Wilson Combat (Starbenza) History

photoman12001

photoman12001

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I'm wondering if anyone can provide some information on the Wilson Combat CRKs; searches did not turn up the information I am seeking. I became curious after seeing a few small Starbenzas pop up for sale with a single thumb stud because I thought they all had dual studs. Though I prefer dual studs I picked up one of these single-stud versions last night because I like the small "Idaho Made" stamp between the milled grooves as opposed to the standard placement.
  • When were the Wilson Combat versions introduced?
  • How long was the "Idaho Made" stamp placed between the milled grooves?
  • How long were they made with a single stud?
  • Were large versions also made with these attributes?
 
I can't answer your questions, but I can tell you that my small starbenza that has original double thumb studs and the small Idaho made stamp between grooves is dated November 13th, 2013.
 
aengina said:
I can't answer your questions, but I can tell you that my small starbenza that has original double thumb studs and the small Idaho made stamp between grooves is dated November 13th, 2013.
Click to expand...

That’s a start, thanks for the information.
 
I had the same question about the single stud.

I figured I would see if anyone here now has more info on when they were sold without the double thumbstud.
 
I purchased my small Starbenza from WC on 10/17/10, and it was single stud.

edit: Tracked down a pic I took back then showing the back side of the stud and Idaho made.

JVjGx.jpg


edit2: I think this is the first thread on the small Starbenza, posted two days before I bought mine. I have a handful of pics of mine on page 2 there. I'd guess from this mine is the original version. Someone asks on 10/16/10 when it will be available, so it might be the 16th or 17th was the first availability date.

Star-Benza (WIlson Cobat content)

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Star-Benza-Titanium-Framelock-Wilson-Tactical-_-Chris-Reeve-Knives/productinfo/WTK-STAR-BENZA/ I want one....bad! Nuff said.....its torture to look at and not be able to afford. Thanks to someone for bringing this to my attention. Al images taken from website:
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
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Cool thread! I was recently researching the same thing. Since this was resurrected a few months ago, I wanted to add what I found to the great info kreole kreole provided.

Mine pictured below has a 2/28/11 DOB and has the single flat back thumb stud and the small Idaho Made logo. Mine was also listed as a "Wilson StarTac" on the certificate, instead of "Wilson Combat" like one from 7/18/11 I found a picture of. This same one from 7/18/11 also had double thumb studs and the certificate had "Double Lug" hand written on it. I also found a picture of a single flat back stud with small "Idaho Made" logo from 4/9/13.

Using these dates, it seems like the single lug was available from 10/17/10 to at least 4/9/13, and possibly beyond, with the double being an option as early as 7/18/11.

  • When were the Wilson Combat versions introduced?
    • Acknowledged by Wilson Combat Rep, 10/16/2010
  • How long was the "Idaho Made" stamp placed between the milled grooves?
    • At least until 4/9/13, possibly later
  • How long were they made with a single stud?
    • At least until 4/9/13, possibly later
    • A double lug option was available 7/18/11, possibly earlier
  • Were large versions also made with these attributes?
    • ?

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I’m not sure if this helps this thread but my small WC 21 has a dob of 4/22/14 and has double lugs as well as the Idaho made stamp between the groves.
I had CR do a blade switch to their serrated blade several years later, kept all the paperwork and retained the original blade, pivot and washers.
 
It won't really add any information to the thread but these are mine. The small is from 2013, the large from 2015.
I used to own another small with 2011 date codes on the scales that had a single thumb stud.

Chris_Reeve_Sebenza_21_Starbenza_16NOV2021_2048_Pixel_10.jpg


Edit: A couple of things I forgot to mention.

1) I consider this large to be my first Sebenza. I had a small, plain 21 first but I got rid of it quickly. I was too stupid at the time to carry & use it which you must do to fully appreciate a Sebenza. I also had a 25 before this but I don't really consider it a Sebenza. That was just the beta Inkosi. This was the first Sebenza I kept, carried, & used. Not that any of this important but it is to me.

2) I was chatting with someone yesterday who said they just sold one of their Starbenzas for $1250 this week. Is that really what these are fetching? That's crazy money. I'd heard they might be discontinued but I wasn't sure if that was certain. Regardless, there should be quite a few of these floating around. It's not like the PDWs that seem to be in limited supply. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

Here are a couple of photos from when I first got it.

IMG_5772-(W).jpeg


IMG_5773-(W).jpeg
 
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photoman12001 said:
It won't really add any information to the thread but these are mine. The small is from 2013, the large from 2015.
I used to own another small with 2011 date codes on the scales that had a single thumb stud.

Chris_Reeve_Sebenza_21_Starbenza_16NOV2021_2048_Pixel_10.jpg


Edit: A couple of things I forgot to mention.

1) I consider this large to be my first Sebenza. I had a small, plain 21 first but I got rid of it quickly. I was too stupid at the time to carry & use it which you must do to fully appreciate a Sebenza. I also had a 25 before this but I don't really consider it a Sebenza. That was just the beta Inkosi. This was the first Sebenza I kept, carried, & used. Not that any of this important but it is to me.

2) I was chatting with someone yesterday who said they just sold one of their Starbenzas for $1250 this week. Is that really what these are fetching? That's crazy money. I'd heard they might be discontinued but I wasn't sure if that was certain. Regardless, there should be quite a few of these floating around. It's not like the PDWs that seem to be in limited supply. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

Here are a couple of photos from when I first got it.

IMG_5772-(W).jpeg


IMG_5773-(W).jpeg
Click to expand...
CRK and WC have told some people that they are no longer making WC CRK’s. Because of this, the secondary market prices spiked. I’ve seen recent posts on the FB Group offering to pay $1000 for a WC Sebenza.

They’re still making the PDW and SPD Wave Inkosi’s, with the large Waves going for around $1000.
 
Photoman was your friend talking about a WC Umnumzaan with the old big pivot? That’s the kind of variation I would expect to bring that kind of price.
 
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