Another Sebenza Question

[jvan]

I've been thinking of picking up a regular Sebenza but am concerned that once in hand it will feel like my bare bones Leek. By this I mean size wise and slippery handle.

Could someone compare the two and put my mind at ease. I'm not talking build quality etc. just size and hand feel.

Thanks.

 

[DaveH]

If you are a bit concerned about grip I'd suggest the micarta inlay, it is an improvement over the plain handle finish for grip.

 

[jvan]

I have an aversioon to non-matching scales, but that's just me.

 

[STR]

I'm with Dave. I've had both and the Micarta is all you need to give the handle just a bit more of what it needs for a better thumb purchase and feel when both extracting the knife from the pocket and to use it. It just fits the hand better. Somehow the Micarta gives it a sense of warmth also. I'd also say that to me the Classic is my pref but to each their own. I like the blade shape better but the handle thumb ramp and groove differences also.

STR

 

[Rich357]

I have an aversioon to non-matching scales, but that's just me.

It's hard to find a frame lock with a handle the looks the same on both sides.

The finish on a Sebenza, when new, is relatively grippy.

I like the look of the Micarta on the Sebenza but doesn't seem as grippy as the Micarta used on other knives I have in my collection. Not sure why.
But, it is still a really nice option on the Sebenza. I like my Micarta Sebenza.

 

[Tai Chi Feely]

Sebenzas are overpriced and overvalued. They are a status symbol. Save your hard earned money for Spyderco. Yes indeed.

 

[Rich357]

Well, to each his own.

Someone could say you payed too much for the Spyderco and should bought a folding box cutter from Harbor Freight.
Heck, you wouldn't have to sharpen it, just put in a new blade.

 

[ehhh]

My small Sebenza is thicker than my all stainless Leek which makes it a bit more filling in the hand. The scales are also bead or sandblasted which gives a grippier texture than the Leek, but it is by no means very grippy. I like the Sebenza's handle better, but it's not a huge difference because they are similarly sized knives with bare metal scales.

 

[Tai Chi Feely]

Well, to each his own.

Someone could say you payed too much for the Spyderco and should bought a folding box cutter from Harbor Freight.
Heck, you wouldn't have to sharpen it, just put in a new blade.

but they could also say any analogy has its limits. Comparing a BMW to a Toyota isn't the same analogy as comparing a the same Toyota to a Yugo.

 

[Thomas W]

TCF, being a Spydie fan, you might also look at what Sal had to recently say about CRK's.

FYI, Sal's pretty in the know when it comes to CRK's.

A CRK knife is not a custom knife, nor is it a production knife. They are in a class by themselves. They've taken many years to develop their reputation.

Each piece is custom made by skilled custom makers. CRK tolerances and standards are the highest I've seen in processes like surface grinding and heat treat. There is a limit to their production capacity.

Chris is pretty anal on quality. "Quality is time. = Time is money". He pays his craftsmen a fair wage, and he charges a fair margin, he gives the world a product like no other.

sal

 

[Rich357]

but they could also say any analogy has its limits. Comparing a BMW to a Toyota isn't the same analogy as comparing a the same Toyota to a Yugo.

I have one of those folding box cutters from Harbor Freight. It cuts well and hasn't fallen apart yet.

 

[Rich357]

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[allenC]

but they could also say any analogy has its limits. Comparing a BMW to a Toyota isn't the same analogy as comparing a the same Toyota to a Yugo.

Car analogies are useless when talking about the Sebenza.
After all, a typical BMW will outperform a typical Toyota.
But there are plenty of knives that will perform just as well or better than a Sebenza.

 

[Rich357]

I use the $5 knife from Ikea almost everyday. It cuts food very well. But, if someone wants a high end kitchen knife that's fine with me. I'm not going to knock them for buying one. I don't know if it is trolling or sour grapes with some people.

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[jarlaxle]

I hate when people come to a knife forum and try to call them "overpriced" or "overvalued" or a "status symobol"....

Unlike purses, and cell phones, and designer jeans, and whatever consumer garbage you want to list. All of which can cost much more then knives. The sebenza will never be out of style, it will last a lifetime, and is not a "Status Symbol" which you wave in everyones face (like the new iphone or purses etc..). Your knife is a personal thing that other people rarely see, or even know you have with you.

 

[eojk]

It's hard to find a frame lock with a handle the looks the same on both sides.

