Ahhhhh, my first pic with my Sebenza. I guess I never really admitted it before, but... My name is Kahuna and I am a Sebenza fanboy. There, I said it.
To wax philosophical, many would agree that there are 3 types of Mid-Tech people - The Striders, The Hinderers, and The... uh... the uh... The Reevers? The Sebenza-ers? Whatever. Using my telepathic super power, I sense you have an opinion on this as well. Am I right? Am I right? Huh?
Ok, screw the waxing, let's just shave. It's an ongoing discussion that is as old as those knives. I think I'm just a Sebenza guy. I know, . Whatever. I recall participating in a Shoutbox discussion where someone was proclaiming their love of Striders as they like their knives built like tanks and, if used properly in conjunction with a wrecking ball, a Strider can baton through a bank vault. (And still be sharp enough to slice a tomato thin as paper. Don't wait, order now!) I have nothing against this at all, it's obviously that person's preference, just like some people will only own Hinderers and nothing else for their own reasons.
Truthfully, I wouldn't kick any of these knives outta bed for eatin' crackers. All things considered, I just prefer my knives a bit more compact, carry friendly, and built more like a rugged Swiss watch than a tank. The small Seb scratches that itch for me like I always knew it would and adds what I consider to be a great looking design (yomv). I had actually saved for it for a while, but it took me a bit to get to the point of actually pulling the trigger on one....
UNNECESSARILY LONG OBNOXIOUS STORY ALERT!!! (which you may have read elsewhere)
My step son decided that he wanted to go to school as far away as possible without dropping into the Pacific Ocean (I tried not to take it personally). His choice, Boise State (insert your blue Astroturf joke here). As he approached his final year, I devised my master plan. I would finish saving for a Seb and when we make that long haul to Boise, I could actually visit the Chris Reeve Sebenza birthing facility - only 15 short minutes away from where we would be.
Ah Yeah! Sure, lots of people buy Chris Reeve knives. Lots buy them directly from the source (if they're willing to wait). But I would get to actually go to the wellspring and choose my Sebenza. Or, [dreamsequence] like Harry Potter's wand, in a rush of wind my Sebenza might just choose me. I might even share some light banter with the man himself (I didn't really expect him to be in the showroom and I heard he's not particularly social, but this is my dream sequence). And then, I finally settle on that small Sebenza I've been wanting for so long. Oh, I really love the clean look of the unadorned Ti, but maybe I would fall for an inlayed one. OR, maybe I would find some obscure version wrought from Unobtainium that you can only procure in person at the CRK lair by using the secret EDC Society password and handshake, which would instantly make Chris and me "Brothers of the Blade". The sacred bonds of the Blade Brotherhood would mandate him selling the me this rarest of knives.[/dreamsequence]
Well, while settling into the hotel late Thursday night, after almost 11 hours of travel with a 22 month old, I once again logged on to chrisreeve.com to check the address and map out directions for the next day. I went to the "Contact" page to make sure I had the phone number on hand just in case Google Maps might lead me astray. Only then did I notice the words "We are open Monday thru Thursday 7 am – 5.30 pm"... [sadtrombone]Wah-wah[/sadtrombone].
Yes, after all that, Wally World was closed (yeah Max - you know it!). And, yes, I did call on the outside chance that someone, anyone, might be there. At least I didn't make the trip solely for that purpose. Yeah, I cursed myself a little for not checking their schedule, but it never even occurred to me they wouldn't be open on a Friday. There was no way we could stay an extra day with both of us having to return to work so my ludicrous dreams (and the more realistic ones) were rightfully shattered.
Anyway, to make a long story so much longer, when I got home I called the CRK shop and Angela (who couldn't be any nicer) said I wouldn't have been able to get a Seb anyway as they only have a showcase of "examples" to view. But I could have gotten a tour. She invited me back any time... Monday through Thursday. Ha...ha...ha. In the meantime she let me order one with a 3 month wait. I had waited this long, so I finally pulled the trigger. And waited.
Turns out the knife arrived in a little over a month, WAY ahead of schedule. I spoke with Heather a few times when it was completed and she was AWESOME. Nothing less than a first class, spectacular, and otherwise kickass customer service experience from CRK. If I was to have one complaint, it would be that the knife came to me almost impossible to open one-handed. Oh, and that pointy-ass thumbstud wasn't helping much. After tweaking the frame lock slightly, it's buttery smooth. It is easily one of the best crafted knives I have ever owned and, in my mind, lives up to its hype.
The blade is sharp. REALLY sharp. Like, Hattori Hanzo sharp. Did I mention sharp? I've tried to sever a digit a few times while getting used to the open/close. The size is just right for a smaller pocket EDC knife. It fits my hand - as well as the way I carry - perfectly. I use it well and it has become my go-to carry knife. I will most likely pass it down to my son along with my Ulster. (I'll probably take the small Jasmine to the grave, just to be prepared in style if I make it through the gates.)
