chris reeve sebenza is unreal

I have a large cocobolo classic. My favorite folder. A super comfortable, light, easy to use, Buck-style with an edge that really cuts and holds an edge. I want a curly maple Mnandi or small Sebbie someday.
The ergonomics on the Sebbie are just perfect for me. That grippy thumbstud has never "cut" me, and I have never slipped while opening it!
 
I had a large Regular for about a year -- and I traded it.
Then got a small Regular -- carried it all the time, until I started wanting another Large.
So a few weeks ago I lucked into a Large ORIGINAL Classic, ATS 34 polished blade, "P" model. It's part of my regular rotation now -- and it's going to stay there ( the small is part of the rotation too). I've learned my lesson.
For those who say that it's "only a production" and therefore overpriced, I can only say that I've spent a whole lot more than the price of a Sebenza trying to find one as good -- and all of them are gone now.
For quality, feel, reliability amd simplicity they're hard to beat.
Mike
 
A custom I like almost as much as my Sebbie is a JW Smith mini-Scimitar. Very smooth, sharp, excellent fit and finish- it just feels too light! I'm afraid of losing it. Not much of a complaint. Costs as much as a wood inlay Sebbie, too.
 
The only custom folder I have now is a J.W. Smith large Evolution framelock. It and an Obernauf framelock are the only customs I've found that have the same vault like lockup of the Sebenza. Have a Matt C. Banshee coming from a trade and from what I've read and heard it should be in the same class as the Sebbie.
 
At the risk of incurring the wrath of the Sebenzanistas...

I handled several Sebenzas at the recent Blade West. Up to that point, I'd contemplated purchasing one, and I was eager to go to Chris Reeve's table at Blade West to check them out. After examining them and handling them for a few minutes, I was very glad that I had never purchased one before I got to experience it in person.

The handle shapes didn't fit my hand comfortably at all. They're heavy and large for the amount of usable blade edge and piercing depth. There was insufficiently little guard for me to feel that I could thrust hard without risking my hand slipping onto the edge. It also seemed like the bottom edges of the handles would dig painfully--possibly damagingly--into my hands if I used the knife strenuously. The amount of effort required to close the blade would annoy me if I was doing it numerous times per day. For extenuating circumstances which require true hard use, there's no way I would gamble my fingers on that frame lock, no matter what anybody says. And the aesthetics just weren't my cup of tea.

I hear lots of owners extol the Sebenza's fit and finish. Indeed, the fit and finish on the ones I handled were (to a first order of approximation) flawless. Regardless, I'd rather have an adequately-but-unexceptionally finished knife that was better suited to my use than a flawlessly finished one that I'd be unhappy actually using. I've also heard them described as super-rugged, even described as being as rugged as folders can get. I guess people just have different conceptions.

Am I saying it's a bad knife? No, not at all. The precision of the machining tolerances was truly something to behold, and the quality was evident and uncompromising. I am sure that their design and features are well suited for some folks. I just want the readers of this "finest folders in the world" stuff, readers who haven't experienced them personally, to know that they aren't right for everyone. Like any other knife, it depends a lot on your hand shape, your experience, and your needs.

Make sure you experience them in person before you buy. I'm glad I did.

--Mike
 
Well said Michael -- and I would add what should be obvious, that knives are very personal preferences, and should be seen in person and handled before buying.
BTW the original stiffness that I've seen in new Sebenzas is probably due to the close tolerances that you mention -- that's a blade that cuts both ways. But unlike many other knives I've had, the Sebenzas break in gracefully without getting sloppy.
Mike
 
Originally posted by Evolute
At the risk of incurring the wrath of the Sebenzanistas...
--Mike
Click to expand...

I own a large Sebenza and I agree with your views.

