Does Anyone NOT Love The Sebenza ?

[HwangJino]

I agree powernoodle, its about how they make me feel. It has gotten me to look at other knives too, like curtis.

as for function, factory edge was anything but impressive, it took some time to get stupid sharp.

 

[kershawTEX]

I have never owned a sebenza, but did some sharpening on a Umnumzaan. I do not understand the whole NO "flick" policy, could someone shed some light on this for me, thanks!

 

[ChrisB507]

CRKs don't function better than other knives - if function is defined as cutting, slicing, etc. That's something that CRK fans just make up in order to try to justify spending $450 for a dang pocket knife.

I think Powernoodle nailed it. You spend that kind of money on a knife, you don't want to feel like an idiot for doing so...I'm glad to have two Sebbies. I bought the first one in 2004, and a small Insingo last year. I like them, but I doubt I'll buy another. Maybe after almost 9 years I haven't yet learned to appreciate it appropriately yet or used it hard enough for it to show me its value.

 

[Kwon Kwang]

I don't own one. Looking at its specs and reviews, I don't want one, either. Not my kind of knife. Doesn't look like anything special to me. I wouldn't spend $100 on it.

 

[heavyfoldersarebest]

I don't like them.

 

[Wolverine666]

Lightning rods? Hahaha. Yes it does seem that way but I assure u it's quite unintentional. I just have an inquisitive nature.

 

[RetiredGuns]

I've had a few Sebs and find them intriguing, perfectly built, tried & true. Price doesn't bother me because they never lose a dime. I'm 52 years old and have owned at least 300+ knives so the post about age is ridiculous.

There are a few reasons I never seem to keep them though:

1. I don't like the heat treat yet I understand the good & bad of the "soft side".
2. The lock face is soft which has raised a HUGE stink. I opened my Sebs like slippies yet noticed deformation on the lockface. There was a very interesting thread about this by CR himself, but I don't remember seeing results. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
3. They make spectacular trade bait.

Yet I find myself always on the lookout...

 

[dkb45]

Okay, that's where my horse hockey meter starts making noise. CRKs don't function better than other knives - if function is defined as cutting, slicing, etc. That's something that CRK fans just make up in order to try to justify spending $450 for a dang pocket knife. In fact, a Spyderco Tenacious kills a cardboard box and peels an apple better than an Umnumzaan. A CS Voyager XL hacks and chops and pries better. And is grippier. Sebenzas are blingier, but the nuanced functionality stuff is a load of turkey giggle isn't it? Am I wrong?

Chris Reeve knives make some people feel good. And that's a very good thing if you are one of those people. But they don't function better. Let's keep it real here.

The interweb's most-watched knife reviewer (I'm guessing) characterized the Sebenza as a "douche knife". I'm talking about myself here and no one else, because sometimes I feel like a douche for paying >$1000 for 3 CRK knives that I almost never carry. I willingly got sucked in to the whole "greatest knife ever" thing. They are nice knives with close tolerances, like a lot of other nice knives with close tolerances. But when you get down to it, they don't chop a zucchini or cut open a burlap bag better than the $50 stuff. For some people, having a CRK in their pocket makes them feel good. And that's cool. But I call hog hockey on the better functionality stuff.

You always pop in out of nowhere and drop a WMD of knowledge. I don't get how you can always do this.

You got it perfectly. A Sebenza, if you boil it down, is little more than a fancy knife that isn't fancy (fancily designed). My Mini Grip (an elusive model with no QC issues) opens easier and smoother. My ZT 550 will handle abuse much better. My 300SN is more fun to play with. My Bobyk Icon is (in my eyes) classier. Even though every knife I have does something better, none of them can say they are a $300-500 knife that many people consider worth every penny and then some. If I say I have one of these in my pocket to another knife but, it isn'tfor bragging rights (ok the Grip is, just because it is a rare example).

Some people are just more attuned to the "finer things in life". Do I think $500 for a bottle of wine is moronic? Sure as a bear poos in the woods. Do I think $300k for a car is obnoxious, along with stupid? I'm not a person that understands the finer things. I prefer value over fashion, because my $70 Trip can do everything your Sebenza can, it just won't be as nice or as cool at it.

Different strokes for different folks, and haters gonna hate.

 

[HwangJino]

My friend who swears on his ontario rat, is starting to ask about how much used sebenzas go for.

its like a drug.

