The Famous Tom Krein Regrind.

Morrow

Morrow

Don't make this weird
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Apr 11, 2007
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There has been some very enthusiastic praise of the "Tom Krein Regrind." Some of the praise has truly embodied the word "enthusiastic" <cough> Lycosa </cough>. I'm only goofing on ya Lycosa...no disrespect. After hearing all of this praise, I sent a small classic Sebenza off to Mr. Krein to get in on the experience. I was completely happy with my Sebenza before I sent it off.

I got my Sebenza back today and I honestly can't believe the difference. Thinned out, this knife cuts like a demon. It cut great before but this is a whole new level for this knife. The grinds are perfect. I'll put up some pictures tomorrow if I can get some descent sunlight.
 
Here are the pics

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I have to say, I'm really impressed with how perfectly even, factory-looking Tom Krein's regrinds are.

No offense, I know he is a knifemaker, I'm just surprised how well a very custom modification can look so factory perfect.

He's going to be getting a lot of buisness out of these threads... :D
 
Beautiful job. Do you know how the re-grinds are done?
 
Morrow---Would I lie to you? Thanks for the pics, they say a thousand words and those words look sharp!
 
These questions are not meant to be critical, or to give offense, but they've been in the back of my mind for awhile with respect to Tom's grinds:

The blade on the Sebenza pictured has had quite a bit of metal removed and is now so thin, that although I'm sure it's scary sharp and will slice like the dickens, how well will it actually hold up to anything more heavy-duty than shaving (something I prefer to do with a razor), slicing vegetables or cutting paper?

What about blade weight reduction on both this example and especially the larger knives that are done...how does it effect the overall balance of the knife? I've got some large folders with perfect balance...this much blade weight reduction and they would be handle-heavy and probably no longer feel like the same knives at all, especially in motion.

Again, these questions are just out of honest interest, are also from a relative novice (that would be me), and are not designed to criticize or give offense.

I love the look of these blades after he's finished with them, but I can't help wondering...
 
I would expect it to handle shaving with no problem for the blade, since razors are very thinly ground and have delicate edges.

I've cut cardboard, tie wraps, wood, small gauge copper wire, etc. with a Rittergrip Tom reground for me. no problems with durability.
 
hardheart said:
I would expect it to handle shaving with no problem for the blade, since razors are very thinly ground and have delicate edges.

I've cut cardboard, tie wraps, wood, small gauge copper wire, etc. with a Rittergrip Tom reground for me. no problems with durability.
Click to expand...

My experiences with my 6 or so Tom Krein regrinds are very similar. If you get stupid with a .005" edged regrind and twist out of a heavy cut you will be in for big chips, but for EDC use I have seen no durability problems with my regrinds, the thickest of which is .010" on ZDP 189. Rope, cardboard, and the plastic clam packs everything seems to come in these days just get obliterated. Plastic tie wraps go away without even noticing they were there. I think people are so used to overbuilt knife edges that they get a bit wary of a knife with true cutting oriented geometry, but a .010" edge is plenty strong for most people's EDC needs. Also, with edges this thin resharpening is a breeze. If you like to really beat up a knife then a Tom Krein regrind may not be for you, but for me I find that I never leave home without one. Oh yeah, I used a Small Sebenza that Tom reground to shave when a Bic disposable razor was mangling my face, so they work good for that in a pinch (assuming you can put a good polished edge on it) as well as EDC if you like to be adventurous.

Mike
 
gunmike1 said:
My experiences with my 6 or so Tom Krein regrinds are very similar. If you get stupid with a .005" edged regrind and twist out of a heavy cut you will be in for big chips, but for EDC use I have seen no durability problems with my regrinds, the thickest of which is .010" on ZDP 189. Rope, cardboard, and the plastic clam packs everything seems to come in these days just get obliterated. Plastic tie wraps go away without even noticing they were there. I think people are so used to overbuilt knife edges that they get a bit wary of a knife with true cutting oriented geometry, but a .010" edge is plenty strong for most people's EDC needs. Also, with edges this thin resharpening is a breeze. If you like to really beat up a knife then a Tom Krein regrind may not be for you, but for me I find that I never leave home without one. Oh yeah, I used a Small Sebenza that Tom reground to shave when a Bic disposable razor was mangling my face, so they work good for that in a pinch (assuming you can put a good polished edge on it) as well as EDC if you like to be adventurous.

Mike
Click to expand...

hardheart and Mike...thanks for your answers...exactly the kind of detail I was looking for!

I already knew you could shave with this edge...that was never in doubt...just curious about durability.

Anyone with a larger folder or fixed-blade that's been Kreined care to address my question about weight distribution/balance after that much blade was removed?
 
Hopefully, Tom's regrinds will teach us that this is the way a knife should cut---IF we don't abuse them.
 
I had my Classic Sebenza reground around Nov. 07 and was returned in about 2 weeks. I have only wonderful things to say about Tom's reground. Before I sent it to Tom It was a poor slicer/cutter. The edge was way to thick. I also own several older Sebenzas and they were better cutters. Why? I think with the S30v the edged are thicker or different. My older Sebenzas are BG42 STEEL AND I LOVED THEM FROM THE GET GO. The small classic I sent back to CRK to reround it thinner and they did and returned it quite promptly. It was better but my BM and Spyderco would out cut it. Once Tom worked his magic on the small Sebenza it was like night and day! This is the best cutter in my collection and I rate it right with my STR Ouperator which is another excellent cutter. If you abuse any knife it will fail but if you want a pure cutter Tom is the MAN! I am getting some of my other factory knives together and will be sending them to Tom. Some are ZDP189 steel and I do not want to try to thin that steel.
RKH
 
I've had some mild regrinds done by Tom. That might be the route to go if you want to maintain some strength at the edge.

IMO Tom does not charge enough for these regrinds, IMO he should double his price immediately. This might also keep him from becoming so busy he gives it up completely.
 
I've been thinkong on getting both of my S-2's reground by him but was concerned that the allready thin edge on the S-2 might be too thin for a regrind.

Anyone else own a CRKT S-2, what do you think about the thin edge ?


MorrowJ , good looking knife pic. :thumbup:
 
I sent in my endura wave to him less than a week ago, and it's already being shipped back :)

My question is, how does one go about sharpening once you get your TKRG edge dull? Will I be able to just swipe it across my 30degree sharpmaker, or will I need something even steeper/ more elaborate?

Thanks
Mark
 
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