tips for new sebenza 21 owners

I have read his post in response to negative comments on his knives .. I have also watched the factory tour videos. . Mad respect to him and his vision , and the awesome implementation of his vision ...
 
I'll add my tips, granted I haven't been apart of this family for long:

1. Lubrication: When in doubt, use CRK grease. There are a couple options out there that some will argue are better and they may be, but if you don't know what to use, use CRK grease. Chris Reeve chose it and designs the tolerances with that in mind. So, you cannot go wrong with it. Also, no matter what you use, you will have to disassemble to get it in the right spots. Use this guide :
http://chrisreeve.com/Sebenza-Assembly

2. WD-40 is great for cleaning handles. CRK even gives the handles a cleaning with it as a final step. Just rub it on and then rub it off. I've found it to work well as a simple cleaner and it also darkens the titanium a bit.

3. The phosphorus bronze washers are self-polishing, in other words, they polish themselves as you use the knife. CRKs wear in, not out. Your knife will get smoother and easier as you use it. The first couple weeks can be a killer on your thumb, but it will get better.

4. Admire your knife privately. If you open it up to cut something and pause to stare at it, you may get some stares yourself :p
 
My advice is simple. Use the knife and remember to treat it like a friend. If you do it will treat you like a friend!

Sebenzas aren't made to be babied, they're meant to be used.
 
panzeron said:
And right , that's your opinion. I stated my opinion. But you have to admit you did come at me with a condescending tone ...
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And your statement that most people that don't properly appreciate CRKs are new to high end knives & just don't understand how to properly open a CRK isn't a bit condescending?
I don't dislike CRKs...but I'm not enamored with them, either. I've been carrying knives for about 40 yrs, and have had a few $600-800 folders (small change, compared to some here, I know). Please, though - tell me more about about why I'm failing to thoroughly enjoy the sebenza.


Oh, by the way,
panzeron said:
If your new to liner locks , remember not to push the lock bar with your fingers as your disengaging with your thumb ...
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the 21 isn't a liner lock...it's a frame lock (the formal name is Reeve Integral Lock)
 
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No I don't think my statement about people new to the sebenza was condescending. I was using my own experience, and how I approached the knife . And noticed I was having similar problems as others had described . When I figured out why that was . I just wanted to share my experience with others . And hopefully help them , because it sux to be so excited and save up for a grail knife and be let down ... so if it was condescending I guess I was condescending to myself . And yes my mistake , I meant frame lock ... thanx for catching that ..
 
I have discovered one thing in over 1,000 BF post's - it's real easy to revel in unintended hurt feelings. Have spent time on both sides of that crevasse. As a new "Sebenzaman"... I appreciate all information found in these posts. Have a great week, all...;-)
 
tuica said:
I have discovered one thing in over 1,000 BF post's - it's real easy to revel in unintended hurt feelings. Have spent time on both sides of that crevasse. As a new "Sebenzaman"... I appreciate all information found in these posts. Have a great week, all...;-)
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+1. Things get read differently than intended sometimes. I, for example, am married and... ah, nevermind. Yes, a great week to all!:)
 
Corskin said:
+1. Things get read differently than intended sometimes. I, for example, am married and... ah, nevermind. Yes, a great week to all!:)
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:eek: The Horror!!! :D :D

J/K

As for the 21... I love my PJ large 21. I carry my micarta 25 way more often but that 21 has a certain 'feel' to it that my 25 lacks. Honestly, that makes me admire it just a bit more.
Seriously considering a PJ large Insingo next.
 
Isee my point was missed :D but that's okay...
I accept that the original post wasn't intended to be condescending...but the implication seemed to be that the most likely reason somebody isn't a Sebenza fan is some fault of the person. The specific comments that it is usually because the person is new to high end knives, or they just haven't learned to appreciate the Sebenza, are echoes of sentiments oft repeated in this sub forum. I won't deny that there is likely some truth to them in many cases; but it comes off as elitist from where I'm sitting.
I'm new to CRK - mainly because I was unimpressed when I was first exposed to a Sebenza 15 years (or so) ago... but I'm not new to quality knives, as I indicated earlier. I do appreciate the quality - don't misunderstand that - and I'll admit/agree that I am better able to do that than I was on my first exposure; but the brand just doesn't push the right buttons for me, and I don't agree that it is due to some fault or shortcoming of mine. I sold my 21insingo and micarta within a relatively short time; but I am keeping a micarta insingo and a snakewood inlay (both larges). Admittedly, I primarily kept the snakewood because I like snakewood... and I plan to acquire a snakewood Mnandi for the same reason.
I'm glad that, in your short experience with CRK, you've become a fan & want to spread the word. For myself, I have an appreciation. I would be very surprised if I become an obsessed, card carrying member of the CRK fan club... but I'm not a full fledged fanboy of any brand/maker.
Look on the bright side... at least this way I'm not competing for the knives you want ;)
 
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I didn't really start to appreciate my Sebenza until I started buying more and more knives. Eventually, I found myself comparing all of them to the Sebenza in terms of quality, and often found myself disappointed in the other knives. At first glance, my Sebenza just seemed like a boring gray slab. The more I used it, the more I realized just how great the knife really was.
 
