Wood or Plain?

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
659
Are the wood inlaid Sebenzas more comfortable in the hand the the plain ones? I like the appearance of inlaid versions much better than the plain, but just curious if there is any difference in ergonomics. Thanks.
 
The inlay rises noticeably above the titanium slab. The rounded, polished contours give it a more comfortable feel, IMO. So, I would say it is not just eye candy, but really does make it more comfortable to hold.

As a side benefit, the blades on the wood inlay versions come with a polished bevel, which I happen to prefer over the stonewash blade.
 
I would have to say go with the wood.
I've purchased 3 in the past week. a large regular ironwood, a large classic bocote and a snakewood Mnandi.
I'm broke - but they are comfortable in the hand! :D

dave
 
The wood inlay offers a slight comfort advantage over the ti slabs. It is close, both work well, but the wood inlay is my favorite feel.
Stay Sharp,
Wali
 
Wali said:
The wood inlay offers a slight comfort advantage over the ti slabs. It is close, both work well, but the wood inlay is my favorite feel.
Stay Sharp,
Wali
Click to expand...
the wood inlays are very nice! I have another on order too. :D
 
Definitely go with the wood; looks and feels great.

I only have the one piece wood (regular) small Sebenza; I don't know about the two piece (classic) wood Sebenza, but I don't like the look as well.

If I would have bought the smsll regular wood Sebenza first; it would have saved me buying the plain Sebenza Trio.
 
You men are giving me second thoughts, now. I have a left-handed large plain classic on order with the thought of it purely as a work knife, one that I won't mind getting gunk on the tumbled blade now and then. One that scratches from sharpening will just be a fact of life and nothing to get bummed over. I figured the inevitable scratches on the handle will add character. I never thought about wood adding to the comfort factor, regardless of the nicer blade finish. So, imagine I get one with wood; will the wood be able to be refinished or replaced if that winds up getting all beat up over time?
 
I've had wood scales replaced in the past...Boink, I wouldn't think it would be a problem if for some reason you would need replacedment scales. Heck unless you're throwing the knife down onto something hard or using the handle as a hammer :D , I can't see you needing them anytime soon.
;)

The Classic with inlays of wood, ivory, or horn is definitely the way to go!
BuffaloHornR22.jpg


Midnight black buffalo horn! :cool:
 
Beautiful knife you have there. Buffalo horn does look very rich and sturdy. Raindrop damascus? What steels are used in making that damascus?
 
Boink said:
Raindrop damascus? What steels are used in making that damascus?
Click to expand...
That's Fireball damascus, and generally it's either made with AEB-L and 304, or 440C and 304.
 
Thanks Boink. Actually this pattern is called Fireball. Raindrop is an option though.
Larrin nailed it. This is Devon Thomas' stainless Damascus. You can check out makeup and different patterns at www.devinthomas.com
;)
fireball.jpg
 
Dimensions do nothing to describe the 'feel' of a knife - but here are some measurements I took from my brief time with DaveH's Limited Edition small sebbie:

Handle-width, less scales-width: .392"
Overall handle-width, scales-width included: .525"
Weight, small lanyard included: 2.825 ounces.

Hope this helps!
 
I'm planning on getting a wood and damascus small classic in the near future. Blackend, that one is beautiful! :eek: Where did you get it? And why does your blade look like it's the shape of the small regular and not the classic. I put my small regular up to the screen next to it and they're nearly identical in shape.
 
Thanks Jedi,

I'll tell ya, this is one sweet large Classic! I've had many over the last few years, but this one takes the cake! I had it made to my personal specs by the CR factory. It was the last piece of Fireball stainless Damascus in stock. They had just gotten in buffalo horn as well. I guess my timing was just good. You really have to have this knife in hand to appreciate it. True, the blade for whatever reason was sort of ground to have more belly(kind of like a small regular). I think whoever ground the blade was trying to use up as much of the Damascus as possible. An outstanding job by the Chris Reeve shop. I'm still marveling at it's beauty myself. I've taken her apart, relubed and flipped the screws. I hope to take some more pictures soon. The tone/contrast between the blade and duel silver thumb lugs is pretty cool too! :cool:

I think a really cool looking wood is the new Camel Thorn. That with a ladder pattern Damascus blade would look pretty neat on your small Classic! :D
 
Yeah, the colors blend very well together, and I like the damascus pattern, but I can't decide if I like it more than raindrop. How long was the wait from when you ordered to when it arrived?
 
I got extremely lucky. I was actually looking for the Fireball stainless Damascus when I called them in June. They just happened to have one piece left for a large Sebenza that wasn't being used. When I called I was really wanting a blade made for a small Classic, but as I said, all they had was the one piece for a large. Then Bridget told me they had just gotten in buffalo horn as well. I thought it would make a great combo on a large Classic, so I had them put it together. I was quoted as late September for delivery, so you can guess my surprise when I was called in July saying it was complete.

The Factory doesn't have any stainless Damascus in stock right now and the wait is around 6 months. I've already requested a small ladder pattern stainless Damascus blade for my small regular/unique graphic(pic below). So my anticipation is extremely high.

Good news for you is, they seem to get the raindrop pattern in more frequently then others. :cool:

Jediknight86: I sent you a PM via email...
ReeveMidnight.gif
 
I may get myself banned from the CRK forum for speaking what some may deem to be heresy but, I prefer the plain and graphic models over the Woodies. The main reason is that the wood inlays on the Sebbie (either classic or regular) are not symmetrical as with the Mnandi. That single strip of wood on the clip side just doesn't do it for me. I realize that the current designs don't allow for symmetrical inlays but I still think that setup would look better. Again, it's just my opinion. Please let me stay. Please, please, please. :o ;) :D
 
Actually, I have never had a problem with the different size inlays, and Trane Fan does raise an interesting point. But we should still ban him! :)

But seriously, A rear inlay on the lockside of a similar size as the front would most likely be a possibility.
Anyone familiar with the Allen Elishewitz "Bolster Lock" designs can see that he accomplished this very same thing on a titanium framelock.
In this type design, the rear scale is attached above the lockbar allowing it to travel freely beneath it.

As an added bonus, the lockbar scale also serves as a frame lock stabilizer since it prevented lock bar overtravel.


dave
 

Attachments

  • Janus Clip side.jpg
    Janus Clip side.jpg
    25.3 KB · Views: 45
I use to agree with Trane Fan. It took me a while to get use to the classic with wood. I guess now the appeal not so much the looks of the wood, but the purpose. I like the fact that they beef up the handle for better/more comfortable grip. As you guys have already seen here in this thread, I opted for buffalo horn. Yeah, the black plastic look is cool, but man do I like the way this knife feels in hand. I still could never bring myself to purchase one of the leather inlayed Sebbies. :barf:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top