I recently purchased a custom folder that cost twice as much as a sebenza and I don't enjoy it as much as a sebenza. I should have purchased 2 sebs instead. I have purchased 5 custom folders this year and 2 of them have been disappointments. I should just keep buying sebs. I already own 4 sebs and all 4 have given me great satisfaction. I keep looking for custom knives that are better than sebs and some do not measure up. The seb design and simplicity really appeals to my taste. The only folder I have that I like more than my sebs is the XM-18. Do other forum members get buyer's remorse and wish they should have purchased a seb instead?
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buyer's remorse
- Thread starter ph.ht1
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- Joined
- Nov 1, 2005
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- 267
I've spent a fair amount of time reading about the category of knives called "customs" on these forums and what it really means. As most of us have seen from several of the debates on this forum, there is no clear definition.
I think a lot of "custom" knives are really just "small scale" production knives. In a lot of instances, knives called "customs" are a knifemaker's design produced in a small quantity by a small shop (possible just one person) with some level of powered machinery. The main difference from a sebenza being the quantity produced and the level of automation used. So the reason many "customs" cost as much or more than a sebenza is because of availability and not necessarily quality. The quality could be less, about the same, or better depending on the "custom" maker's manufacturing ability.
For this reason, I have only purchased sebenzas because I know the quality is there. I may someday buy a custom or two but I will be very careful because I would definately have buyer's remorse if the quality isn't comparable to a sebenza.
I think a lot of "custom" knives are really just "small scale" production knives. In a lot of instances, knives called "customs" are a knifemaker's design produced in a small quantity by a small shop (possible just one person) with some level of powered machinery. The main difference from a sebenza being the quantity produced and the level of automation used. So the reason many "customs" cost as much or more than a sebenza is because of availability and not necessarily quality. The quality could be less, about the same, or better depending on the "custom" maker's manufacturing ability.
For this reason, I have only purchased sebenzas because I know the quality is there. I may someday buy a custom or two but I will be very careful because I would definately have buyer's remorse if the quality isn't comparable to a sebenza.
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
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- 627
Maybe I simply don't have a full-blown case of the "bug" yet but I've spent a lot of time on this forum and any number of makers sites and I just cannot get myself to spend more on a folder now that I have several Sebbies. Mind you, fixed blades are another thing entirely but short of an "art knife" I'd never carry I just can't do it.
I've only ever owned one custom folder (Tighe Stick) and it is a bit ahead of my sebbies regarding fit and feel. Not much but noticable. Though i'd still prefer a Sebbie if i ever found myself in dire need of a knife for something other than defense. Buyers remorse? Never specifically "wish i'd bought a sebbie" but i've felt it, yes.
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- Nov 27, 2005
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- 9,574
Man, i feel for you... At twice the price of a sebbie it ought to be REALLY amazing!
I've not been able to bring myself to spend a lot of money on custom folders either. I think it's due to the fact that I got my large Seb at an INCREDIBLY low price (about 250.) So now it's REAL hard to justify 500 to 800 dollars on a knife that might be marginally better in fit/finish.
I got a loaner xm-a8 on a passaround just yesterday, so I'm looking forward to an honest evaluation of this one...
But you just can't really beat the sebenza!
I've not been able to bring myself to spend a lot of money on custom folders either. I think it's due to the fact that I got my large Seb at an INCREDIBLY low price (about 250.) So now it's REAL hard to justify 500 to 800 dollars on a knife that might be marginally better in fit/finish.
I got a loaner xm-a8 on a passaround just yesterday, so I'm looking forward to an honest evaluation of this one...
But you just can't really beat the sebenza!
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
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- 3,209
I've had the same experience. I have some very nice custom folders by the likes of Mayo, Obenauf, John Smith, Crawford, Scott Cook and Elishewitz. Don't get me wrong, all the customs I have are nice with great F and F but each has its reasons for not getting pocket time. I always go back to the Sebbie. No folder I have ever had goes from my pocket to open in my hand and back again as easy as the Seb. Second place would have to go to Scott Cook for the incredible grind of the blade and ridiculously sharp blade. I recently sent my 2 micarta Sebs to have Tom Krein put on his famous edge. The work he did was fantastic, I mean it's like night and day. Now I can honestly say that my Sebbies are the nicest folders I have. I just don't see the purpose of buying anymore "customs", I have what I really like and it works well for me.:thumbup: