Got my first CRK Sebenza yesterday. The Emperor's new knife.

[Envy Sam]

Good for you OP, at least someone has the balls to go against what everyone else thinks. I felt pretty much the same about my Sebenza, so I sold it. Although I can totally see why some people love them, it just bothers me when someone calls them "flawless" or "the perfect knife". They are far from perfect (I found maybe 3 things I didn't like with mine that led me to sell it) and I think if you are thinking about purchasing one, it's important to handle one instead of listening to what everyone says about them.

 

[MatthewSB]

As has been said, I am not implying that this is THE knife for everyone, but it is THE knife for me and countless others.

Sums it up perfectly, something missed by a lot of people on the internetz who believe that just because something isn't right for them, everyone who it is right for must be stupid.

I'm actually almost at the point of selling all my unused knives to fund another CRK. The hard part is going to be whether to get a micarta 25 or an Umnuum. What to do? What to do?

Both are excellent, but the micarta 25 is the most excellentest.

 

[flipe8]

Then I found the small sebenza. Fits my hand a lot better. However, it's still an ugly grey turd. The finish on the handle sucks because it picks up scratches like a black sweater picks up dandruff. The finish on the blade sucks because it's not shiny. Look at the old Buck Mayo, that's the kind of finish CRK should put on their handles and blades for this price range.

In your opinion. Mine is totally different in that I love the finish on a plain Jane Sebenza. No problem with having different tastes, but shiny=blingy to me, so I'm more than happy carrying the "ugly grey turd".

 

[GronK]

In your opinion. Mine is totally different in that I love the finish on a plain Jane Sebenza. No problem with having different tastes, but shiny=blingy to me, so I'm more than happy carrying the "ugly grey turd".

Loves me a grey turd to carry around in my pocket every day. It's even better now that I've discovered Sebenzas. Smells better at least.

 

[SUPERFITTER]

I looked at the small CRK Sebenza, with the super steel blade and titanium frame and the super high price. I then went to the big river and bought the SANRENMU SRM 7010LUC-SA Silver Color 8Cr13MoV Steel Monolock Folding Knife for $10.99 (free shipping if order is over $35.00) and could purchase over 30 of these knives. That would make them disposable knifes, if you break one and another is lost or give one to a friend you still have a bunch more to play with. Yes I know it's made in China, but any one who complains should look around their own homes and see how much junk they have that is made in China or has parts from China. Also look for how many are copies of American and other countries products. I can afford to buy the Sebenza's by the gross, but it's just a pocket knife that has limited use because of it's size. These EDC knives are not designed as a survival or combat knife, yes I know you can use some as personal protestion, if you have the right training. Friends that were in the service would prefer their old K Bar instead.

Sorry if I offended anyone, just calling it like I see it!

 

[RedLynx]

Sums it up perfectly, something missed by a lot of people on the internetz who believe that just because something isn't right for them, everyone who it is right for must be stupid.
.

Or the opposite, which happens more frequently, with Sebenzas or any other popular knife.

 

[RedLynx]

I looked at the small CRK Sebenza, with the super steel blade and titanium frame and the super high price. I then went to the big river and bought the SANRENMU SRM 7010LUC-SA Silver Color 8Cr13MoV Steel Monolock Folding Knife for $10.99 (free shipping if order is over $35.00) and could purchase over 30 of these knives. That would make them disposable knifes, if you break one and another is lost or give one to a friend you still have a bunch more to play with. Yes I know it's made in China, but any one who complains should look around their own homes and see how much junk they have that is made in China or has parts from China. Also look for how many are copies of American and other countries products. I can afford to buy the Sebenza's by the gross, but it's just a pocket knife that has limited use because of it's size. These EDC knives are not designed as a survival or combat knife, yes I know you can use some as personal protestion, if you have the right training. Friends that were in the service would prefer their old K Bar instead.

Sorry if I offended anyone, just calling it like I see it!

I'm not offended, but I am confused. I think the Sebbie is over-hyped (though mostly deservedly hyped) and don't plan to own one, but even I can see these are vastly different knives, almost so different as to be different species. And I have no problem owning Chinese knives. Then you talk about combat and survival and you've lost me completely dude.

 

[Nerfin]

The Sebenza is definitely not a knife for everyone. I was skeptical until I bought a Small Insingo, then the large 21. I'm not afraid to use them, as cutting tools like they were designed for. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? In my humble experience Yes.

