Carbon fiber or micarta Sebenza - Which would you choose?

J

Jesse B.

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Oct 23, 2009
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The title is pretty self-explanatory. Each day it seems I draw slightly closer to the inevitable 'conclusion' of production knife collecting: the all-mighty Sebenza. (In my case, a small Sebenza.) Obviously I'd prefer some Sistine Chapel damascus inlaid with Martian meteorite but that would be considerably more expensive and purely a collector's item. So I've been thinking about getting one I might actually use (and can afford--sort of), and have narrowed it down to either the limited carbon fiber-scaled version or the inlaid micarta edition.

What do you reckon are the pros and cons of each? Which would you choose?
 
Here's my take on it.
Since some modders here make carbon fiber aftermarket scales, you should buy the Micarta...then, for a bit extra (when and if desired), you can get a CF scale. Best of both :thumbup:
 
I had the same question, but after seeing some people complain that CF is hard to clean, and the Micarta cleans up very well, I'm going Micarta. Plan to order soon!
 
A original CRK Carbon Fiber Sebenza is a no brainier to me. Its the strongest, lightest Sebenza for EDC. It also wont show wear marks on the CF like a bead blasted TI scale. That makes it the perfect Sebenza in my mind. I also think the CF dresses it up over the TI scale. It will be one of the rarest Sebenza in a sea of Sebenzas.
 
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I have both. And guess what... I can't help you, they are both awesome...:)
I do like the extra thickness of the Micarta, gives it a little more girth.
Either one will make you a happy man!
Good luck
 
Micarta inlay. The CF scales have never worked for me, the titanium scales are a big part of the sebenzas appeal.
 
Thanks, guys. I'll probably go with the micarta. One with raindrop damascus would be cool... ;)
 
For me it depends on what size of sebenza you are buying. The large carbon fiber is excellent because it really reduces the overall weight of the knife. It's perfect if you like the feel of a lage knife without the heft. A small sebenza on the other hand is not really that heavy to begin with. For the small sebenza the micarta is the way to go because it makes the small sebenza feel more substantial and provides better grip.
 
Ajax Ademaro said:
For me it depends on what size of sebenza you are buying. The large carbon fiber is excellent because it really reduces the overall weight of the knife. It's perfect if you like the feel of a lage knife without the heft. A small sebenza on the other hand is not really that heavy to begin with. For the small sebenza the micarta is the way to go because it makes the small sebenza feel more substantial and provides better grip.
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And I am on the other side of this fence; I like the inlay on the large because it improves grip and feel on a solid working knife, and prefer the CF for the small to enhance the look and further lighten a slim, pocketable go anywhere do anything folder.
 
The small CF CRK is my favorite EDC. I wear shorts 9 months out of the year and there are times I forget it's there. The scale is secure when wet and ads a little flare to an otherwise simple looking titanium slab side folder. I know this isn't going to go over well, but I don't like ANY inlay on the Sebenza. To me, putting an inlay on a Sebenza is like putting spinner rims on a pickup truck. The carbon fiber scale ads a little look but still serves its overall purpose. That is, to lighten a workhorse folder and still maintain it's structural integrity. I'm on the side of the fence that i'll NEVER carry a folder weighing more than 4 ounces. Because of this knife and reason, I will soon be buying the larger version weighing in at 3.7 ounces. If I want to carry standard titanium side folders, I grab either the Alias I or Alias II.
 
Somehow I never noticed the carbon fiber option for a sebby until browsing online last week.

After seeing the weight of the knife I couldn't keep it off my mind the last few days... The idea of a sub 4oz large Sebenza sounds so nice for EDC... and after reading this thread yesterday... well let's just say my paypal balance suddenly went way down, lol!

To the op, I guess you know what my choice would be. Carbon fiber should carry slim and light while still packing all the Sebenza goodness. I saw someone posted in another thread that Chris has been carrying a large carbon himself!
 
I don't think there's a wrong answer here. Both are wonderful. I really like my small CF. I don't have a micarta Seb yet, but I've handled a few, and they're very nice. There's no such thing as a "bad" Sebenza.
 
I'm EDC'ing my CF small Sebenza. Haven't carried much else since I got it in December. I don't have any experience with the micarta but I say choose the one you prefer aesthetically.
 
get the micarta. like lisantica said, you could always get a modded cf scale from one of the makers here.

The large CF i thought would be great, but the weight, really threw me off. I didn't care for it all, and sold it right away. A friend recently got the small CF, and that actually feels nice. First get the large micarta with damascus, then a sm cf :thumbup:
 
Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd piggy-back onto this one and let y'all know that I just bought a Small CF Sebenza from KA. It's not my first Sebenza, but I sold all my other ones. So it will feel like my first. And it will be really nice to have a Sebenza back in my collection again.

Thank you all for your input, by the way. This thread is a good example of what makes BF such a valuable resource.
 
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