The finish on a Sebenza, when new, is relatively grippy.

I like the look of the Micarta on the Sebenza but doesn't seem as grippy as the Micarta used on other knives I have in my collection. Not sure why.
But, it is still a really nice option on the Sebenza. I like my Micarta Sebenza.

Sebenzas are overpriced and overvalued. They are a status symbol. Save your hard earned money for Spyderco. Yes indeed.

Unlike the slippery finish of the Leek or a stainless Endura, the Sebenza is considerably grippier. It won't be like textured G10, but it is trustworthy. I EDC a plain Jane small classic, and I don't have worries about losing my grip. I think what's more important in this case, is if the knife fits your hand. For many people the small Sebenzas are a tad too short for their hands. For me, it fits just about perftectly.

And while I'm a card-carrying Spyderco fanboy, I will refute ignorant individuals like Tai, who clearly have no experience with the knives being discussed. Your best bet is to get ahold of a Sebenza(perhaps an inlay model) and see for yourself. If not, you probably won't be disappointed with it. As has been said before, those who truly appreciate the finer details of quality will value the knife for what it is: a mechanical marvel. Also, as has been said, if you for whatever reason don't like it, you will be able to resell it for every penny spent.

Oh, and to get back to the original question, I have my plain SS Leek and Small Seb Classic sitting here. As far as feel, the comfort of the knives is basically a draw, but this is attributable to their diminutive size. The Leek is considerably slicker in the grip, however. I also have the classic model Sebenza, so there is a more substantial cutout for the thumbstud. This lends a more secure grip. The bottom line is the bead-blasted finished of the Sebenza is much grippier than the more polished Leek and is not really comparable. While the Leek is a fine EDC, I would not want to use it for any task where I had slippery hands. There are some great models with G10 and coatings though. The Leek is also a bit thinner than the Small Classic, so the Sebenza is also a bit easier to hold onto in this regard. This also means, however, that the Leek is slightly easier to carry, as it will fit just about anywhere.

Hope this helps.

 

[jvan]

eojk and all others, thanks a lot for all of the input. I guess that as eojk so aptly put it, I can buy it, try it and sell it if I decide it is not for me.

I do like my SS Leek it's just that I have larger hands and need just a bit more of handle to grasp on to. Thanks again.

 

[ADD]

Car analogies are useless when talking about the Sebenza.
After all, a typical BMW will outperform a typical Toyota.
But there are plenty of knives that will perform just as well or better than a Sebenza.

A broad brush but..
for reliability, Toyota models will regularly out perform BMW models.

 

[BlazenGem]

Well, to each his own.

Someone could say you payed too much for the Spyderco and should bought a folding box cutter from Harbor Freight.
Heck, you wouldn't have to sharpen it, just put in a new blade.

overpriced? just because its expensive?

if someone is selling a porsche for 10 grand, you'll say its cheap, even though it cost 10 grand.

if someone sells a ccc for $100, no one would buy it because its expensive.

thats how i think about it, not saying spyderco's are a better knife.

 

[allenC]

I hate when people come to a knife forum and try to call them "overpriced" or "overvalued" or a "status symobol"....

Unlike purses, and cell phones, and designer jeans, and whatever consumer garbage you want to list. All of which can cost much more then knives. The sebenza will never be out of style, it will last a lifetime, and is not a "Status Symbol" which you wave in everyones face (like the new iphone or purses etc..). Your knife is a personal thing that other people rarely see, or even know you have with you.

Well, I certainly respect your opinion, but there's no getting around a few facts....

"Overpriced" and "overvalued" are both very subjective terms.
What might seem like a reasonable price to you might be overpriced in my eyes.
Considering that there are other knives that cost hundreds less than the Sebenza, that will also never go out of style, and which will also last a lifetime, and even may out perform the Sebenza....I can only conclude that it's overpriced for what you get.
And I don't make this assumption out of ignorance....I once owned a Sebenza too.
And I don't regret selling it either.

As for the status symbol argument....
Believe it or not, there are some folks who think they will impress folks with expensive items....expensive cars, expensive clothing, expensive jewelry, expensive watches, expensive firearms, and yes, expensive knives.
They equate price with performance.
And while it is sometimes true, that you get what you pay for, often times you just pay more for no appreciable performance gain.
It's like paying $300.00 dollars for a pair of denim jeans thinking that they will out-perform $50.00 dollar denim jeans.:jerkit: