Wood inlay or standard?

Joined
Jan 20, 2000
Messages
18
I am about to purchase my first Sebenza and I'm having difficulty choosing between the simplicity of the standard and the elegance of the wood inlay!

Part of the problem is that I have seen and handled the standard Sebenzas but do not have anywhere local to handle a wood inlay.

The pictures of the wood inlay on the Chris Reeve web site are gorgeous, but I cannot tell if the titanium surrounding the wood is titanium coloured (goldish) or black as the whole picture appears to have a gold tint. Other pictures of the wood inlay I have seen have a very dark colour to the titanium. Can anyone help with a high quality picture of the wood inlay next to a standard? (From multiple angles would be even better!) Do they feel different?

All comments on the relative merits will be gratefully received
smile.gif


I want it as a general purpose carry all the time pocket knife.

Oh decisions decisions.....

regards
Andy
 
Here's the one in my closet full of knives. It's not a side-by-side scan, but it's pretty good in my not so humble opinion:

<A HREF="http://www.chaicutlery.com/chrisreeve/smallsebenza-wood.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
smallsebenza-wood-small.jpg
front</A>

<A HREF="http://www.chaicutlery.com/chrisreeve/smallsebenza-wood-back.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
smallsebenza-wood-back-small.jpg
back</A>

Click on the little pictures for the big pictures. The knife was placed directly on the flat-bed scanner, without going through a photograph.

The titanium is the same color as any other CRK titanium. It may show lighter or darker, depending on the angle to the lighting in the picture. For example, the locking finger and clip in the scan of the back side look darker than the rest of the handle. They are not, but the light hit those areas at a slightly different angle than it hit the titanium around the wood.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001


[This message has been edited by James Mattis (edited 01-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by James Mattis (edited 01-21-2000).]
 
James,

Thanks for the pictures, I shall examine them closely!

Andy

(PS I have no idea why my first posting appears twice - have you?)
 
Andy, IMHO you would be best served with a lightly used small Sebenza for about $250 than a limited addition(60 per year)wood inlay for $490.

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RICK Left Handers Unite

 
One correction, from looking at the knife itself today, and not just the picture - The titanium on the wood inlay version is satin-polished, except for the locking finger, which is bead-blasted.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
I'm probably going to get yelled at for this, but I don't really like the wood inlay's look, especially on the clip side. I'm told the double sided taping used is rock solid, and given the CRK reputation for quality, I don't doubt it. The knives are absolutely first rate, but it's a bit of an ugly duckling. It doesn't really compare to full scale wood or horn in appearance or feel. I think the "decorated" etched versions look better, and the price isn't quite as shocking for a semicustom. Does anyone else have the same opinion, or am I going to be excommunicated?
 
HKJ, I was very skeptical about the design at first. It wasn’t until after I handled one that I changed my mind. It gives a warm, comfortable feel to the knife, and looks great. That’s when I decided to order a pair.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Up here in the Great White North we don't get too many of them fancy Seebenzers to play with. Maybe the Forum could send us an aid package to the next Canadian Knife Guild Show so we'll know what we're missing.
More seriously, you're probably right. I was underwhelmed and mystified about the enthusiasm, no, passion that was being expressed in the forum for the Sebenza, which to me looked like a very plain and overpriced semi-custom knife, although with a very smart integral lock, BG42 blade and titanium liners and scales. And then I actually handled one, and I understood.
But I can't bring myself to buy one of the wood inlays, let alone two!, without being infected by the Inlay Sebenza Bug, a bug which apparently is spread by contact with the hand.
smile.gif
 
Another Canadian here to say that I'd love to own a wood inlay large Sebenza to complement my large old-style (with updated polished BG-42blade) but with the current exchange rate I'd be looking at about $950 Canadian!!! I just can't bear to think of walking around with a thousand dollar knife in my pocket when somebody asks,"hey, can i borrow yer knife fer a sec?"
Still, I may have to just go for it...

Jason Fowler
 
I, too, thought that the wood-inlay Sebenza was a bit of an ugly duckling, this after having only seen pictures. Then my wife handed me an early Christmas present and said, "I want to show you how much I love you!" It was a small, wood-inlay Sebenza.
This knife is really something to be seen and handled. It is shockingly perfect in its manufacture and execution. I completely reversed my initial impressions - this knife is something special.
Well, I have lost my wife, but her memory lives on in that beautiful Sebenza and the wooden box she gave with it. I will treasure it always.
Get a wood-inlay Sebenza!
 
I, too, thought that the wood-inlay Sebenza was a bit of an ugly duckling, this after having only seen pictures. Then my wife handed me an early Christmas present and said, "I want to show you how much I love you!" It was a small, wood-inlay Sebenza.
This knife is really something to be seen and handled. It is shockingly perfect in its manufacture and execution. I completely reversed my initial impressions - this knife is something special.
Well, I have lost my wife, but her memory lives on in that beautiful Sebenza and the wooden box she gave with it. I will treasure it always.
Get a wood-inlay Sebenza!
 
So sorry to hear of your loss! But the knife will always remind you of her, plus it's a great knife as well.

G2

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...


G2 LeatherWorks
 
The inlay bug has bitten me pretty hard!

If anyone knows of a good deal on one, sure, let me know. I'll have to save a few pennies more but the wood does have such a nice look and feel to it.

must lie down, dizzy...
biggrin.gif


One of these days I'll stop, right?

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...


G2 LeatherWorks
 
Gary - I saw a small wood advertised on Nordic Knives (Solvang) website for list price. Don't know if it is sold, but they are great people to deal with.
 
Thanks JKI, but looking for a little better than list right now, plus I'm heading to a knife show in Lewisburg PA this weekend, never know what'll show up there!

G2
 
Hi folks,

just a little note to thank you all for your insights. Tallpaul sent me a jpg of several Sebenzas, one of which I just had to have! Here's a pic...

<img src=http://www.pteron.org/buckeyeburlsmsab.jpg>

I have to keep taking it out to have a look at it, it is so beautiful!

regards
a very happy pteron!
 
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