Here are some very early first thoughts on a small Sebenza I just received. This is my first Sebenza - I'd appreciate any comments on anything I mention below. Keep in mind that prior to this knife, I've mostly purchased/used Spyderco knives (a good dozen or more of them), and a Benchmade 690.
My small Sebenza just arrived Ive had about an hour of play time with it. Havent really used it for any real cutting use yet (other than the standard shave-some-arm-hair, slice some paper, etc). I was surprised to see that it was manufactured in August of 2001, so I have the older blade steel. From what Ive read its arguable which steel is better, so Im not particularly concerned about that.
From what I had read, I had expected this knife to be the sharpest out-of-the-box Ive ever seen. Yep, its pretty sharp, but I think most if not all of my Spydercos have been the same sharpness. I dont think its LESS sharp, just around the same. I cannot cut hairs on my arm without shaving next to the skin, so its not that hair-poppin sharpness Ive heard about, but its probably better than I can do with my Sharpmaker. I can get a blade shaving sharp, but havent succeeded at the even sharper levels (and honestly havent really tried that hard, I dont want a fragile edge after all).
The fit and finish of this Sebenza are outstanding. I mean, really really outstanding. When closed, the blade is perfectly centered between the scales. The tip is perfectly formed. I love how pretty much everything is rounded. The blade is simple but really gorgeous. I love how they rounded over the back edge. The knife is also thinner than I expected, which I like. Very smooth action.
Disengaging the lock is a bit harder than Im used to on these types of knives I usually turn the knife over in my hand, edge up, then press the liner lock over with my thumb while applying just slight pressure on the top of the blade with my index finger, moving the blade until it just clears the lock. Then I get my other fingers out of the way, and close the blade completely using my thumb. I think, however, that my middle finger is tending to rest on the pocket clip when Im doing this with the Sebenza, and thus its applying pressure thats making it harder for my thumb to disengage the lock. As a result Im trying too hard, and when the lock does clear the blade Im moving the blade much more than I want to (a couple times it almost flipped closed on my fingers yipes). Gonna have to practice not pressing AGAINST the lock with my middle finger when closing it.
I like the look of the lanyard, but I rarely (never?) use one, and I think its just going to get in my way in my pocket. I foresee removing it very soon. I like the subdued gray clip, rather than a polished silvery one draws less attention to the fact that Im carrying a knife. Yep, over all its a pretty ugly gray color perhaps if Im thrilled with its performance I may at some point get one of the dressier ones, then sell this one off. Im not one to collect these kinda things, and keep them unused. With my Spydercos, every one that Ive bought has seen use, and with these itd be no different. In fact, I called CRK to order some of their recommended lubricant yesterday, and ended up talking with Lisa there (she does the fancier engraving, and just happened to pick up the phone). I told her I was getting my first one today, and she said, Well I hope youre going to use it, and not just keep it on a shelf. Some really pretty knives leave here, and I can see some people wanting to keep them looking nice, but we really prefer you USE these knives. I liked that attitude.
Im looking forward to really using this knife and seeing how it performs.
My small Sebenza just arrived Ive had about an hour of play time with it. Havent really used it for any real cutting use yet (other than the standard shave-some-arm-hair, slice some paper, etc). I was surprised to see that it was manufactured in August of 2001, so I have the older blade steel. From what Ive read its arguable which steel is better, so Im not particularly concerned about that.
From what I had read, I had expected this knife to be the sharpest out-of-the-box Ive ever seen. Yep, its pretty sharp, but I think most if not all of my Spydercos have been the same sharpness. I dont think its LESS sharp, just around the same. I cannot cut hairs on my arm without shaving next to the skin, so its not that hair-poppin sharpness Ive heard about, but its probably better than I can do with my Sharpmaker. I can get a blade shaving sharp, but havent succeeded at the even sharper levels (and honestly havent really tried that hard, I dont want a fragile edge after all).
The fit and finish of this Sebenza are outstanding. I mean, really really outstanding. When closed, the blade is perfectly centered between the scales. The tip is perfectly formed. I love how pretty much everything is rounded. The blade is simple but really gorgeous. I love how they rounded over the back edge. The knife is also thinner than I expected, which I like. Very smooth action.
Disengaging the lock is a bit harder than Im used to on these types of knives I usually turn the knife over in my hand, edge up, then press the liner lock over with my thumb while applying just slight pressure on the top of the blade with my index finger, moving the blade until it just clears the lock. Then I get my other fingers out of the way, and close the blade completely using my thumb. I think, however, that my middle finger is tending to rest on the pocket clip when Im doing this with the Sebenza, and thus its applying pressure thats making it harder for my thumb to disengage the lock. As a result Im trying too hard, and when the lock does clear the blade Im moving the blade much more than I want to (a couple times it almost flipped closed on my fingers yipes). Gonna have to practice not pressing AGAINST the lock with my middle finger when closing it.
I like the look of the lanyard, but I rarely (never?) use one, and I think its just going to get in my way in my pocket. I foresee removing it very soon. I like the subdued gray clip, rather than a polished silvery one draws less attention to the fact that Im carrying a knife. Yep, over all its a pretty ugly gray color perhaps if Im thrilled with its performance I may at some point get one of the dressier ones, then sell this one off. Im not one to collect these kinda things, and keep them unused. With my Spydercos, every one that Ive bought has seen use, and with these itd be no different. In fact, I called CRK to order some of their recommended lubricant yesterday, and ended up talking with Lisa there (she does the fancier engraving, and just happened to pick up the phone). I told her I was getting my first one today, and she said, Well I hope youre going to use it, and not just keep it on a shelf. Some really pretty knives leave here, and I can see some people wanting to keep them looking nice, but we really prefer you USE these knives. I liked that attitude.
Im looking forward to really using this knife and seeing how it performs.
They will definitely take a very fine edge. Either a Lansky super fine stone or the Sharpmaker, both followed with a stropping wil leave you with an edge that can take off the tops of free standing hair while even the lightest touch to the skin at the wrong angle will draw blood 