To use or not to use...

S

smitty1505

Joined
Oct 24, 2009
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243
I never understood why people were scared to use their Sebenza's. In my eyes knives are tools, no matter the price, and are meant to be used. I get that some knives are made to be artwork more that tools but to me that never applied to Sebenza's. The name itself tells you its a tool and is meant to be used. For years I have looked at Mammoth ivory, box elder, Honduran rosewood, and damascus Sebenzas, telling myself that if I ever owned one I would not hesitate to use it. I never planned on cleaning game or doing yard work with them, but couldn't see why EDCing them was out of the question. Today however I received my first damascus small sebenza with bloodwood inlays.
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I absolutely love this knife. The beauty and craftsmanship of this knife amaze me every time I hold it. Now I understand why people are hesitant to use these knives. While it is still a Sebenza and begs to be used I can't bring myself to do it. I planned on ordering a satin blade for it and making it an EDC but now I'm having second thoughts. I feel like if I do end up EDCing it and get some scratches on it, when I put the damascus blade back on it the scratches will take away some of the beauty of the blade. I feel like if getting the handles refinished was an option down the road it would be a different story but due to the inlays thats not possible. Im scared that if I scratch up the handles it will be much harder to sell if I ever need to in the future. So I come to you guys. Have any of you ever regretted using your damascus or inlaid knives? Or had trouble selling them because you did so? Or am I simply overthinking this and should just use it for what it is, a Sebenza? Thanks!
 
It's up to you.

Did you buy it to sell later at a slight loss?

Did you buy it to use?

Did you buy it as a keepsake/heirloom?
 
Me, I won't buy a knife I won't use. The nicer the knife, the more I want to use it. I want to show it off. Marks on the titanium do not bother me. It adds character over time.
 
Use it! The Damascus blades take a wicked sharp edge and make people ask positive questions about the knife when you pull it out- instead of "look out he has a knife!" it's "that's a nice knife can I see it?"
 
Ernie1980 said:
Use it! The Damascus blades take a wicked sharp edge and make people ask positive questions about the knife when you pull it out- instead of "look out he has a knife!" it's "that's a nice knife can I see it?"
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Completely agree!
 
I would not use it.
What kind of damascus is it?
It's a very beautiful knife, if it was mine i would keep it had enjoy "owning" it in my collection.
I do use Sebies with inlays and they hold up nice. Especially during the cold season a wooden inlay feels nice.
Not so sure about the concept of having two blades; nice blade, aged handle?
Curious how you decide.
red mag
 
We had a BBQ with some new friends we made over the last year. I was talking with the husband and after learning that I am a bladesmith, we delved further into the subject. He asked what a bare-bones edc fixed blade would cost... "Between $300 - $500", I said. His eyes just about popped out of his head and said, "Why would I ever pay $300 for a knife when I can pick up one of these for $25 at Walmart? He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folder.... a Sebenza!. I laughed and asked if he picked it up at Walmart for $25. Apparently, he found it in a flower box. I told him I would buy him five Gerbers for it... lol. We had a looong conversation and thankfully, he is learning that all knives are NOT created equal. He still EDCs the Sebie but is much more proud to do so.
 
Rick Marchand said:
We had a BBQ with some new friends we made over the last year. I was talking with the husband and after learning that I am a bladesmith, we delved further into the subject. He asked what a bare-bones edc fixed blade would cost... "Between $300 - $500", I said. His eyes just about popped out of his head and said, "Why would I ever pay $300 for a knife when I can pick up one of these for $25 at Walmart? He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folder.... a Sebenza!. I laughed and asked if he picked it up at Walmart for $25. Apparently, he found it in a flower box. I told him I would buy him five Gerbers for it... lol. We had a looong conversation and thankfully, he is learning that all knives are NOT created equal. He still EDCs the Sebie but is much more proud to do so.
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Great story! I would have flipped over backwards if somebody said that to me, and then proceeded to pull out a Sebenza completely oblivious as to what it is or what it's worth.

