When I first heard about Sebenzas, and then saw one, I wasn't very impressed. It wasn't visually exciting and didn't seem to offer much more than did other knives that cost significantly less.
I saw a couple of sebenzas for the first time "in the blade" at a show a couple of weeks ago. I liked the feel and action of the small one, but decided to pass on it because, while I had the money in my pocket, I wasn't really in the market for a new knive right then. After that, I couldn't get it out of my mind (I'm sure this has never happened to you). I did a search on this forum and read a lot of posts concerning sebbies. The more I read the more intrigued I became. So, I decided to find out for myself what all the fuss was about.
I picked up my small, polished-blade sebbie last night. My first major impression is that I like this knife a lot. It is slightly shorter (blade length and OAL) than my Benchmade 940 Osborne, but weighs slightly more. The 940 "feels" more comfortable in my hand than the sebbie, which feels a little more blocky, but the latter is still secure. The 940 also opens more smoothly (i.e.- effortlessly) than the sebbie, but I've owned it for 2 years and so it is well broken in. I'm sure the sebbie will also begin to operate more smoothly as I use it. The 940 gives me about 1/2 inch more handle length than the sebbie, which is just barely long enough to wrap my whole hand around without hanging off. The seb locks up very solidly and, when closed, the blade lines up exactly in between the scales. The blade of the 940 wiggles slightly when locked up and, when closed, the blade lines up slightly to the right of center (toward the scale with the clip).
I also compared the seb with my Microtech LCC MA. The LCC also feels better in my hand than the seb, but is much heavier. The LCC opens about as smoothly as the seb. The LCC also has a longer handle and so it is easier to get a good strong grip on. The LCC also locks up very solidly and, when closed, the blade lines up exactly in between the scales.
Picking Nits
-The frame lock of the seb is a little difficult to disengage as there isn't much of an opening on the right scale to allow the thumb to push the lock back into position.
-I would prefer a slightly larger finger choil. Since the scales are smooth and the thumb serrations on the blade are not overly aggressive, I am a little insecure about thrusting the blade too hard for fear of my fingers sliding up onto the blade; especially if my hands are wet and the material I'm cutting is resistant- carving a pumpkin comes to mind.
-It seems a little difficult to position my hand properly to efficiently thumb open the blade. If I hold the knife too high in my hand (where it feels comfortable), my thumb is too far down the blade to lock it open at the end of it's arc. If I hold the knife higher up so that it will lock the blade open at the end of it's arc, the thumb is bent at an awkward angle when initially accessing the thumb stud.
Overall Impressions
The small sebenza is a very well-made knife that is meant to be a working tool. It is small and light enough to take almost anywhere (although not as "dressy" as my 940)while still being large and strong enough to handle all tasks expeted of it and almost all tasks that it will be unexpectedly called upon to perform. I make that point to emphasize that if you anticipate having to perform a task that may test the limits of the knife, you'd be a fool not to take with you the tool that is more suitable. If I found myself in circumstances in which I would have to abuse the knife in order to survive, I would do so without hesitation knowing that we would probably both survive; but, if not, at least the knife would have given it's life for a good cause (although my wife may disagree
).
The small sebenza has a very good blade profile. It seems to be a very good utilitarian shape that will handle most chores well, but will not be ideal for all of them (but then, it isn't expected to be).
I look forward to using this knife a lot and fully expect that it will be the last one I'll ever need to buy.
I saw a couple of sebenzas for the first time "in the blade" at a show a couple of weeks ago. I liked the feel and action of the small one, but decided to pass on it because, while I had the money in my pocket, I wasn't really in the market for a new knive right then. After that, I couldn't get it out of my mind (I'm sure this has never happened to you). I did a search on this forum and read a lot of posts concerning sebbies. The more I read the more intrigued I became. So, I decided to find out for myself what all the fuss was about.
I picked up my small, polished-blade sebbie last night. My first major impression is that I like this knife a lot. It is slightly shorter (blade length and OAL) than my Benchmade 940 Osborne, but weighs slightly more. The 940 "feels" more comfortable in my hand than the sebbie, which feels a little more blocky, but the latter is still secure. The 940 also opens more smoothly (i.e.- effortlessly) than the sebbie, but I've owned it for 2 years and so it is well broken in. I'm sure the sebbie will also begin to operate more smoothly as I use it. The 940 gives me about 1/2 inch more handle length than the sebbie, which is just barely long enough to wrap my whole hand around without hanging off. The seb locks up very solidly and, when closed, the blade lines up exactly in between the scales. The blade of the 940 wiggles slightly when locked up and, when closed, the blade lines up slightly to the right of center (toward the scale with the clip).
I also compared the seb with my Microtech LCC MA. The LCC also feels better in my hand than the seb, but is much heavier. The LCC opens about as smoothly as the seb. The LCC also has a longer handle and so it is easier to get a good strong grip on. The LCC also locks up very solidly and, when closed, the blade lines up exactly in between the scales.
Picking Nits
-The frame lock of the seb is a little difficult to disengage as there isn't much of an opening on the right scale to allow the thumb to push the lock back into position.
-I would prefer a slightly larger finger choil. Since the scales are smooth and the thumb serrations on the blade are not overly aggressive, I am a little insecure about thrusting the blade too hard for fear of my fingers sliding up onto the blade; especially if my hands are wet and the material I'm cutting is resistant- carving a pumpkin comes to mind.
-It seems a little difficult to position my hand properly to efficiently thumb open the blade. If I hold the knife too high in my hand (where it feels comfortable), my thumb is too far down the blade to lock it open at the end of it's arc. If I hold the knife higher up so that it will lock the blade open at the end of it's arc, the thumb is bent at an awkward angle when initially accessing the thumb stud.
Overall Impressions
The small sebenza is a very well-made knife that is meant to be a working tool. It is small and light enough to take almost anywhere (although not as "dressy" as my 940)while still being large and strong enough to handle all tasks expeted of it and almost all tasks that it will be unexpectedly called upon to perform. I make that point to emphasize that if you anticipate having to perform a task that may test the limits of the knife, you'd be a fool not to take with you the tool that is more suitable. If I found myself in circumstances in which I would have to abuse the knife in order to survive, I would do so without hesitation knowing that we would probably both survive; but, if not, at least the knife would have given it's life for a good cause (although my wife may disagree
).The small sebenza has a very good blade profile. It seems to be a very good utilitarian shape that will handle most chores well, but will not be ideal for all of them (but then, it isn't expected to be).
I look forward to using this knife a lot and fully expect that it will be the last one I'll ever need to buy.
as far as not being "dressy" there are a plenty of options to make it that way