The finish and craftsmanship is great. The ability to take it apart easily and clean it is great. I do like the design of the blade. However, there are a lot of cons that lead to this knife staying in my desk drawer and not going with me. For starters the handles scratch very easily. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't care to pay $300 for a knife and then go scratch it to hell. I'd like to keep it looking decent incase I'd ever want to sell it. I also feel it isn't all that comfortable in my hand. It's a bit of a pain to close one handed. Or two handed. The frame lock is poorly designed. I say this because the lock bar is very exposed. When you hold the knife you are wrapping your fingers around the lock in a way that would pull it towards the unlocking position. The opposite side of the handle has a cut out that exposes this. I guess this is there to make the handle more comfortable? If you twist a Sebenza while holding the blade it's easy to pop the lock. Not something I consider a good design for a $300 knife. I'd like to see someone here say it isn't a bad design. Just look at the Camillus Dominator. It's some what similar to the Sebenza, but half the price. When holding the Dominator your fingers grip the non locking side of the handle and don't slip around and grip on the frame lock. Much better design. Titanium handles and s30v steel as well on the Dominator. Did I mention it's half the price?

While I have a Sebenza I choose my BM710HS. Not as pretty, but I can open it way faster, close it way faster (without putting my fingers in the path of the closing blade thanks to the AXIS lock). The lock up is stronger and has much less chance of being tripped on the BM710HS as well, and the M2 steel is in the same league (if not better) than the s30v or BG42. Also the G-10 handles don't scratch when I have the knife in the same pocket that I carry my dozen keys in. The handle is also more comfortable. This knife also sells for less than half of a Sebenza. Not as pretty though.

Now, if they came out with a Sebenza axis lock... Then I'd be sold. You'd get rid of the frame-un-lock issue. You could open and close it faster. You would just lose the ease of cleaning. Oh, did I mention I've carried my BM710HS almost everyday for 3 years and I never had to take it apart to clean it and it works better than it was new since I put some Militec-1 on it a month ago?

Sorry Sebenza fans. :) I still love my Sebenza, and I would never part with it. I love all my knives. :) However, there is always room for improvement.
 
I just obtained a large Tanto bladed Sebenza this weekend. It is my first Sebenza.

I'm in awe of this knife's fit and finish, and its overall balance. It fits my hands very well, and it would make a great EDC for me. I like heavy, large knives, and this one fits that bill quite nicely. I find the framelock on this knife far superior than many framelocks I have handled, and mine releases a little hard, but thats ok by me.

I will agree, however, that the Sebenza may not be for everyone. (The large, anyway). I see that most folks here prefer smaller, lighter knives. To each their own.

The only reason this Sebenza I have won't see EDC is because it is a limited edition. I'll definately obtain a large regular Sebenza in the near future, and add it to my EDC.
 
(that's the trouble with Sebenza threads - they ALWAYS turn into apples and oranges, Cadillac and Chevrolet threads. Always)

But Wade -- I really don't understand one thing you said -- gripping pulls the lock bar towards the unlocking position ??? The framelock, all framelocks, are designed to do exactly the opposite -- they get stronger as the grip increases in pressure. I don't know what you mean, or how you might be gripping the knife. I'd also like to see any good framelock popped open by twisting -- theoretically possible with extreme effort, but any folder lock can be beaten with that kind of effort. Even the Axis.
If you feel that strongly about not wanting to dirty up a $300 knife with all these damning flaws, why not offer it for sale -- I'm sure you'd find a buyer quickly.

Mike
 
I agree. Paul you need a large. I agree with Art that John Smith makes an awesome framelock as do Tom Mayo and Mike Obenauf. Also Scott Cook has to be high on the list with his Lochsa. Scott has the fit and finish of a Sebenza in a more contured frame. Great makers all. And for you Evolute, that's cool. Sebenzas aren't for everyone. In the $400-$500 ranger you have a lot of options.:cool: :) ;) :p
 
Code3 - Mike - sounds like maybe you need a good used, beater Sebbie. Maybe Wade will sell you his ;)

Mike
 
Sebenza's are most definatly a personal preference. I happen to be on the side that prefers them! I do not quite understand the comment about the lock being poorly designed. I just took my Sebenza's out and opened each one and gripping them in a saber grip I don't see how my hand would pull the locking bar away. I tried this on two large Classics and two large regular's. I've always felt that the Sebenza framelock was an "industry standard", a lock that others, including custom makers, would strive to duplicate in the fit of the lock. I can see your hand inteferring with a liner lock in the way described though. I would also say that the axis lock is one of the strongest and safest locks around, I just prefer the framelock Sebenza for myself! :cool: :D Again a personal preference.:)
 
I also don't understand the issue with the lock. When tightly gripped it causes the lock to be held in place even tighter.

