Spa services/upgrades

ADBrown

ADBrown

Joined
Nov 14, 2021
Messages
758
I’m considering sending a 21(wood inlays) to CRK for spa service and was curious (after reading the options available on their on-line form) if it’s possible to have them polish or replace wood inlays, glass blast or polish (handle and blade), etc. These seem outside the scope of regular spa treatments listed on their form. Do they perform such work through special requests? I’ll call them, but wanted to know from you folks what your experiences have been.
Thanks in advance,
Allan
 
According to crks website they don’t do any blasting of the handles that have any kind of wood in them. It’s in their faq page
 
Swp321 said:
According to crks website they don’t do any blasting of the handles that have any kind of wood in them. It’s in their faq page
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Yes, I read that. I’m curious if anyone’s had experience having them refinish wood inlays or changing them out for another type? Basically, do they do any requests for work not listed on their service form? I would think with all the possibilities, it’s too much to list on their form. I’m going to call them anyway, but thought if someone had experience along those lines it might be helpful to others reading this post.
Thanks for taking the time to reply!
Allan
 
I had a problem that required them to replace Thuya inlays. They had Thuya in stock, but asked if I wanted something else they had on hand (I didn’t).

I’m under the impression they won’t do it on request.

Give them a call, but be prepared for a NO answer. Let us know what they say.
 
Called CRK - and got a qualified maybe on wood scale replacements, but estimated cost at around $250! Micarta isn’t removed for sand/glass blasting- it holds up. So the takeaway for me is that getting a wood inlay replaced and the frame glass blasted is a very expensive non-starter. The rep suggested a new knife might be easier. This makes me glad I’ve mostly micarta inlays, and can therefore spruce up the older ones. On another note all scales are attached via press fit and adhesive, so removal of wood inlays may likely be destructive. If it’s a warranty issue you should be golden. I love CRK knives, designs, precision and customer service. (Matthew answered my call on the second ring!) No transfers, on-holds and answered all my questions. Time to send a few oldie micartas and Zaan for spa work!
 
I just sent 2 off to spa today hows there lead times been? I’m just getting new washers fit and one sharpened
 
ADBrown ADBrown I'm curious what your wood inlays look like that would make you ask about spa service for them. I haven't seen many pictures of very worn wood inlays, and was hoping they hold up pretty well. Would love to see a pic if you can post.

-Mike
 
I’ll try to post the used 21, but I just returned from carpal tunnel surgery, and my grip is a little tentative. I have a Mnandi and Sebenza in box elder (the former in little used condition); the latter new and polished. In my mind they would never see much use being safe queens - scales are perfect.

When I saw the used 21 on line, the scales almost looked split and in need of attention. That’s when I thought I might need to return it for spa treatment to correct the inlays and reblast the handle. To my utter disbelief when the 21 arrived today it was stunning! The seller didn’t mention that it had polished handles and blade! It looked nearly new! He definitely under promised and over delivered. So my worries we’re unfounded - this my first 21 and I wanted to restore to as new as I could. Thrilled that it came that way. It was just the posted photos didn’t show how nice it was. So I’m no longer concerned - at least at this point - about wood insert refurbishment. I do have 3 other titanium and titanium/micarta that I’ll send in for spa treatment and glass blasting, plus some of their services to bring them back to (almost) new.

So I learned the wood inlays ( if not abused) should remain in good condition unless there’s a warranty issue. Initially wanting them removed so the Ti handle could be reblasted has become moot because the handle is beautifully polished when it was new- and still looks great. I think that’s why virtually no one had had the problems I was expecting to find. That’s reassuring, but with CRK it’s not so surprising. Sorry for the long answer, but when I can take some steady shots, I’ll show you how nice it looks.
Thanks for your interest, Mike.
Allan
 
The Shatz said:
I just sent 2 off to spa today hows there lead times been? I’m just getting new washers fit and one sharpened
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Others who’ve actually used the spa service will hopefully chime in, but for relatively simple work I’ve heard times around 3-4 weeks. Seems awfully quick!
 
ADBrown said:
I’ll try to post the used 21, but I just returned from carpal tunnel surgery, and my grip is a little tentative. I have a Mnandi and Sebenza in box elder (the former in little used condition); the latter new and polished. In my mind they would never see much use being safe queens - scales are perfect.

