Spa and Polishing of Umfaan affect value?

[Talus]

First and foremost, I do not plan on selling the knife. Just curious about valuation and collectors' opinions.

Last weekend I bought an Umfaan after serendipitously finding the listing and being the first to act. I know that these are super rare, and from what I've been able to find out, the graphic on mine is also more uncommon on Umfaans.





As you can see in the image, the scale has a fair amount of scratches on it. I spoke with the kind people at CRK today and they can spa the knife and also polish the show side on the scale to remove the scratches for a small extra fee. Shiny new knife sounds good, right?

I'm not really a collector, but was wondering if there was any thoughts on the value of the knife being affected if I have it serviced. Do collectors normally want an "untouched" knife? Or does it not really matter in this case? Again, I don't plan on selling it, but just from a collector's standpoint, what's the consensus?

 

[Ernie1980]

I would rather buy a knife that shows the wear it has collected, but that is just me.

 

[Talus]

I would rather buy a knife that shows the wear it has collected, but that is just me.

I can see your point for a collector's piece. For my carry knives that I buy used, I personally prefer to send them to Idaho for a spa treatment, so that I can start with a clean slate and wear them in myself. This one is a bit different as I don't plan to carry it much.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I am sure it does , the ? is how.
Serious collectors seem to like as is condition. They still want perfection if they can get it-just not refurbished.
Not so serious may pay more for refurbished, since it looks better, and they won't care as much how it was achieved.
My guess is that you would likely reap more from the refurbished, since the serious collectors are a smaller group.
If you decide to go the refurbished route, you should divulge that if you decide to sell

 

[Ajack60]

Exactly what P Peter Hartwig said. I sold a regular Sebenza that was in about the shape as yours. Sent it in for a reconditioning. It came back looking NIB. When I sold it, full disclosure was given to the buyer. It didn't matter to him since it was one of the rarer regulars. I did adjust the price to reflect it was used. I've never dealt with a serious collector, probably wouldn't want to.

 

[Talus]

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen. I ask because I know that sometimes leaving the patina or aging marks on an older piece is sometimes more desirable and then when you have it cleaned or refurbished it kills the resale. We are probably not that far into history yet with these knives for that to be applicable. But, I also know that these are fairly uncommon in the marketplace and are demanding a premium.

 

[bart1]

I frankly prefer a CRK with normal wear and tear , no spa ,as long as the price is reflected in it. I think that the average seller is able to get a higher price from a mint /spa treated knife, right or wrong.

 

[loon#r]

Wear and tear aren’t an issue for me precisely because of CRK’s warranty and spa offering. Resharpening does bother me though in cases where too much blade material is removed - want as much belly as possible. Nice knife

 

[Talus]

Well, she's off to the spa. They don't work on the blade as they don't want to have any issues should something happen to it during service, but they can repolish the show scale and clean up the rear one. It'll be cool to see this come back looking fresh.

 

[nickpp]

Well, she's off to the spa. They don't work on the blade as they don't want to have any issues should something happen to it during service, but they can repolish the show scale and clean up the rear one. It'll be cool to see this come back looking fresh.

I recently had an Umfaan display side re-polished. It came back looking like brand new. I don’t think anyone could tell. The reblasting always looks fractionally different from new but I think your doing the correct thing.

 

[Talus]

I recently had an Umfaan display side re-polished. It came back looking like brand new. I don’t think anyone could tell. The reblasting always looks fractionally different from new but I think your doing the correct thing.

Glad to hear it. Considering mine will see very little pocket time, I'm happy to have it looking extra shiny when I pull it of the safe to admire. Upon doing some research, it seems that there was a plan by Chris about a decade ago (and some change) to release an updated version. I wonder if that will ever happen.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

it seems that there was a plan by Chris about a decade ago (and some change) to release an updated version. I wonder if that will ever happen.

I believe that plan died and they moved on to other things. They are pretty neat, especially with the UCG's done by Chris, but they aren't that practical- At least IMO

 

[loon#r]

Sad but true. An all ti mnandi would make a nice compromise.

