Think I got a fake one; posting pics for your opinions

[ssgwhite]

Hello all; I just received a Large Sebenza 21 in the mail today. I opened the package and the first thing I saw was that the "signature" on the card was printed. SO...of course I start to look into this thing with a fine tooth comb. Here's some of what I found:

1st: The gap between the lockbar and the frame was larger than my others

2. "made" seems to be slightly deeper than Idaho. Both seem deeper than my 21 and the font just seems different.

3. The card is a terrible forgery

4. The blade: The V on the blade is not in the same location or font. Also the inside of the pivot area had machining grooves. I couldn't get my camera to pick them up but it is different. Also the bushing itself is poorly finished in comparison. I will also point out that the thumb lugs blue anodizing is of poor quality.

5. The pivot: the screws are very close, but the knife in question has a different head taper and the end of the screw has been turned differently and left a raised spot.

This is all I can do with the camera I have; I wish I could get a better set of pics. In the listing I purchased this in showed the card and accessories clearly but not so clear so as to see that it was printed. When I hold my authentic one next to it I can see differences too minute to show with my camera phone. The fit of the screws to the frame is much tighter in the authentic. The clip fits much tighter in the authentic than the replica.

Your thoughts and input would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[clockman]

You are correct from what I see in several of your pics. Made is too deep, screws shouldn't have a tight fit, not positive about BD card...your pic is almost magnified

too much. The hole for the pivot isn't not correct, it may just be the angle of the pic tho.

Edit: I guess I was wrong on this guys.....

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

If it is fake, then the counterfeiters are getting pretty good. Would have fooled me. That is why I only buy on knife forums.

 

[JPR984]

Nope don't worry everything looks legit to me!!!

 

[kidcongo]

Looks identical to my newer Sebenzas on all counts, which came from an authorized dealer. The Chris Reeve signature is printed on all the cards these days, so that is not a factor. You have the right screws (with the flatter head on one side and the rounded on the other), the engraving of the Idaho made is perfect. The V is exactly like it is on mine. You have the grease grooves in the blade hole, which I do not think are on the Chinese fakes, and the thumb lug has the right look for a slightly worn blue stud. If that's a fake, it's the best one Ive seen. I would say it's most likely legit.

 

[kidcongo]

I think you have mistaken the pivot hole grease grooves for machining marks. They are a feature of the pivot, not a mistake. Also the pivot bushing is made of different steel in a Sebenza and is not stone washed or polished. The pivot bushing typically does not look as perfectly finished and smooth as you might expect. It will also get even more ratty looking as it wears in. There is usually some concentric scratches and what not on the pivot bushing after some pocket time due to things getting into the grease.

Personally I think CRK should ditch the "False" printed signatures on the newer birth-cards because it does look like a false signature, and is. It's not a signature. I would prefer if the birth cards were signed by the person who did the final check on the knife before packaging, be that Chris Himself, or Joe Smith. That would mean more to me than a print-out, and offer some recourse if you got a bum knife out of the box.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Looks legit to me. To give you further reassurance it would help if you posted several pictures of the entire unit and birth card (rather than just close-ups).

 

[ssgwhite]

The v mark is pixilated; also here's a better pic of the inside.

 

[atony]

Pivot hole looks huge for a 21, other then that it looks good to me.

 

[ssgwhite]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input so far

 

[kidcongo]

The v mark is pixilated; also here's a better pic of the inside.

The pivot hole looks bigger in these photos. It looks normal size in the other photos. Is there some image resizing issue here? Certainly looks wrong here, but not in the other pics. If this is a fake its a very very clever fake.

 

[atony]

Might just be lighting or the angle or something. It really does look like a legit CRK.

 

[Haze]

I can't say anything is shouting fake from those pictures. A picture of the whole knife would help, the lock side especially.

 

[ssgwhite]

I'm just zooming in with the camera trying to get the most detail; the pivots are the same size. Here's some more photo's, the one with the lanyard is known authentic.
bottom one is authentic; notice the difference in the lock bar gap

 

[atony]

I think it looks legit, I'd say no worries.

 

[ssgwhite]

My 21 from 2012 doesn't have any of the grooves in the pivot hole; the V isn't put on in dots either. Seeing the card and the other differences just freaked me out. You guys are far more knowledgeable than I am; that's why I came here. I really appreciate any and all help; thanks so much for your input!

 

[masterserg]

Looks good to me.

 

[atony]

Sometimes CRK makes subtle changes in things.

 

[ssgwhite]

Ok guys, I really appreciate everything. I'm going to call this one real, and stop worrying about it. I will see Chris at the IWA in March; If I was really worried about it I could take it to show him there.

 

[AKWILD]

Looks great! No worries.