What's the story behind Regular Sebenza w. "Mayo holes" ??

James Longstreet said:
Adding to what Peter Hartwig is saying: I could be wrong. But I think this is a good example for things which are becoming more expensive after the person who did the "artwork" has become more famous. The "holes" are kind of a signature of Tom Mayo and his customs have grown in popularity, which increases their prices and I think this kind of reflects back on to these Sebenza. In other words: At the time this customizing was done, most likely not that much value has been added. Today with the increased popularity of Tom Mayo and his stile and in combination with increasing demand for Regular Sebenza this seems to lead to some interest into the Mayo Sebenza.
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Bingo! :D Depending upon condition I can't imagine any of them selling for less than a grand!
 
I guess I'm alone on this one. That's the cool thing about personal tastes, they vary. If I scoop one of these Mayobenzas, I'll look forward to trading it for a CRK knife I like, or two! :D
 
bld522 said:
Would you pass on a Mayo-customized Sebenza if you knew the warranty was voided? Tom Mayo ain't just a guy with a drill here, you know.
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Yes, simply because I don't care for the holes in the slabs to begin with.
 
Fair enough. But if they've been fine-tuned by Tom, they're probably some of the sweetest Sebenzas around. I'd love to get my hands on one and find out.
 
bld522 said:
Fair enough. But if they've been fine-tuned by Tom, they're probably some of the sweetest Sebenzas around. I'd love to get my hands on one and find out.
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I wouldn't mind handling one just to find out, but will likely never buy one.
 
Probably won't have an opportunity to buy one anyway. I've never seen one come up for sale. And then again . . .

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/819427-Tom-Mayo-Sebenza-lefty

Unfortunately the pics are gone. :(

EDIT: Ahhh. Here we go:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/745534-mayo-sebenza

And as I suspected, the holes are chamfered. :) Talk about timing, guess what just popped up on the Exchange? You guessed it . . . a full-on Mayo custom for a mere $2600! As I was saying . . .
 
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Wow. Holes on both sides must have lightened that Sebenza considerably. What a fun piece that would be to add to a Sebenza collection . . .
 
They come up very rarely indeed. The last one I saw(not too long ago) was a small on Ebay from DaveH's collection.
 
I have had many chances over the years to buy these pieces. I just have no interest personally in pimped knives that have the warranty voided automatically. Some people love them though, so your welcome that I let them all pass by. Just drilling holes in them do not appeal to me. I like the sebenza as Chris made it. It's tough to beat the graphic work that Chris and Lisa have done. Just my 2 cents.
 
Yep. Nothing wrong with maintaining a purist attitude on a knife as well-constructed as a Sebenza. The way I see it, the Mayo wouldn't be my sole Sebenza. It would have to be an addition to my collection. But if Tom fine tuned the action along with everything else, my guess is that it's perfection taken to another level.
 
For me the more I see of these the more I'm confused of their value. In the pictures the holes don't even seem to be drilled accurately, or is that what makes them custom? I also do not see what is so special about a chamfered hole. I too can buy a countersink and drill some random holes.

Really not meaning to disrespect a regarded knife maker, but I call BS on the value of these knives as works of custom art. In my eyes they don't represent an elevation of the Sebenza design, or even a functional improvement. I am glad they exist to discuss, and if they are valuable to collectors, and look cool to your eyes, that's great, but taken as examples of supreme knife-making or inspired imaginative modification, I disagree. Random chamfered holes?....not impressed.
 
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Yep. Meanwhile Mayo knives routinely sell for north of $2,000. Must be the holes, all right. :rolleyes:
 
Yes but a Mayo knife is not a drilled Sebenza. The Mayo knife had been designed, and hand built (if custom), in its entirety by him. These Mayobenzas are just a (very nice) production knife, with holes drilled in it. Looks more like a way to capitalize on the name and move product, than anything inspired. I still call BS on their value.
 
OK. Of course, it's kind of difficult to call BS on their value when you don't know what it is and they almost never come up for sale. But I'm sure you're right.
 
Before I got into Chris Reeves, I really wanted to buy myself a Mayo... and then I was hooked to CRKs last year... Had a chance to hold and play with a Mayo Covert that a friend got for himself, and thought it was pretty nice (but not $1.8K nice).

And then he told me how much he paid for it and at that instant the Mayo got dropped on my wish list.

I totally get that the Mayo fans will drop a pretty penny on those, but I won't ever. I'd drop that kind of cash on a CRK though... :D:D:D
 
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