Anarcus
05-03-05, 08:02 PM
You can’t buy a used Lexus. One can, however, acquire or invest in a pre owned vehicle.
“Used” has connotations; who used the last of the toilet paper?
So when a friend of mine asked how much I had “forked out” to buy a “used” knife I had to correct him. I invested in a pre owned specimen of a large regular Sebenza.
“For which you invested how much?”
Now £140 is, for me, a fair wedge of a months pay.
Was it value for money? Well as I drove away from Shing’s I did ask myself that question. Then I realised that I’d better pull into the side of the road and chuck the Sebenza in the boot of the car. Driving and playing with sharp pointy things don’t go well together. Sixty miles down the A6 and I was home, time to play.
My intention had been to fully strip and clean the Sebenza but as my Allen key wasn’t quite a snug enough fit and the uber lube hadn’t arrived it was time for a temporary job.
After a good scrub I applied some 3 in 1 oil to the pivot area and worked it in.
Next was to get it properly sharp. Chris Reeves recommend the Sharpmaker for there blades and I own one.
In hindsight it really was rather funny. Six months ago I was hesitant at the idea of sharpening a £40 kitchen knife. There I was taking quite a lot of metal off a £140 blade. Couple of hours later and I have a bin full of sliced up newspaper and bald bits on my left arm.
Whilst cleaning and sharpening an impression had been forming in my head.
They got it right, very right, bang on the nail, yup that’s how it’s done.
The weight is just right for the size. Hard to see how you can improve the ergonomics without going custom. Action is smooth (though I suspect more is to be had with decent lube) Lock up is well just that; you want it locked open it is. Blade play is bad so lets have none of that. And there is no blade play, none, b###r all.
The machining is excellent. I had a Spyderco Military for comparison. Compare the traction groves on the spine of the blade. The Sebenza’s make the Military look unfinished (forgiven for the price difference)
The spine is nicely rounded off. Looking at the edges of the Titanium side panels they have subtle ridges machined in to aid grip, nice.
Where I do have a (mild) criticism is the thumb stud. Yes its very nicely made and rather attractive but for me a Spyder hole works better.
Personally I would prefer a flat ground rather than hollow ground blade but it’s no biggie and purely a matter of preference.
In conclusion I really like my Sebenza.
The thing that I’m really happy about though is that it’s already marked!
I’m not going to abuse it but it’s for using and I’m going to do so.
Last question. Would I buy a new one?
Doubtful even if I had the money.
As a pre- owned purchase though I commend them.
Tim
“Used” has connotations; who used the last of the toilet paper?
So when a friend of mine asked how much I had “forked out” to buy a “used” knife I had to correct him. I invested in a pre owned specimen of a large regular Sebenza.
“For which you invested how much?”
Now £140 is, for me, a fair wedge of a months pay.
Was it value for money? Well as I drove away from Shing’s I did ask myself that question. Then I realised that I’d better pull into the side of the road and chuck the Sebenza in the boot of the car. Driving and playing with sharp pointy things don’t go well together. Sixty miles down the A6 and I was home, time to play.
My intention had been to fully strip and clean the Sebenza but as my Allen key wasn’t quite a snug enough fit and the uber lube hadn’t arrived it was time for a temporary job.
After a good scrub I applied some 3 in 1 oil to the pivot area and worked it in.
Next was to get it properly sharp. Chris Reeves recommend the Sharpmaker for there blades and I own one.
In hindsight it really was rather funny. Six months ago I was hesitant at the idea of sharpening a £40 kitchen knife. There I was taking quite a lot of metal off a £140 blade. Couple of hours later and I have a bin full of sliced up newspaper and bald bits on my left arm.
Whilst cleaning and sharpening an impression had been forming in my head.
They got it right, very right, bang on the nail, yup that’s how it’s done.
The weight is just right for the size. Hard to see how you can improve the ergonomics without going custom. Action is smooth (though I suspect more is to be had with decent lube) Lock up is well just that; you want it locked open it is. Blade play is bad so lets have none of that. And there is no blade play, none, b###r all.
The machining is excellent. I had a Spyderco Military for comparison. Compare the traction groves on the spine of the blade. The Sebenza’s make the Military look unfinished (forgiven for the price difference)
The spine is nicely rounded off. Looking at the edges of the Titanium side panels they have subtle ridges machined in to aid grip, nice.
Where I do have a (mild) criticism is the thumb stud. Yes its very nicely made and rather attractive but for me a Spyder hole works better.
Personally I would prefer a flat ground rather than hollow ground blade but it’s no biggie and purely a matter of preference.
In conclusion I really like my Sebenza.
The thing that I’m really happy about though is that it’s already marked!
I’m not going to abuse it but it’s for using and I’m going to do so.
Last question. Would I buy a new one?
Doubtful even if I had the money.
As a pre- owned purchase though I commend them.
Tim