Benchmade 950-91 Rift vs. Sebenza

Morosale

Morosale

Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
20
I have had my 950-91 for about a month now and I think it is awesome. However, because there are only 150 pieces made and it is a collectors edition, I don't make it my EDC. I have a mini reptilian for my EDC and some times i'll use my 32 Morpho. Any ways, I want a nicer blade as my EDC without having to worry about devaluing the a limited edition knife. So I will get the Sebenza soon, after reading the forums and watching all the Youtube videos on the Sebbie, how could I not? My real question is, how would my 950-91 stack up against a Sebenza (obviously the Sebenza is the knife to get according to everyone). I resisted getting a Sebenza because I wasnt sure if I would like the Sebenza frame lock and I have only had experience with Benchamades, which I love. The 950 is the smoothest opening, sturdiest, and has the coolest looking blade out of any knife I have ever seen/held in person. Does anyone have experience comparing these two blades side by side?
benchmade-950-91.jpg
 
My 950 Rift has been my favorite BM since I purchased it a year ago. If you like the Rift's action, blade, etc., why don't you get a 950 for EDC and take your wife out for a couple of nice dinners with the money saved? BTW, that 950-91 is friggin gorgeous!

Now back to the regularly scheduled responses...
 
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The sebenza is in a class of it's own. You're going to like it.

It's an item of value, which is durable(tough as nails), a beautifully simplistic, superb quality, and you still won't worry to EDC and use it hard.

I EDC mine and I'm not at all worried about loosing value. For one, I intend on keeping it, and second I know I can always get the knife refurbished and looking new again once it starts looking really rough.
 
I have a Small Regular Sebenza that I enjoy carrying on occasions..


..but I carry an Axis Lock Benchmade most days. The Rift is one of my favourites.


The Seb is a very good knife but I think it is massively over-hyped. Prepare to be underwhelmed!
 
I would go with the Rift because I prefer CF to Ti, and don't care much for S30V. Besides, that damascus just looks sexy.

The one I tried was a little odd in hand, requiring me to hold it further back from the edge than I care for. But my hand's small, so you may disagree. If you need further convincing, just wait for FlaMtnBkr to come along :P
 
I'm normally a solid Seb guy, but that Rift is dead sexy. I imagine that the Gold BM's are fairly close to Reeve knives in terms of quality, so this particular Rift may get an edge over a standard SEB. Of course you can take things up a notch and get an inlay seb with nice woods or ivory, with standard or excellent damascus blades - so the choice is not as black-and-white as you might imagine.

And don't believe all you hear about CR knives being "all-hype", and "over-priced". I know for a fact that the costs of manufacturing to the precision they demand and the grade of materials they employ, the Reeves are NOT getting wealthy on their knives. People who say that the $$ is all in the name are generally full of baloney.
 
Thanks for the advice thus far. I think I will get a Sebenza, maybe with a Damascus blade and then do a a side by side comparison video. I can't seem to find anyone comparing a gold class Benchmade to a Sebenza as I would assume that quality control wise they would be on par with each other. Again the reason for wanting the Sebenza is that I want an EDC without having to worry about whether I "hurt" #12 production 950, thus ruining its value. Granted I am in an office and behind a desk most of the day so its not like I am chopping logs with my knives, but none the less I would like to one day pass this knife (as well as my others) to my kids. Now my question is, should I get a Damascus blade with my Sebbie so that I can truly compare or is there not much of a difference between Damascus and s30v? I want to do this review and I dont want people saying, "well you are comparing apples to oranges."
 
I have a Sebenza and two Rifts in my EDC rotation (one is back at Benchmade getting a new blade put on it). Both are no-frills knives designed for EDC. They both have excellent thickness (thin enough to slice with, thick enough to last a lifetime), high grinds, great locks, and great ergos. Nothing weird or extra on either knife.

Having said that, the Rift is a far better value. Though the Sebenza is cool, it will bring very little (in performance) more to the table than the Rift.

I own and carry a Sebenza (large Classic w/ micarta inlays) because I appriciate the quality it is made with, and it's just a cool feeling to carve a tent stake with a Sebenza. I got it by second-hand at a great price, but still had to sell a chunk of my collection. I don't regret it.

If money is NO concern, get a Sebenza. If you could spend that extra $200 on your family or a friend (or stranger) in need, I'd say get the Rift to EDC and use that extra $200 on something else.
 
Here are two quotes from the Founder and President of SPYDERCO (Sal Glesser) regarding HIS opinion of Chris Reeve Knives. {this is a "cut & paste job from a previous thread} http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=746913 OldDude1

"....... Unless you are a manufacturer, familiar with close tolerance manufacturing of heat treated steel & Titanium parts, you are not likely to be able to see all of the differences between one of Chris' knives and others. For example; CRK keeps 0.0005 tolerance on surface grinding. That's one sixth the thickness of a hair. Do you have the knowledge and equipment to discover that tolerance?