Hhmoore... I understand where you're coming from . But you're misinterpreting the spirit of my post . We're talking about two different things. I'm not saying if you don't like or appreciate the sebenza , that you don't know how to appreciate fine things . This was meant for people who are new to it and maybe feel it wasn't what they thought it would be . Or doesn't function as they thought it would . If you check the forums you'll find that this is quite common . I mean the just spent 4-5 hundred dollars on it . They must have liked something about it . I had a similar experience . And I figured out why that was , in my case at least . And I thought I bet this is the case for others also . Different strokes ... of coarse some people won't like the knife . I'm not implying that there's a mental defect in that person .
 
I'm not a snob and don't think I'm better because I have a sebenza. I have a modest income , blue collar , paycheck to paycheck kinda guy .I just loved this knife and saved and sacrificed to get it . There were time I fell short at the end of the week . And had to skip a meal . Because I refused to dip into my sebenza fund . I knew once I did that the flood gates would open . Many people can't afford this knife . I would put myself in that category. But if you want something bad enough you find a way . And during the time you're saving . You read about it , look at pictures and ponder and such . In your minds eye you know exactly want it's gonna be like and how it will function . Then you get it and reality is a bit different . I'm sure some can related, and that is a horrible feeling . Once I figured out why I was having problems . And stopped attacking it like my benchmade 940 and met it on its terms .. I was all good ... that's who my post is addressed to . Because that feeling sux , I wanted help someone figure it out . It's not if you don't like this knife or are having trouble working it , then you're an idiot ... did I clarify?
 
I'm really not misunderstanding the spirit, and I realize that your post was well intended. ( Ihave been running too long on too little sleep, and that may be having a negative impact on my ability to clearly relate my thoughts... it definitely has a role in some of my ramblings, lol). Rest assured, I am not even a little butt hurt by anything that has been posted in this thread.
Sitting in my car, trying to respond, and I have totally lost my train of thought. No idea where I was going; so I'm just going to stop, drive home, and complete mindless tasks until I can sleep.

Just out of curiosity, did you purchase your 21 because of things you liked about it; or because of the reputation/hype?
 
Hhmoore .. thank you for that . I totally understand .if you go to page one of this post . I think I needlessly got butt hurt , and lashed out a little . We're all human , non is perfect . The best we can do is recognize our short coming . And strive to do better . Good on you , bro .. have a great day and get some sleep ..
 
We go, go, go, and sometimes forget that simple therapeutic value of sleep. We can go longer without food or water. This is my "Saturday." And I'm going back to bed. Twas a busy work weekend...;-)
 
I have to admit that I do find it therapeutic flipping knives and even simply opening and closing my CRK knives using the finger nail method that the OP described.

Also therapeutic is sharpening knives. I have a few stones by my easy chair and work over a few knives while listening to chamber music.

Mike
 
I remember the value of sleep...I'm just not very good at getting enough of it, even when I have the time to do so. Luckily, I usually manage to get/stay focused when it matters; and, more importantly, I know when to step out of the lead position if I can't.

Back to CRK
On some level, I hope that what people say is true...that if I carry/use them long enough I'll have some epiphany, and realize how much I like them. If not, I'm okay with the snakewood living on my desk. The only question will be whether to keep the micarta insingo, or sell it to finance the snakewood Mnandi. I'll probably never use that, either; but it seems like the perfect gentleman's knife for those times that I deem it appropriate to don a suit. Lightweight, small, and - mmmm - that snakewood. Hmmmm - anybody know if there's an insingo with snakewood inlays?? I'd better sleep this off before I end up with more knives...

*edited to add
I feel as though I've been more negative than I intended; so here's a peace offering

(before anybody gets any ideas - the picture is the peace offering, not the knives...just the picture
 
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Hhmoore .. I don't think you were negative . I wasn't offended by anything you said . Actually I think you had a legitimate point . I just felt you were misinterpreting my post . Thinking I was saying something I was not . Those are beautiful knives . When I got mine it was between the snakewood and ebony . I decided to match the woods that make up my beloved Gibson guitar . And they were out of rosewood ... I might be interested in that insingo with micarta. . Shoot me an email .. panzeron@comcast.net
 
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