Custom help -- Sebenza just not enough

A

alelser

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Feb 26, 2001
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I was hoping those here could point me in the right direction. My current EDC is a lg Sebenza and I should say right off hand that I really do love this knife. However, it's just not enough. Maybe someone here specializes in something along the line of what I'm looking for, so I figured I'd outline my ideas and see who you recommend. Here goes.

I'm not fond of liner locks, but the fact is I find the frame lock ugly. I like its strength, but it screws up the lines of the knife. I wouldn't mind a frame lock with Micarta or natural scales that covered the ugliness, but I don't know of anyone doing that. Otherwise, a traditional lockback is fine.

I'm sick of black. Which also means I'm growing tired of grey. I want scales again! Pretty woods, mammoth, walrus, anything!

I'd like to be able to take the knife apart for cleaning and lubrication, but I'll listen to arguments on why it isn't necessary (never heard 'em).

No fancy steel. I don't mind the higher end steels (Talonite, Stelite, BG-42, etc), but as a user/EDC, patterned damascus is out for me. I'd be too afraid to use it.

Now some nit-pickey stuff: drop-point or drop-point recurve prefered; no serations; thong hole; no anonidation (sp?); satin polish or similar; easy opening (one-hand prefered); some kind of finger guard.

I guess I'm looking for a more traditional looking locking folder that incorporates some more modern (and convenient) features.

Sorry to be so long winded, and I'm sure I've left something out, but any help would be great.

Oh yeah, price can't be more than say... $400 for now (I'll consider higher if I have to).

Thanks,

-Al-
 
For that price, you can probably have what you want made somewhere. There are enough knife makers here, and you'd meet many more at a regional show, that you will probably find the combination of profile, fit/finish, and price that you want without too much trouble.
 
Really? And here I was thinking a $400 max wouldn't get me much. I'm for sure doing Blade this year, and I'm still considering a TnT as well (need to check my finances), but maybe the Blade Show would be my best bet.

Thanks MR

-Al-
 
Alan Elishewitz's work is just a little too fancy for me, but I'm intrigued by his new lock.

-Al-
 
You might want to consider a Dozier folder with D2 steel.Personally I like his Trapper model.
 
Great suggestions here folks.
 
Call Dave Harvey at Nordic Knives (Nordicknives.com) and buy that PJ Tomes lockback that he currently has. It's a nice, big knife. Rock solid, forged 52100 blade, Mastersmith knife priced less than PJ's price. It's never been used at all and has the finest stag. A great deal and it's everything you're looking for.

Pete
 
One name comes to mind right off--Darrel D. Ralph.

You might have to go up in price just a tad, but his work is impeccable.
 
Some great suggestions here. Some makers' work I've seen, others are new to me. I'm considering Hearn, Dozier, and Coleman; Ralph, Tomes, and some others are just a wee too pricy for me right now.

Still, I'd really like to find something more along Hearn's lines, but as a lockback. Not being well versed in what it takes to make a quality folder, can anyone enlighten me as to whether it is feasible to have a knife that can be taken down as well as be a lockback? I ask because I've never seen one.

Thanks, and keep the suggestions coming (I'm bookmarking everything).

-Al-
 
A.T. Barr, Tom Anderson, Brad Duncan, Mike Snody and Ferret all make excellent knives in the price range that you are looking at. The new folders from Mike Snody might be a little hard to get, but if you make it to the Blade Show he will have some. Do be early though.
 
Ther have been some realy great names listed here. Coleman, Snody, Duncan, etc. seems to all make really great folders in that price range. Darrel Ralph's work is also very incredible, I would like to get one of those for myself. Buy what you like and looks appealing. You won't go wrong with any of the makers that you are thinking of.

Dan Huff
 
I don't know of any lockbacks that can be taken apart off the top of my head. The trick with a lockback is that the lock bar is under tension when the folder is assembled. I have done a few kits and taken some apart for new scales. Some can be a real pain in the ass to get back together.

There is also the problem of the lock bar needing a pivot point, and this is usually done with a peened pin rather than a screw.
 
That's what I was afraid of. Guess I'll just have to get used to liner locks and farme locks. Don't get me wrong, I like them both okay, but I think the frame lock is stronger and ugly; whereas, the liner is not so strong, but much nicer to look at. Hell, it's not like I'm going to be using a custom EDC on tasks where I'd have to worry about lock failure.

Thanks guys!

-Al-
 
I would echo the Marzitelli suggestion, he makes great knives! you can see them at www.marzknives.com or Bladeart. I also have the 2 I own on my web page if you just want to see a more detailed picture of them. He makes a rock solid lock and his knives ooze character.

I would also suggest taking a look at Mike Obenauf, you can have any of his 5 models for $350 or less and they are Sebenza tough. I currently have 4 of them with a 5th on the way, for the money he is the best value going right now IMO. AZCK has some on their site that you can see or Phoenix Blades can order them for you and have it in about a month. You can see the ones I have on my site as well.

I recently got a Reese Weiland Nighthawk and while his price is above your limit new, they usually sell at your limit in the secondary market. The knife I have is as solid as they come!

I would definitely reccomend looking closer at the Obenaufs though, and he uses a lot of different colrs in handle material. The one I have coming will be a Desert Storm Tan Model 3.
 
Marzitelli is growing on me fast.

For those who like his work there's one for trade right now over in the tarde forum.

I may be calling him soon.

-Al-
 
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