Why Can't I Use My First CRK?

Vaporstang

Vaporstang

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
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It doesn't make any sense to me. I cannot bring myself to use my plain Jane small Sebenza 21. It is my first CRK and was bought new. I've actually thought about buying a user version and selling mine:confused:. But I am also having a hard time with the thought selling it, which is made even worse with the recent posts about people looking for their first CRK.

I have several CRKs that are more expensive that I carry, and one of those is kind of scarce. Some of the most beautiful knives that I see on BF are the CRKs (large & small 21s, 25s, Regular, Zaans, etc.) with plain titanium scales with an user patina, snail trails, battle scars, etc. Maybe I should take my Zaan's glass breaker tool and scratch my plain Jane so that I will start using it!:cool:

The problem child amongst a couple of my users:

IMG_1779 by brw713, on Flickr
 
Hahaha I couldn't use mine either, so i bought a second one just like it to keep the first one nice. Then got an Umnum which I actually have carried everyday since it got here.

I'm like that though. I tend to buy 2 of everything that I really like. One to hold on to and one to enjoy using/wearing. I think it's a classic case of fear...I find something I LOVE (watches, tools, knives etc) and I'm afraid I'll never be able to find one like it, so I buy a second one and use it...just in case it can't be replace, I have another "on Ice."
 
Because you do not want to violate your first love. That's understandable, I'm in the same boat. Hence, the struggle to use or sell, you'll never forgive yourself if you do either. But, the day will come when she'll be ready to be used and abused.
 
Use it!!! My first and only seb, looks like it has been drug down a gravel road already only after a month or so of carry.
 
It makes perfect sense. We call them plain Janes but they are anything but plain. And when they are new they are so sleek and clean. You turn it over and over in your hand (at least I do) and marvel at her beauty. There she is unscratched and not a snail trail in sight and you think to yourself "can I really be the one to make that first blemish"? The answer is yes because she can be sent back to CRK's and they will treat her with respect and make her as pretty as she was the day you got her. And then again after some use and beauty marks she will be more yours than when you first got her. It will actually be harder to send her back (if you ever do) than to put that first blemish on her. Use her and love her she wants you to.
 
Birdhunter1220 said:
It makes perfect sense. We call them plain Janes but they are anything but plain. And when they are new they are so sleek and clean. You turn it over and over in your hand (at least I do) and marvel at her beauty. There she is unscratched and not a snail trail in sight and you think to yourself "can I really be the one to make that first blemish"? The answer is yes because she can be sent back to CRK's and they will treat her with respect and make her as pretty as she was the day you got her. And then again after some use and beauty marks she will be more yours than when you first got her. It will actually be harder to send her back (if you ever do) than to put that first blemish on her. Use her and love her she wants you to.
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Sage advice! I've turned one corner and am not going to sell it. One more corner to go. LOL!
 
Gizler00 said:
Use it!!! My first and only seb, looks like it has been drug down a gravel road already only after a month or so of carry.
Click to expand...

I know that I've seen some beautiful users. The last knife I purchased (large plain Seb 21) had some snail trails - the picture is what drove me to buy it!
 
Vaporstang said:
Sage advice! I've turned one corner and am not going to sell it. One more corner to go. LOL!
Click to expand...

There is another way to look at it;

What are you saving it for? This life, or the next?

Kindof like buying a classic car in pristine condition and never driving it. While I can appreciate the sentiment of the ordeal, I'm not likely to get a second chance to enjoy the people, places and things I have now. :)
 
I guess I'm in the minority here. I beat mine like a rented leek:D

Recently sold it for cheap because I needed some cash and honestly I just didn't really want to deal with it anymore... Guess I'm not really the sentimental type:o:D

It saw a lot of reprofiling because, between the softer s35 and the strange widening from belly to tip, it took me forever to figure out how to sharpen the damn thing. By the time I sold it there was bunch of material missing from the blade and it was covered it scratches, not to mention the dings and snail trails all over the handle.

So yeah, I kinda didn't want it anymore at that point, and I figured it was a good opportunity to set another member up with a sebbie for cheap so they could see if they liked it or not without having to dump a bunch of cash into buying one new.
 
I only have one first love in my pocket. I don't abuse here. I treat her with love and I'm happy she is aging with me. I also know I will not need or want to own another for years to come. and thanks again for the kind words in the other thread vapor.
 
Once upon a time I got a nice unique graphic for my b-day. So beautiful.
When I unwrapped it, people celebrating with me wanted to see (read handle) it.
So it made the round and when i got it back, it had a small golden snail-trail.
It's a user today and I enjoy it very much.
hope this helps
red mag
 
I still handle my first CRK with care, can't bring myself to use it hard. My second one sees lots of use.
 
My thought is that as you use it and it gets battle scars it is just giving the knife more character and memories! You won't break it:) later down the road you can get a replacement and retire it with a nice "very loved" look.
 
What you need to do, is "accidently" drop it on a tile floor. Then it wil have a scratch or 2, and you can go about using the knife. I was in a similar boat with my first. I was admiring her and really did accidently dop her on a tile floor. I had no problem using the knife after that.
 
The happiness I experienced when I purchased my first CRK was easily eclipsed by my joy and amazement when I actually used one. I safe-queened the first one, sold it, and then bought 3 users (lefty Umnumzaan, small 21 Tanto, old pivot Umnumzaan). I don't know if I'll ever buy a new one again. But if you are reluctant to use your first, then I can understand that feeling, too.
 
I don't mind using them because they can be refurbished so readily and easily. It's good to know that if I get the handles and/or blade scratched up I can have it look new again for a small fee. And, you can just buy a new blade for $135 to have a new knife again
 
After over three years of collecting, I have found that the knives I cherish the most are the knives I actually use.

I've owned five CRKs, sold four that were in almost new condition because I could not bare to use them. What a wast of money!

My Umnumzaan is in my pocket right now, like it has been for almost a month since I bought it. It has only gotten smoother with use.

I plan to get my money's worth this time lol
 
Owning a knife you don't use is similar to those little hand towels your wife tells you not to use.
 
I have 2 that I just can't use also. A large classic and a large wood inlay. I used the classic for about a week when I got it.




FS LNIB Large 21 in Madagascar Rosewood BD 10/2712
 
I bought my sebenza 21 pretty well used off the forums. I can carry it without a second thought.

kind of like buying a brand new car. it's tough putting that first scratch on it.
 
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