Spa Treatment? Value Added?

I think it adds value. I know sebenza handles get scratched up, I just want to be the one scratching them so one that has been to the spa gives me that option
 
Not surprising, it seems the refinishing choice is as personal as picking the knife itself.

I have noticed the "dulling the lines" effect, and I suppose that is one way for an experienced owner to tell NIB from refinished, I am not sure if somehow marking the scales is a good idea or not but it has merit. Since the shop does not re-anodize wear on the thumb stud is always telling, but more knives seem to be coming out of the shop with silver hardwear than in the past.
 
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JNewell said:
That, and all the fine detail gets a little washed out when it's reblasted - the CRK logo and the fine grooving along the edges of the scales.
Click to expand...

You're right, I forgot to mention that one. The CRK logo on the one I sent back isn't as crisp as my others.
 
I would love to see some close up pics of 2 knives side by side..one in new condition, un-spa treated and one spa treated to see how noticeable the "dulling" is.
 
Personally if it has been sent in it loses value. It tells me it has either been beat to hell or heavily carried. I know this isn't always true but I would want to see a picture of the before spa treatment to it.
 
I agree with Chris_S.

I will say this, I have bought 5 or 6 used Sebbies in my day and I doubt I would again. None of them felt quite 'right' to me. All of the ones that I bought new and made to feel perfect to me were just that, perfect. I have sent in a used one for spa and it came back beautiful, but it still felt like the used knife that someone else broke in. Sebbies really seem to develop a personality of the owner to me. Maybe I am imagining it, but each new Sebbie feels unique to me and how I use it.
 
All 3 of my Sebenzas have been used and I don't mind the Ti wear. I would only send to the spa if the knife was rough as I have no safe queens and will scratch the Ti the first day.
 
You're right James, this decision is as personal as picking your favorite knife. I must be in the minority because when buying an EDC Sebenza or Umnumzaan, I would prefer that that the shop give it the once over, sharpen the blade, and clean up the scales. That way any marks are MY marks. As far as resale value goes, I think it adds a little or a lot depending on the knife. I can only assume that the refurbished regular Sebenza would fetch a value somewhere between LNIB and used (but not abused). It might not be much, but as a buyer I'd pay a little premium not to have to mess with shipping to Reeve myself to get tuned up.
 
I recently sent a large regular into the spa. It was one I bought used a few years ago with some normal wear on the scales and I was very happy with it as is. I did notice that the screws would loosen up now and then, but no big deal. Then after about a year of nonstop EDC I was carrying it (closed) down the flight of stone steps that leads to my vegetable garden, getting ready to cut some lettuce or some similar thing. I lost my balance and slammed the hand with the Sebenza in it into the stone wall beside the steps to stop myself from falling. There ended up being two long gouges in the scales on one side. I was pretty sad about that, because I definitely prefer my Sebenzas original, but no way I was going to leave those scratches. I sent the knife in to the spa and not only did it come back beautifully refinished with no sign of the scratches or any dulling, etc, but there was a note saying they had replaced all the screws because they were showing signs of wear. The action and feel of the knife has never been better. So I guess that's a long way of saying, no Spa Treatment is better, but the Spa is great to have when you really need it.
 
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