CRK Sebenza vs Spyderco Southard

T

The Abaker

Joined
Nov 12, 2012
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Hey everyone I'm looking at getting my first high end knife and I'm stuck between the Large Sebenza 21 and the Spyderco Southard. I know that they are very different knives and they each have their advantages and disadvantages. I've handled one Regular Large Sebenza 21 before and I loved it, but I have heard nothing but good things about the Southard and the blade steel is a plus. Probably the biggest factor for me is the cost, I have enough extra money to buy the Southard right away but as of now I would have to save up a few more months for a Sebenza.

The most I have ever spent on any knife is about $160 so this will be a high point in my collecting. Anyone here own both? Have any opinions on the two? Any other knives in the $300 price range? (Anyone want to donate :D) I'm really interested in any feedback. Like I said this will be the pinnacle in my collection...... For now:)

Thank you for any input.
 
A good question to start off with is:
Are you planning on just collecting the knife and letting it sit pretty in mint condition it's entire life or do you actually plan to carry and use it?

Depending on whether you plan to use it or collect it, another factor that comes into play is your personal preferences.
 
BladeChick777 said:
A good question to start off with is:
Are you planning on just collecting the knife and letting it sit pretty in mint condition it's entire life or do you actually plan to carry and use it?

Depending on whether you plan to use it or collect it, another factor that comes into play is your personal preferences.
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I will definitely be using it as an EDC knife, I won't be abusing it and I probably will not ever take it camping or hiking. I really love both designs even though I have not handled the Southard before.
 
I own both and I don't know... They're both really good for me, they are different but choosing one over the other isn't really the way I go about it. I'm sure you'll get more input for both sides though. If you weigh in the price though, the Southard wins with no drop off in build quality and F&F in my opinion. Also like Jesse said, it is preference such as flipper or thumbstud?
 
Man if I had even a nickel for every "_____vs Sebenza" thread I could at least buy a couple! Like said, can't really compare them as an apple to apple but certainly both great knives. I waited years to get my first Sebenza and ended up selling it. Not at all because it wasn't a great knife but it didn't fit into my personal knife rotation. I thought it a marvel of precision & simple elegance but wasn't crazy about all titanium. I will also admit that misplacing it a couple times nearly gave me a stroke! HERE IS THE INDISPUTABLE FACT ABOUT A SEBENZA THOUGH, it is the closest knife to "Gold" meaning it will hold its value as proven time and again and if you decide it's not your cup of tea it's the easiest knife I've seen to sell/trade, etc.. for consistently full value. If a person is considering this knife then they owe it to them self to try it because it will nag on you until so.
 
Since this is your first high end knife, consider these two things: if it is not going to be used too hard, the Sebenza will be extremely easy to resell; if you want a user, the Southard is much less expensive.
 
Having purchased both recently I can tell you that the Southard is a much better value. I ended up selling my Sebenza, but the Southard is here to stay. Fit and finish on the Southard is awesome and IMO just as good as the Sebenza. Plus, I found the Southard alot easier to use. By this I mean ease of deployment, carrying, etc. Sebenzas are popular for a reason but just wasn't for me.
 
They are both knives. They are meant to cut things. Buy the one you like more that fits in your budget.
 
We may set a record with the Sebenza vs threads this year:p

Sebenza, unless you don't want to spend that much. If you don't, go with the Southard. Also, if you would rather have a flipper I would go with the Southard.

You'll get a good knife either way. You can send a 10 year old Sebenza in and have it look like new again. They will even blast it for free, but not sure if that matters to you at all. If you can find a place that sells them, try to handle both. Its hard for us to tell you what you really want, and how much to spend.
 
Consider a grayman Dua. Between those two I would choose the Sebbie. I have one and it is flawless. I like full Ti handles and how smooth it is. The blade is thin for me, but that's the way it was purposed and nothing I have slices like it. I would never pry or use as a screw-driver like I do most my other knives.
 
To each his own. But I can tell you that I'd never pass up a Sebenza for southard or any spyderco for that matter.
I've been around the block a few times and its always that darn Sebenza I keep coming back to.
 
I own four Sebenzas, a Zaan, and a Mnandi. Office carry is a small Insingo in the slipcase but as soon as I get home after work I grab my Southard. It may be a phase but I still marvel at how well it functions. Not just the flipper but the ergonomics, lock-up, and even how it carries. It does have some cons such as the grind behind the bevel makes it not a really good slicer. It also deserves a better clip. I will say that the CTS-204P steel is amazing. I cut down boxes and about 40mins of cutting vines that grow on our fence this past weekend and it would still shave hair off my arm. No S30V or S35VN Sebenza will do that. The bonus is that it is not hard to touch up.

All Southard praises aside..... Perfection still is on the side of the Sebenza.
 
I've had both, and both are awesome knives with top shelf quality. Outside of personal preference regarding all Ti vs. G10/Ti, flipper vs. thumbstud etc., I have to give the bang for buck nod to the Southard. The large Sebenza is $410, the Southard is $230. In the end, I couldn't justify the $400+ for what I was getting as a user, which all of my knives are. With the Southard, I feel like I am getting all I am paying for and then some for a knife that will be used. If you are buying the knife to add a gem to your collection, go with the Sebenza.
 
Well thanks for the input everyone, I think I'm going for the Southard. I don't think I'm at the point of spending $400+ on a knife yet (even if it's a Sebenza). I just found one on the Exchange will withing my budget and I'm just going to jump on it.
 
The Abaker said:
Well thanks for the input everyone, I think I'm going for the Southard. I don't think I'm at the point of spending $400+ on a knife yet (even if it's a Sebenza). I just found one on the Exchange will withing my budget and I'm just going to jump on it.
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Good choice you'll love it
 
Southard for sure.
Ergonomics are better, steel is far better, and the craftsmanship will be similar to the same for the average consumer eye. Easy deployment too.

I haven't used my sebenza in a couple months. In fact I haven't even played with it.
Don't get me wrong, I fell in love with the knife but essentially to me: a knife is a tool. So an under performing (ergonomics, edge retention are so so) tool is not a tool I want.
I've had a CRK regular (large), and 21 sebenza (large/small, small with micarta inlays). I was stuck on my current large 21, but decided to stash it in favor for my Buck vantage pro due mostly to the ergonomics, a in small part the Buck S30v being a little better in edge retention.

Now that I got my Shoki 480-1, and soon my ZT561 once it's back for repair I may just end up selling the Sebbie.
 
There have been some dynamite deals on Sebenzas and Umnam's in the forum lately. The Umnam may be right up your alley, and you can find some used ones at really good values. But I like thumbstuds and am biased.
 
The Seb is iconic and you can confidently disassemble it whenever needed with no warranty issue. CRK can also make it look new anytime you so desire, and it has great resale value. Both cut stuff though.
 
I'll probably hold off on buying cheaper knives and get a Large Sebenza 21 in a few months..... Unless the Spyderco Domino comes out by then.
 
I have both.

I have owned and sold many Sebbies; have kept two favorites and also the Zaan. I have owned two Southards and sold one.
As was posted earlier...it's Flipper vs thumbstud; classic design vs new guy; money vs 1/2 the money.
CRK manufacturing tolerances are to the nearest 0.0001" for critical dimensions. Steel stock is purchased flat and then surface-ground "flatter." Watch his video.
Spyderco has a fine flipper knife with good blade-steel, and is the best buy for the dollar.
If I could only keep one...the Sebenza. A quick decision.
 
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