In the end, it's all about trust. CRK took many years to build and maintain their reputation. Built with consistent focus. Even those trying to make a "cheaper" version must "leave out processes" or "soften their tolerance", or they will cost as much.

Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bullshit sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for."

sal

"Just because you can't see the difference doesn't mean it isn't there, it just means you can't see it."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"......... Well, I cannot speak for Chris Reeve Knives, but I will offer an opinion.

I've known Chris and Ann for many years. We worked together when Chris was in South Africa.

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. Chris and Ann work hard and they make a good living. "Enormous profits" is an inside joke that Chris and I laugh about. Frankly, I think they'd feel guilty if they made too much money.

The "Market" will determine if his business strategies work, regardless of what they are. If they don't work, adjustments are made....that's how businesses survive. ..................

sal
 
Sal has it right!

Though i may not know all the intricacies of the fine tolerances of my sebenza, i know i'm holding a quality tool with a lot of work put into it's production. When you hold a Sebenza, you'll feel the difference between it and other knives, it's not hype at all.

I'll admit i was a little trepidatious in ordering a sebenza because of the price. I'm one who is often suspicious of hype in products. After handling one in a store i was almost completely sold. Even after receiving mine in the mail, i felt a bit of buyer's remorse. but after carrying it and using it for a few days, and feeling the way it fits into the hand, i know that it is definitely worth the money.

It's not all hype, it's just a ridiculously good tool
 
The Sebenza is the better knife in terms of function and engineering. I think it's also the better value, but that's a personal choice.

The Rift is beautiful. And the axis lock is my favorite. My plain Sebbie is close to ugly, and I'm not a fan of the artistic embellishments that are available. To me, they're like putting dingle berries in the back window of a Rambler to make it look better.

The thin, hollow-ground blade of the Sebbie is incredible. The pivot has engineering that makes it strong and smooth and blade-centered. There is a lot of engineering in the Sebbie that few people will ever see, even in the smallest details. Look at the pocket clip on the gold-class Rift. It's screwed to the surface of the scale with three screws that stick out like warts. It takes three screws to hold it tight. The Sebenza clip is held in place with one screw, and it's clip is better held in place. Why? Because the clip fits into an inset precisely milled into the titanium handle that prevents it from moving side to side.

The Sebenza is an incredible, time-tested knife. It's a great value.
 
The RIFT is a perfectly functional large to mid sized production blade, that gives a lot of performance at a decent price. I think i have been carrying mine more than two years now.
 
Ha. I would go with the RIFT!! If I could find one of those gold class I would try to buy it. But I have 6 of them in various models already. I have 3 of the M4 versions and there were only 50 made and I use one as my EDC and plan on using the others if I lose it or wear it out which I doubt will happen.

I also don't really care for the sebenza personally. I think it is made extremely well but don't see the advantage to having those tolerances and don't see the need to pay for them. I'm not sure I would say it is better engineered but better machined. A lot of engineering went into the AXIS lock. Cutting a slot for a pocket clip isn't a huge deal. I don't think that would work real good in G10. Spyderco was probably one of the first to do that with their clip it knives and I personally haven't had real good luck with the clip in frn though I'm sure it works good in metal.

The Rift is my all time favorite knife design. I may elaborate later when I'm not on my phone.
 
To put what Sal said in a nutshell and has been said over and over....

You get what you pay for. :thumbup:
 
All good thoughts. Im a really interested in doing a side by side so I will get that Sebenza soon (Im going to Vegas on tuesday so might have to wait a month or so to order my sebbie unless I get lucky on the black jack table). The Gold Class rift is just beautiful. After much thought, I don't really like the damascus patterns I have seen available on the Sebenza so I will just get the s30v blade. I love the grosse rosen on the 950-91 especially with the charcoal grey carbon fiber, it just blends in well. I have not really seen any Sebenza models that achieve that same level of "blend" with the handle and the damascus blade. FlaMtnBkr, are you willing to part with any of those carbon fiber rifts, I really like the rift but I'm just not gonna make my gold class rift an EDC.
 
That is a real pretty knife. I thought about it, however, I have not found one cheaper than like $350 and for that price I would rather get a Sebenza for a little bit more. I also have 5 benchmades (which I love) but I would like to expand my modest collection to other brands.
 
Morosale said:
That is a real pretty knife. I thought about it, however, I have not found one cheaper than like $350 and for that price I would rather get a Sebenza for a little bit more. I also have 5 benchmades (which I love) but I would like to expand my modest collection to other brands.
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You can get the Gold Class Grip for about $255 and it comes with a M4 blade which quite a few people think is one of the better steels out right now. I really like my Rift with M4 although I wish it was run a little harder like around 64 HRC instead of around 60.

I'm not looking to sell one of my knives because I spent quite a bit of time tracking them down. The M4 blade also doesn't have carbon fiber but just black G10. If you want carbon fiber there is still a store that I'm pretty sure has some in stock. They come with the normal 154CM steel which is a good user steel that holds an edge pretty well and is pretty easy to get sharp.
 
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