I find the Sebenza to have the most solid lock of any folder I have tried. I also find it very comfortable in the hand, though as many have said that is personal preference. My current Sebbie is a classic wood inlay so I don't have the problem with the scratched handles, but when I had a regular it didn't bother me. In it's standard form it's a working knife, not a show peice. I found the finish comfortable and I like the look of a well broken in Sebbie, it adds charecter.

I guess some people are Sebbie people and others are not. Nothing wrong with that. I myself am deffinetly a Sebbie person and after trying many different knives as an EDC I would pick my small classic wood inlay over anything else out there. It fits my wants and needs perfectly, but may not do that for everyone. For those that it does, they are seldom happy with much else.
 
my reservation for getting one of these has been the inability to flick them open because they tend to be stiffer than most, but also because CRK and others here advise against it. it even voids the warranty, though i don't know if they would know. i'll admit half the reason i collect knives is to knifesterbate, which equates to repetitive openings. i personally prefer getting 4 benchmades or 8 spydercos and abuse the hell out of them instead of 1 sebenza. despite what i've said, however, a small sebbie is still on my short list!
 
I'd like to see someone here say it isn't a bad design.
Click to expand...

It isn't a bad design, it's a wonderful design. Knifemakers/companys wish they could build a framelock as good as CRK can. Only a few can.


I say this because the lock bar is very exposed.
Click to expand...

It's exposed on one side so you close the knife more easily.

It's a bit of a pain to close one handed. Or two handed.
Click to expand...

At first it's a bit of a pain. But after use, the stiffness goes away. My Sebbie is very easy to close now.

The lock up is stronger
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to bet my Sebenza that it's not :p
 
I have read that titanium handle of Sebenzas are relatively easy to scratch...So the question is: can't it be hard anodized for scratches-resistance?

anyway, Sebenza is on my list...Cannot afford it now :( And wonder what to buy as EDC, small classic or large classic, hard question, and I can't got them both :) Theoretically there is such a possibility but starving to death for few months isn't funny :D

and my opinion is that framelock on sebenzas are too tough(it's sticking to steel pretty good) to unlock during even hard work in the wilderness. I handled many times big regular one so I know what I am writing.
 
s.c. -- if you open a sebbie, or a BM 750, and look at the stop pin where it contacts the tang when locked open, you'll see why a knife which has been "flicked" repeatedly can be identified. Over time the impact can change the alignment of the frame, which changes the alignment of the blade in the frame. At that poin the owner usually either tries to adjust it himself or sends it back to the manufacturer for repair.
I think most of us have enjoyed "flicking" folders, but you're right, the sebbie isn't designed to be a flicker. The Axis lock is a great flicker -- if that's what drives you to buy a knife, then the BMs are your knives. But what the Sebenzas do best they do better than any other production knife, and that's why their owner loyalty is so high, my opinion.

Mike
 
There is one feature on a sebenza that I have come to appreciate a huge amount.

That is the blade bushing. That means you tighten the pivot until it is tight, blade action is independent of that.

I have a Spyderco Salsa that I love its form factor, except that you have to mess with the pivot screw to balance lockup vs good opening action.

To me this divides knives into two groups, expensive knives that better have the bushing, like the sebenza, or inexpensive knives that it doesn't matter.

If there is an expensive knife without a blade bushing, I pretty much feel that knife is unacceptable.
 
Well said Dave.

It's a shame that there are so few production knives with a bushing.

Ted
 
Originally posted by glorfindel
I have read that titanium handle of Sebenzas are relatively easy to scratch...So the question is: can't it be hard anodized for scratches-resistance?
Click to expand...

I sent my Seb to Tom Mayo to let him work it over. Amongst other things, he re-bead blasted the handles. The bead blast he put on seems a lot more scratch resistant the the factory bead-blast.
 
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