-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Bad experiences with the Sebenzas....
- Thread starter Kampfjaeger
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 1,874
Being a little on the, umm, wide side, anything I clip to my belt will invariably splinter doorframes and scratch car paint. I've been there and done that. Just ask my cell phone.
As for pocket carry, I already carry my keys with PhotonII, change, SAK Mini-ChampII, Chapstick, mints, and sometimes a multi-tool in my left front pants pocket. There ain't a whole lot of room left in that pocket. My right front pocket is reserved for the ever-present Seecamp .32 pistol. Sorry, but no knife is going to displace the mouse gun...
- Joined
- Dec 21, 1999
- Messages
- 869
Kelly . . . I read your posts about your lack of ability to carry a Sebenza without hurting yourself long ago. Don't need to go that route again. I had my large Sebenza open once while quail hunting and I got a finger into the blade. Didn't hurt much but bled a lot. I immediately changed my method of carry to clipped in my right rear pocket so the blade was pinned against the seam and have had no further trouble. So, I've been there and done that. I even emailed CRK about the problem and got a very good answer. They offered to pay the freight both ways to examine the detent, but that was not the problem . . . it was my own clumsiness. So, I changed the way I carry the knife and have had not additional trouble.
Still don't see any need to change the design when total production is sold out.
Still don't see any need to change the design when total production is sold out.
CPR
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 1999
- Messages
- 514
...but you can keep the small one! I've owned 3 small Sebenza's and also gave one to my father as a gift. I now only purchase the large version after some harrowing experiences with its little brother. I constantly had issues with the blade opening on all 3 of the small Sebenzas while carrying in my front pocket (jeans and khakis). The blade never opened completely, but enough to bite me while removing the knife from my pocket. It happened enough to warrant their removal from my carry rotation.
My father has a bad habit of carrying his knives in his back pocket (not clipped). His small Sebenza opened and cut a 6" gash in his new Jeep Crand Cherokee's leather driver seat. He gave the Sebenza back to me (and he lusted for that knife for some time).
I've never had a large Sebenza open in my pocket. IMHO, the small has too sharp of a thumbstud and it catches on the pocket. I won't buy another small sebenza until the thumbstud issue is addressed. I agree that CRK has excellent CS.
Chris
My father has a bad habit of carrying his knives in his back pocket (not clipped). His small Sebenza opened and cut a 6" gash in his new Jeep Crand Cherokee's leather driver seat. He gave the Sebenza back to me (and he lusted for that knife for some time).
I've never had a large Sebenza open in my pocket. IMHO, the small has too sharp of a thumbstud and it catches on the pocket. I won't buy another small sebenza until the thumbstud issue is addressed. I agree that CRK has excellent CS.
Chris
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2001
- Messages
- 43
I am still confused about this subject. If the sebenza has a ball detent which catches onto the ball bearing embedded into the peice of metal which flexes to lock the blade... how does it open by itself
I have handle many knives which have frame locks which also have the detent and i cannot see any way the blade could open itself unless you were an olympic high jumper In that case you would probably stab yourself while landing Due to all this chaos about sebz opening by themselves i made another trip to my dealer and shook the SW3500 up down left and right as hard as i could to see if the blade would displace itself in any way even though it is a tip down carry Well gladly i came to the conclusion that it was not going to budge and looked around just to observe how muck of an idiot i had made myself to be. I also found out that the SW3500 opens soooo smoother than the m16 Well anyway i also have a no name beater which is also a frame lock but with out the detent. I carry it around everywhere in my front right pocket for various cutting purposes and do everything with it suck as walk, jog and run and somehow it never opens up on me Also it is not because the pivot screw is tight or anything because i loosened it on purpose and can now with a flick of my wrist can deploy the blade as fast as any automatic knife
I have handle many knives which have frame locks which also have the detent and i cannot see any way the blade could open itself unless you were an olympic high jumper In that case you would probably stab yourself while landing Due to all this chaos about sebz opening by themselves i made another trip to my dealer and shook the SW3500 up down left and right as hard as i could to see if the blade would displace itself in any way even though it is a tip down carry Well gladly i came to the conclusion that it was not going to budge and looked around just to observe how muck of an idiot i had made myself to be. I also found out that the SW3500 opens soooo smoother than the m16 Well anyway i also have a no name beater which is also a frame lock but with out the detent. I carry it around everywhere in my front right pocket for various cutting purposes and do everything with it suck as walk, jog and run and somehow it never opens up on me Also it is not because the pivot screw is tight or anything because i loosened it on purpose and can now with a flick of my wrist can deploy the blade as fast as any automatic knifeQuite strange
...I think it would make more sense if the large opens in pocket; bigger (longer) blade and so longer lever and more power...
What about the blade tension? How stiff - or light - it's been?
If the blade tension is light to snap knife open easily, then it's possible to get the knife open in pocket...
But if no matter about the tension...
Well, then - and as famed as Reeve is - I think it's a little wonder if such a mistake isn't fixed as soon as possible.
Tuhkis
My small sebenza developed a hairline crack at the thumbstud...but I have to confess I caused it by twisting the blade while it was in a salmon, more than eight times in one day, the salmon helped with the twist action so I can't take all the credit.