When I saw the used 21 on line, the scales almost looked split and in need of attention. That’s when I thought I might need to return it for spa treatment to correct the inlays and reblast the handle. To my utter disbelief when the 21 arrived today it was stunning! The seller didn’t mention that it had polished handles and blade! It looked nearly new! He definitely under promised and over delivered. So my worries we’re unfounded - this my first 21 and I wanted to restore to as new as I could. Thrilled that it came that way. It was just the posted photos didn’t show how nice it was. So I’m no longer concerned - at least at this point - about wood insert refurbishment. I do have 3 other titanium and titanium/micarta that I’ll send in for spa treatment and glass blasting, plus some of their services to bring them back to (almost) new.

So I learned the wood inlays ( if not abused) should remain in good condition unless there’s a warranty issue. Initially wanting them removed so the Ti handle could be reblasted has become moot because the handle is beautifully polished when it was new- and still looks great. I think that’s why virtually no one had had the problems I was expecting to find. That’s reassuring, but with CRK it’s not so surprising. Sorry for the long answer, but when I can take some steady shots, I’ll show you how nice it looks.
Thanks for your interest, Mike.
Allan
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The wood inlays come standard with polished scale and blade. The micarta with blasted scale and stonewashed blade, and as you know can be re-blasted. The polished scales will pick up small scratches, but usually not too bad. If I remember right Barry H had a way to remove the scales(heat gun and tip of exacto blade), so if absolutely necessary you might be able to do that and re-polish the scale.
 
Last edited:
Peter Hartwig said:
Learn to love your scratches and rub marks
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Yes, that’s one way of looking at it. But it’s not for everyone; depends on what you value. One believes the “marks” indicate good hard use, as should be expected of a good tool in the hands of a craftsman. As a woodworker building 18th century furniture using hand tools and period specific methods, the instruments of the craft were kept in top condition. And I would never allow the surface of a table I had laboriously hand rubbed with French polish to be unnecessarily scratched or stained only to tell myself “learn to love it.” We each and all have a standard of care with our knives; one isn’t better than another, but to me one is much preferred.
Allan
 
ADBrown said:
Yes, that’s one way of looking at it. But it’s not for everyone; depends on what you value. One believes the “marks” indicate good hard use, as should be expected of a good tool in the hands of a craftsman. As a woodworker building 18th century furniture using hand tools and period specific methods, the instruments of the craft were kept in top condition. And I would never allow the surface of a table I had laboriously hand rubbed with French polish to be unnecessarily scratched or stained only to tell myself “learn to love it.” We each and all have a standard of care with our knives; one isn’t better than another, but to me one is much preferred.
Allan
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While I do like a well worn finish on some, and also was 90%+ sure what CRK'S answer was going to be, it is certainly up to the individual and varies case to case. Some like well worn some like well worn of their own doing and some like a fresh finish. It's your knife and whatever makes you happy is the right answer.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
The wood inlays come standard with polished scale and blade. The micarta with blasted scale and stonewashed blade, and as you know can be re-blasted. The polished scales will pick up small scratches, but usually not too bad. If I remember right Barry H had a way to remove the scales(heat gun and tip of exacto blade), so if absolutely necessary you might be able to do that and re-polish the scale.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your mention of BarryH - led to some interesting posts re: CRK inlay removal and the attendant challenges. Makes perfect sense that a luthier would have necessary skills/tools to be successful.
Allan
 
Update on my service experience. Service was done last week, arrived back home today. So about 10.5 weeks total including shipping time both directions. Service went fine, my only gripe was after the engraving, CRK blasted the lock side. So I have a two worn presentation side and a pristine looking lock side. In hindsight I should have requested they don’t blast that side, but oh well.
 
Maybe it's the time of year, but I sent 4 (zaan, LG & sm inkosi insingos (micarta) and a sm 21 PJ. All were to be checked, lubed, sharpened and glass blasted. To my surprise they were returned exactly 3 weeks from my shipping date! Everything was perfect - I'm now a big fan of glass blasting. The sharpening was terrible! I could only do a ragged tear on phone book paper. That's fine because I use a wicked edge to sharpen. I then sent a CGG for a cleaning and lockbar adjustment. Sent on Monday and got email they'd received it on Thursday. An hour and a half later they emailed it was ready! I was shocked at the immediate turnaround. But was similarly disappointed at the ragged edge; it wasn't real sharp when I sent it but it was worse when it came back. My new CRKs have always been very sharp out of the box. I'm guessing the guy who sharpens the new ones isn't the same one who sharpens the spa blades. Could be a fluke, but happened to both shipments a month apart. Everything else about the spa service was great - just not the sharpening.
Allan
 
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