And... Heather was kind enough to include a branded CRK flash drive pre-loaded with a video of the shop tour, so it eases the sting of not being able to visit while I was there. A somewhat happy ending to the story.
To close this massive volume, here is Max's favorite perverted glamour shot of the Seb:
After the Blast2 fail, I continued trawling the BF threads in eternal hopes of snagging a Laconico grail - a Slim EDC or a Small Jasmine (ever the optimist). I also continued to watch Ray's subforum, in particular a thread he had started in March where he displayed and described the latest Small Jasmine. Instead of being a shortened version of the original Jasmine, this one is actually a scaled down, slimmer version of the Jasmine. He mentioned in the first post that he would be making "a batch" (of the knives, you sickies) and would start a sign-up for this knife after receiving some materials. After a month and a half of watching... nothing.
As luck would have it, the sign-up thread goes up the Saturday I am in Boise, bitter over the fact that I will not be going to CRK. Throwing salt on the open wound, the sign-up is for 10 names and I check in about 45 minutes after the 10th person. Ugh. For S&Gs I threw in a lame post asking Ray to keep me as a backup in the unlikely event any of the 10 get abducted by aliens or something and went about my sulking. As mentioned in the previous post, when I got back I ordered the small Seb and went on with my life.
Well, a little over a week later, the gods of overspending decided to beat my ass. Ray PMed me saying that someone had dropped out of the sale and would I like to be put in? Uh, YEAH I WOULD. My name was put in as the tenth, which prompted a forum member to refer to me as a "lucky monkey," thus prompting me to post this pic:
Fortunately I had kept the money from the Blast2 fairly intact and had some time as I was last on the list. I figured it would take him at least a month. I was right, but CRK was faster than expected so I actually got the Seb first. The Jasmine arrived a little over a week later...
I've carried it several times and I absolutely love it. It's incredibly well constructed, solid, and built to use. Opening with the flipper is so smooth and fast, you might mistake it for being assisted. I know some of you think it is boring looking, but I think the lines are beautiful and the craftsmanship is undeniable. It is probably the only custom I will own (ok, maybe a T.A. Davidson if my wallet ever recovers). I have pretty much given up on the Slim EDC as well. The Seb fits than niche perfectly already. Suffice it to say I have all the knives I need at the moment and will not be making any more knife purchases for a very long time.
That shirt is offensive. Offensive to all Pulp Fiction fans! Everyone knows Jules was a right-handed shooter! lolHe ate the burger with his left hand because he was holding that 9mm Star Model B (Mr. Nine Millimeter) in his right.
Cool shirt, thanks for looking out for me! So far I've got 2 Big Kahuna Burger shirts and 1 Monster Joe's Truck and Tow shirt.
"Monster Joe and his daughter Raquel are sympathetic to our dilemma." ~Winston Wolf
Post by willydigger. FB inFamous on Aug 27, 2013 9:23:19 GMT -8
Great shot of the coin. Glad everything arrived safely!
That Smurfing Forum is no bueno and HI SPONGBOB. - Kilroy Psychosis is refreshing like a cool glass o' lemonade. - T. YOU HAVE MY AXE, WILLARD DIGGERD OF WESTEROS, FIRST SON OF THE FROG KING - Q Where is the satisfaction in watching other people accomplish things? - Short Make woopy, make waffles make like the wind. - Roy
Ahhhhh, my first pic with my Sebenza. I guess I never really admitted it before, but... My name is Kahuna and I am a Sebenza fanboy. There, I said it.
UNNECESSARILY LONG OBNOXIOUS STORY ALERT!!! (which you may have read elsewhere)
... when I got home I called the CRK shop and Angela (who couldn't be any nicer) said I wouldn't have been able to get a Seb anyway as they only have a showcase of "examples" to view. But I could have gotten a tour. She invited me back any time... Monday through Thursday. Ha...ha...ha. In the meantime she let me order one with a 3 month wait. I had waited this long, so I finally pulled the trigger. And waited.
Turns out the knife arrived in a little over a month, WAY ahead of schedule. I spoke with Heather a few times when it was completed and she was AWESOME. Nothing less than a first class, spectacular, and otherwise kickass customer service experience from CRK. If I was to have one complaint, it would be that the knife came to me almost impossible to open one-handed. Oh, and that pointy-ass thumbstud wasn't helping much. After tweaking the frame lock slightly, it's buttery smooth. It is easily one of the best crafted knives I have ever owned and, in my mind, lives up to its hype.
For no other reason than this, I think I prefer Chris Reeve knives over Hinderer. I have one of each (Hinderer will be with me in a couple of months after getting a new ti scale), and I think both make really amazing knives. But, CRK seems to go out of its way to satisfy customer demand and get knives in the hands of people who want one at the MSRP. Hinderer appears to do the opposite. They seem to go out of their way to not meet demand and allow dealers to charge whatever they can get away with. Just IMHO. Not wanting to start an argument.