Chris Reeve small Sebenza 21.....just not diggin it

R0CKETMAN

R0CKETMAN

Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
473
I've had it for about three weeks now. My issue is with the lugs and it being hard to deploy with any speed.

I find it awkward and at times my thumb slips off the lug a couple times before making purchase. I consider myself to have excellent dexterity. I've seen the "flattened" lug mod and feel this would make the problem worse. If I were opening a box or letter, non issue. However, I see it as a huge problem in a potential defense scenario.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your time.
RM

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It's not a flipper/flicker - consider sliding/pushing the blade out instead of up. Also, maybe the Large model is the way to go for you.
 
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Search youtube for videos on the opening issue--it's actually quite common. Many knife users (myself included) come into the Sebenza with a different idea of the correct angle to press on the thumbstub (not to mention they are probably more accustomed to a flicking motion.) I've had my own first Sebenza, also a small 21, for about a month. Granted my thumb has a specific callus thanks to this little guy now, but I have gotten more and more used to the correct sweeping motion and angle needed.

The amazing precision with which these are put together (not that I have to convince you of that) and the surprisingly great ergonomics when actually cutting helped me get over the initial frustration of the opening issue. For what it's worth I encourage you to keep working at it. My small Insingo has thus far made me consider why I bother owning another folding pocketknife.

And just to echo what Sufler said--the Small appeals to me because my previous EDC was a BM707 which is exactly the same size. If your hands are too large for the Small (perfectly possible) then try a Large as most people enjoy those more anyway.
 
i had the same issue and found the solution.
sold the small seb 21 and bought a bradley alias II.
better deployment, removable stud for easy sharpening, better ergos (IMO), reasonably priced, same materials and excellent performance.
i always felt sebs are overrated.
 
Don't use the Sebenza as a self-defense tool. Simple:D.
The Sebenza was not designed to be flicked open or even opened with any regard to speed. My only real beef with my Sebenza is that the scale scuffs up alarmingly easy. I've got this nasty patch of titanium near the pivot that looks like I took sandpaper to the thing.
 
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Mine snaps open... I wish it were a flipper though.
Mine got much faster after I lubed it.....when I first got it it was ok but after a clean and lube it flew open like an auto assist.
 
Don't put your thumb on / over the stud. Push against it and don't push the stud away (90 deg) from the handle. Push the stud parallel to the handle, almost directly toward the front. That might work.

If not.

I'll take it.
 
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R0CKETMAN said:
I've had it for about three weeks now. My issue is with the lugs and it being hard to deploy with any speed.

I find it awkward and at times my thumb slips off the lug a couple times before making purchase. I consider myself to have excellent dexterity. I've seen the "flattened" lug mod and feel this would make the problem worse. If I were opening a box or letter, non issue. However, I see it as a huge problem in a potential defense scenario.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your time.
RM

fea258b9.png
Click to expand...

The thumbstuds are somewhat slippery I would agree. You need a deliberate movement to deploy the blade. If you want to flick a knife with speed (kinetic energy will end the life of that knife quicker), you have the wrong knife for your needs. It's not a matter of dexterity or power thumb it's a matter of having the proper tool for the job. Unless you have some sort of training on using a knife in a self defense scenario, I too would see a lot of potential issues in using any knife in such a capacity.

The Sebenza is a great carry knife for basic EDC tasks, opening mail, boxes, food prep, it can even handle some light-med camping duties (feather sticks, kindling prep), and whittling. It's not the first thing that comes to mind when I think SD. You want a knife that you can flick and use for SD, buy a Cold Steel Recon 1.
 
The Small Sebenza really isn't one of the better choices for a SD knife, not really what the knife was designed for.

There are a lot of models on the market that would be better choice for that role if that's what your intended purpose is.
 
watch if you're inadvertently putting pressure on the lockbar from the other side.
 
singularity35 said:
Plus 1.
Click to expand...

Any sharp folder can be used as a SD weapon. If you practice enough on the same blade, it can be quickly deployed. Because of its concealable size, even the Mnandi can make an excellent SD blade.
 
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four_shore said:
i had the same issue and found the solution.
sold the small seb 21 and bought a bradley alias II.
better deployment, removable stud for easy sharpening, better ergos (IMO), reasonably priced, same materials and excellent performance.
i always felt sebs are overrated.
Click to expand...

If your not liking the sebenza but like the materials, this is a GREAT idea. I had both knives at the same time and they fought for pocket time. AliasII is a much easier and quicker open, partly due to the better thumb stud in my opinion.
 
I agree that, at first, the thumb stud was quite a learning curve and almost disinterested me from the Sebenza entirely. But after gaining appreciation for the overall design and most of all the fit and finish I fell in love. I soon learned that this is not a knife to use as a weapon nor a knife to be flicking open. I cringe at the site and sound of steel snapping against titanium. lol

Oh and get a large. :D
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I hear you ROCKETMAN, bought a new small Sebenza new a couple of weeks ago, {FLAME SUIT ON} while i appreciate the precision construction & solid lock up, my honest opinion is they are overrated for the $$$ you fork out.
I have many other folders that i enjoy more, for less $$$.
Cheers Tracula
 
I never got used to the small Sebenza in either regular or classic/21 config. Mine are all adopted out to folks who like 'em and use 'em now. Everything was just a hair too small to work well for me. I went through probably a dozen small Sebenzas of various styles before I realized that it just wasn't going to work. The thumblugs were a big part of that. Just never could get the hang of making them work.

I traded my last small micarta for a large plain 21. AFAIC, it's a totally different knife, at least in how it fits my hand. Everything's right where it should be and the whole package works great. After a couple of days to get used to the larger size, I don't even notice the difference when she's in my pocket now. In fact, that's about the only folder I carry now when I take a folder. If you like Sebenzas but can't adjust to the small size, try the large one. You might find that it's a whole different ball game.
 
four_shore said:
i had the same issue and found the solution.
sold the small seb 21 and bought a bradley alias II.
better deployment, removable stud for easy sharpening, better ergos (IMO), reasonably priced, same materials and excellent performance.
i always felt sebs are overrated.
Click to expand...

+1:thumbup: ...or 2.

Pluss the Alias is better looking IMHO.
 
I put on some tri-flow and I can flick the blade out (no wrist) with both my right and left hand for my right-handed inlaid small classic that only has one thumb stud. From the way I do it, it appears only to be possible on inlaid models to open with the opposite hand with a flick if you only have one thumb stud.

I am only doing it to train my left and right hands to access the knife should I ever need to use it in that fashion (quicker deployment, whatever hand necessary) and it is not a hard flick nor a wrist one (rest assured). I also don't do it all that often.

On another note, what everyone else has said is true, it is a tool and therefore a selling point is not fast self defense deployment. The alias fixes this problem, but the fit and finish (while excellent) is still a notch down. I think if you are looking for deployment speed, look into flipper ikbs's.
 
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