To inlay or not inlay... Chris Reeve Sebenza inbound.

[ParaJake]

Hello fellas!

First let me say, this is my first posting here. I've collected knives for a long time and always perused the forums here for quality information, reviews, discussions and what not.
I recently joined since I'm getting more and more into growing a healthy stable/collection of knives so I may ask questions or give advice as I can.

I've recently returned a blade that I wasn't stoked with to Blade HQ and will have some store credit to play with.

I'm considering buying my first Large Sebenza.

I have seen the carbon fiber version BladeHQ has and some of the wood versions (cocobolo) that look amazing. Even some of the CAD designs on the handle look nice (though I wonder if every one is truly unique).

Being this is my first large sebenza should I purchase the plain jane model? I've been reading alot of folks actually recommend the inlays over the standard handle. Its hard for me to quantify with out holding one in my hands as to how it would actually feel. So I'll have to rely on actually consumer input.

Pros? Cons?

 

[mrdabble]

I can't speak from experience WHATSOEVER but of all that I see here the inlays look amazing.
Dem feels? No idea

 

[mjolnir74]

I had a large regular and I much prefer my micarta Large 21 to the point that I bought a second.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

I would go plain or micarta. I have a 25, which is of course plain, and a small 21 with wood inlays. I carry the small 21 but mainly when I'm out in public. It's my dressier knife. The 25 is my "hard user". The micarta will be my next since I think it's a nice middle ground. I bet the micarta feels great too.

 

[Ajack60]

Of all the inlays, micarta is my favorite to the point that I have seven senenzas with micarta. The micarta gets grippier when it gets wet from sweat or rain, the oil from your hand turns the micarta darker and it can be cleaned with soap and water and the inlays give the knife a small advantage of width. The plain sebenza shave a good feel in the hand as we'll.

 

[jmclfrsh]

I have a plain 25 and two micarta 21s, and if you're going to get a 21 I'd suggest an inlaid one. I really like the micarta, looks and feels great.

 

[HwangJino]

I'm the only one here who prefers wood inlay and not micarta.

 

[coiledwire]

I only have inlayed smalls to comment on.

If not having the narrowest profile in your pocket is ok, go with inlay. I like the warm feel of wood, but I'm less concerned with wear-n-tear of micarta. Wood inlay is usually with polished Ti; micarta has the standard beadblasted Ti. CRK can re-blast the micarta handles to return the finish close to new. No similar option for wood handles to be brought back to new.

 

[mjolnir74]

I'm the only one here who prefers wood inlay and not micarta.

I love the way the wood ones look, next on my list. I just got a really good deal on the second one.

 

[jill jackson]

I like the wood best of all mine.

 

[pvicenzi]

Love nicely grained wood inlays.

 

[cutter17]

I've had a few Sebenza's, and by far the large wood inlaid models are the best looking I have seen. I really like the satin finish that CRK gives the wood inlay's. I hope that the 25 becomes available with wood inlays as I will have to have one!

 

[Hairlesstwinkie]

Inlay gives the Sebenza more character and better ergos.

 

[HwangJino]

In store, the plain sebenzas felt nice, but I could not take my eyes off the wood inlays.