Best value in a high-end production or custom knife?

rye_a

rye_a

Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
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I have been thinking long and hard about buying a CRK Large Sebenza annual, but I have a nagging feeling that I would be paying a lot for a name and that I might be able to find a folder with nice wood scales that is of comparable or better quality for the $600 I would pay for the CRK (or less).

For a bit of background,I had a large classic Sebenza that I loved, but it was stolen.

Any thoughts or recommendations?
 
It's not about the name with CRK, it's about the form and function. The only comperable one's I own to the Sebenza are my RJ Martins...........
 
Have you compared a CRK to customs in the $400-600 range? I think you will find that the CRK's have better F&F over the customs. CRK's exude quality.

Which isn't to say that customs don't. I just don't think that there are too many custom knives in this price range that are comparable to CRK's.

Start going above the $600 mark, and I think customs will start to win out. But, then, they are also outpricing the CRK's.
 
Look into Tim Galyean's Pro Series line. Excellent fit and finish on all of them. Great steel with the CPM-154 and you get that super smooth IKBS flipping action.
 
I'll tell ya the knife that has impressed me immensely is the Hogue/Ellishewitz collaboration. Absolutely first rate quality of build that rivals many customs if you ask me. The heat treat of the CPM 154 is outstanding also. keepem sharp
 
The Customs will win out just on steel and HT alone.

Not taking anything away from CR, but they are Production knives and S30V.

It's an Apples and Oranges thing.
 
I think for your price range I'd go with a Kirby Lambert as my first choice. I think they're the best kept secret in the knife community. they're extremely smooth to open, and lock up as tight or tighter than the usual suspects (CRK, Hinderer, GPS). Other than that I'd get a Sebenza or if you're really lucky, a Mayo TNT straight from the man himself--that's a hell of a deal I'd say.
 
rye_a said:
I have been thinking long and hard about buying a CRK Large Sebenza annual, but I have a nagging feeling that I would be paying a lot for a name and that I might be able to find a folder with nice wood scales that is of comparable or better quality for the $600 I would pay for the CRK (or less).

For a bit of background,I had a large classic Sebenza that I loved, but it was stolen.

Any thoughts or recommendations?
Click to expand...

For a way less than $600, you can buy Lone Wolf Defender (cocobolo version is around $180, the one with Amboyna and black hardware is around $275) or Prankster (or both :)).

E.g. this is the Prankster, I have yet to get myself to take pictures of my Defender :)
prankster7.jpg

prankster8.jpg

prankster5.jpg


With your budget, you could also go for Lone Wolf limited editions...
(see e.g. http://newgraham.com/store/category/1/74/Lone-Wolf/?sort=price&order=DESC)
 
[QUOTE=KnifeKnut66 It's not about the name with CRK, it's about the form and function. The only comperable one's I own to the Sebenza are my RJ Martins..........



I Agree 200%

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
One of today's best values when all things are considered.


longbow said:
I'll tell ya the knife that has impressed me immensely is the Hogue/Ellishewitz collaboration. Absolutely first rate quality of build that rivals many customs if you ask me. The heat treat of the CPM 154 is outstanding also. keepem sharp
Click to expand...
 
This beauty is due for end of this month, first part of next month release. It is the ZT0551 and is a pre-550 release sprint run. Designed by Rick Hinderer.

@ $200 street price it is going to be hands down the most sought after premium Ti RIL knife.

Photos from Thomas at Kershaw/ZT.
hinder_ZT.jpg

hinder_ZT_a.jpg

hinder_ZT_b.jpg

hinder_ZT_c.jpg
 
Jeff Hall's knives are pretty awesome, they don't get alot of play on Bladeforums but he is a local maker here in SoCal and his knives are second to none.
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i recently was introduced to Les George knives. i really like his FM-1 model. they start at about $350 and are custom titanium framelock folders.

i like the sebenza, Q36, XM18 by strider. but you'll probably end up getting them all
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As Ankerson said, a well-made custom is always going to beat a high-end production in terms of HT F&F.
I would recommend looking at Les George and David Mosier, and if you like flippers, Les Voorhies. The last two usually sell at a discount on the aftermarket.
 
I prefer my Benchmade 943 Titaniums and my William Henry B-15s to my Sebenza. The knives mentioned are quicker to deploy and undeploy (they flick in both directions). The B/Ms only have an S30V blade, but they are ambidextrous. The W/Hs have SanMai ZDP-189 blades but are not ambidextrous. I had to add pocket clips to the B-15s.
 
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