Chris Reeve Sebenza 21 Small or Benchmade 556-141, which to buy??

Then, there's the new Benchmade 556-142 Gold Class. However, the street price of $807.50 on this one is really ridiculous!

Blade Length: 2.91"
Blade Thickness: 0.100"
Handle Thickness: 0.510"
Blade Material: S90V Premium Steel
Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Weight: 3.55oz.
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, DLC Coated Split-Arrow, Reversible
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 6.78"
Closed Length: 3.87"
Sheath Material: Sold Separately
Class: Gold

556-142.jpg
 
Well, you though it was M390 when I posted that....

I fully understand the hows, whys and whats of the gold class BMs. I have handled many in my time knowing a Benchmade dealer, that is largly why I don't and won't pay for them. I have many CRKs though. :)

billybatson said:
not m390, M4. Well regardless of how they may or may not be made the fact they a small specific amount are made makes them Limited that is the definition of being a limited edition. The best way I can describe the gold class is that it is for BM fans. Someone like me who's fav knife is the BM 530, been carrying it for 4 years, absolutely nothing wrong with it, but over the years I have wanted a better steel, higher end handle material, etc. So in some ways that is what the gold class is it gives fans of specific models a higher end versions of our fav knives but unfortunately they make them in such limited numbers it drives up the price even at MSRP.
This 556-141 is a close competitor to the sebenza, if they were the same price many people would consider both. That is why I said don't consider cost because to me they might as well cost the same.
Click to expand...
 
I'd say Sebenza.
If you buy a plain jane one you can add a regular mini griptilian.
red mag
 
hard decision for sure, but dlc coated m4 blade is what I'd go for. if you know another knife with dlc coated m4 pls share. :)
 
RamZar said:
Then, there's the new Benchmade 556-142 Gold Class. However, the street price of $807.50 on this one is really ridiculous!

Blade Length: 2.91"
Blade Thickness: 0.100"
Handle Thickness: 0.510"
Blade Material: S90V Premium Steel
Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Weight: 3.55oz.
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, DLC Coated Split-Arrow, Reversible
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 6.78"
Closed Length: 3.87"
Sheath Material: Sold Separately
Class: Gold

556-142.jpg
Click to expand...

556-142 has the good looks, but a couple of things I don't get. First, S90V doesn't need coating. Second, the textured titanium handles didn't seem textured when I handled it.
 
99cuts said:
556-142 has the good looks, but a couple of things I don't get. First, S90V doesn't need coating. Second, the textured titanium handles didn't seem textured when I handled it.
Click to expand...

It looks like the DLC coating on the blade is just to match up with the overall looks.
 
going to throw a spanner in the works , depending on your usage level (low/medium/hard) have a look at the CRK Ti Lock , owned one for some time and really an overlooked knife from the CR stable ....

nice comparison here : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/890104-TI-Lock-vs-Small-Sebenza

and here : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/980629-Ti-lockness-Monster (this is the one that swayed me)

simply the best handle/blade ratio I have ever seen ... yes the locking mechanism takes some getting used to but it's actually amazingly fun once you get the hang of it (and great at barbecues , watching your buddies try to figure out how to close the knife LOL).

..... in fact I think I was an idiot to let it go time to go look for one again ... my 2c
 
Here's that William Henry B12 Atlas I mentioned earlier:

b12-atlas-2.jpg


3" blade of ZDP-189 laiminate, titanium handle (machined and anodized with a satin finish), button lock and weighing 2 ounces.
 
I won't consider a CRK Ti lock it is a useless lock just there for showcasing purposes not because it is a real good lock and is far too weak, it is bigger than a sebenza small, and it isn't attractive with those cutouts on the scales.

99cuts; for the 556-142 I am not sure if it is supposed to be textured ti scales it more has the look of layered galvanized steel but should be smooth to the touch. As for s90v not having to be coated, why? It isn't a stainless steel so it can definitely benefit from a coating.

The William Henry B12 isn't my style it is stop much a gentleman's folder and I am not crazy about that ZDP-189 laminate steel.
 
billybatson said:
99cuts; for the 556-142 I am not sure if it is supposed to be textured ti scales it more has the look of layered galvanized steel but should be smooth to the touch. As for s90v not having to be coated, why? It isn't a stainless steel so it can definitely benefit from a coating.
Click to expand...

S90V is a stainless steel with 14% chromium content. Not as stainless as M390 with 20% chromium but still stainless.
 
billybatson said:
I won't consider a CRK Ti lock it is a useless lock just there for showcasing purposes not because it is a real good lock and is far too weak, it is bigger than a sebenza small, and it isn't attractive with those cutouts on the scales.

99cuts; for the 556-142 I am not sure if it is supposed to be textured ti scales it more has the look of layered galvanized steel but should be smooth to the touch. As for s90v not having to be coated, why? It isn't a stainless steel so it can definitely benefit from a coating.

The William Henry B12 isn't my style it is stop much a gentleman's folder and I am not crazy about that ZDP-189 laminate steel.
Click to expand...

"-DLC coated hand textured titanium handles with carbon fiber inlays" was the wording from BM directly. I was hoping it would feel like orange-peeled texture. To be fair it looks great, I just was hoping for it to be more pleasing to the touch.
 
Go with the Seb. No matter how fancy the clothes are, a Griptilian is still a Griptilian. You can dress up a Seb too. Inlays/scales, etc. But it will always be a Sebenza, with CRK's legendary fit and finish.
 
Sebenza without any doubt.

No matter how much they pimp up a Grip, and no matter how much they charge for it, at the end of the day it's still just a Grip.

I own several Sebenzas and Griptilians, and they are not in the same league.
 
RamZar said:
Then, there's the new Benchmade 556-142 Gold Class. However, the street price of $807.50 on this one is really ridiculous!

Blade Length: 2.91"
Blade Thickness: 0.100"
Handle Thickness: 0.510"
Blade Material: S90V Premium Steel
Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Weight: 3.55oz.
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, DLC Coated Split-Arrow, Reversible
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Overall Length: 6.78"
Closed Length: 3.87"
Sheath Material: Sold Separately
Class: Gold

556-142.jpg
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHHAHAHAA (takes a deep breath)HAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAAHHAAAAHAHAAHAH

NO.
 
Get a star-benza. I've owned an Umnumzaan and large 21 but the small star-benza is by far my favorite. Just the perfect balance of everything we look for in a knife.
 
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