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Classic Sebenza, with serrations or without?
- Thread starter WJLeary
- Start date
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,476
Nice pix G2. Sure wouldn't mind one of those ball fobs on my ETS Seb you have...Hint, Hint...
would love to, but out of those wooden beads, my daughter made them
special for me when she was in school, she's not there any longer, sorry man!
G2
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,476
That's the WH Quest model, B15, it was a special one made for Tom Brown
but they've since dropped the Tom Brown name and just call it the Quest model now, very nice knife btw!
G2
I was really debating the same question for some time. I decided on the Micarta inlays for my Large Sebenza but wasn't sure about the edge.
What pushed me over the edge (no pun intended) was deciding what I really wanted to do with the knife. I intend to use this as a utility/outdoors knife as well as being an EDC, and the serrated blade provides this versatility to me. Sure I may not need to cut rope everyday, but if I carry an all-around blade I feel that it shouldn't be squeamish about a little rope or the odd branch.
What really made me decide for the serrated edge was hearing that the double-edged serrations were designed for paratrooper use by Chris Reeve.
I am a skydiver/parachutist and the fact the serrated blades were designed to cut paracord sold me. I can't think of a better knife to carry everywhere (even at 14,000 ft plummeting at 120-180 mph towards earth) for my survival than a reliable Sebenza.
I got double thumb lugs with the Micarta inlay (incredible feel and grip) and attach to to my skydiving harness with a pouch on my leg strap. I know that within seconds, and with either hand, I can deploy my blade and cut myself free of parachute cord.
In case your wondering a knife is essential safety gear while skydiving (along with a parachute and altimeter, of course). If I am involved in a mid-air collision while under canopy I may only have seconds to cut myself free from being entangled in either my own, or someone else's lines, and deploy my reserve. Also, after landing sudden wind gusts can literally drag you along the ground by your parachute and cutting yourself free can save you from being dragged into danger (like a landing airplane or powerlines).
With the Serrations, double thumb lugs, and Micarta inlay I am confident I can call on my Sebenza in any situation to perform reliably, especially when my life is on the line.
Good luck with your decision. I know I certainly have enjoyed every day with my Sebenza (especially those days I am in free-fall).
What pushed me over the edge (no pun intended) was deciding what I really wanted to do with the knife. I intend to use this as a utility/outdoors knife as well as being an EDC, and the serrated blade provides this versatility to me. Sure I may not need to cut rope everyday, but if I carry an all-around blade I feel that it shouldn't be squeamish about a little rope or the odd branch.
What really made me decide for the serrated edge was hearing that the double-edged serrations were designed for paratrooper use by Chris Reeve.
I am a skydiver/parachutist and the fact the serrated blades were designed to cut paracord sold me. I can't think of a better knife to carry everywhere (even at 14,000 ft plummeting at 120-180 mph towards earth) for my survival than a reliable Sebenza.
I got double thumb lugs with the Micarta inlay (incredible feel and grip) and attach to to my skydiving harness with a pouch on my leg strap. I know that within seconds, and with either hand, I can deploy my blade and cut myself free of parachute cord.
In case your wondering a knife is essential safety gear while skydiving (along with a parachute and altimeter, of course). If I am involved in a mid-air collision while under canopy I may only have seconds to cut myself free from being entangled in either my own, or someone else's lines, and deploy my reserve. Also, after landing sudden wind gusts can literally drag you along the ground by your parachute and cutting yourself free can save you from being dragged into danger (like a landing airplane or powerlines).
With the Serrations, double thumb lugs, and Micarta inlay I am confident I can call on my Sebenza in any situation to perform reliably, especially when my life is on the line.
Good luck with your decision. I know I certainly have enjoyed every day with my Sebenza (especially those days I am in free-fall).
GronK
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2001
- Messages
- 19,303
You'd be surprised at how many skydivers don't carry. We were taking up jumpers in a WW2 vintage C-45 a few years ago. I was ground crewing when one lad landed wrong and seriously fractured his lower leg/ankle. I ran over to the DZ and everyone was scrambling around looking for something to cut the pant leg with. My large classic saved the day.
- Joined
- May 7, 2005
- Messages
- 20,928
Well, I normally do NOT like serrations (that is just me.). However, I have an large regular Sebbie with the Zulu serrations. I think that these are the best serrations, bar none!!! The serrations are on both sides of the blade, which is unusual. I am very happy that I have serrations on my large Sebbie!
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2006
- Messages
- 84
I don't like serrations for a edc i have my leatherman tool for that. But besides that serrations are a pain to sharp. I would go for plain. I don't cut rope or garden hoses that often.
I was ground crewing when one lad landed wrong and seriously fractured his lower leg/ankle... everyone was scrambling around looking for something to cut the pant leg with. My large classic saved the day.
Nice job! If we ever meet at a DZ I'll buy you a beer.
I jump in Ontario, Canada.
Django606
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,184
I think you just convinced me to send my large Micarta in for serrations
Does anyone know if CRK does this?
I think you just convinced me to send my large Micarta in for serrations
Does anyone know if CRK does this?
Wow, great minds think alike, this was my exact next question after reading the previous posts. I think I might like to have my Lg. Reg. BG42 done up with some serrations since its my main outdoor/utility blade....anyone?
The serrations on the Large classic fit just right as well. They only go about
1 1/2" from the base. And YES... they are double sided serrations. This is the first knife I've seen with double sided serrations, and am curious about the specifics about sharpening them.
The rest of the blade in a straight edge. I find that there is enough straight edge not to compromise cutting performance. The best cutting surface is roughly 1/3 -1/4 distance from the tip as this has the best balance of leverage and mass to provide the most efficient cut on the knife's edge.
The blade is long enough from the serrations to this point that there is enough surface to use for push-cut applications. I do not miss the extra straight cutting edge as I thought I would before receiving the knife. In the Large sized Sebenzas I believe that the compromise is minimal when choosing the serrated edge.
Although I have not seen one in person, I would imagine that in a Small classic Sebenza the blade is not long enough to accommodate both the Serrations and the straight edge to not compromise the performance of the knife, particularly when the serrated edge is not needed. From the pictures I've seen it looks like there is very little straight edge between the serrations and the belly of the blade. Maybe not enough space?
Perhaps someone could comment either sharpening the double sided serrations, or the performance of the Small serrated Sebenza.
PS-> I absolutely love the Micarta inlays. What a perfect addition to the Sebenza line-up. Looks great and feels amazing in the hand.
1 1/2" from the base. And YES... they are double sided serrations. This is the first knife I've seen with double sided serrations, and am curious about the specifics about sharpening them.
The rest of the blade in a straight edge. I find that there is enough straight edge not to compromise cutting performance. The best cutting surface is roughly 1/3 -1/4 distance from the tip as this has the best balance of leverage and mass to provide the most efficient cut on the knife's edge.
The blade is long enough from the serrations to this point that there is enough surface to use for push-cut applications. I do not miss the extra straight cutting edge as I thought I would before receiving the knife. In the Large sized Sebenzas I believe that the compromise is minimal when choosing the serrated edge.
Although I have not seen one in person, I would imagine that in a Small classic Sebenza the blade is not long enough to accommodate both the Serrations and the straight edge to not compromise the performance of the knife, particularly when the serrated edge is not needed. From the pictures I've seen it looks like there is very little straight edge between the serrations and the belly of the blade. Maybe not enough space?
Perhaps someone could comment either sharpening the double sided serrations, or the performance of the Small serrated Sebenza.
PS-> I absolutely love the Micarta inlays. What a perfect addition to the Sebenza line-up. Looks great and feels amazing in the hand.