 

[Sam Wilson]

You always pop in out of nowhere and drop a WMD of knowledge. I don't get how you can always do this.

You got it perfectly. A Sebenza, if you boil it down, is little more than a fancy knife that isn't fancy (fancily designed). My Mini Grip (an elusive model with no QC issues) opens easier and smoother. My ZT 550 will handle abuse much better. My 300SN is more fun to play with. My Bobyk Icon is (in my eyes) classier. Even though every knife I have does something better, none of them can say they are a $300-500 knife that many people consider worth every penny and then some. If I say I have one of these in my pocket to another knife but, it isn'tfor bragging rights (ok the Grip is, just because it is a rare example).

Some people are just more attuned to the "finer things in life". Do I think $500 for a bottle of wine is moronic? Sure as a bear poos in the woods. Do I think $300k for a car is obnoxious, along with stupid? I'm not a person that understands the finer things. I prefer value over fashion, because my $70 Trip can do everything your Sebenza can, it just won't be as nice or as cool at it.

Different strokes for different folks, and haters gonna hate.

We will have to see if that is still true after 10-15 years of daily use.

 

[Fanglekai]

We will have to see if that is still true after 10-15 years of daily use.

My dad carried and used a plastic handled SAK for 25+ years before I bought him a new one. The only thing wrong with his was the spring was somewhat weak. That's a $20 knife.

 

[GWashington1732]

I don't like the Sebenza. I'm sure it's a nice knife, but I just don't want one.

It is pretty interesting though how a couple of years ago, a thread like this would have come to insults and been locked in an hour or so.

 

[kodachi]

x1000 to powermoodle.
I don't dislike or love sabenza. I recognize the knife as a very good, perhaps one of the most influential knife of our time. Yet, IMHO, it has been a while since it was introduced and there are plenty of other knives that can make people FEEL good (enough) for much less price. Spyderco PM2 for example does that for me.
I don't believe that we all have to love (even fond of) a knife that everyone else CALLs the best.
I personally don't think people who edc sabenza a duche, and I don't speak less of others who carries cheap knives either. I'm glad that people love their knife/knives and USE them in daily basis. There is clear difference in everyone's value system. Sabenza is undeniably great knife, but that does not make this knife love-able to all of us, including me.

 

[Sam Wilson]

My dad carried and used a plastic handled SAK for 25+ years before I bought him a new one. The only thing wrong with his was the spring was somewhat weak. That's a $20 knife.

To be fair, those are hardly the same type of knife, with different demands placed on each.

I don't like the Sebenza. I'm sure it's a nice knife, but I just don't want one.

It is pretty interesting though how a couple of years ago, a thread like this would have come to insults and been locked in an hour or so.

I respect that all day long. I love that there are plenty of different makers/brands that give us tons of options. I guess I just tend to get stuck on the fact that a lot of those options are there now because of Chris Reeve's Sebenza. When you look at how many knives incorporate features from the Sebenza, and have built on it, it's staggering. I know it is not the knife for everyone, but to put it in the words of someone pretty famous, it's kind of a big deal. Lol.

[video=youtube_share;H8OxKx6zKkQ]http://youtu.be/H8OxKx6zKkQ[/video]


Sam

 

[DShiflet]

Powernoodle nailed it. If you walked up to me and gave me a Sebenza it'd be up on the exchange literally as soon as I was able to get online and get to this forum.

 

[elkins45]

Okay, that's where my horse hockey meter starts making noise. CRKs don't function better than other knives - if function is defined as cutting, slicing, etc. That's something that CRK fans just make up in order to try to justify spending $450 for a dang pocket knife. In fact, a Spyderco Tenacious kills a cardboard box and peels an apple better than an Umnumzaan. A CS Voyager XL hacks and chops and pries better. And is grippier. Sebenzas are blingier, but the nuanced functionality stuff is a load of turkey giggle isn't it? Am I wrong?

Chris Reeve knives make some people feel good. And that's a very good thing if you are one of those people. But they don't function better. Let's keep it real here.

