$350 and need something nice to buy.

Another vote for the TSF Beast. I love the blade shape and the feel--it does feel like a user.
 
I have a large Sebenza & an Umnumzaan. Love them both. But for a smaller blade & for the price, I'll echo the TSF Beast recommendation. Great knife that really does beg to be used. Jim Allen is really cool & easy to communicate with as well.
 
pilipinoy said:
I have a large Sebenza & an Umnumzaan. Love them both. But for a smaller blade & for the price, I'll echo the TSF Beast recommendation. Great knife that really does beg to be used. Jim Allen is really cool & easy to communicate with as well.
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So you'd take the new BEAST over a slightly worn sebenza or Umnumzaan for near the same price?

The main reason I wanted a Sebenza is people always compare other knives to them. I'd like to know what a Sebenza is like so I can know what they're talking about and even with the TSF I'm hearing, "It's not as nice as a sebenza, but still really great."
 
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Now you're thinking to much:p

Just get one, as I'm sure they will be plenty more knives you'll get down the road. You may not think that, but it will happen if you love knives.
There is not a factory knife made as well as the Sebenza. It's quality will spoil you, so it may be best to go with another, and work your way up to it.
 
IMHO Sabenza's are really nice from an aesthetic (fit and finish) perspective, but they are not by any means on of the more durable hard use knives.
 
VolundoftheForge said:
So you'd take the new BEAST over a slightly worn sebenza or Umnumzaan for near the same price?

The main reason I wanted a Sebenza is people always compare other knives to them. I'd like to know what a Sebenza is like so I can know what they're talking about and even with the TSF I'm hearing, "It's not as nice as a sebenza, but still really great."
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It's not as pretty, it's not as smoothly finished/decorated around the edges. So in that sense it's not as nice. But it is a custom, handmade/handfit knife, which is nicer than a Sebenza in several ways. It's also designed for hard use, and will hold up and not show the effects of hard use in the same way. I also trust Jim's work on the blade heat-treat--they get care that a production folder never would.

Is it as smooth as a Sebenza? Yes, and with the same materials, except hand-fit and adjusted. Are the tolerances as fine? Hard to tell--probably not, since production knives can easily be made to closer tolerances than handmade/custom can (machines are more precise than humans). Is the lock-up as good? Better, I'd say, and without any "flipping" concerns. The lock faces are carbodized and impervious to wear. The handle and blade are thicker, which may or may not be to your ergonomic liking. Is the blade better? Arguably yes--TSF is a forge with tremendous steel experience, and the blade get closer attention to heat treat/cryo. But it's thicker, so less slicey and better for tougher cutting (outdoorsy stuff).

It's like a Sebenza you can run over with a car and drop into concrete and it will still work. Oh, and the maker stands behind the knives and has the time and expertise to fix them as needed.

DJK
 
expwmbat said:
It's not as pretty, it's not as smoothly finished/decorated around the edges. So in that sense it's not as nice. But it is a custom, handmade/handfit knife, which is nicer than a Sebenza in several ways. It's also designed for hard use, and will hold up and not show the effects of hard use in the same way. I also trust Jim's work on the blade heat-treat--they get care that a production folder never would.

Is it as smooth as a Sebenza? Yes, and with the same materials, except hand-fit and adjusted. Are the tolerances as fine? Hard to tell--probably not, since production knives can easily be made to closer tolerances than handmade/custom can (machines are more precise than humans). Is the lock-up as good? Better, I'd say, and without any "flipping" concerns. The lock faces are carbodized and impervious to wear. The handle and blade are thicker, which may or may not be to your ergonomic liking. Is the blade better? Arguably yes--TSF is a forge with tremendous steel experience, and the blade get closer attention to heat treat/cryo. But it's thicker, so less slicey and better for tougher cutting (outdoorsy stuff).

It's like a Sebenza you can run over with a car and drop into concrete and it will still work. Oh, and the maker stands behind the knives and has the time and expertise to fix them as needed.

DJK
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well said but probably going to fall on deaf ears in this case. Although I think a sebenza would be ok after dropping on concrete and getting ran over as well but they definitely do appear to be more of a gentleman style knife.
 
Actually I think I might go with the TSF. I'm watching some reviews and though as you've pointed out they aren't as precise, they are extremely tough and something you could trust in a disaster. I have talked to the maker and he seems a very nice guy, though they only have 154CM at present. I will check out the Gunhammer, but I'm starting to lean towards the brand new TSF as opposed to the used sebenza. It's a little smaller(I prefer large knives) but legal nearly everywhere.
 
ah it seemed you were always coming back to the crk so I passed judgement, wrongly it looks like. 154CM is good steel though. Tough which kind of keeps to the theme of the beast.
 
Hauling said:
ah it seemed you were always coming back to the crk so I passed judgement, wrongly it looks like. 154CM is good steel though. Tough which kind of keeps to the theme of the beast.
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Plus 154CM sharpens well. For all interesting, he says he may have ELMAX next month so stay tuned. ;) Wonder if I could get a 3.5" BEAST for $350.. hmm.. :P Anyways I think this is the direction I shall take, but all suggestions are welcome and I still have to check out the Darrel Ralph
 
VolundoftheForge said:
Plus 154CM sharpens well. For all interesting, he says he may have ELMAX next month so stay tuned. ;) Wonder if I could get a 3.5" BEAST for $350.. hmm.. :P Anyways I think this is the direction I shall take, but all suggestions are welcome and I still have to check out the Darrel Ralph
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He may have ELMAX next month?!? Oh man, I wish I knew that before I ordered. Jim just finished rounding and polishing the edges on mine and sent me a picture--it looks superb. I can't wait to get it back in my hands.

If he gets ELMAX, I may try to work on him to create a modified Wharncliffe blade to swap out for my 154CM. That shape would add a good 1/3" to the blade length, I think...

DJK
 
yeah I might be in on that ELMAX too. I'd like to see the pic of what Jim did expwmbat if you can.
 
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