Classic Seb vs. Seb 21. . . Differences? New Comparison Pics Added!

MostMenAreRuthless

MostMenAreRuthless

Joined
Sep 27, 2011
Messages
1,864
Folks,

I have always shied away from the Classic Sebs for some reason--I am not sure why, but they just haven't appealed to me. I think it is due to the fact that I am unfamiliar with what sets them apart from the other models of Sebs (Original, P, Reg, 21).

For those of you that own a Classic and a 21 will you please post some comparison shots as well as give some detail f the differences? I know the nuances may be small, but those are the little details I CRAVE.

One specific question I have is regarding the thumb lug cutouts--the cutout on my P Seb is significantly wider and the bevel is more shallow than the 21. Is this how the cutout is on the Classic?

Second specific question: I rarely see "plain Jane" Classics up on the exchange. Were there limited numbers of the small plain Jane's produced?

Thanks for your input!
 
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Hey MostMenAreRuthless, very interesting subject!! I am really new to CRK but I find the differences between the different variations to be very interesting. I am very sure that there are many who frequent this Forum who can provide us with some great information on the subject. I look forward to them chiming in.
All the best,

MostMenAreRuthless said:
Folks,

I have always shied away from the Classic Sebs for some reason--I am not sure why, but they just haven't appealed to me. I think it is due to the fact that I am unfamiliar with what sets them apart from the other models of Sebs (Original, P, Reg, 21).

For those of you that own a Classic and a 21 will you please post some comparison shots as well as give some detail f the differences? I know the nuances may be small, but those are the little details I CRAVE.

One specific question I have is regarding the thumb lug cutouts--the cutout on my P Seb is significantly wider and the bevel is more shallow than the 21. Is this how the cutout is on the Classic?

Second specific question: I rarely see "plain Jane" Classics up on the exchange. Were there limited numbers of the small plain Jane's produced?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...
 
I used to own a small 21 before selling it and later buying a large classic.
From what I can tell, the titanium part near the choil on the classic isn't beveled, like the 21. There are also two bevels along the edges of the ti slabs, as opposed to the single bevel on the 21 (iirc).
Thirdly, I THINK there is slightly more room between the ti and thumb stud on the classic. Not exactly sure though.
And obviously, there is "classic", and "MM" engraving.
That's all I know of.
 
I hate to say this...but search will turn up at least a dozen illustrated threads... :o

Personally, owning both, I honestly don't think the differences between the 21 and the Classic matter at all... :)
 
JNewell said:
I hate to say this...but search will turn up at least a dozen illustrated threads... :o

Personally, owning both, I honestly don't think the differences between the 21 and the Classic matter at all... :)
Click to expand...


Maybe I am "search dumb" but my search didn't turn up any Classic vs 21 threads--only 21 vs Reg threads....

Do you mind pointing me in the right direction to the threads you mention? Or, would you be so kind as to post some comparison shots?

I realize they are functionally equal, but I am interested to see if the thumb lug notch is similar to my P Sebenza.
 
Here are some pictures of a few of my Large Original, Classic and 21 Sebenzas. To most folks they look alike..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/105937865@N07/sets/72157637531751896/


MostMenAreRuthless said:
Folks,

I have always shied away from the Classic Sebs for some reason--I am not sure why, but they just haven't appealed to me. I think it is due to the fact that I am unfamiliar with what sets them apart from the other models of Sebs (Original, P, Reg, 21).

For those of you that own a Classic and a 21 will you please post some comparison shots as well as give some detail f the differences? I know the nuances may be small, but those are the little details I CRAVE.

One specific question I have is regarding the thumb lug cutouts--the cutout on my P Seb is significantly wider and the bevel is more shallow than the 21. Is this how the cutout is on the Classic?

Second specific question: I rarely see "plain Jane" Classics up on the exchange. Were there limited numbers of the small plain Jane's produced?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...
 
The Classic and 21 are very similar. Unfortunately, I do not have a classic at the moment to give you the comparison shots you asked for. Blade profile is the same. Jimping may be different, I am not sure as CRK does change it from time to time and even within models. The handles are the real difference. Obviously, the Classic has the "Classic" engraving on it ( which I have always loved and think is absolutely awesome ). The handles are not rounded like the regular sebenza, but chamfered slightly around the whole perimeter. The 21 on the other hand is much more chamfered, especially around the pivot, which is to aid in pocket insertion. Lockup is the same design, nothing changed there. The Classic and older 21's just had a dimple in the blade tang for the detent, the newer 21's have a hole all the way through it, which makes for a much stronger detent. There are classics out there with BG-42 that were made in the very beginning. Most were S30V though. As for the 21, it was made with S30V and S35VN. Thats about it in a nutshell, hope it helps. I for one have always loved the classic. The classic was not limited, its just when people got one, they kept it is all. The classic was also not made as long as the normal 21. Just as there are tons of large regulars out there, there are several classics as well, but those that have them hang on to them. As for the thumb cutout in the scale, the classic and 21 are the same, the cutout on the P sebenza has a very deep chamfer on it making it looks alot wider.
 
As always nyefmaker comes through with great information for us rookies! The different variations of these great knives make them all the more interesting. It's easy to share pictures of these knives but only those with hands on years of experience and knowledge can describe them. Thanks nyefmaker for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us!!
 
