To Sebenza, or not to Sebenza?

[amg137]

This thread may be more suited to the CRK subforum, but considering how little traffic that place gets I figured I'd try my luck in the general forum first.

I'm grappling with the idea of picking up a Sebenza, and I just can't make up my mind about it. I visited Plaza Cutlery in Costa Mesa, CA (incredible knife shop) to check one out in person today, and I'm even more torn than before. I ended up passing for now since they didn't have any plain small sebbies in stock, and I decided the large was not for me (just too slow to open when I have a half-dozen great knives that fill the same role and open twice as fast). I have some questions for you Sebenza owners out there, perhaps you can help me out.

The detent on all the sebbies I handled was extremely strong - does this wear in significantly with time, or is it a "feature?" The strong detent combined with the sharp thumbstuds made the knife quite painful for me to open - has anyone had a similar experience and/or had this become a non-issue as the detent smoothed out? Finally, does anyone know if Chris Reeve will re-beadblast the handle, re-stonewash the blade, or re-anodize the thumbstud in the future if they become marked up? If so, is this covered under warranty or does he charge for it?

Thanks guys.

 

[91a2jettavr6]

The key when opening a Sebenza is to push forward (toward the blade end of the knife as opposed to outward) on the thumbstud. The difference this makes is very significant. Yes, they will do the things you're asking about. I believe they call it the "spa treatment" and I believe the cost is somewhere around $35.00.

 

[amg137]

Thanks, that seems like a pretty reasonable price given what it would do for your resale value. That definitely eases some of my concerns about doing a "catch and release" after a few months.

 

[olybears57]

If it didn't jive with you right off the bat... I would say no. I've tried to fall in love with knives I should have loved... And always end up selling them. That being said... CRK's are growing on me

 

[link2derek]

Wow - you went into Plaza Cutlery and didn't walk out with something? You have more control than I have, for sure!
In any case, the answers to your questions are Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes.

 

[91a2jettavr6]

I say buy one...ideally for less than retail, of course...and play with it for a week or so. If it doesn't grow on you to the point where you've bonded, let it go. You will lose very little money (if any). I'm trying that with a Sebenza 25 right now, in fact.

 

[amg137]

That's the thing - I did really like the knife. They're beautiful (quite possibly my favorite knife from a design point of view), feel great in hand, and the small sebbie fits most of my EDC tasks quite well. I was just bummed that it was such a pain to open and I'm just a bit wary of spending so much on a knife (and I'm pretty anal about retaining a like-new appearance on expensive knives, thus the concern about re-finishing).

 

[amg137]

Wow - you went into Plaza Cutlery and didn't walk out with something? You have more control than I have, for sure!
In any case, the answers to your questions are Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes.

The only reason I managed to walk out without a couple of knives were the prices. It was hard, but it sure gets easier when you can save $50 a knife by buying online...

 

[91a2jettavr6]

I am of the opinion that, when the knives were designed, it was a goal to make them somewhat hard to open. I believe this was done to reduce the amount of "flicking open" they were subjected to. I know CRK frowns greatly on flicking their knives open and, in some cases, will void a warranty if they see irrefutable evidence of that style of opening. Regardless, they are easy to open if you follow my earlier instructions.

 

[kreole]

If one of your top preferences is in a knife is speed of opening, I would move past CRK. They do wear in, but they have what gets called a 'hydrolic feel', definitely not a frictionless feel, so if that's what you're looking for, I don't think your tastes quite match up with the Sebenza.

CRK will refurbish the knife, but it isn't necessarily free. There's a price list post from a year or two ago here (could have changed) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ot-spa-quot-treatment?p=10477804#post10477804

Directly from Customer Service:

Sending your knife to Chris Reeve Knives

As part of your warranty CRK will always clean, tune and sharpen your folder and sharpen your fixed blade at no charge. Your only cost is the return shipping fee ($14 in CONUS). Please find below a few important steps to remember when sending your knife to us.

1. We recommend insuring your parcel when sending it to us.
2. Our address is CRK, 2949 S. Victory View Way, Boise ID 83709
3. Include a note outlining what work you want performed and if we have any questions we will call you.
4. Very important! Include your full name, billing/shipping address, email and phone number in your note.
5. If payment is required, you may include a check or money order (if in the US) or phone us (or I’ll phone you) for your VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card information.
6. Once your knife is received it is usually fixed up and on its way back within 2 weeks but it could be a month. That period is an estimate and can take longer or on rare occasions not so long.
7. Feel free to phone 208-375-0367 or email crkinfo@chrisreeve.com if you have further questions.

PRICES (return shipping not included)
Fixed blade re-coating $27.50
Double lug (blue, silver or gold) $35
New perforated washers (we do not send these out) $1.50
A Sebenza with solid washers will need the pivot and
sometimes stop sleeve changed as well. The total cost is $13.50
Sandblasting handle $30
Re-polished handle (not polish a sandblasted handle) $30
Tumbling a blade and adding a new lug $30
Re-polishing a blade (will not polish a tumbled blade) $30
Screws (male) - specify clip or body $1 each
Pins (female) $7.50 each
New S35VN Blade (Seb 21, Classic, Umnum) $135
Fluorinated Grease $11.50
Umnumzaan Tear Down Kit $12.50

Replacement Damascus Blade: Only available for the Seb 21, Sebenza Classic or Mnandi. Designs: Spirograph $315; Raindrop or Ladder $285. These are the only patterns we are offering at this time. We are backordered approximately a year on all Damascus blades. Once we have the blade in stock you will need to send your knife in for fitting.

