First expensive expensive knife, which one should I get?

Tony8179 said:
I understand making suggestions to the guy, but if he's asking about two specific knives why is everyone suggesting multiple other brands? This would make my decision a hundred times harder.
Click to expand...

Well, when you come in with basically no experience on the subject, and come in asking about the two knives that have the biggest fanboy following on blade forums, and nothing else, it seems helpful to show him that there are more than these two knives out there.

Imagine if some guy goes, okay I'm ready to buy my first expensive car, I want to spend$70,000. Should I get a BMW or Mercedes? Having no idea about how they drive, what creature comforts they might have, warranty, reliability, etc... Should we not maybe give him some opinions on a couple other types of cars as well?
 
goodeyesniper said:
Well, when you come in with basically no experience on the subject, and come in asking about the two knives that have the biggest fanboy following on blade forums, and nothing else, it seems helpful to show him that there are more than these two knives out there.

Imagine if some guy goes, okay I'm ready to buy my first expensive car, I want to spend$70,000. Should I get a BMW or Mercedes? Having no idea about how they drive, what creature comforts they might have, warranty, reliability, etc... Should we not maybe give him some opinions on a couple other types of cars as well?
Click to expand...

In my opinion the answer is no. He asked about the SnG and the Sebenza. He didn't ask about 3.5" folders, he didn't ask about framelocks in general, he didn't ask for opinions on other high end folders. He asked about two specific knives.

If someone asked me about what they should buy between a BMW and a Mercedes I wouldn't have an opinion because I've driven neither, but I wouldn't suggest that he buy a Lexus just because I have driven one.

Alot of the time a decision between just two options is hard enough. When people come by and dump another half a dozen options in front of you, that makes it even harder. Like I said in my first post of this thread. He'll end up buying both in the long run anyway. That's just the way this thing we do works.
 
Again, thanks for all the feedback from both sides. As I said, I am more than likely going to order a Large Sebenza, and thanks Wutitiz for the darrel ralph site, I do like a couple models from there.
 
Wow this thread reminds me of the saying, "...some people like to pay five dollars, some people like to pay ten." Also the words of PT Barnum come to mind. Ask yourself this question...If the knife's MSRP was $80 would you even be considering it? I'm with the folks who say go custom for that kind of money.
 
I'd say pick up a high end production knife such as the two you have listed rather than a custom for your first high end knife purchase. When you buy a $400 production knife you can be assured that it will be of very good quality, it should have an excellent warranty, and there will be thousands of people with the same knife that will be able to tell you whether the knife is worth buying. However, if you spend your money on a custom you cannot be assured of the quality of knife you will recieve. Also if anything happens to the maker or they decide to get out of the knife business your stuck with no warranty. Personally I think you should follow your gut feeling and pick up a less expensive knife for now. Hell buy a few... Get to know what YOU like in a knife IE: blade shape, lock type, handle material, blade grind... Until you know what you really like and what your comfortable sharpening I think that sounds like a good plan.

There are some great quality folders out there for less than $200. If your set on getting a super tough duty folder go grab a ZT 300. I'm certain that this knife should be able to handle anything that you'll throw at it. It's just as solid as a SNG at about half the price. They are quite similar in many aspects actually and its a collaboration knife between Strider and Ken Onion. As for knives with the sebenza style check out the Bradley Alias and Buck Mayo TNT both of which are also titanium frame locks and you may find that they are all you're really looking for.
 
large micarta sebenza is a good bet but there are many great customs out there at 500. try greg lightfoot, kirby lambert...theres so many. check out the custom section here on bladeforums
 
Not trying to echo the variety of opinions here, there is value in understanding what appeals to you personally, and objectively knowing your tendencies with usage, carry, and materials.

For myself, after owning several makes and models of knives in the <$200 category, I ventured into the same water your are now swimming in. My election to go high-end production vs. custom was based on warranty, reputation, and longevity of service. I choose CR because for my own tendencies, I know I'll carry and use a Sebenza more than I would a Strider and I not in a financial position that will justify the purchase $500+ knives that sit in a safe.

I'd advise taking a personal inventory your tastes and preferences and go for it. Additionally, both series of knives have such a large fanbase, that you can always resale the knives you don't like for a relatively small loss, or trade them for something else in the same league.

Good luck.
 
I've had both and I would opt for an XM-18. It will take a little legwork with dealers to get one but it's doable for right around your budget.
 
mmarkh said:
Aren't the waits on XM-18s several months?
Click to expand...

I don't think Rick takes any orders unless you're LEO/Firefighter, etc. Dealers seem to get them fairly frequently. I've bought two in the past month without much hassle.
 
I would go for the Sebenza. I had your same quandry for several years and able to compare the Sebenza to some other custom folders last fall.

The Sebenza is hard to beat for design and overall quality.
 
Not to thread jack, but I have to ask out of morbid curiosity...what is it about these three knives that brings them together in the same conversation? Is it the similar price point?

triple5ae2.jpg
 
oilSlick said:
Not to thread jack, but I have to ask out of morbid curiosity...what is it about these three knives that brings them together in the same conversation? Is it the similar price point?

triple5ae2.jpg
Click to expand...

i asked the exact same question. i don't understand why the xm-18 is the only custom/midtech knfie being lumped in with the high end productions. even the galyean pro-series knives arent usually mentioned together with the sebenzas and sngs, and then the umnumzaan gets ignored a lot too. there's plenty of other knives in the same price point, or slightly higher. i'm sure there's a bunch of other makers who have knives at the same price. you can usually find kirby lambert and todd begg knives at under 500$. i own, and love, an xm-18, but I don't understand why other customs are usually ignored by people looking for knives at this price point. and then there's also the ken onion mid-tech ripple that no one seems to mention (it's at 350, so even cheaper than a sebenza, but a bit smaller).
 
If this thread took place a few years ago, it would be a DDR EDC and a Carson M4 in that photo along with the Sebbie. Later, it would have been a TNT. Eventually the costs of those knives rose to the point were they really weren't direct comparisons with the Sebbie anymore. Beggs are sweet, but strike me as a different type of knife. The Onion Ripple is definitely intended to be a different category (gent's tactical).
 
92degrees said:
If this thread took place a few years ago, it would be a DDR EDC and a Carson M4 in that photo along with the Sebbie. Later, it would have been a TNT. Eventually the costs of those knives rose to the point were they really weren't direct comparisons with the Sebbie anymore. Beggs are sweet, but strike me as a different type of knife. The Onion Ripple is definitely intended to be a different category (gent's tactical).
Click to expand...

yeah i realize the onion ripple is a different category, i only mentioned it because of the price point. there was also the ken onion midtech forum bump, that went for around 500$ and there were even some extras left over. i just got into knives recently, so I didn't realize about the ddr edc and carson m4
 
You are correct...there are a lot of choices within that range and have been for a long time. I do think the three knives pictured are pretty close in size, cost, and use. Between the Sebbie and the Strider it would always be the Sebbie for me. I've opted for the XM-18 over the Sebbie because they are a little more unique and have far better ergos (for me).
 
They're both good knives, but from the sound of your comments you don't really like either one that much- why spend $400+ on a knife that you're not thrilled with?
 
how about a tank that looks good... an umnumzaan, i just got one and it feels like a tank without being tigerstriped and all that jazz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top