Best Factory Folder

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to add a SERE to my collection and I like Al Mar knives in general (automatic SERE is one of the coolest knives ever). When you say that the SERE is 8/10ths as good as a little Sebbie. Doesn't that equate to 80% as good? I don't know about you, but if it was 92% as good for 60% less I MIGHT be interested, but rarely in life am I interested in anything that is only 80% of the reference, even for a 60% discount. While size wize, the SERE is more comparable to the large Sebenza. I don't think Al Mar really makes a knife that competes with the Small Sebbie (don't even mention the Hawk Ultralight).

Just one opinion

jmx
 
CRK is a production shop, I wouldn't qualify it as a factory setting.
 
jmxcpter,

I was being conservative when I rated the SERE 2000 at 80% the knife. I didn't want to flame the many Sebbie fans here. This brings up an excellent question, however. Let's say the SERE knife is only 80% of the Seb. If you had only two of them, at $240, they would be equal to 160% of Sebenza value, while one Sebenza comes in at let's say $360. Why wouldn't you be enticed by this ratio of value?

one Sebenza= 100% value at $360 cost

two SEREs= 160% value at only $240 cost

What do you think would last longer, one Sebenza or two SEREs? Can you imagine the things you could do with two knives that you can't with only one? Switching out at EDC; less sharpening; customizing one; etc.
 
You raise an interesting point. I recently (last week) offed a med Cold Steel Tanto Voyager as I had two. Not that they're in quite the same class as a SERE, but they're very competent knives. I kept one in case something happens to my small Sebbie. Would I rather have two lesser knives (whether Cold Steel or Al Mar) than to carry the one knife I felt was better, not on your life. Not that I'm not happy to have the CS as a back up should the Sebbie dissapear, but I'll always reach for my best knife first, especially if it's already in my front pocket. There's many competent folders out there, but so far, for me , nothing touches a Chris Reeves small Sebenza.

That said, I have a hankering for an Apogee recently (lord help me).

jmx
 
I thought the best production knife is the one you have with you:confused:


Couldn't believe my most-hated answer hadn't popped up already:p
 
i have a large seb, and dont really think of it as production - maybe semi custom? something, but $300 or so is pretty high for a production - and i agree they are pretty good knives, but i have others i like/carry more - just my .02 worth.....


sifu
 
This is a really tough question as there are alot of great quality folders out there. If I were to single out an exceptionally made production folder, I'd have to say it is the Microtech L.C.C.
 
Originally posted by komondor
The Al Mar Sere 2000. Hands down. This is 1/3 the price of the vaunted Sebenza. Is it 1/3 the knife? No, it's about 8/10s the knife. Overall, arguably the best quality production folder for the money.
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Originally posted by oupa
Benchmade 750 Pinnacle - pity there is no smaller version. Value for money, it would make the small Sebenza look silly.
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Since when does best factory folder have anything to do with value?

Best means best. If you really think the S2K (or Pinnacle, or SIFU, or LCC) is better than the Sebenza, well, that's fine. It may be better for your uses, I don't know. But the truth is you don't think it is a better folder, just a cheaper one. You think it is 80% of the knife that the Sebbie is. It's that extra 20% that makes it the best factory folder.
 
What is with this gushing love of the Sebenza? If I want to hold a dumbbell with absolutely no contour in my hand, I'll go to the gym. The best factory-produced folder (but not the cheapest) is the Mission MPF-1. It's light; NOTHING can hurt it; it's a breeze to sharpen (and it WILL take a hair-shaving edge) and it feels great in the hand. The Kaspar Folding Fighter comes in second, but I must admit that I haven't tried the factory model.
 
Originally posted by det



Since when does best factory folder have anything to do with value?

Best means best. If you really think the S2K (or Pinnacle, or SIFU, or LCC) is better than the Sebenza, well, that's fine. It may be better for your uses, I don't know. But the truth is you don't think it is a better folder, just a cheaper one. You think it is 80% of the knife that the Sebbie is. It's that extra 20% that makes it the best factory folder.
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I mean best! Period. And money is a large consideration. It is part of the equation. I can spend $120 and get a SERE 2000 that will likely last me just as long as a Seb. It will do everything a Seb will do. If not, please let me know what the less expensive knife will not be able to do. If I'm going to spend $360, I'll get a Glock .40, thank you.
 
