Are Sebenzas overpriced?

jeegeet

jeegeet

Joined
Jan 2, 2000
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Those that want to refer me to the old threads about this - please save it - I've read them all. :D I just feel we need to go over this subject once every while.

In the casual conversation in the office today, a friend of mine (another knife nut) said: "Sebenza's are great, but they're overpriced. Look at MT Socom. Why would you pay extra $150+ to get a Sebenza".

I came home. I looked at my Sebbies, I looked at my Socoms. I don't know whether it is something about this South African spell, but I couldn't find myself feeling bad about "overpaying" for Sebenzas.

It is not really about the manufacturing - Microtech got it covered, so did Chris Reeve. It is not really about the looks - they both look different but they both look great. Does Sebenza look so much better? I don't know. I still don't regret "overpaying".

What do you guys think?
 
Thats a good question, I paid 415 for my large ebony inlay. Thats a lot of money for a production knife, but after carrying it if I had another 300-400 to spend on 1 knife I couldnt think of any other knife than a sebenza to spend it on. Quality #1 period
 
I hate to see a Sebbie called a production Knife, even though it is. Ive experienced "Custom" knives that are not near the quality with a price tag above a sebbie. It seems to me that Knives need to be judged on the quality alone. The tolerences on a CRK seem to be 100 times that of what i see in my mind as a production knife. I guess i don't care if my sebbie is "production" or not...the quality is there and they saying " you get what you pay for" sure fits as far as my Sebbie is concerned.
 
That is a good question at perfect timing for me. I was just looking at Lg. basic model Sebenza at a local firearm and knife store, its a great quality knife, but I was debating on price as well. Then I saw this tanto model, and I really liked it and after reading some threads on Chris Reeve knives, I think I will make a purchase tomorrow. By the way, does Chris Reeve Knives replace handle for Sebenza? Only thing I can't stand is the handle (with CAD design looking cuts on handle) on the Sebenza I'm looking at.
 
I Love my Sebenzas, and I love my Microtechs. Both are well made. If I could only have 1, it would be my Sebenza. IMHO they are not overpriced. I wouldn't own so many of them if they were.

To RN0601,
I don't care for the cad design either. I think CRK wil sell you another handle panel, but I could be wrong. It might not be a bad idea to ask in the Chris Reeve forum. Good luck.

Jason
 
Simple. . .it's all about 4 little things. . .

Your taste

Your opinion

Your purse strings

Problem is. . .everything in life comes with a sticker.

You can have to most extravagant taste in the world.

Opinion costs you nothing.

Unfortunately, short purse strings can greatly hinder your extravagance.


You have the option to play.
 
I have a large and a small Sebenza, and I think they are truly wonderful pieces, but at list price I think they are a bit high. I bought both of mine (LH models, like new/in box) for $250 each. Often NIB examples sell for $275 - $300. Since the knives are only sold new at list price, the market's evaluation of whether they are properly priced is better gauged by the NIB price in the resale market. I'd say the price that the market places on it right now is about $295, or $50 less than CRK charges. Since the design has been in place for a while, as the market saturates, this resale price will drop further. CRK would then either need to drop their prices or accept a diminishing sales trend, or launch a new model. I don't know if their rate of sales is in the diminishing part of the curve yet, or not. If not, it makes sense for them to hold their price, which also enhances the exclusivity (or snob appeal) of the brand. Brand exclusivity is definitely part of the CRK pricing. If an e-zactly identical knive were somehow able to be made by CRKT in Taiwan, it would probably sell for less than $150. Everyone would say it was a good value and a great knife, but no-one would say it was worth over $300. This analysis is only for the plain undecorated models. - Lee
 
Taken from a mrketing point of view I'd say no the Sebenza is not
over priced at all. In fact it has set a standard that other knives are
often compared to. The market says the price is just right.

Like the Buck 110 defined the lockback and set the bar for quality
the Sebenza has set the bar for frame locks with good quality for
those who want it and , important point, willing to pay for it. Can the
framelock knife be made cheaper?? Sure it can and is. The rest of the
framelocks all give up that subtle measure of quality that defines the
Sebenza for mass production.

So for those who want to pay for the quality , go for it quality never
makes you regret. If you want utility and price..........well, they come
a bit cheaper.:rolleyes:
 
I pretty much agree with all that's been said. I lean on the side of over priced. I've had a small and a large plain. Yes well made. Yes nice design. Ergonomic, hardly. Rugged, yes but no more so than a Microtech Amphibian. Sharp, neither of mine (both bought NIB) were as sharp as any of the Microtechs I have.

I sold both because if I ever lost them I couldn't afford to replace them. People often quote list prices for BM and MT against Sebenzas when making a case for Sebebzas being right priced. As noted above, Sebenezas are never discounted while everything else in the production class is.

Chris Reeves created a myth through excellent design, manufacturing, service, and attention to his customers right here on BF. More power to him. Is owning the myth worth the sticker price? That is for each of us to decide.
 
