Unique graphics or wood inlay?

bagman

bagman

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
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I am contemplating my next Sebenza purchase :) for weekend daily carry.

I am looking at a small lefthanded classic with either unique graphic or wood inlay.

I need some pros and cons please.

Also do you get any sort of choice of what sort of unique graphic you get?????

Thanks in advance.
 
Originally posted by bagman
I am contemplating my next Sebenza purchase :) for weekend daily carry.

I am looking at a small lefthanded classic with either unique graphic or wood inlay.
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For weekend use I prefer a large. Have you looked at the Leather Classic? It's my favorite (this week).

The decorated is about a quarter inch slimmer than a woody. That makes it nice in my pocket. However the woody feels better in my hand. (not by a large factor for either knife)

The decorated model is weather proof. Just clean it in the dishwasher with your Glock..... Uhhhh just kidding!!! However I understand that the wood, though stabilized, can swell if you overdo it in the water (i.e. scuba diving ) :eek: I seem to remember Ann Reeve commenting about that.

Eric
 
Hi Eric

I am limited to 3" for daily carry but I have a large on order for those other times ;)

I had looked at a leather inlay and actually had one on ordr but changed it to a standard large because of the wait.
 
I normally carry my small classic decorated. It's a great EDC. I opted to go with a silver unique graphic with pearl inlay, duel silver studs, and polished blade. The contrast is very, very, cool! I wish I could post a pic for you. You can draw up a design for Lisa at CRK's, and she will do her best to put it on the knife. Or, let the artist herself make up a design; which is what I did. I'm in love with design she did. The dark titanium with silver graphic, plus the addition of the cabochon(stone), really is a good looking piece.

If you opt to go with a wood inlay keep in mind that yes, if you get it wet it can and probably will shrink the wood. I had it happen to me with my large WIS. I ended up sending it back for a new piece of wood. It looks terriffic now, but I need to keep it dry. Give the shop a call and talk with Lisa herself. She's always up to the challange. I would suggest buying the knife first from a dealer and then sending it in for the design. If you wait for factory to make a new knife from scratch, the waiting time could be quite lengthy.Good luck deciding.;)
 
Originally posted by K-guy
If you opt to go with a wood inlay keep in mind that yes, if you get it wet it can and probably will shrink the wood. I had it happen to me with my large WIS.
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K-guy - how wet did your Sebenza get to cause shrinkage?

My 2 cents - I haven't handled a decorated Sebenza yet, but I assume that the titanium handles are brought to the same level of polish as the wood inlay Sebenzas. If that is the case, then I would offer the following advice: if you cannot handle fingerprints on the handles, you may want to consider getting the wood inlay. With the wood inlay, you will still see some smudging in the polished titanium areas, but it is not as noticeable - thus, you have a longer time between the "need" to clean up the handle...

Matthew
 
In response to how wet my Sebbie got...

I was using it to field dress game. Upon completion I used HOT water as opposed to cold to clean, not thinking about it. Chris said the wood would have probably been OK using cool/cold water. The shrinkage was not major, but enough to notice. It was only on the front piece, not the rear/back.

On deciding to get the silver contrast design, you won't have to worry about seeing fingerprints as the titanium is bead blasted for the most part. At least they don't show up as much. I have a couple of standard decorated/anodized Sebbie's with a new large w/stainless Damascus blade on order. A quick wipe with windex or water usually gets the fingerprints off.;)
 
Have a large woodie Seb myself, it's been my EDC for over a year now. Have to say the wood inlay sticks out just enough to give it that perfect feel, and with the texture (scratches) that my Arc AAA LE has imparted onto it, the grip is just right. Personally, I don't see even a highly textured inlay, in the sense that it doesn't protrude beyond the grove, such as the leather, adding much in the way of a secure grip. Though I could be wrong since I don't actually have a leather model to compare to.
 
The ARC AAA LE is better mated to the Umfaan IMHO. I'm having a combo leather holster made to hold my ARC AAA LE/Umfaan. Later I plan a combo holster for my Small Decorated Sebenza and ARC LS1.

Back to the subject: I'm also torn between a Decorated Sebenza, Blue Leather Inlay and Redwood Inlay, all in Large. Since I already own a Small Decorated, it's a toss-up between the Leather and Wood Inlay, unless I find a really spectacular Large Decorated.

I might get the Wood Inlay because it protrudes a bit, "rounding" out the excessively flat profile of the Sebenzas. Also, the Wood Inlay will never look outdated. But then again, the Leather looks very nice, and appears to have a pleasant, grippable, though fragile surface.

I can't decide. Deciding among Chris Reeve Knives is one of those things a man has to do alone. Hey, no one said life was easy.;)
 
The ARC AAA LE is better mated to the Umfaan IMHO. I'm having a combo leather holster made to hold my ARC AAA LE/Umfaan. Later I plan a combo holster for my Small Decorated Sebenza and ARC LS1.

Back to the subject: I'm also torn between a Decorated Sebenza, Blue Leather Inlay and Redwood Inlay, all in Large. Since I already own a Small Decorated, it's a toss-up between the Leather and Wood Inlay, unless I find a really spectacular Large Decorated.

I might get the Wood Inlay because it protrudes a bit, "rounding" out the excessively flat profile of the Sebenzas. Also, the Wood Inlay will never look outdated. But then again, the Leather looks very nice, and appears to have a pleasant, grippable, though fragile surface.

I can't decide. Deciding among Chris Reeve Knives is one of those things a man has to do alone. Hey, no one said life was easy.;)
 
The ARC AAA LE is better mated to the Umfaan IMHO.
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Don't see that much difference myself, I have the Arc AAA on my keyring, and it will tuck between the edge of my pocket and any object that prevents it from rotating out of place, whether that's a large Sebenza or a "tiny" Mnandi.
 
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