Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
Sebenza, Classic full size
Blade:3.57", Stonewashed S30V
Blade Stock thickness: .1215"
OAL:8 5/16" "
Frame Thickness: .148"
Weight:4.7 oz
RJ Martin Havoc
Blade: 3.56", Epoxy Coated, faceted S30V
Frame Thickness: .125"
Blade Stock thickness: .1445"
OAL: 7 15/16"
Weight: 4.0 oz
Korth Amazonas
Blade: 3.515", belt satin S30V
OAL: 7 15/16"
Blade Stock thickness: .210", .127"**
Frame Thickness: .129"
Weight: 3.7 oz
People have been saying "Sebenza Killer" a lot lately, which I don't understand. Sebenza is a great knife, not without limitations, but truly great. It functions well, has excellent ergos, very good warrantee, servicing is way easy, and looks nice, like a Movado Museum watch looks nice, or an Eames chair. Classic.
About 6 months ago, picked up a used Sebenza, and a new R.J. Martin Havoc, about 2 months ago, picked up the Amazonas, and exclusive from AZCK. The Amazonas was awesome out of the gate, but I wanted to have some tweaks done to it, and sent it, a Sebenza, and a Kershaw Wild, Wild Turkey to the Lala brothers. Jeff Velasco had indicated that it was very difficult to get knives like the Sebenza down in Brazil, for a variety of reasons, so I sent one along for review.
Not pictured. The Sebenza has less than ideal blade-to-handle ratio, compared to the other two knives, is heavier, and the blade bushing bugs me. The bottom line is that I like more "drag" on my blades than Chris Reeve does, so the knife has to be taken apart, and the bushing shaved. Also, the blade on mine is prone to micro chipping when cutting hard materials, but does hold an edge for a very long time. I paid about $325.00 for it, and it is an EDC.
3. The Havoc is about the ideal, IMHO for EDC. It uses a flipper, has GREAT ergos, is smoothness personified, has unique style and flair, and will probably cut like a banshee. To this I would not know, because I hate epoxy coatings and am waiting to send it back to RJ for some massaging, when he has time. His sealed bearing will probably hold up the best of the 3 methods of friction reduction. I paid $400.00 for it, and at that price, am not afraid to use it, but want to start out with it happy, happy before I proceed.
1 & 2. The Amazonas. Exotic, limited SWEETNESS. I needed the clip changed on the Amazonas, and some sharpening. I messed up and sent the package regular mail, and it took 3 weeks to get there. Jeff Velasco(Brazilian Bladesmiths) and the Lala brothers(Korth) were really easy to communicate with . So attentive and on it, that my tolerance for poor communications with American makers is set to a much lower level than previous times. The IKBS system is smooth, but not as smooth as the system RJ uses. This is a knife DESIGNED to be used, but with the blade set up, and finish, as well as limited production, that will probably not happen. The cost of $450.00 and exclusivity of availability factor into the decision to carry/not carry.
The blade probably starts out as a 1/4" piece of S30V,and gets an integral "lobe" machined in that is used as a finger opening device, there are machined fullers, and the aesthetics are totally sweet, visually probably the nicest of the batch. The Lala brothers did a superb job of creating functional art that is probably bomb proof.
What does it all mean? That there is a place in the pocket or desk for all of these, and I would be interested in all of your feedback, beyond "great knives, Steven"....please have an opinion, and share it, or ask questions.
Photos highjacked from Coop and Jeff Velasco
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
