Special Sebenza

DWood

DWood

Joined
Feb 3, 2007
Messages
165
I am retiring at the end of the year and would like to buy a special large Sebenza to celebrate 37 years in the fire service. I have been fortunate to be able to buy the knives I like during my career, but I want one that is just a little nicer, but will still be a user.

My thoughts are leaning toward a mammoth bark Sebenza 21. Damascus would be nice, but the one I saw on youtube was a two year quest (forget which BF member posted it) for the owner so it might be "unobtanium".

What are your thoughts on a special large Sebenza that just has a little more class? Or is the answer all Sebenzas are classy so buy what you like?

PS I have a small 21 with cocobolo that is part of my rotation.
 
I think that getting a Seb that's special to you and celebrates your career would be a very nice gift to yourself.
I've had Damascus and mammoth ivory, they're both very nice and are fine as a user though most wouldn't use them as edc blades.
Have you considered getting a plain handle and having it engraved by CRK with something meaningful to you?
I think that's what I'd do if I were in your shoes, then I'd have a nice ladder Damascus blade put on it :)

I'm looking forward to reading which knife that you decide on, please keep us posted.

Though I may not live in the area you serve I'd like to thank you for your years of public service.
 
Why don't you order a "standard" Sebenza with a custom engraving saying for example "37 years". I don't see a possibility of being more special.
 
1AbominAble1 said:
Have you considered getting a plain handle and having it engraved by CRK with something meaningful to you?
I think that's what I'd do if I were in your shoes, then I'd have a nice ladder Damascus blade put on it :)
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chili77 said:
Why don't you order a "standard" Sebenza with a custom engraving saying for example "37 years". I don't see a possibility of being more special.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered an plain engraved sebenza. I tend to like inlays but will consider an engraved knife. is there an engraver that you would recommend/ does CRK offer custom engraving?
 
DWood. . . Here is a link to the engravings thread mentioned by chili.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1045706-Engraved-CRK-s-Post-Your-Pics-Here!

I agree that an engraved Sebenza 25 would be a really nice way to go. I wouldn't trust anyone other than CRK to do the engraving--you ensure that your warranty remains in full force and at the same time, they are as fanatical about perfection with the engraving as they are about everything else.
 
I have a mammoth sebbie (check my collection) but can't bring myself to use it (yet). For your purposes, I would consider damascus as CRK uses Devon Thomas SS damascus and it is very usable and doesn't show marks easily. And you can additionally get the scale engraved.

DWood said:
I am retiring at the end of the year and would like to buy a special large Sebenza to celebrate 37 years in the fire service. I have been fortunate to be able to buy the knives I like during my career, but I want one that is just a little nicer, but will still be a user.

My thoughts are leaning toward a mammoth bark Sebenza 21. Damascus would be nice, but the one I saw on youtube was a two year quest (forget which BF member posted it) for the owner so it might be "unobtanium".

What are your thoughts on a special large Sebenza that just has a little more class? Or is the answer all Sebenzas are classy so buy what you like?

PS I have a small 21 with cocobolo that is part of my rotation.
Click to expand...
 
I'd suggest a custom computerized graphic. I think plain sebenzas are ugly, and inlays not much better.

I got their retro version and have been quite happy. I did go to a dealer so I could see it before I bought it. If you cannot, you might want to make sure that you can return it after inspection if it's not what you want.

Make sure you want the big version, 'cause if you like the small already, the big may be more than what you are comfortable with. I personally like the small and would not buy the big.
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
DWood. . . Here is a link to the engravings thread mentioned by chili.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1045706-Engraved-CRK-s-Post-Your-Pics-Here!

I agree that an engraved Sebenza 25 would be a really nice way to go. I wouldn't trust anyone other than CRK to do the engraving--you ensure that your warranty remains in full force and at the same time, they are as fanatical about perfection with the engraving as they are about everything else.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link MMAR. I would really be interested in a pattern like the knife that Lisantica posted. It is truly beautiful and is what I would call special. I am looking for something more than a line or two of text. I couldn't find a website for Tim George, so my question is, how does one get a custom job like this done? do they buy the knife and find an engraver, or buy the knife from a site that carries engraved customs?
 
