First CRK how does the Sebenza Slice?

W

Winter Tyrant

Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
73
Hey Guys,

I am looking to purchase my first CRK and of course it has to be the Sebenza, so after a hefty X-Mas present for my wife I have the green light to get one(hopefully next paycheck). Currently I carry either an RC-4 or an Izula and I really like them but they are a bit too muscular to be real efficient slicers. I have been in the market for a really nice folder and a real good slicer because right now my RC-4 is too big for precision razor type slicing and the Izula is not much better. So how does the Sebenza slice up? Also...large or small? I want the small because its...small but I also like the size of the large. A co-worker of mine has a BM Griptilian so how do the two compare in size?

I know these have been asked before but I went back to previous posts and didn't notice any on slicing proficiency.

Thanks,
Floyd
 
Floyd, i'm not an experienced 'Sebbie' guy. i only have 1, a large Classic with fancy inlays, screws, etc. bought about 2 years ago.
i have not used it because it's not really sharp and i haven't been able to bring myself to destroy it's minty status and sharpen it.
it is quite thick behind the edge so to make it a good slicer it would need re-profiling. the steel is S30V so i don't know if thinning might result in edge chipping.
i don't think this knife is designed to be a 'slicer'.
looking forward to seeing what the experienced 'Sebbie Dudes' have to say.
roland
 
I think that Sebenza's are excellent slicers due to their high hollow grinds. CRK heat treats the S30V to just the right hardness to avoid chipping so don't fear the sharpening! I've reprofiled all four of my Seb's the 30 deg. inclusive (15 per side), with no problems whatsoever.

Get it and use it. You can relax. As to the difference between a small and a large, it depends on your personal preference for carrying and using. I carry a small in an office environment and a large just about everywhere else.
 
Sebbies slice just fine for my taste. They're not designed for slicing tomatoes into paper-thin bits that you can see through, but if that's what you want it for, all you need to do is reprofile the edge a bit. They slice much better than an RC-4 or an Izula, mostly because the blade's uncoated. (I own both of those models, among other RATs) Mike Stewart from Bark River claims that blade coating reduces slicing efficiency by about 50%- and I'm inclined to agree with him. And I think they have convex edges, as opposed to thickish V-grinds like RATs. I say "I think"- because I can't remember the factory edge on mine, it's been a while. It has a convex edge on it now, anyway. I use my small Sebenza in the kitchen all the time, because that's the knife I always have on me. It works great. And it holds its edge beautifully. I've been carrying my small Seb every day for almost a year now (11 months), and I've had to resharpen it twice. And that was just with a strop. Good stuff!
I don't have any plans to carry anything else- ever. My search for the "perfect folder" is over. :thumbup:
 
After learning to sharpen my Sebenza (and overcoming that pesky wire edge), I've found that it's a good all around cutter. But for slicing there's just no possible way you can beat Spyderco's distal taper full flat grind. The Caly jr and the Caly III are just a couple of examples of that grind and both are slicing machines. They slice like there's some kind of electric motor driving the action. Hard to explain but you'll come away from a slicing chore with that "freaked out infomercial look" that actors get when the Chia pet starts growing hair.

The Seb on the other hand cuts real good and you'll get that look like a farmer gets after he's plowed the field all day and looks out the kitchen window while drinking a glass of water. A tired look of pride and accomplishment.

Sort of like the difference betweeen a John Deere tractor and a top fuel race car. They both take you places but one of them puts a funny feeling in the pit of your stomach on the way there. Hope that helps.
 
I really like my Sebenzas (small and large), and they're very good slicers. If it's a Sebenza you want, go for it. You won't regret it.

That being said, I'd give my Spyderco BG-42 Military the "Best Slicer Award", no question...Long blade, distal tapered, flat ground, "thin" edge :eek: On top of that, the new all Titanium Military (with the Reeve Integral Lock) is out...you might want to check it out :)
 
Sweet, thanks for all the informative replies guys! I really want the Sebenza and I know that it wouldn't let me down and would slice better than my RAT's. Speaking of coating, I recently removed the coating on my Izula and it slices MUCH better. I will probably end up going with the Sebenza because I can be a bit tough on my knives at times and would be worried about the edge strength with a super thin slicer! Oh and Harry, that last line...awesome

Floyd
 
I think the seb is a decent slicer. It does all I need it to be, but I think spyderco wins hands down. My bm krein regrind 710 is my best though:)
 
Bread...Salami...Chicken....Beef....Pork....Tomatoes....Apples.....do I really have to go on?

With out fail, it does all wonderfully. About the only thing that does better is my Shadow Toothpick (Ken Coats). And the only thing it really does different is that my Sebenza cuts things thin but my Toothpick can get them paper thin.

Sebbie....best all around folder made.
 
Mine does very well,only knife I have had to beat it was a Spyderco Military.
I really can't say the Military is better as the edge will roll some.The Sebenza's edge does not.
 
If you're looking for a super slicer get a Spyderco Caly Jr,Caly3 or UK Pen Knife. Those knives just can't be beat in the slicing dept. On the other hand the Small Seb cuts good and I EDC my Sebbie over those Spydercos at the moment.
 
I think I am just going to stick with the Sebenza, I looked at the Spyderco's and while they were nice they just didn't scream buy me like a Sebenza!
 
W.T. i agree. whether or not a Sebenza is a good, or the best, slicer, it TALKS to you. that is the knife you get, because that is the knife you NEED.
i've never been disappointed when i have allowed this inner feeling to be my guide.
roland
 
what r u slicing? i think that parameter will make a difference.....

I own an old microtech that can outslice 12 pack boxes better than any other knife I have owned....my record is 52 boxes while still shaving arm hair...

but what are you slicing?

I dont think crk's sebenza's are very good out of the box compared to other brands I have owned for slicing...
 
=Voodoo= said:
what r u slicing? i think that parameter will make a difference.....

I own an old microtech that can outslice 12 pack boxes better than any other knife I have owned....my record is 52 boxes while still shaving arm hair...

but what are you slicing?

I dont think crk's sebenza's are very good out of the box compared to other brands I have owned for slicing...
Click to expand...

What model and what kind of steel was that MT? Sounds awesome.
 
I have the Prof Soldier, which I believe is a similar blade to the Sebenza. Its easily a finer slicer than my RC-4 (though the -4 is better for big hunks of meat). For really fine slicing, my Spydie Military beats the others due its thin blade.
 
I will mainly be doing everyday type stuff, I am the returns go to guy for a wholesale company so I am constantly opening boxes and cutting them down, plus the standard slicing of food, envelopes, loose thread and plastic wrap for anything from cd's to that ridiculously tough plastic that electronics come in. So I am not trying to win a slicing contest but currently my RC-4 is a bit to robust for fine stuff like envelopes or cd wrap.

Floyd
 
Hey Floyd,

I think you'll love the Sebenza - beware, though: life is tough for a knife junky after owning a Sebenza - everything seems so...not perfect :eek: :D
 
I chopped some carrots on Christmas and promptly cut myself with my Large Sebenza. I turned it over in my hand for some reason so that the blade was facing up and brought my the edge of my thumb down over the blade. Just a little nick but it bit me deeper than I would have expected.

My Spyderco Military is my go-to kitchen knife, though.
 
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