Commander, Socom, Synergy, Sebenza-which one?

ptpalpha

ptpalpha

Joined
Aug 25, 1999
Messages
1,317
I need a new folder ("need" being subjective). I've narrowed it down the Commander, the manual Socom, the Synergy and the Sebenza. The knife will be for daily carry, but as a secondary knife, NOT for general utility. It will serve as an emergency-situation/defensive application knife. It will also be the nicest non-auto folder in my collection to date, so I will try to keep it minty. Please give your reasons, as I've read hundreds of "Sebenza!!" posts and am really interested in a comparison. The Synergy especially intrigues me, and I have yet to read a negative comment about it. Thanks for all the help! Oh yeah, if you've got another folder you think competes with these, feel free to mention it.
Paul

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My Knives: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=194082&a=1423561

[This message has been edited by ptpalpha (edited 02-08-2000).]
 
Originally posted by ptpalpha:
I've read hundreds of "Sebenza!!" posts and am really interested in a comparison."

Paul. IMHO nothing compares.
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RICK - Left Handers Unite
 
I have to admit I first thought that nothing could be as good as Sebenza was proclaimed to be. However, I got my first one(large plain) about two weeks ago and have carried it everyday since then. The quality and feel of the knife are quite amazing(at least to me). I do not have any of the other knives you are asking about( I do have a mini-socom and do like it quite a bit) but I have to say I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you decide on Sebenza.

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Outside of a dog, a Knife is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is very, very Dark.
 
I was going to reply under our forum but this seemed like a better place. With the parameters you have outlined, the Commander (of course!!
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) is your best bet.

The wave offers you the fastest presentation of ANY folder out there. The recurve blade offers terrific slashing potential as the 3&1/2" scar on my arm will attest to. A new process in the machining of the liner makes the lock as strong as any on the market. The double detent system makes the knife very secure in the closed position as well. Couple this all with it's extremely good handle ergonomics and heft, you have IMO the very best defensive folder package on the market.

I have 10-15 good quality folders including among others two SOCOM's and a Crawford Kasper and I have carried my Commander almost exclusively in the role you describe for going on two tears now.

All of the knives you are looking at are great knives. I WILL own both a Sebenza and a Speedtech one of these days. The Commander is simply the best folder of the group for the "need
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" you are seeking to fill.

Take care,
Derek



[This message has been edited by Derek (edited 02-08-2000).]
 
I would say the Synergy it is all one peice of steel no lines imbetween could be a good or bad thig but in your cae probably goood, It is also ery quick to deploy and is very strong..
 
Great post, Derek! Exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Yep, no doubt about it, these are four of the better production folders on the market. That's why it's such a tough decision! I can only afford one (and again, "afford" is subjective
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) right now, and sure, any of the four would be great, but these posts are fun and I learn an awful lot in the process. Rick, I know you love the Benza, but I'm also pretty sure you have a few MT's, which are also famous for fit and finish. IYHO, really, no comparison? Mickey, the first vote for the Synergy! Great! This will be an information bonanza!

[This message has been edited by ptpalpha (edited 02-08-2000).]
 
First - my personal thought on a knife specifically for emergency/defense is that the knife should be cheap enough to happily ditch or destroy, and should be common enough so that the discarded knife will not be easily traceable. Kind of in conflict with being the nicest knife you own. Just $.02 worth.

If you're up for a black tactical, then the SOCOM or the Commander are the way to go.

Since you're looking for defense, I'd say that a Sebenza will probably be too small.

If you want style, the Synergy applies a full sized blade in a very stylish, comfortable package.

All of the knives mentioned are well made, and worth the e-ticket prices. Personally, I'm really tired of black G-10 tacticals, and would pick the Synergy.

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AKTI Member #A000832

"That which does not kill me just postpones the inevitable."
 
If you want to keep it mint, the Sebenza might not be the choice. I don't know about other Sebenzas, but mine just begs to be used! Even if you don't use it a lot, the handle will show wear/scuffs just from being carried.

On the other hand, the Sebenza can be refurbished by CR for a minimal cost to look like new, and the blade doesn't show scratches at all!


Ryan

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
Ryan and Brian, good points. I hadn't thought about the scratches on the Sebenza, and the "style" point re: the Synergy is absolutely correct. It's a sweet knife. As for a knife cheap enough to "ditch", I don't anticipate a situation where that would be my response to a defensively-used blade. Good point, though! So far, there have been no substantial negative comments on either the Synergy or the Sebenza, while the Commander has a couple QC issues and the Socom had some "weak lock" comments.
 
