can the Paragee compare to the Sebanza

[jln26]

we all know that the Sebanza is in a class of its own. but however there are people that will say the Paragee is similar to the Sebanza in certain ways. while lots of people cant afford the Sebanza i guess that more will buy the Paragee or EDC bcoz of its price, and for that price it really can deliver and see through as an EDC. the Camillus EDC as we do know does not have the smooth blade opening unlike the Sebanza and the Paragee. How else can these knives be compared with each other?
lets start having some views on this people...

 

[Michael_Aos]

I read some posts about how great the EDC was, and of people calling it a "poor mans Sebenza".

It's not!

I like my 154CM EDC well enough, but it's such a far cry from my small Sebenza it's not really fair to mention the two in the same sentence.

If the BM750 "Pinnacle" is 90% the knife that a large Sebbie is (for 1/4 the price), then the EDC is 1/4 of the small Sebenza at 1/6 the price.

Mike

 

[USAFSP]

I have had both the Camillus EDC and the Small Sebenza. I was skeptical at first. Why buy a Sebbie when I can spend 1/8th of the amount on the EDC. I must tell you there is no comparison. I know it may be hard to hear that, because they have similar construction, but take it from me and many others who have walked down the Sebbie path. The EDC and the Paragee are very nice, and are more than adiquate for daily tasks, however, there is nothing like a Sebenza.

 

[Buzzbait]

I’ll go out on a limb here and say that the Camillus EDC can be compared. I don’t have a Paragree, so I’ll limit my comments to the similar EDC.

The Camillus EDC is a darn good knife for the money, and the 154CM version is dirt cheap for the value you get. The blade is a very efficient cutter and the ergonomics are absolutely perfect, IMHO. The frame lock is quite secure, and the fit and finish aren’t too bad.

The key here is what you expect to do with such a small knife. I’ve done lots of cutting jobs with the EDC, and it’s held up very well. Keep in mind though that I’m a large knife fan. I regularly carry a large Sebenza. If you ask me, the small Sebenza is actually overbuilt for such a small knife. A small knife just doesn’t need the absolute “built like a brick $hithouse” construction that the small Sebenza has. Chances are that if you tried to utilize a small Sebenza to its maximum abilities, the small knife would slip from your hands before the knife gave out, leaving you dripping with blood.. That’s why I don’t tackle huge jobs with small knives. The grip just isn’t secure enough with any small folder.

I guess I’m trying to say that the small Sebenza is far too good for its size, which is actually an enormous compliment to Chris Reeve. I don’t think that anybody could ever kill one. I find the Camillus EDC to be of a more practical level of build quality for a folder of its size. Any more strength to the knife might make people think they could do more than their level of ability to hold the knife securely would allow.

No, the Camillus EDC doesn’t have the titanium slabs of the Sebenza. No, the EDC doesn’t have the deadly Chris Reeve BG-42 steel. No the EDC does not have the absolute zero blade play of the Sebenza. The Sebenza has a level of build quality that is miles above the Camillus EDC.

But the EDC is a great knife for its size and should be able to do whatever you’d reasonably ask of a small knife. The EDC has the better ergonomics and a better pocket clip. Also, I find the EDC to be much more attractive than any Sebenza. The EDC is a drop dead gorgeous design, especially the Anniversary Edition EDC. The Anniversary Edition EDC is a mind blowing kind of beautiful.

The Sebenza is a hands down winner when it comes to quality. It isn’t even a contest. The question is whether a small knife needs that level of quality. If we were talking large folders, I’d say that a knife often does need to be of the Sebenza level of quality. But I’m skeptical as to whether a small folder does.

Call me crazy! I’m a die hard Sebenza lover, but I often think that the small Seb is far too good for our lowly little bodies.

 

[Michael_Aos]

Originally posted by Buzzbait
I guess I’m trying to say that the small Sebenza is far too good for its size, which is actually an enormous compliment to Chris Reeve.

Huh. That may lend some insight into the "Sebenza debate" we see all the time.

When I say "Sebenza", I mean my small, polished-blade, not-classic-2000 version. For which I paid something like $325.

It's "nice", but I have other knives (some which cost more, some cost less) that I prefer.

You're right, the LARGE Sebenza is an entirely different animal. Personally, based on knife-store-handling of each, I prefer the BM750 (which I bought) to the the LARGE Sebenza (which I downright disliked).

Mike

 

[Bugs3x]

This thread has me nervous. Am afraid I'm at the root of this question, and it isn't all that comfortable being there.

I got my Sebenza, S-2, EDC, and Paragee in just a very short period of time. Though used, the Sebenza was virtually perfect. One tiny scratch about a 1/4" long at the most, and you had to look for it. The S-2 -- hasn't changed much -- has too much spring built into the locking bar. It clangs shut with the loudest noice and most force of any knife I have. It gets full lockup. It is difficult for me most of the time opening the lock with just my one thumb, as I open every other frame and liner lock I own. It is a surprisingly uncomfortable knife for my hand. I think that is mostly clip design and placement.

My EDC had the detente ball from hell. It actually hurt my thumb to push the blade away from the handle. When it let go, the blade flew to the almost fully open stage. It was so abrupt I had trouble maintaining a solid grip on it. The EDC wasn't particularly comfortable in my hand. My Paragee on the other hand, had the same sort of quiet lockup of about 70% that the Sebenza did. It is exremely easy to open the lock. The action of the Paragee has been virtually perfect since I got it. It just glides whichever way you are cycling the blade. It's handle is longer and slimmer than that of the EDC, and it felt very comfortable in my hand. In addition, I'd gotten a good deal on the Paragee.

In my enthusiasm for the Paragee -- partly enhanced by my receipt of the OE Magna around that time, and a lot of pleasure in that knife -- and I wrote a post on the OE forum, doing sort of a comparison between the Paragee and the EDC, likening the Paragee to the Sebbie, and the EDC to the S-2.

In no way did I mean to compare the Paragee to the small Sebenza. I was trying to say that the Paragee, for less money than the EDC, worked better, and felt better in my hand, just like my large Sebbie did compared to the S-2. I only compared the Paragee to the EDC.

Now, my EDC's detente lets loose of the tang hole a lot more gracefully. Not as smooth and easy as I'd like, but far better than when it was new. The action isn't as stiff, tho still stiffer than that of the Paragee. The handle comfortableness hasn't changed a whit, but I'm more used to it.

I'm not sure I'd label the Paragee the poor man's small Sebenza. I'm sure there is substantial difference between the two. It does operate much more smoothly than does the EDC. The EDC, however, is definitely a stouter knife than the Paragee. It's handle is wider top to bottom. Tho shorter, there is more to grab onto where its important. The blade is wider as well. There is no doubt the 154CM is superior to the AUS8 -- except in the case of CS knives, of course. I think that the EDC is probably more suited to hard use than the Paragee, but think the Paragee is a solid, good knife. I carry the Paragee a lot, while the EDC is relegated to my fanny pack, with my wallet, which I forget about half the times I go out.

Sorry if my words caused any inconvenience or confusion about the merits of the Paragee.