Posted by Professor:

Nope...

...and by George, love has no sticker!
Click to expand...


Now that's a thread (or argument) all in itself. :D


And don't call me George. . .it's Gig. ;)


And look at that. . . .everyone has confirmed what I said:

It's taste, opinion, purse strings and option. . .
:p
 
The Sebenza is a excellent example of getting what you pay for. Great materials, and fantastic workmanship dictate the price. I thought the Sebenza was overpriced until I bought my first one. As has been said before; there are better "looking" knives, but the Sebenza is made to work!

I currently own 3 Sebenza's and 1 Umfaan so, I don't believe they are overpriced. If they were, I couldn't afford them ;)
 
The beauty of the Sebenza is in the versatility of the design.
This is definitely a case of getting what you pay for.

Paul
 
My large lefty sebenza was the cheapest knife I've ever bought.It's saved me hundreds of dollars I would have otherwise spent on lesser knives.Sure they're spendy,but then you can't find a better knife for the money either.It takes a while to fully appreciate it,when it's 5 years old EDC and still locks up like a bank vault.I personally like the looks of the sebbie better than any BM or MT.
 
Simple Question with a very simple answer... and that answer is absolutely YES. There are too many high quality folder makers on the custom market that put the sebenza to shame for similar, or lesser at times, price points.

You can Get Carson's and JW Smith's for around $400, maybe a little less at time. Mike Obenauf's go for $300-350.

Those are just 3 examples of high quality custom makers in similar price points to the sebbie. All 3 are far superior to any production knife, including the sebbie. Also, look at the re-sale on these as compared to the Sebbie... That should say it all.

JR
 
Definitely overpriced, unless you think paying too much for a knife somehow proves you like knives better than those who don't own Sebenzas.

JK
 
There are some interesting comments here. Whether you personally consider a Sebbie overpriced or not is your own personal opinion. If anybody out there in the marketplace could make a knife of the same quality as CRK does on a daily basis for less money, they would do it in a heartbeat.

The people here on BladeForums are a very small and very specialized group of knife buyers. People will obsess here about things that vast majority of the knife buying marketplace isn't aware of or doesn't care about.

That being said, you are right that the Sebbie's pricepoint puts it close enough to the entry level quality custom hand mades that many may opt to go that route. While I dearly love my Kit Carson's, they are not Sebenza's. As tool they both can be compared to each other in terms of function. For the reason I buy custom, they are not really comparable - each has unique qualities unto itself that cannot be duplicated in the other.

After just pulling out a Decorated Sebbie to admire it, I noticed this thread. What timing! My only regret is that I waited so long to get my first one and, that I don't have a collection of decorated models to display as the art work they are.

So, if you truly think they are over priced, don't buy one. If you really want one but, just can bring yourself to pay that much for a knife, watch the for sale forum and pick one up - I bet it won't be your last and for most, the pricepoint issue will become a non-issue.

I don't know if their rate of sales is in the diminishing part of the curve yet, or not.
Click to expand...
Unlike some other well known knife companies that have struggled to survive, I don't see CRK cutting back. In fact, even in the current depressed economy, they seem to be adding staff and growing their company.

In the end, the marketplace will always decide if the product produced meets the customers needs at a pricepoint they can afford and are willing to pay.
 
Having just bought a large Sebenza..slightly used.I didnt think twice about paying the $225 for it !! I actually got the Large for less than I paid for my small.
I am on a budget and while I have had the small for quite awhile , I was looking for a larger knife for EDC . I was not at all impressed but the Emersons , but thats just me. I guess it all depends on where your tastes are.I was considering a Emerson Commander but after spending a few hours in a knife shop and comparing various in stock knives next to the Large Seb , the others just did not do it FOR ME !
Now what makes this so great is we all have the choice !!

On a side note,since I was looking for a Framelock , what does everyone think of the Camillus EDC...not in the same class as the Seb. But if its a decent buy , I was thinking of making it my sons first knife.

Have a Knice weekend ! :D
 
are porsches overpriced? is land in Newport Beach overpriced?

how about gold, H&H shotguns..........etc etc etc.
The man is in business to make MONEY.......if they were overpriced he wouldnt sell any......if they were cheaper he wouldnt make enough money and would have to make a cheaper product. Chris knows what he is doing, I wish there were more people like him on this planet! :p
 
I thought they were over priced until i got one, now i don't at all. I used to think there Ti handles were for the birds because they scratched easily, now i don't care because of there light weight and strength. Ti also has a warmth to it that i like when it's been next to your body. Add one killer Blade that cut's like a dream and Chris's rock solid frame lock it's well worth the price IMO, built to last a life time and then some.

Originally posted by Sid Post
If anybody out there in the marketplace could make a knife of the same quality as CRK does on a daily basis for less money, they would do it in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I agree with Sid's statment above and like he said if you think there over priced just don't buy one, end of story i would say. BTW Tom i love my BMW! hehe

James
 
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