Counterpoint to a Sebenza?

Sheldon N

Sheldon N

Joined
Mar 5, 2018
Messages
18
Trying to find my goldilocks knife to serve as a companion to my CRK small Sebenza. I love the Sebenza as a classy knife, I carry it a lot and use it for little stuff but still have that twinge of not wanting to use it on anything that might really rough it up. Looking to add a companion knife that is the "yin" to the Sebenza's "yang".

Criteria
3.25 to 3.5" blade
Preferrably a flipper, though maybe would consider a knife that can be flicked open fast
Smooth action, I lean away from assisted knifes in preference to smoothness open/closing
Design ethos of workhorse/tool with perhaps a bit of tactical mixed in.
Cosmetics well suited to getting beat up
Nice enough to have a bit of pride of ownership despite cosmetic wear
Budget $150-350 (likely buying used)

Have already tried Kershaw Blur (not nice enough), Hinderer XM-18 3" (maybe too small, got the wrong blade profile), Olamic Wayfarer (too nice, not quite the right hard use vibe)... Been looking at ZT's a lot but not totally sure... Leading contender seems to be a XM-18 3.5".

Any suggestions or thoughts of others I should look at? Photos welcome!
 
woodsmanoh said:
Take a look at the ZT0562CF. this is a very nice blade that is tough enough but still looks nice too.
Click to expand...

I would say ZT is where you'll want to be. I would go with the 0562 as I think the G10 lends better to hard use and looks better with wear.

I would also highly recommend an XM18 3.5 but you'd have to find used on your budget. The Sebenza will do fine with use but I do find that a Hinderer works better for me these days.
 
You budget is up to $350 and your afraid of roughing up your Sebenza? Just use it and let it get roughed up. You can always buy another one for that price if needed.

Now, if you just want a new knife, then go for it.
 
Skip the flipper, grab a Guardian 3.
Little workhorse of a fixed blade, discrete carry - just do it. (Go for the 3d scales)
 
aleforme said:
You budget is up to $350 and your afraid of roughing up your Sebenza? Just use it and let it get roughed up. You can always buy another one for that price if needed.

Now, if you just want a new knife, then go for it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a little bit of both. I'm not that worried about roughing up the Sebenza, but I do wish it had a bit of a snappier deployment hence the search for a flipper.
 
I'm not following at all.

You want "the "yin" to the Sebenza's "yang" which mean "opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent."

Sebenzas are nice. You want your new knife to be nice. (Blur was not "nice enough.")

So you want a knife that is not opposite. Correct?

If I wanted an opposite companion to the Sebenza that I could rough up, I'd get a Kabar Dozier or RAT-1. They are quality knives on the other end of the spectrum from something like a Sebenza.
 
Sheldon N said:
Yeah, it's a little bit of both. I'm not that worried about roughing up the Sebenza, but I do wish it had a bit of a snappier deployment hence the search for a flipper.
Click to expand...

You said you were worried about roughing it up.

Maybe you need to regroup a minute and think about what you want.

Then we can help you.
 
marcinek said:
Sebenzas are nice. You want your new knife to be nice. (Blur was not "nice enough.")

So you want a knife that is not opposite. Correct?
Click to expand...

LOL... my inner psychology on display. I guess I want a knife that I know is nice (steel, build quality, reputation), but that has an ethos more suited to hard use. I like nice things, even if they aren't flashy. The Sebenza to me feels like an understated gentlemans folder.
 
The suggestion of the 0562CF is probably one of the better ones out there. if you don't want something quite that big though, check out the Benchmade Anthem. They can definitely be found in your price range on the secondary market. Super smooth opening and closing (probably one of the best out there in both respects), great blade steel, very useful blade shape, top notch warranty, and oh so solid. It looks small and gentleman folder-esque in pictures but it is built like a tank. I wouldn't be afraid to throw almost any task at it.
 
I would recommend a ZT 0566. Its a hinderer design with the in between size blade 3 1/4". Great solid knife for $150. Spend another $35 for a custom scale and you have yourself a really nice knife. And with ZT they will replace the blade for $30 in case you work it too hard and want to pretty it up again....I had it done. I let a local "professional" knife sharpener sharpen it and it got seriously deformed.
 
Last edited:
You could go for a Manix 2 sprint of some sort. Steel of your choosing. It's not a flipper, but it can be opened just as fast using the hole. I mean it's the first knife that comes to mind when I think of "workhorse". It may not be overbuilt, per say, but it's as tough as any ZT out there.
 
Sheldon N said:
LOL... my inner psychology on display. I guess I want a knife that I know is nice (steel, build quality, reputation), but that has an ethos more suited to hard use. I like nice things, even if they aren't flashy. The Sebenza to me feels like an understated gentlemans folder.
Click to expand...
Good luck on whatever you choose. But I think you're vastly underestimating the Sebenza (small or large). Sebenzas can withstand quite a bit of 'rough' use, not counting trying to fell trees or the like. A Sebenza is an understated working folder which can pass for a gentleman's folder if necessary. They are certainly not delicate. The more I use my CRKs the more I like them.

Jim
 
My first thought after reading your qualifications for the knife you want was the ZT 562 also. Very nice looking and dependable knife.
 
The previously-mentioned 0801Ti is an excellent choice, with a blade that is well-suited to most utility roles while having a finish that is good for hiding wear on the blade. The milling in the handle adds quite a bit to the appearance, and gives it a “nice” factor if the design appeals to you.

Sticking with flippers, the 0450 family of knives is definitely right within your specifications.

Kizer also makes a number of knives in that price range that should fit the bill. If you want something kinda flashy but with a surprisingly utilitarian design, check out the Megatherium. That clocks in at about $230, but a little hunting around will probably save you $30+ on that.

Really, though, the ZT catalog has the vast majority of what I would consider best-fitted to your criteria. I don’t think any of the production models go outside your price range, most are manual flippers with smooth action, and the build and materials are all sturdy. The design ethos typically staggers on the line between flashy, tactical, and utilitarian.

If you’re willing to drop the flipper angle, I have kind of an outlier suggestion: Spyderco Valloton (or the Lil’ Val). Also check out the Gayle Bradley. Neither are flippers, but they are sturdy as all hell and look good while doing hard work.
 
Sheldon N said:
LOL... my inner psychology on display. I guess I want a knife that I know is nice (steel, build quality, reputation), but that has an ethos more suited to hard use. I like nice things, even if they aren't flashy. The Sebenza to me feels like an understated gentlemans folder.
Click to expand...

It is perfectly suited to the hardest of use. That's what is was made for. Just as J James Y mentioned.

So...you appear to be looking for some production to mid tech overbuilt thing. ZT should work. But there are a ton of "slabby" to "super slabby" folders out now....they seem to be the style.

Or you could go older school slabby with something like an Extrema Ratio Rao.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top