Classic versus Original Sebenza

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bvo85

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Apr 27, 2017
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I've been looking to add to my sebenza collection and am struggling to understand the benefit of buying a classic versus an original. From my limited research, the prices seem pretty similar on the secondary market - a couple hundred dollars more for an original.

The blade steel is different on the classics. The "classic MM" engraving is different. The pocket clip is different. But blade shape, handle shape, all the same, correct?

I feel an urge to buy a classic to round out my collection but maybe I should just buy another original, instead for a little bit more? What are your thoughts on classics versus originals and owning both for either collectability or EDC reasons?
 
when you say original, do you mean the Regular, or the 21? The original has a more elongated finger groove with scalloped areas for the first and second finger as opposed to the larger semicircular cutout of the classic and 21.

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The differences between the classic and 21 are more minute. On the left below is the classic. You can see more material removed around the finger groove; the 21 has more material removed at the top.

14659.jpg


The other difference is, as you pointed out, the clip. For the regulars, there is only one bend in the clip, while the 21 and classic have two.
 
He is referring to the model called Original which pre-dates the Regular. Many of the Originals are clipless.
I personally like a knife with a clip so I lean toward the Classic MM-but neither are all that easy to obtain
 
Peter Hartwig said:
He is referring to the model called Original which pre-dates the Regular. Many of the Originals are clipless.
I personally like a knife with a clip so I lean toward the Classic MM-but neither are all that easy to obtain
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Yes! Thank you for clarification. Let me rephrase my question:

Assuming the prices are only a couple hundred dollars off, is there any benefit to buying a Classic MM versus an Original with Pocket Clip? Maybe I got a great deal, but I recently bought an Original ATS34 with pocket clip for not much more than people are selling Classics.
 
bvo85 said:
Yes! Thank you for clarification. Let me rephrase my question:

Assuming the prices are only a couple hundred dollars off, is there any benefit to buying a Classic MM versus an Original with Pocket Clip? Maybe I got a great deal, but I recently bought an Original ATS34 with pocket clip for not much more than people are selling Classics.
Click to expand...

You got a hell of a deal on the Original, unless you want a Classic to have in your collection, there's really no advantage over any other CRK versus the Classic.
Folks will ask/pay top dollar for a LNIB with all original paperwork/box.
The few Originals I've seen for sale that is NIB with a complete package has gone for more than the Classics in the same condition. But then again, maybe the Classic is in greater demand and is bringing more money
 
I could be wrong, but isn't historically an original Sebenza of higher value for a collector, than a Classic Sebenza? Assuming that we are talking about similar condition and completeness.

Adding to what ganagati explained above I would say that although differences between the Classic and the 21 are not that obvious at first glance, the Classic has the more complex, more refined machining. Just check out the 2 angles the Classic scales are showing compared to he scales of a 21:

Classic, Bloodwood, Ladder, 10

Classic, Bloodwood, Ladder, 11
 
I'd go for the original for the collectibility and a classic for edc. Classics are more common than the original so there is no argument for adding them to a collection instead of a classic unless you collect classics or you want to have all generations. I have a plain jane classic and looking for classic micarta for the usual everyday cutting tasks.
 
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