I returned it to Chris and it returned with a new blade..it seems that the studs were a fraction to tight upon insertion into the blade..have had no further trouble . I carry mine minus the clip in my from pocket, but with any luck I'll have the same problem Senator has very soon...lets see Seecamp for the Sebenza..that's a hard choice
I returned it to Chris and it returned with a new blade..it seems that the studs were a fraction to tight upon insertion into the blade..have had no further trouble . I carry mine minus the clip in my from pocket, but with any luck I'll have the same problem Senator has very soon...lets see Seecamp for the Sebenza..that's a hard choice
CPR
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 1999
- Messages
- 514
Tuhkis,
The pivot tension has been pretty consistent with all of my Sebenzas. In my opinion, the sharp thumbstud on the small version is the culprit. It could be that loose threads near the seam of my pockets catch on the thumbstud when withdrawing the knife. That still doesn't explain my father's leather seat. The simple solution is for me to buy a Mnandi
Chris
The pivot tension has been pretty consistent with all of my Sebenzas. In my opinion, the sharp thumbstud on the small version is the culprit. It could be that loose threads near the seam of my pockets catch on the thumbstud when withdrawing the knife. That still doesn't explain my father's leather seat. The simple solution is for me to buy a Mnandi
Chris
Originally posted by CPR
The simple solution is for me to buy a Mnandi
Chris
Great to hear that!
I'd like to hear your opinions of it, in fact very much.
You see, I've been thinking should I get small or large Sebenza. Or - maybe Mnandi?
In fact I think Mnandi has a little bit better handle shape (this based on pictures). And I like the wood inlay.
Tuhkis.
vactor
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2000
- Messages
- 631
mine is simply amazing. everything good that has ever been said about a CRK knife has made it's way into the Mnandi. from the ergonomic handle, great lockup, beatiful looks, SHARP!, and so on, and so on. the nail nick works extremely well for thumb opening, and will not catch even on a nice suit pocket
i am simply amazed at the Mnandi. i do wonder why some would call it less of a 'tough' knife. sure seems like it could take typical CRK abuse and keep going. the slabs are a bit narrower, but this affords a comfortable grip, and the wood is, well, wood, but that does not mean that the knife will not perform (from what i see) in even the toughest of conditions.
as i am sure you can tell, i REALLLLLLY REALLY like my Mnandi. oh, and let me just throw in another plug for the BEST customer service and people (especially Bridget) i have ever encountered, in ANY industry!! thanks again!
i am simply amazed at the Mnandi. i do wonder why some would call it less of a 'tough' knife. sure seems like it could take typical CRK abuse and keep going. the slabs are a bit narrower, but this affords a comfortable grip, and the wood is, well, wood, but that does not mean that the knife will not perform (from what i see) in even the toughest of conditions.
as i am sure you can tell, i REALLLLLLY REALLY like my Mnandi. oh, and let me just throw in another plug for the BEST customer service and people (especially Bridget) i have ever encountered, in ANY industry!! thanks again!
... in fact I began to think is it really worth of $305?
One point: if it really weights 1.25 oz only
(=35.4 g, which is more familiar to me), that's the same as nothing.
My WH Evolution weights 2 oz (56.7 g), and I thought knife lighter can't be any good utility knife. In fact Evolution itself isn't any outdoor/utility knife, I keep it at work for cutting tape/rope and opening boxes/letters, peeling fruit etc.
For what purposes Mnandi is?
Can it be solid with that weight? Is it pure peeling knife and letter opener? I think it is quite costly for those purposes.
Or can it be used for whittling? (I must confess I'm suprised if it can.)
Tuhkis
One point: if it really weights 1.25 oz only
(=35.4 g, which is more familiar to me), that's the same as nothing.My WH Evolution weights 2 oz (56.7 g), and I thought knife lighter can't be any good utility knife. In fact Evolution itself isn't any outdoor/utility knife, I keep it at work for cutting tape/rope and opening boxes/letters, peeling fruit etc.
For what purposes Mnandi is?
Can it be solid with that weight? Is it pure peeling knife and letter opener? I think it is quite costly for those purposes.
Or can it be used for whittling? (I must confess I'm suprised if it can.)
Tuhkis
vactor
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2000
- Messages
- 631
but, it seems to me that my Mnandi is as tough as anything else i have. sure, it feels 'soft', but that's because it is very ergonomic. a lot of the weight reduction would seem to be due to the narrower blade and handle. this does not mean it is not strong, just narrower. i have used it for a lot more already than just envelopes. i broke down the desk and computer boxes from my girlfriend. i think that modern shipping cardboard boxes are pretty tough, and my Mnandi went through them very very easily, is still sharp, and did not cause pressure spots in my hand, unlike my BM705, which gave me blisters and became rather dull after doing a set of cardboard boxes when she got some new furniture. all the cardboard was of similar quality, so i am not going to use the 705 as anything other than my emergency in-car knife. the Mnandi is fantastic, and as tough as anything else. sure, it has wood inlay, so that may splinter (same as any wood inlay if realllly abused) but barring that, i have every confidence in mine. thanks again CRK.