 

[Talus]

Sad but true. An all ti mnandi would make a nice compromise.

I've thought about that. There is something quite elegant about the Mnandi though. I've been EDCing my Mnandi for a week now and when I pick up a Sebenza it feels so utilitarian in comparison. I think the wood on the Mnandi makes a massive difference. Not sure how a Ti scale would feel. I'm guessing there is at least one full Ti prototype sitting in the Reeve vault somewhere.

 

[brownshoe]

To me since the question includes "collector" that means original condition. Spa treatment means user knife or diletente

Think of how much more desirable a pristine 20yo Sebenza would be if there was no spa.

 

[Talus]

To me since the question includes "collector" that means original condition. Spa treatment means user knife or diletente

Think of how much more desirable a pristine 20yo Sebenza would be if there was no spa.

True, but you said pristine, which my Umfaan is not. If the knife had very few signs of wear I wouldn’t have sent it in. At the same time, it’s not being refurbished by a 3rd party, so I don’t see it as much of an issue, at least in my mind. It’s going back to the factory that built it.

 

[Edgeoflife]

Im new to the CRK world and enjoyed seeing your rare model. I understand the concern and think you made the right decision considering your plans for it. The enjoyment of it looking like new again every time you take it out will be satisfying and if it were mine its what I would have done as well. Very cool.

 

[Dcdavis]

I agree with your choice. Everyone is different. Some people like the scars and scratches bc they look at it as the history of the knife showing use. Some want a brand new looking knife for a used price with spa treatment and I can’t blame them. I’ve heard some people like to start new with used knives that way their marks are the only ones put on it. I personally am not a serious collector nor do I know any so I can’t really input on that. All of my knives get used. If I was to buy one that I planned on keeping mint for collection or to possibly resale years down the road, say a very rare one or sentimental value, I’d most likely not use it. I like scars on mine. A used one with scratches already on it would take the Sting out of getting the first scratch for me. Bottom line that knife is yours so get it how you want it.

 

[Talus]

I agree with your choice. Everyone is different. Some people like the scars and scratches bc they look at it as the history of the knife showing use. Some want a brand new looking knife for a used price with spa treatment and I can’t blame them. I’ve heard some people like to start new with used knives that way their marks are the only ones put on it. I personally am not a serious collector nor do I know any so I can’t really input on that. All of my knives get used. If I was to buy one that I planned on keeping mint for collection or to possibly resale years down the road, say a very rare one or sentimental value, I’d most likely not use it. I like scars on mine. A used one with scratches already on it would take the Sting out of getting the first scratch for me. Bottom line that knife is yours so get it how you want it.

Couldn't agree more. To be honest, I generally buy all my CRKs used, so I expect some wear and tear on them. I prefer to own knives that I'm not afraid to carry either, but a few things crossed my mind with the Umfaan when I saw it, namely being that I probably won't ever see one in real life unless I grabbed it. I like small knives, so it's something that I was dying to see for myself. Also, it'll retain its value or maybe even appreciate which works for me.

I own three Sebenzas, one large and and two small. 2 plain janes and 1 micarta. The Mnandis that I've recently acquired are seeing plenty of pocket time too. I use them all. I think if I got one of my grail knives, I would probably carry it as well.

 

[Dcdavis]

Couldn't agree more. To be honest, I generally buy all my CRKs used, so I expect some wear and tear on them. I prefer to own knives that I'm not afraid to carry either, but a few things crossed my mind with the Umfaan when I saw it, namely being that I probably won't ever see one in real life unless I grabbed it. I like small knives, so it's something that I was dying to see for myself. Also, it'll retain its value or maybe even appreciate which works for me.

I own three Sebenzas, one large and and two small. 2 plain janes and 1 micarta. The Mnandis that I've recently acquired are seeing plenty of pocket time too. I use them all. I think if I got one of my grail knives, I would probably carry it as well.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’ve never seen an Umfaan or even know a lot about them. Pretty cool acquisition tho I’d say. Congrats