Can someone please explain the allure of Sebenzas?

chasden said:
I just watched the knife destruction test for the Chris Reeves Green Beret. Albeit it is a different model altogether, but it performed quite poorly when subjected to stress tests that $15 knives did better at. :confused: The way people have been talking up Chris Reeves knives in general, I would have expected better. Gross blade failure occurred very early on.
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who did the test? put the url on so we can see what and who. without knowing who i must suspect that something is going on. I know of several tests that have been rigged.
 
A. G. Russell said:
who did the test? put the url on so we can see what and who. without knowing who i must suspect that something is going on. I know of several tests that have been rigged.
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Here's the Chris Reeve tests:

http://knifetests.com/ChrisReeveGreenBeretDTest.html

http://knifetests.com/crkproject2destructiontest.html

And a few cheap knives that fared better:

http://knifetests.com/page28.html

(Cold Steel's $20 Strider knock off)

http://knifetests.com/CheaperThanDirtRoughUseKnifeDtest.html

(Cheaper Than Dirt's $10 rough use knife)
 
There seems to be a lot of people around conducting "scientific" tests of knives who couldn't tell you what a scientific test really was if their life depended on it. I can think of people who like to insert the word "scientific" in their descriptions of knife tests without, it would seem, even the most basic grasp of scientific method.

This is not to say that all knife tests have no value. They can be useful if taken in the right context and compare like with like.

The moral of the story: Don't accept at face value everything you see.
 
gajinoz said:
There seems to be a lot of people around conducting "scientific" tests of knives who couldn't tell you what a scientific test really was if their life depended on it. I can think of people who like to insert the word "scientific" in their descriptions of knife tests without, it would seem, even the most basic grasp of scientific method.

This is not to say that all knife tests have no value. They can be useful if taken in the right context and compare like with like.

The moral of the story: Don't accept at face value everything you see.
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There are also a lot of people around that seem to be imagining things, seeing the word "scientific" where no-one has written it - for example, claiming that some test or another is claimed by the author to be scientific and then criticizing said test for its lack of scientific methods, while the author of the test has in fact repeatedly denied that his tests are "scientific." ;)

Otherwise, agreed - don't accept at face value everything you see or hear. That goes for "knife testers" as well as people who just really seem to like some knife or another.

As for the Sebenza, I see a few explanations for its allure. It's of course of excellent fit and finish, which appeals to a lot of folks. It's made of quality materials. It's made by a big name maker, which is important to some. It's a simple, not too flashy or tacticool design. Doesn't take much more than that for a knife to get popular among knife enthusiasts.
 
Elen said:
There are also a lot of people around that seem to be imagining things, seeing the word "scientific" where no-one has written it - for example, claiming that some test or another is claimed by the author to be scientific and then criticizing said test for its lack of scientific methods, while the author of the test has in fact repeatedly denied that his tests are "scientific." ;)
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hahah!

thats a good one
 
The guys gotta justify the money they spent so the wife don't leave 'em! Lol..I'm lucky, mine's long gone already! Can you say "Freedom?"
 
OK, I can't resist any longer. Cutleryscience would be more understandable if named Cutlerytestimonials: "I did this, and here's what happened". Knifetests does not test within the meaning of the phrase, and would be more descriptive if named Knifeabuse. Both are interesting, entertaining and useful.

The CRK segment shows what happened to a knife locked in a vise while struck repeatedly with a heavy hammer. The same thing would have happened to every knife I own except one, and it's so heavy I'll never carry it. I have a couple iron stakes used to set concrete forms that would have survived the "test" but they won't cut worth a hoot. The vise, however, has been proven to be very, very tough- where can I get one? :D Regards, ss.
 
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It is. We have a group here that delights in bashing CRK, and they can't be satisfied with their own threads, they need to invade others. Let's not feed the trolls.
 
straitshot said:
OK,

The CRK segment shows what happened to a knife locked in a vise while struck repeatedly with a heavy hammer. The same thing would have happened to every knife I own except one, and it's so heavy I'll never carry it. I have a couple iron stakes used to set concrete forms that would have survived the "test" but they won't cut worth a hoot. The vise, however, has been proven to be very, very tough- where can I get one? :D Regards, ss.
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Correction: Neither CRK fixed blade was locked in the vice. It was hand held. I only lock a knife into the vice for two tests. The flex test and the side tang impact test. Only four knives have failed while being hit with the hammer placed on top of wood. The RTAK II, SOG Jungle primitive and the two CRK's

Back to the topic.
 
My 2 sense: Although it might seem simple to design the perfect blade, it is by no means easy. The Sebenza has a blade with almost the same shape as a Randall 27 "Trailblazer". This a great format for all around use. You have a great point and a nice belly. It also has a mini choil which helps for sharpening. So that would be one of the reasons for liking a Sebenzas - great blade design. They also have a very smooth opening/lockup operation. Titanium is a great plus because it requires no maintenance. The S30V steel is fantastic. Easy to maintain and retains an edge quite well. Along with these great assets the Sebenza has something really cool which many other folders do not have. It has a very simple design. Being able to have such a prolific performer in such a simple package is quite a design feat. It follows the golden rule of design - KISS - which stands for: KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID.
 
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