For other pricing please visit the price list on our website www.chrisreeve.com/pricelist.htm
If you have a warranty issue these prices may not apply.

 

[kwazyjuice]

It will become easier to open. They take a little break in, and the technique is a little different from what you're used too!! Once you get it put it to some good use and you will see and feel the appreciation that everyone talks about

 

[dishcore]

Ill be watching this thread, as Im on the Umnumzaan fence myself.

 

[rajincagin]

I am of the opinion that, when the knives were designed, it was a goal to make them somewhat hard to open. I believe this was done to reduce the amount of "flicking open" they were subjected to. I know CRK frowns greatly on flicking their knives open and, in some cases, will void a warranty if they see irrefutable evidence of that style of opening.

Never owned a Sabanza, but that right there I think would be a BIG reason not to buy one

 

[fetzer85]

I am of the opinion that, when the knives were designed, it was a goal to make them somewhat hard to open. I believe this was done to reduce the amount of "flicking open" they were subjected to. I know CRK frowns greatly on flicking their knives open and, in some cases, will void a warranty if they see irrefutable evidence of that style of opening. Regardless, they are easy to open if you follow my earlier instructions.

Sebenzas aren't hard to open for me. Don't get me wrong, you can't give it a half flick and still expect it to fly out like a RAT 1/2 will but they can be flicked open by most knife people. Also CRK frowning on flicking is a thing of the past. The wear achieved from flicking a Sebenza open isn't going to put it under the abuse category with CRK...

 

[ASBOB]

The sebenza definitely gets easier over time, but it is always a solid feel. The easiest opening knife I have is the Rat 2, about the same size.

 

[to4steh]

The sebenza definitely gets easier over time, but it is always a solid feel. The easiest opening knife I have is the Rat 2, about the same size.

+1. I own 3 Sebenza's and are all difficult to open in the beginning, and get way easier over time.

I think the Sebenza 21 (small) is the most fun knife, and the Sebenza 25 is just a knife perfection package, with the the hard use of the Umnumzaan, extremely easy to take apart and put together, extremely sharp and very good looking all in 1. The only minus is that the Sebenza 25 is a bit boring to open and close.

 

[marthinus]

The detent on all the sebbies I handled was extremely strong - does this wear in significantly with time, or is it a "feature?"

All knives smooth out over time, however, be careful not to grip the framelock portion, I believe that combined with my comments below might have contributed to a "strong" detent.

The strong detent combined with the sharp thumbstuds made the knife quite painful for me to open - has anyone had a similar experience and/or had this become a non-issue as the detent smoothed out?

Do not open the Sebenza by placing your thumb on the stud. It was not designed like that.

Place your thumb on the blade itself next to the thumbstud and push as indicated.

Finally, does anyone know if Chris Reeve will re-beadblast the handle, re-stonewash the blade, or re-anodize the thumbstud in the future if they become marked up? If so, is this covered under warranty or does he charge for it?

It is regarded as normal wear and tear and a price will be charged.

 

[red mag]

You could get a silver thumb-stud.
You get used to the stud opening method.
The Reeve motto is: "Think twice, cut once." - makes me think speed opening is not a key issue here.
hope this helps
red mag

 

[evilgreg]

I'm not a Sebenza fan, but I'd suggest you buy one anyway. They get talked about so much that you'll always wonder what you're missing out on if you don't, and you won't lose much money if it turns out you don't like it.

In my case I bought one and was extremely underwhelmed. After discovering I'd rather have a Southard than a Sebenza, I lost almost nothing immediately reselling it.

 

[JNewell]

This thread may be more suited to the CRK subforum, but considering how little traffic that place gets I figured I'd try my luck in the general forum first.

I'm grappling with the idea of picking up a Sebenza, and I just can't make up my mind about it. I visited Plaza Cutlery in Costa Mesa, CA (incredible knife shop) to check one out in person today, and I'm even more torn than before. I ended up passing for now since they didn't have any plain small sebbies in stock, and I decided the large was not for me (just too slow to open when I have a half-dozen great knives that fill the same role and open twice as fast). I have some questions for you Sebenza owners out there, perhaps you can help me out.

The detent on all the sebbies I handled was extremely strong - does this wear in significantly with time, or is it a "feature?" The strong detent combined with the sharp thumbstuds made the knife quite painful for me to open - has anyone had a similar experience and/or had this become a non-issue as the detent smoothed out? Finally, does anyone know if Chris Reeve will re-beadblast the handle, re-stonewash the blade, or re-anodize the thumbstud in the future if they become marked up? If so, is this covered under warranty or does he charge for it?

Thanks guys.

Ill be watching this thread, as Im on the Umnumzaan fence myself.

Buy a good pre-owned one. If it agrees with you, you have a lifetime knife. If not, you should be able to sell it for what you paid for it.