The interweb's most-watched knife reviewer (I'm guessing) characterized the Sebenza as a "douche knife". I'm talking about myself here and no one else, because sometimes I feel like a douche for paying >$1000 for 3 CRK knives that I almost never carry. I willingly got sucked in to the whole "greatest knife ever" thing. They are nice knives with close tolerances, like a lot of other nice knives with close tolerances. But when you get down to it, they don't chop a zucchini or cut open a burlap bag better than the $50 stuff. For some people, having a CRK in their pocket makes them feel good. And that's cool. But I call hog hockey on the better functionality stuff

Once again powernodle does Kentucky proud.

Much respect for the noodle.

 

[archieblue]

I can pick apart pretty much any knife. There are things that I'd like to be different with pretty much all of them! My Sebs and my Shirogorov are the closest I've found to being an exception. Handle shape/comfort, a clip's design/placement, placement/what type and the way screws are used, weight, carry comfort, blade shape, steel, fit & finish, materials, ect... IMO, especially given the trend in price hikes of Midtech & customs, Sebenzas are either perfectly priced or even a deal!

S30V/S35VN have proven themselves to me for sure. I have 3 Sebs and 5-6 other knives in these steels. The two knives I carry the most are a Seb 25 and a Gen7 SnG. Between the two I notice little to no difference in edge holding. They both hold an edge very well and they both sharpen up nicely.

 

[TEFL0N_D0N_81]

Okay, that's where my horse hockey meter starts making noise. CRKs don't function better than other knives - if function is defined as cutting, slicing, etc. That's something that CRK fans just make up in order to try to justify spending $450 for a dang pocket knife. In fact, a Spyderco Tenacious kills a cardboard box and peels an apple better than an Umnumzaan. A CS Voyager XL hacks and chops and pries better. And is grippier. Sebenzas are blingier, but the nuanced functionality stuff is a load of turkey giggle isn't it? Am I wrong?

Chris Reeve knives make some people feel good. And that's a very good thing if you are one of those people. But they don't function better. Let's keep it real here.

The interweb's most-watched knife reviewer (I'm guessing) characterized the Sebenza as a "douche knife". I'm talking about myself here and no one else, because sometimes I feel like a douche for paying >$1000 for 3 CRK knives that I almost never carry. I willingly got sucked in to the whole "greatest knife ever" thing. They are nice knives with close tolerances, like a lot of other nice knives with close tolerances. But when you get down to it, they don't chop a zucchini or cut open a burlap bag better than the $50 stuff. For some people, having a CRK in their pocket makes them feel good. And that's cool. But I call hog hockey on the better functionality stuff.

Now that's some refreshing truth right there.

I too, dislike the whole "better function" argument to justify a knife of that price range, especially when it's not even a slight stretch of the truth. That being said, I made the decision a while back that as a collector, I will be paying extra $ for the little details that I enjoy.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Another famous quote: A fool and his money..
For the price of one Sabenza I'd take 4 of these any day of the week: (Shows pic of digi/camo PM2.)

I already have four of these (or more) in addition to another twenty in the past year. The PM2 is great; I love the compression lock. I love the variety of great blade-steels that are available from Sal. I generally use these for trade materials. But...but...but I carry a CRK every day.
Sonnydaze

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The Sebenza, however, seemed like it didn't sell well if it was used.

I don't understand this. I've bought over twenty Sebbies in the past year...every one used, And I pay $325 for a used Large...and I sell them quickly for $325, usually within a day of advertising on our Exchange. If you are picky, you can send it in for a Spa job for a few bucks, and it's as new again.
sonnydaze
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Strider seems to offer more bang for buck personally.

Yes, Strider makes a good knife. I like 'em; I own 'em. Their Customer Service is outstanding. But, IF you want the tactical look, try the Unmumzaan. It is my EDC.
Sonnydaze
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The interweb's most-watched knife reviewer (I'm guessing) characterized the Sebenza as a "douche knife". ...sometimes I feel like a douche for paying >$1000 for 3 CRK knives that I almost never carry.

"MOST-WATCHED" means very little to me. But, I will add, that Jdavis882 bought three large Sebbies, and said in his YT-video that he would never need a different knife. Now, Jdavis882 is controversial, but I've always enjoyed his intelligence and his videos. He's a very bright guy. I think that $1000 for 3 CRK knives is an awfully good deal.
Sonnydaze
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I don't own one. I wouldn't spend $100 on it.

Of course not. They cost much more than that. If you do spend $100 on one, I'll give you $200 for it.
Sonnydaze

 

[DB731]

They look very boring.