Thoughts on a Sebenza... Covering all the Bases

T

The_Guide

Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
604
DAYAFTER EDIT: Ok so I was a little drunk(OK more than a little) when I came up with this. But nevertheless, I present you with The Obsessive Inner Workings of a Drunken Knife Nut. :D

I have decided that my next knife purchase is going to be a Chris Reeve Sebenza. One of the features that I really like about that knife is the ability to fully dis-assemble it.

I had the fortune of holding one of these and I must say I really like the feel. I have an idea that I think would be really cool, and I was looking for others input.

My idea is to get blades of various steels made to the same specifications as the Sebenza Blade so I can swap the blades to my hearts content. I can picture this set in a neat little box, with blades in all sorts of different steels displayed around it.

Can the blade be swapped like this so easily, or is there more to it that I am overlooking?

I would love to have my sebenza with the choice of any blade steel.

Like S90V, S110V, ZDP-189, D2, A2, 3V, H1, INFI, O1, Damascus, VG10, 3G, Talonite, Titanium, and pretty much all the commonly used (even not so commonly) blade steels. Hell, maybe even ceramic and glass blades! I could create a "periodic table" so to speak getting each blade from the best maker I can find for each particular steel.

Like D2 form Dozier, A2 from Bark River, ZDP189 from AG Russell, INFI from Busse, 3G from Fallkniven, and so on... I havent actually decided on any of these (except the INFI for obvious reasons :p)

My goal for this set would be to get as many different blade steels as I possible can (a never ending quest, the best kind :D) made into a Sebenza blade. Since the blade is relatively small, it shouldn't cost too much to get all these custom made. I can see it being a neat little collecting project. :)

So three questions:
1. What do you think of this idea?
2. Is this actually feasible?
3. I fully expect to have to go to a lot of different makers to get all these steels, so to the best of your knowledge, can you recommend any makers that really excel in a particular steel? Like who is the best for S90V, ZDP189, 3V or any other steel you can think of...

I think that about does it. I am really getting jazzed up about this idea, and am really looking forward to all your responses :thumbup:

The_Guide :cool:
 
Last edited:
Here are some thoughts for you.

1. Are you going to find somebody who can reproduce the very fine tolerances and specifications of CR?
2. Would it be legal?
3. Would it be ethically correct?
4. What impact do you think that might have on the CR warranty?

Maybe you've thought of these and already have the answers.
 
what would be illegal about it??

i'm sure ya could find someone to make the blades, if money isnt a prob anyway, i doubt it would be cheap to make one off blades to swap around like that, but if thats what ya want and ya dont mind paying for it i imagine ya can find someone to do it, maybe anyway.

personally its not something i would care to do, but i suppose it is possible, i have heard of folks swapping blades on some EKI's so it would work, maybe, if its made from the get go to swap out,

imho it would be better to have a couple of different knives, but YMMV.

i imagine it would void any warranty, but ya will have so much invested in blades i doubt that would be a problem, just get someone else to fix it if ya have probs and pay 'em to do it.

if you have blades made for your own use in a seb handle and dont intend to sell them or make money off 'em i see no ethical probs either really all ya are doing is pimping the thing so who cares?
 
Last edited:
gajinoz said:
1. Are you going to find somebody who can reproduce the very fine tolerances and specifications of CR?
Click to expand...

That's what I am looking for. I havent quite figured out how to go about doing this.

2. Would it be legal?
Click to expand...

Dont see why not. I am not doing this to make money of someone else's design. Just for personal enjoyment.

3. Would it be ethically correct?
Click to expand...

I think so. I will have paid for my knife, and this project will not take any money out of anyone's pocket.

4. What impact do you think that might have on the CR warranty?
Click to expand...

I don't think it would be affected. What I have in mind would be no worse on the knife that just taking it apart to clean it. This knife itself is not getting modified in any way. You could say I am just buying a whole bunch of "Backup" blades. :thumbup:
Though I am not certain on this one.

The_Guide :cool:
 
I seriously doubt that any of the companies that you mentioned would be willing to make you your blades.
 
The_Guide said:
Can the blade be swapped like this so easily, or is there more to it that I am overlooking?
Click to expand...

Sebenza parts are manufactured to very tight tolerances and then hand fitted to each particular knife. In order to accomplish your goal, each blade would have to be an exact match to ensure proper fit and functionality.

The_Guide said:
Since the blade is relatively small, it shouldn't cost too much to get all these custom made.
Click to expand...

I think you're making an assumption here that, just because there isn't much steel involved, that the price would be low. You have to take into account all the work and related costs involved (i.e. sourcing the various steels + grinding, fitting, heat treating, and finishing the blades). You would probably also have difficulty finding one maker who is willing to tackle such a project and is able/willing to work with all the steels you listed.

Something to keep in mind - CRK does offer replacement blades and, if you're willing to cut down on the steel choices, you could more than likely go direct with them and have them make you some out of the selection of steels that they offer. For example, you could purchase an older BG42 Sebenza and then send it in and have S30V and Damascus blades fitted.

Good luck if you do decide to take on such a project and be sure to provide us pics. ;)
 
These are the answers I was looking for... thanks everyone!

