Al Mar Sere 2k VS Small Sebenza and others

leemovie

leemovie

Joined
Jun 23, 2005
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I apologize if this question has been asked for many times.
Here we go: if the Sere 2k and small sebenza were priced the same, which one would you get? Which blade shape is better (or more practical) for every day use? No extreme tasks for me :)
I wonder if small sebenza costs much more than Sere 2k just because it's us made? What is the extra bonus you get from small sebenza?
I am looking for a quality folder. Currently I am taking a hard look at these two, but please recommend your best EDC folders.
I want:
G10, wood or micarta handle, VG10 or similar steel, <4" blade, good-looking but not flashy.
Thanks!
 
They are totally different knives so I'm not sure how you can begin to compare them. The Al Mar Sere 2k is a large folder, the Small Sebenza is SMALL. The Sebenza's handle is titanium with a frame lock. The SERE 2k is g-10 scales with steel liners and a liner lock.

I have a Sere 2k and I haven't been all that impressed. It's bulky, the edges of the steel liners cut into my hands and are uncomfortable, the blade isn't as easy to open as many of my other knives, etc. Also I hear Al Mar slaps the knives together and then grinds and polishes everything so everything looks flush and lined up. When you buy a Sebenza everything is made at high tolerances and when assembled it all fits together and doesn't need to be reworked to make it look good and fit right.

If you were comparing the LARGE Sebenza to the SERE 2000 and they were the same price I would choose the Sebenza hands down.

If the Sebenza price tag is to high check out a Lone Wolf T2 with Cocobolo handles, titanium liners, titanium liner lock, and I think many of the other parts are titanium which makes this knife very light for it's size, s30v blade steel, and close to a 4" blade. Here's a picture of it:

lwt2_03.jpg
 
Your "want" list doesn't include the word "titanium", ergo.......AM SERE 2000!

Case closed.....

Thank you for playing!:cool:

PS....I own both.
 
Maybe consider a Benchmade 710, or 806. Also the Spyderco Military and Manix. And the Buck-Strider 880SP. :cool:
 
The S2K is without a doubt probably the finest production liner locking folder made today. Don't know about the way they are put together but the ones I have had and one I still own makes all other liner locks pale in comparison as to lock up, and opening smoothness. Fit and finish is way above any other prod. liner locking folders I have yet to see. This is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth. Live to ride and keepem sharp
 
I also have to respectfully disagree with Wade. He might have gotten a Friday afternoon knife there - my SERE 2000 is unbelievably well fit-and-finished. In its price range it is very hard to beat. Still, I would expect the Sebbie to be just that much finer (as it should be for twice the price) although I can't say from first hand experience.
 
how do you like the spear shape blade? Also how is the sharpness right out of the box? Thanks.
 
Both the SERE 2000 and Sebenza are flagship models and are made to the highest standards of the respective companies. But CRK wins the manufacturing quality award at the Blade Show year after year.

Many companies, like Benchmade and Spyderco, make knives to match the SERE 2000. But the Sebenza is semi-custom. Spending that kind of money seems intimidating at first, but it's only a few times the cost of lesser knives, so it may be worthwhile handling it at a knife show or dealer if you can find one.

Meanwhile, knives like the SERE 2000, the Benchmade 710 or Griptilian, the Spyderco Chinooks or Manix, or the Buck/Strider 880, will give you sharp, solid knives that will last many years of ordinary use.

But before you decide on these, look at some of the smaller, lighter, cheaper knives from these companies, and you may find their utility is well worth the lower prices. :)
 
TorzJohnson said:
I also have to respectfully disagree with Wade. He might have gotten a Friday afternoon knife there - my SERE 2000 is unbelievably well fit-and-finished. In its price range it is very hard to beat. Still, I would expect the Sebbie to be just that much finer (as it should be for twice the price) although I can't say from first hand experience.
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with the fit and finish on my SERE 2000. I was just commenting that I hear the fit and finish is so good because they grind, sand, buff, whatever, the handles so they are all flush with the liners, after the knife is assembled. I just find the SERE 2000 kind of over built. The thin little blade looks kinda funny compared to the huge tank of a handle in my opinion. I'd take a BM710 over it any day.
 
longbow said:
The S2K is without a doubt probably the finest production liner locking folder made today. Don't know about the way they are put together but the ones I have had and one I still own makes all other liner locks pale in comparison as to lock up, and opening smoothness. Fit and finish is way above any other prod. liner locking folders I have yet to see. This is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth. Live to ride and keepem sharp
Click to expand...

It is one of the most solid liner locking knives I've ever handled. I'll give you that. :) However the Lone Wolf T2 locks up just as solid and is finished much nicer in my opinion. The Cocobolo handles feel so good in the hand too. :)
 
WadeF said:
Also I hear Al Mar slaps the knives together and then grinds and polishes everything so everything looks flush and lined up.
Click to expand...
I'm unsure what you mean by "slaps the knives together" but the "grinds and polishes" part is SOP for at least some, if not most, of the world of customs, so why would you think less of AM for using it?:confused: I don't think CRK would find it a technique they could employ on the Sebbie since there are no scales to fit to the handles.
 
I think what WadeF is saying is they look like they have great fit, not because they do ( or did) but because they buff/grind everything out once it's put together. Ultimately I'm not sure it matters.

I've owned som Al Mar, and they seemed on the heavy side for what you got.
 
I've only checked out 2 S2Ks. I thought they were heavy, and that the blade/handle ratio could be better, but have to say they were some of the nicest production knives of their type, or price range, I've seen.
WadeF said:
There is nothing wrong with the fit and finish on my SERE 2000. I was just commenting that I hear the fit and finish is so good because they grind, sand, buff, whatever, the handles so they are all flush with the liners, after the knife is assembled.
Click to expand...
Well, that's fitting and finishing isn't it?:)
I like the looks of that Lone Wolf you posted a pic of. If it weren't tip down, or I was willing to carry a folder in a sheath...I'd already own one. The larger version I handled was VERY well put together-just as good as the S2K, and much better looking, IMO.
 
I never meant to say there was anything wrong with Al Mar finishing the SERE the way they do, if you all read the whole topic you'd see I was trying to point out differences in the way the SERE 2k and a Sebenza were constructed, and why the Sebenza costs more.
 
imho the SERE is not as nice F&F'd knife as the sebenza, the SERE is ok though.

at the same price the seb wins hands down.

i'm not just nutz crazy about either one FWIW (and yes i have had 2 SEREs and have a seb currently)though they are both good knives, just not my favs though.

both are perfectly functional knives though, and both are very different knives too imho.
 
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