Thanks for the kind words, it is always nice to be able to share with other CRK enthusiasts! Unfortunately these few photos only show how simlar the designs of the Original, Classic and 21 are. nyefmaker's post explains the differences.

MostMenAreRuthless said:
Mike--thank you sir. That is a very impressive lot of CRK's. You are a true player sir.
Click to expand...
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
Maybe I am "search dumb" but my search didn't turn up any Classic vs 21 threads--only 21 vs Reg threads....

Do you mind pointing me in the right direction to the threads you mention? Or, would you be so kind as to post some comparison shots?

I realize they are functionally equal, but I am interested to see if the thumb lug notch is similar to my P Sebenza.
Click to expand...

It was this easy: https://www.google.com/#q=site:bladeforums.com+21+classic+vs

Here are some of the hits, not necessarily sorted in terms use "best answer" but all responsive to your question

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/707251-Classic-Vs-21
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/715883-Sebenza-Classic-or-21
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1055256-Sebenza-Classic-vs-21
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/731406-Classic-VS-21
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1020622-21-vs-Classic?highlight=classic+difference
 
nyefmaker said:
The Classic and 21 are very similar. Unfortunately, I do not have a classic at the moment to give you the comparison shots you asked for. Blade profile is the same. Jimping may be different, I am not sure as CRK does change it from time to time and even within models. The handles are the real difference. Obviously, the Classic has the "Classic" engraving on it ( which I have always loved and think is absolutely awesome ). The handles are not rounded like the regular sebenza, but chamfered slightly around the whole perimeter. The 21 on the other hand is much more chamfered, especially around the pivot, which is to aid in pocket insertion. Lockup is the same design, nothing changed there. The Classic and older 21's just had a dimple in the blade tang for the detent, the newer 21's have a hole all the way through it, which makes for a much stronger detent. There are classics out there with BG-42 that were made in the very beginning. Most were S30V though. As for the 21, it was made with S30V and S35VN. Thats about it in a nutshell, hope it helps. I for one have always loved the classic. The classic was not limited, its just when people got one, they kept it is all. The classic was also not made as long as the normal 21. Just as there are tons of large regulars out there, there are several classics as well, but those that have them hang on to them. As for the thumb cutout in the scale, the classic and 21 are the same, the cutout on the P sebenza has a very deep chamfer on it making it looks alot wider.
Click to expand...

PRECISELY what I was looking for! Thanks for answering the question regarding the thumb cut out--that was my main interest.
 
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
PRECISELY what I was looking for! Thanks for answering the question regarding the thumb cut out--that was my main interest.
Click to expand...

One other note I will make is the P sebenza had the regular sebenza blade profile, while the classic and 21 had the much more pointy blade profile. Pretty much all the sebenzas, the H, P, Classic, 21 were all very similar, the first 2 having the regular sebenza blade profile, while the last 2 had the more pointy blade profile. What changed mostly within them was handle contours and blade finishes. Thumbstuds even evolved as well....lol. The one sebenza that really did indeed look quite a bit different was the regular sebenza......And of course the 25 is a new and different animal all together.

Glad all this helped to answer your question and glad I could help my CRK brothers.....!!! Happy CRKing.....!!!
 
nyefmaker said:
One other note I will make is the P sebenza had the regular sebenza blade profile, while the classic and 21 had the much more pointy blade profile...
Click to expand...

Just as a discussion point to add, IMO the Original blades were something of a middle ground between the Regular spear-point and the Classic/21 clip-point style. Here is a comparison photo from a few years back that shows the differences pretty well. Though I haven't compared one personally, the 25 blade shape looks fairly similar to the original - at least from pictures.

Another small difference is that the cutout for the thumbstud was a scalloped on the Classics, whereas it was evenly beveled on the 21's.

6kfccavzdkwz51qfg.jpg
 
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Dallas--excellent pics. Now, I have a full understanding on the thumb cut-outs. I just love the thumb cut-out on my small P and it looks as though the cutout on the Classic could be the next best thing with the wider chamfer.

I may need to go on the hunt for a plain Jane classic Seb now!
 
All of these observations are true...but - this is opinion, not fact - when you consider all the differences between the 21 and the Classic XX, they really don't add up to a preference either in terms of use or in terms of cosmetics between the two. YMMV, though. Or to put it differently, the differences are definitely measurable, but they aren't meaningful. ;) Throw the Regular into the mix and you have some really major differences, obviously.
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
Dallas--excellent pics. Now, I have a full understanding on the thumb cut-outs. I just love the thumb cut-out on my small P and it looks as though the cutout on the Classic could be the next best thing with the wider chamfer.

I may need to go on the hunt for a plain Jane classic Seb now!
Click to expand...

You made a point in your first post that doesn't seem to make sense, but sort of seems to be true: plain Classics are less common than plain 21s. So...you may have to hunt a bit, but often pursuit is as suit as the ultimate success, so enjoy that. :)
 
I was just looking at the thread "Which CRK folder is your Favorite" - take a look. I'm actually shocked at how poorly the two Classic Sebenza sizes are doing in the poll. :(
 
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