Does Anyone NOT Love The Sebenza ?

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Tony8179 said:
Please, try to explain as I would love to hear it?

If you think those differences are putting those two knives not even in the same league or sport when it comes to actually using them, then I've got this bridge that you just have to own. I've paid what I consider big dollars for knives, but I am under no impression that a $1,000 custom is going to do magical tasks that an $80 FRN, pinned, no liner Spyderco Stretch can't. Neither will the $400 Sebenza with a soft heat treat.
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Have you had and used a Sebenza?
 
I like the sebenzas I've seen ,but i don't like how it has become the end all to every discussion on mid to high end knives. There are others out there.
 
I have a few Sebenzas. I've carried a Sebenza for a few weeks. I don't care for it as a daily user. They're built well, but I'm more of a flipper or thumb hole type of guy. I just don't care for thumb studs. The Sebenza is a great slicer and all-round knife if that style is your thing though, I have nothing against it.
 
I've owned a Sebenza (25) and carried it almost exclusively for several months, it's a great knife and I admire the craftsmanship and precision.
That said I've since sold it and both the Umnumzaans I owned, mostly because I find myself pocketing a different folder in lieu of a CRK after the new knife novelty wears off.

Maybe someday I'll own another but right now when I feel like buying a new knife there's so many options (especially in the CRK price range) that I feel may be better suited to my needs (wants? :rolleyes:).

Some of the arguments for CRK (holds value well, great fit and finish, small shop with lots of hands on time from employees, innovative, perfect lock function, longevity, lifetime warranty, etc) are also applicable to other companies and products (such as Hinderer) that target different niche markets and user demographics.

Ultimately I feel that spending a few hundred dollars on a knife is perfectly reasonable and that CRK may be worth it (can't argue with the manufacturing awards) but when it's time for me to spend my money CRK just doesn't make the short list.
 
Idea: Let's all pool some money together and buy two used plain Jane Sebenza 21's in S35VN off of the exchange. We will keep one of them the factory heat-treat as prescribed by CRK. The second one we will send out for the 1 RC bump on the Rockwell. Neither Seb will be marked or otherwise indicated as to which one has had the additional heat treat. We will ship both knives to an independent voice in the BF community and have them sharpen each knife to the same bevel degree and same type of edge. We will then have the independent voice do both "real-world" tests and "lab cutting tests" including repeated sharpening of each blade. This independent voice will then post their findings here regarding edge retention, ease of sharpening, chipping, rolling, etc. The knives will NOT be abused, but will be USED appropriately.

At a minimum, it would be interesting to see and follow.

After the testing is done, we will have a random drawing for each Seb available to those who contributed to the "experiment fund."

Each raffle ticket has a buy-in of $20.00. I will be the first to buy a ticket at $20.00.

Anyone else in?
 
After reading through all the bickering it seems CRK just needs a program similar to the 'custom Griptilian' program that BM has. Of course it would be a bit more extensive giving the buyer some heat treat options, all their design/etching options, etc.

Then again, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. They seem to be selling just fine. I'm going to try a used one and if I don't like it I'll just sell it and lose a minimal amount. It's a win-win.
 
I'm currently dating a small starbenza. I definitely don't love it yet. Use over time will determine that. However, I appreciate the simplicity of the design and the only flaw, in my mind, is the empty hole in the handle. That should not be there.

This is something I have not been able to say about every other knife I've owned. I can usually list a few things I didn't like about other knives I've owned and sold or traded. I usually hate the blade to handle ratio, or finger choils, or awkward ramps to accommodate a hole, or blade shape, or overly thick blade, or unfinished titanium, or etc. Not so with the starbenza. I bought it because of the simplicity in blade shape, grind, and handle, nice blade to handle ratio and no finger choils on the handle or blade. I love these features and the sebenza has met my expectations where others have failed.

I do not love the price tag, but I do think the quality is there to justify it. I do not regret paying what I did because I got all the features I expect in a pocket knife and I know I can sell it and get much of my money back.
 
Wow, eleven pages. Congratulations on keeping it civil! Now how about if everyone who actually changed their mind about the Sebenza one way or the other after they read the opposing viewpoint here stand up and be counted?
 
I have a lot of Sebenzas mostly large. I think they are great. I like because I can't find a better left hand frame lock. When you're left handed you learn to love what you can get. For me the Sebenza and all CRK knives work great.
 
Tripton said:
Have you had and used a Sebenza?
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LOL. Seriously? Yes, I've owned and used Sebenzas. I still own three that have special meaning to me that sit in a drawer all day. They aren't magical and they can't do anything my cheaper knives can't do except for being taken apart easier. My customs costing more than the Sebenza don't do anything that Sebenza or my cheaper knives can't do except look prettier. Well, the edges will last longer than the Sebenza's. Yes, I've used Sebenzas and I find them completely lacking.
 
HwangJino said:
It may be overpriced, but half the price of a hinderer, which is not twice the quality.
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The high prices on a Hinderer are market-dictated. Rick charges ~395$ for a standard 3.5in XM. The comparison doesn't even work as one price is dictated by the owner and the other price is dictated by the buyer.
 
The OP, Wolverine666, just likes inciting drama. This is the second thread I have seen in which the title just invites potentially inflammatory respons. Utilizing the search function would have yielded results that would have answered this question and his previous question regarding Strider. Stop feeding into these high school-drama inspired threads, please.
 
Murdamook said:
The OP, Wolverine666, just likes inciting drama. This is the second thread I have seen in which the title just invites potentially inflammatory respons. Utilizing the search function would have yielded results that would have answered this question and his previous question regarding Strider. Stop feeding into these high school-drama inspired threads, please.
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You're probably right. But it was a good opportunity to talk about a great knife, and everybody pretty much proved it doesn't have to degenerate into bickering.
I think this says it better:

[video=youtube_share;Bgyp8aekaEI]http://youtu.be/Bgyp8aekaEI[/video]

Sam
 
GronK said:
Wow, eleven pages. Congratulations on keeping it civil! Now how about if everyone who actually changed their mind about the Sebenza one way or the other after they read the opposing viewpoint here stand up and be counted?
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I haven't owned or handled one yet but plan to in the near future. If I like the design of a knife and it has at least a decent demand on the exchange then I try not to shy away from giving it a try. I might love it, I might not - but at least I'll know for myself and not from reading back-and-forth positive & negative comments. I thoroughly enjoy reading through people's respectful and differing opinions, but the one that should matter the most to anyone is their own!
 
I would like to add that I agree, a Sebenza is not everybody's ideal knife. I never thought it was. For those that don't want one, I'm glad there are plenty of other knives to choose from. But where I disagree is when people knock it for not being ideal for them. I doubt even Chris Reeve would say it's perfect, otherwise he wouldn't constantly strive to improve it. But a different preference is not a defect. It would be hard to argue that the entire knife isn't very well thought out and executed.

This is an imperfect illustration, but I think it conveys the point. To me, it's like ultralight or lightweight backpacking. You've stripped away everything superfluous to pure function, and left a lean, lightweight package that performs very well. Sure, there are things that can be added on for more fun, or creature comfort, but nothing is missing that needs to be there to do the job. That's my take on it.


Sam :thumbup:
 
This kinda seems like Shapton Diamond Glass Lapping plate vs. DMT Diaflat vs. Atoma 140 vs. DMT Continuous Diamond for waterstone flattening.
 
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