go, look me up. ;) My Lg. P is looking for a little brother – or two. :p
 
What is the preferred size. I see more Large Sebanza owners than the smaller. Does it handle better?
 
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