CRK v WHK

Waldganger

Waldganger

Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
1,180
Hey there.

I've been looking for a flash knife, and I settled on three knives.
The Elishewitz will wait for a long time, as it will be the least useful for me.

My question is.

CRK Large Classic Sebenza - 385USD
WHK B15-FT Titan II - 375USD

Both seem like excellent knives.
The WHK seems to me to be more elegant, the Sebenza more heavy duty.
I will own both one day, but my question is which should I buy first?
Do you think you could do field work with a Sebbie? (I mean skinning and other game related chores) and how sturdy is the WHK? The handle seems a bit small for real hard use. Am I correct?

Thanks in advance
 
I have no doubt CRK can do field duty. In fact it's easy to disasemble and clean so it's fine for that kind of work.

WHK's seem a little less substancial, can you take them apart? I don't know.
 
DaveH said:
I have no doubt CRK can do field duty. In fact it's easy to disasemble and clean so it's fine for that kind of work.

WHK's seem a little less substancial, can you take them apart? I don't know.
Click to expand...

Agreed. WHK are generally geared to be gentlemen knives. CRK are also geared for that but are quite tough as well. I say go for CRK Sebenza and even though I don't own myself I can say with confidence that they are the best of the best.
 
Also prowl the forums and buy you knife here, there's been some great deals on sebs lately, you save a good amount of $$$.
 
Thanks guys you sorted that out.
When you say prowl here you mean the for sale area?
I'm so impatient.
I've got to spend another 350 or so on my bow and then maybe I can buy the sebbie.

damn addiction to steel
 
I've used my Small Sebbie for nearly 3 years now. I don't abuse it but I do use it hard. It's made to break apart for easy cleaning, and the pivot bushing is an extremely robust design.

At one time I thought I wanted a WHK as a gent's knife. I went to an in-state dealer to handle them, but they were much smaller and delicate feeling than I imagined. To be fair, I bet they're great slicers, and that seems to be what they're set up for--very thin blades and handles. To me, it looks like they're set up for the office--opening letters and packages and so forth. The quality seemed first rate and I'm not knocking them, they just seemed more of a light-duty knife to me.

I decided to get a Mnandi instead as my gent's folder, and spent a few months searching for a giraffe Mnandi, but to no avail. That's when I discovered Bob Dozier's Folding Hunters. I handled one at his shop one day, and when a 3" Ivory folder became available at the ECCKS, I snatched it up.

I'd say WHK is likely a very high quality slicer suited for more delicate tasks, but the Sebbie is more of a high-quality workhorse that will handle what you throw at it. Mine is at CRK getting reburbished as I type--that's how much I like it. My wife thought it would be a good idea to open a wooden furniture crate with a Sebbie while I was out of the country (read: large staples!). It's as though she had no idea how much Sebbies cost. ;) (Actually, she did--she just regards ALL knives as all-in-one cutting tools, prybars, screwdrivers and wedges. Thankfully my Ivory Dozier was hidden in it's sheath. :eek: ).
 
I own knives from both camps and would say get the Sebbie first. CRK has a better finish on their knives 9 out of 10 times compared to William Henry IMHO. More robust and geared for work everyday. Lets not forget what Sebenza means. On the other hand, WHK makes a knife for a totally different purpose and they absolutely excell in their game. By both and get the best of both worlds, I would just pick the Sebenza first.
 
The Sebbie is a tougher knife, in my opinion. I think of WH's as more of light gentlemen's knives. That they are meant for hard use, while a Sebbie IS meant for hard use. The word Sebenza means work is Mr. Reeves' native Zulu language. You CAN also take apart a Sebbie, as it IS encourage by the manufactuer to do so. The fit & finish is umparalled in ANY current production knife. In fact, it is closer to being a custom. OK, that is my $.02
 
I have several of both manufactures. I think both make excellent knives. For skinning game and other "outdoors" type chores, the large Sebe is clearly the way to go. WHs are more of an office knife. It does see like the WHs hold or increase their value better than the CRKs though.
 
I'd go with the Sebenza as well. All of the WHs I've handled had excellent fit and finish though, and they open as smooth as glass...I just prefer my seb. It feels more robust to me and if it gets dirty, no worries. You can strip, clean and reassemble it easily in a few minutes.

As others have said, if you decide to go with the Sebenza cruise the sales forums here you can find one for less than 385 and you shouldn't have to look for one too long.
 
I've decided to buy the large classic Sebenza. thanks for the input people. when I eventually get it I'll post pics
 
Actually having second thoughts
Not about the sebenza, but about the classic.
I know there isn't much difference in blade design, but which do you people prefer? or doesn't it matter?

thanks all
 
I have more of the classic design then regular. I like the larger thumb cut out for lock release, and the shape of the handle fits my hand better. Both are excellent.
 
There's a thread going in the Chris Reeve forum about the classic v regular: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466123

If you're uncertain which one to choose, I'd really try to find a knife shop or knife or gun show locally where you can check them out for yourself. It's not an insignificant amount of money and your preference is what matters.

To answer your question, they do feel different and I prefer the classic.
 
If you're looking for a tough knife, the WH Tom Brown model (Quest?) will more than hold it's own. Tom Brown specified changes to be made, and they were done. He and his instructors used them for quite a while, out in the woods (according to a blade magazine article.......) without any problems. That says a lot to me. IMO, WH knives are underrated for their durability, of course, that will vary depending on the model.
 
I prefer the Classic. I just like the aesthetics more. It is just my personal preference.
 
I like the regular better. In both the small and large. For some reason, I don't have a clue why, the regular is easier to open. I sold both of my classics.
 
Buy a large classic Sebbie! you will be thrilled with it!...or find a nearby dealer. So theres no need to "buy to try" ...and handle one first!....I bet you'll buy it right there.:D

good luck,:thumbup:

Jules
 
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