Another vote for the Commander. You mentioned that it would serve as an emergency-situation/ defensive application knife. For that purpose, you will want the knife that opens the fastest, and perhaps with serrations to cut through seatbelts, etc. I know the Sebenza is a great utility knife (I have one myself), but in a defensive situation, it's slower to deploy. The wave feature on the Commander is definitely the fastest and will not fail you in any situation. If you have any QC problems with the Commander, send it back in and Emerson will give you one more to your liking. Sorry I don't have any info on the Synergy (hopefully I'll have some in a few months, need money to order one), or the Socom (have yet to play with one to tell you any info). Maybe this pic should convince you further.
View
 
Nightglock, you are aptly named!
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I have to admit, seeing that pic reminds me of why I wanted the Commander in the first place. And your point is well taken. Emerson can fix any problem that the Commander may have, and it may not have any! It is the most affordable of the four, which is a strong plus. BTW, thanks for the new wallpaper! What an awesome looking knife, and nice pistola too! I've got a custom 1911, but am hankering for a Glock 45acp. Soon....
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Originally posted by ptpalpha:
The knife will be for daily carry, but as a secondary knife, NOT for general utility. It will serve as an emergency-situation/defensive application knife.
Click to expand...

Paul,
No folder will ever match this need like a good fixed blade in a fast deploying sheath. Don't you already have a Griffith Patrolman? Try it in the inverted vertical draw position.

 
OK, Chief, if you're not gonna play nice...
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You're right, of course. However, there are many instances where carrying a fixed blade, especially concealed, won't work for me. OK, they will WORK, but are not "optimum". C'mon now, Chief, I know you're a Socom fan, would that be your choice among the four knives listed?
 
Ptphalpha, hmm, you've given me an idea for my own pic to become my wallpaper! If you want, I can take the pic at a higher resolution so there will be more detail. In fact I'm going to do that anyways for my new wallpaper. Yes, in my opinion, you've made the right choice. It definitely is the most affordable of the four and I'm sure you can find a really good deal here on Bladeforums (that's where I got mine). By the way, if you're curious, that's my Glock34 with the M3 tac light attached. I first used my username in Glocktalk, the forums for Glocks. It is a sweet gun. Go for the Glock 30 or 21 (.45 ACP), you won't regret it!
 
Paul,

For a backup defensive knife I would recommend the Socom. Of all the knives you mention in the title, it has the largest blade at 4.05".

The Sebenza is a great knife and I've got two of them. I've only handled one Commander and didn't like it simply because it would be a bear and a half to sharpen--too curvy for me.

The fit and finish on the Socom is outstanding (dare I say it, on par with the Sebenza) and the price is about $100 less. Sometimes the difference is even greater depending where you find it.

Another thing to consider would be the resale value. Both the Socom and the Sebenza have been very good at maintaining their value (as long as you don't use it too much.)

The conclusion:

Sebenza is a great knife but for $100 less you get a larger blade and the same great warranty/service/re-sale value.

Choose the Socom.

Brian_T
brianthornburg@home.com
 
I have a MA Socom, Tanto Sebenza and am expecting by Saturday to receive my Synergy
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.

I rarely carry my Socom, mainly b/c the clip is too low and thus exposes too much of the handle when carried in my pocket.

I almost always carry my Sebenza. It is a great work horse and has great defensive capabilities. This thing begs to be used.

I'm expecting my CA camo Synergy (Nandina) to arrive by Saturday so I'll let you know what I think of it after a couple of days.

Art

 
Paul,
You know how many good things I have said via Email about the popular MEGA FOLDER I once owned?? DITTO for the SOCOM!! Now don't get me wrong my wife's fancy Kestrel is an AWSOME knife. The SOCOM I had was another story
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SO, that leaves the Commander and the Sebenza, two VERY different knives! If I'm going for an outdoor excursion, fishing, ETC. I would carry the Sebenza. Other than that, my daily carry folder is the Commander.
It has lots of blade, locks up tight and is fun to pop open out of the pocket!
I feel EVERY knife nut should own a Sebenza. It's a great utility knife and big enough to count on in an emergency. I also think that the Commander is one hell of a heavy duty folder and is great for people, like me, with large hands.
Neil

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Blackwood Knives
More knives in stock soon!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
for what it's worth; i've got a socom manual, decorated lg. benza{i know the decorated part is of no consequence here, i just like saying it}and a speedtech. i always carry the benza and the speedtech. i prefer my back-up blade{if a folder} to be ambidextrous, so if you go with the benza you might want to consider dual studs. like most of the others, i love my benza, but i do like the swept blade on the tech. just seems to have a little more belly where ya might need it. sorry i could'nt be more help.i almost hate to say it, but considering all the requirements you mentioned; i might go with the speedtech. just BARELY edgeing out the benza.i know i'm gonna catch hell from the other sebenzanistas!!good luck!russ
 
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