To the original poster... I go through the same thing with many of the Sebenzas that I've picked up. Eventually, if I can't get myself to use it, I end up selling it. Most recently I acquired a lnib small bg42 regular, and I'm slowly but surely making it a user. Once you get over the hump of making a nice or rare sebenza a user, you'll never look back or think twice about it. With use, it just gets better with age, and the more valuable it will become on a personal level. If picking up a used one on the forum, I find it's much easier to pocket it and put it to use than with a brand spanking new one.
 
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I use all my knives, even my Sebenza. Now mine is a plain lrg Insingo nothing as fancy as yours mind you. I have a few knives that don't see heavy/hard use, like out tin the bush for example, (mostly because they aren't designed for it, slicers etc.) they get carried on days when it's unlikely to need a knife for such tasks. I would suggest this type of carry/use for your new Sebenza. You're not going to hurt it doing light EDC tasks. You probably won't hurt a CRK putting it through it's paces either. I don't know how easily the damascus marks up but for me it adds character and builds a story if it's going to get passed down. "You see that scratch there sonny, I did that when I..."
 
Ok I think you guys talked me into it. I'm going to start carrying and enjoying it. Thanks for all the great advice and That's a great story Rick. Haha you have a very lucky friend.
 
USE IT!
I don't have a collectors mentality, if buy it I use it, and in some cases I modify it in some way, (remove the lanyard, stonewash Ti).
 
Everyone's buying and using philosophy is different of course. I don't have an inlaid Sebenza and right now have no plans to get one because I know I wouldn't want to EDC it. My plain Janes I don't think twice about putting in my pocket or tossing on the counter, but of course that took some time to get over as well. Consider picking up a plain or micarta model for a user if you want to keep your "nice" Sebenza pristine.
 
I think that you'll really enjoy using it like you've decided to.

I have one damascus UG that I only carry to special occasions with no real intent to use, I have Mnandi that I carry on special occasions when I think I'll prob use my knife and on days when I just want to carry a nicer knife, and I also have a small 21 that gets beat like any other carry knife that enjoys its place in the carry rotation.

They are all nice in their own way and I couldn't imagine selling any of those 3 damascus blades. When I first started collecting CRK's the damascus were always the first thing sold when I needed quick cash, now they're the mainstay and others cycle in and out; from what I've read here many times that seems to be the normal cycle. Maybe you're turning the corner like so many of us have and will be posting some beater damascus pictures with pride in a year or so 😄
 
I have found that if you don't use a knife, eventually it gets sold. Un used knives are the first to get flipped when something nice rolls around.

So my suggestion is, if you really do love it, use it! The marks, scratches, and wear and tear give it character. The more character she gets, the more value the knife will have to ya.
 
Wow. This knife is so gorgeous. I guess if you are into collecting, then probably don't use the knife? If not, then make that beautiful knife your EDC. :)
 
Gorgeous Seb! I'm pleased you decided to use it. I picked up an ebony inlay 21 a while back and wrestled with the same issue. Granted, I have other CRKs to carry, so the ebony isn't always my first choice. But, I love carrying and using it in my rotation. Tools can be beautiful and serve a function, too.

Jeremy
 
Any word from people who've used say dammy blades and mammoth bark on the daily?
 
I have a large Tambot1 21 with a polished blade and gorgeous slabs. Love the knife way more now that it is a user. I admired it as a shelf queen, but appreciate it much more as a tool (that also happens to be beautiful).

Not to exclude any of the fine women who frequent this forum, but my analogy is that owning a very nice Sebenza that you never carry or use, is somewhat like marrying a gorgeous woman, and never sleeping with her. What's the point?
 
Half the fun in having a hot wife is seeing the look on other dude's faces when you catch them ogling her... especially if they're with their own wife at the time. lol.
 
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