How about bloodwood and damascus.
The red inlay remind me of the legendary firefighter Red Adair.
Just a thought.

red mag
 
I am really fond of box elder inlay. Everyone has his own favorite, of course. Congratulations on your retirement.
I like Damascus blades but am not sure I'd want to "expose" it to a lot of work, for fear that I would damage the blade surface. YMMV.
As far as size goes, I cannot hang onto a small. I have several "small" inlays in my collection, but never carry one. My hand fits the large Sebbie and the Umnumzaan very nicely.
 
I think your original idea is important because it came from you. You have had a long career and you are proud of it, as you should be. You should be the one that chooses the knife you feel would be a fitting end to your career and the beginning of the next phase of your life.

I bought a mammoth bark ivory large Sebenza for myself about 8 years ago when I was promoted to be as high as I can be in my career, it was a big deal. I love it, do not use it everyday, I have plenty of knives for that, but I break it out often and play with it, show it to my kids, and admire it. It would be fine to use as well, but I plan to give it to one of my kids, I retire in three years.

I would be happy to send a pic if you want, but the only one who knows what will make you the happiest is you!

Congratulations on reaching such an important milestone in your life!

T
 
So did you ever decide which Sebenza would be the right one to help you celebrate your retirement ?
 
1AbominAble1 said:
So did you ever decide which Sebenza would be the right one to help you celebrate your retirement ?
Click to expand...

Still trying to decide. I have thought about a large 21 with the seal of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (31 years) and New York City Fire Dept. (4 years) which make up the bulk of my career. I'm not sure that much detail can fit on one scale. On the back would be my rank, name, and years of service.

I still also like the mammoth bark, since old firefighters are often referred to as "dinosaurs" and the idea of a knife with a piece of very old bone in it is just cool to me. I was thinking about contacting CRK to see if they would do mammoth inlays on the front with a plain back scale that could be engraved with my name, as well as MDFR & FDNY. I am doubtful but it can't hurt to ask and I think it would be very cool.

Then again, I search every day to see if I can find a fully engraved knife like the one in lisantica's video.

ETA: I just e-mailed CRK to ask about options.
 
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I have a mammoth ivory sebenza and it is a joy to use. Just knowing you have something as neat as mammoth ivory sitting in your pocket all day is really cool. I wish I had some bark but I can never find one that I like (especially since I only ever get the older classic models). That said, I do take care of it so wear is minimal (but still there). I say go for it, you only get so many years on this planet and you can always make more money... so just use it and enjoy it. (:
 
I think that would be a very nice gift to yourself and hope that they can fit it all on your knife. I also like the mammoth ivory on one side idea, that'd be a true original. I've had mammoth Ivory and love it on the knives that CRK produces, the way they stabilize it makes it feel/seem very durable for regular knife chores.
Keep us all updated, we'll be happy to see the pics when it's done.
 
1AbominAble1 said:
I think that would be a very nice gift to yourself and hope that they can fit it all on your knife. I also like the mammoth ivory on one side idea, that'd be a true original............
Click to expand...

Heather replied quickly to my e-mail and unfortunately, both ideas are a no go. The logos are too detailed to engrave on titanium and are branded property, and a plain back on a knife with inlays is not something CRK will do. The best I can get is 3 or 4 letters engraved near the pivot on an inlaid knife.

I am still liking the mammoth bark idea the best and I am thinking about engraving MDFR & FDNY around the pivot, but that probably is too many letters. I am going to check back with her. Also thinking about engraving on the clip and exposed part of the lock bar.

Checking the net everyday for a large mammoth bark with the character I want; not white, not too dark, something with a nice pattern.
 
Well I hope that they're able to get it on there for you, should turn out to be a great knife that's very special to you when it's finally ( found ) and completed.
Hunting for the right Ivory can be a very long and tedious process but I find the hunt for the knife to be very satisfying.
I prefer the white because that's how ivory should look in my eyes although the bark, especially with the blues and greens, can be very appealing.
Hopefully you find one that you like soon, good luck.
 
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