I have had a few drinks, and now as the alcohol wears off, this doesn't seem like as great an idea as when I made the initial post. But still, if I could find makers willing to do this for me, I would totally do it.
 
The_Guide said:
How would this be any different from ordering any other custom knife?

I am simply ordering a blade to custom specs.
Click to expand...

I was just saying that it may not be quite that simple.

While there are some guys out there who specialize in "pimping" knives you may find that most knifemakers won't be willing to make blades for another company/makers' knives.

Edit: Oops, guess I was typing while you were editing/posting.
 
In order to get the blades so close, I initially intended on sending in the knife and have the specs taken from that.

You know, even if I cant do this with the Sebenza, I really want to find a way to make this idea reality. I think it is such a cool idea :)

Any ideas on bringing this project to fruition? (So far Ive only gotten the why-nots...)

Thanks a bunch!

The_Guide :cool:
 
Though if I could score a Scott Cook Lochsa in S90V I would probably forget about this whole thing for the time being ;)
 
If it's just a matter of trying out a bunch of different, high quality, performance oriented steels the Spyderco Fixed blade "mule team" knives might be the thing for you.

Mule #1 52100
Mule #2 CPM M4
Mule #3 CPM S90V
Mule #4 Will be ZDP 189
Mule #5 will be 9C something ( a bit higher carbon, and some other stuff over Byrd steel
Mule #6 Not announced yet, though production has begun
Mule #7 Same as above
 
Thanks for those recommendations Mastiff! I will definitely look into them.

Though I am still going to buy the Sebenza. I have decided that I am going to figure out a way to make this happen. I have set my sights on this, and when I get this amped about something, I always find a way to make it happen.

What I see in my head that really makes me want to do this is the display case it would all be kept in. It would be a slotted style blue velvet lined box, not unlike those for storing silver cutlery. The blades would be stored edge down allowing for a maximum number of blades. The knife itself would be right in the center of the box.

Ok, this is going to happen. I am going to MAKE it happen damnit!! There is always a way. Hell, if I have to learn how make knives just so I can have this, I will :thumbup:

One thing about me that I have noticed (and is always pointed out by others) is that when I really set my mind on something I am unstoppable.

So for those that want my freedom as an American* to expressed by way of a largely varied Sebenza blade collection (bordering on OCD like rediculousness:thumbup::thumbup:), I would appreciate all your help :D

*I am Canadian, but I mean American like the United States Of America, or North America. Borders only exist on paper.

Ok, I will commence step one next week: Ordering a Large Regular Sebenza :)

I cant get this image out of my head... what I have in mind looks so damn cool...

The_Guide :cool:



PS. I had some more tequila :) Patron Anejo...yummy!
 
You can get a damascus blade directly from CRK. If you can find someone who wants to make the other blades for you, and is capable of fitting to the tight tolerances of an existing knife, then it can be done but it will cost a bunch. But I've got a hunch that Bob Dozier won't be making a D2 Sebenza blade. And the only way to get a blade of INFI would be to buy a Busse knife and then have it ground down into a folder blade - that is going to be a really unpleasant task, since it must be done very slowly in order not to ruin the heat-treat. Any variation from perfection = throw knife away, buy a new Busse, try again.
 
The_Guide said:
Thanks for those recommendations Mastiff! I will definitely look into them.

Though I am still going to buy the Sebenza. I have decided that I am going to figure out a way to make this happen. I have set my sights on this, and when I get this amped about something, I always find a way to make it happen.

What I see in my head that really makes me want to do this is the display case it would all be kept in. It would be a slotted style blue velvet lined box, not unlike those for storing silver cutlery. The blades would be stored edge down allowing for a maximum number of blades. The knife itself would be right in the center of the box.

Ok, this is going to happen. I am going to MAKE it happen damnit!! There is always a way. Hell, if I have to learn how make knives just so I can have this, I will :thumbup:

One thing about me that I have noticed (and is always pointed out by others) is that when I really set my mind on something I am unstoppable.

So for those that want my freedom as an American* to expressed by way of a largely varied Sebenza blade collection (bordering on OCD like rediculousness:thumbup::thumbup:), I would appreciate all your help :D

*I am Canadian, but I mean American like the United States Of America, or North America. Borders only exist on paper.

Ok, I will commence step one next week: Ordering a Large Regular Sebenza :)

I cant get this image out of my head... what I have in mind looks so damn cool...

The_Guide :cool:



PS. I had some more tequila :) Patron Anejo...yummy!
Click to expand...

I hope you have saved your pennies for long enough to see this splendiforous pipe dream to full fruition. :p







Borders really do exist, though. For real.
 
Ok, now I am a little hung over, and I have a headache...

Wow, Looking over this thread, I am realizing that it really is not a good idea afterall.

For the songwriters among you: Its like when you spend a whole afternoon writing the best song ever, then listen to it the next day and realize it is absolute crap...

If I do go ahead with this, maybe work with just one maker, get a few different interchangeable blades, and call it a day...

"Man, I want 8,300 different steels, each one custom made, but get this... its only one knife man... oooooooohhhhh" ... lol...

That tequila man... :D

The_Guide :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top