Originally posted by komondor
I mean best! Period. And money is a large consideration. It is part of the equation. I can spend $120 and get a SERE 2000 that will likely last me just as long as a Seb. It will do everything a Seb will do. If not, please let me know what the less expensive knife will not be able to do. If I'm going to spend $360, I'll get a Glock .40, thank you.
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Like I said before, everybody has different preferences for steel, handle shapes and materials, etc. for a knife and what is best for one man may not be the best for another.

However, when you compare your knife to the Sebenza and it comes up short (remember the 80% thing), then it is not the "best" knife. I also don't think that "the best" has anything to do with money. To me, it simply means what is the best factory knife available. Look at it this way. If someone said that you can buy a CRKT M-16 for $50 and it is 75% of the knife that the S2K is; therefore, it is the best knife. Is that the "best" factory knife? It is better than the S2K? No, it is only 75% of the knife that the S2K is. You can keep going from there. If you keep the same reasoning, you'll eventually end up with a Chinese knock off :eek: .

BTW, Gun prices are cheap where you live ;)
 
Yep, and a Yugo is better than a Mercedes because it costs less, gets better gas mileage, nobody wants to steal it, and it will still get you 100% of the places a Benz will:rolleyes:

Argue all you want, but anything less is still just...less (I love saying that for some reason:)).
btw, Sebs don't cost $360, they go from $325-345 (large) from dealers. Sure that's not a big difference, but did the SERE just get incrementally worse? Ok, maybe not:(
You might find a better design, but you won't find better execution.
:p:p:p
 
I agree with Komodor; $300+ for a Sebby is TOO much. I'd add a few $'s and get a custom Mayo or Herman - something I'd really like to have! A BM 750, Spydie Viele, MT LCC, are all folders that leave little to be desired. As much as I love knives, I won't spend the same $ for one as I would for a gun I like. If you USE your toys, guns are by far the better investment!!
 
Originally posted by det


Like I said before, everybody has different preferences for steel, handle shapes and materials, etc. for a knife and what is best for one man may not be the best for another.

However, when you compare your knife to the Sebenza and it comes up short (remember the 80% thing), then it is not the "best" knife. I also don't think that "the best" has anything to do with money. To me, it simply means what is the best factory knife available. Look at it this way. If someone said that you can buy a CRKT M-16 for $50 and it is 75% of the knife that the S2K is; therefore, it is the best knife. Is that the "best" factory knife? It is better than the S2K? No, it is only 75% of the knife that the S2K is. You can keep going from there. If you keep the same reasoning, you'll eventually end up with a Chinese knock off :eek: .

BTW, Gun prices are cheap where you live ;)
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Like I said secondhand above, I was being conservative when I said 80% of the Sebenza. I believe it is more than that, but I knew I would get the fur flying with all the Seb devotees here. And yes det, a CRKT might be a better knife for someone than my Sere 2000. Especially if it does everything my more expensive Sere can do. You see, money is part of the equation. But of course, there is a fine line before something truly becomes junk, and worthless to the user.

OwenM,

The analogy of a SERE 2000 to a Seb as being related to a Yugo and a Mercedes Benz is very inaccurate. We all know this isn't close. It would be more like a BMW to a Mercedes Benz, and a lot of people prefer the former over the latter, especially when they get to save some money in the process.
 
The MT LCC D/A.., but for the price, I do think the BM AFCK is a standout!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
I must be doing pretty good, I can count BM 750, MT LCC, and axis AFCK (soon, so very soon) as part of my collection. Sebbie's too pricey for me for one plain jane design, and I don't go for the SERE 2K blade shape. Can there really be one 'best'? We can appreciate a knife for so many different reasons. How many people who post here own only one blade because it is the 'best' and nothing else compares or has a better feature?
 
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