YMMV.

At the end of the day you are paying for 15 pieces of different shapes and types of metal that fit together to form a Sebenza. I didn't count the thumb stud...ooops could be 17 I guess?

This thread inspired me to clean mine....

Cheers.

 

[GronK]

Yes I know it's made in China, but any one who complains should look around their own homes and see how much junk they have that is made in China or has parts from China.

Right. I took a look around at all the crap that I have no option on since they are no longer available made in USA. I then took a look around my knife collection. I buy only US made knives now so, just maybe, I'll still be able to buy American made knives in the future.

 

[flipe8]

Right. I took a look around at all the crap that I have no option on since they are no longer available made in USA. I then took a look around my knife collection. I buy only US made knives now so, just maybe, I'll still be able to buy American made knives in the future.

Agreed. If someone would rather buy cheap, disposable junk, that's their choice. If I'm lucky, I've got half my life left in front of me(maybe less, who knows?) I've worked hard and would rather own nice things I can afford and enjoy.

 

[RIPtastic]

I think any knife collector worth their salt realize the Sebenza is an exceptional piece of cutlery. Is it anymore than a very well made cutting tool? No. I don't know what you were expecting, for it to make you dinner, but it hasn't received the many awards and praise for nothing. I've been collecting/ using knives for a good bit and believe I can tell a good knife when I see one.
Let me ask you this.... Did you take your Sebenza apart and inspect all the parts and they way they fit. Thats where the beauty lies.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

There's plenty of knives that people carry that I don't like. However, I don't go publicly bi*ch about it, because what will that accomplish? It would just make me look like a picky little princess...

All you've done (OP) is open a can of worms, and you knew that was going to happen. How about you just simply return/sell your Sebenza so that someone else can enjoy it...
Or does that make a little too much sense?

 

[Tasmaniac]

I own 11 Chris Reeve knives and I haven't been even mildly disappointed with any of them. In fact, those knives will be the absolutely last ones I ever part with.

Apparently the OP has somewhat different standards or expectations and that's fine.

 

[NetShocK]

There's plenty of knives that people carry that I don't like. However, I don't go publicly bi*ch about it, because what will that accomplish? It would just make me look like a picky little princess...

All you've done (OP) is open a can of worms, and you knew that was going to happen. How about you just simply return/sell your Sebenza so that someone else can enjoy it...
Or does that make a little too much sense?

Well, the reality is that this is a discussion forum, not necessarily a love-in. Or is it? In my opinion, a forum full of folks gushing about crk would become somewhat tedious.

 

[J_kocaj]

This is refreshing to hear. I do not own a sebenza, and have never been drawn to them either, besides the CF damscus 21 which just looks so good. The more threads I read I feel like I cant go with out hearing Sebenza or CRK. It is slowly getting to me to the point where I feel like I need one just to see whats the hype, but I feel like I will have the same feeling as you.

 

[flipe8]

This is refreshing to hear. I do not own a sebenza, and have never been drawn to them either, besides the CF damscus 21 which just looks so good. The more threads I read I feel like I cant go with out hearing Sebenza or CRK. It is slowly getting to me to the point where I feel like I need one just to see whats the hype, but I feel like I will have the same feeling as you.

This is what confuses me. Why would someone decide to spend a fair bit of coin on something with the belief they probably aren't going to like the product before even getting it? It seems like people want to be able to proclaim, "Yeah, I bought one too and didn't like it. See, they aren't all that..." There was a recent thread in the CRK sub forum where a member came in citing all of these issues with his purchase. After several pages, his attitude changed when he discovered the highly modded knife had also seen considerable sharpening and was in no way a true representation of a new CRK.By his own words, he stated he didn't believe the hype going in. I don't understand why someone would choose to spend money on things they've already decided they didn't like. I don't like lots of knives that are gushed all over. I don't buy them to prove to myself what I already know. Not everybody has to love or even like a CRK, but it doesn't change the fact the knife is a great knife.

 

[Fred Sanford]

I got the large 21. After playing with it for a day, all I can say is: "so what?????"

If you are on the fence after reading all of the near-mythical fan-lore of this knife, don't do it. This is the perfect example of the emperor's new clothes. It's a nice knife. Solid. No blade play and centered. Whatever...It is not a $450 knife or a $400 knife or even a $300 knife. It is a $220 knife that gives my Spyderco Southard a good run for the money.

Ignore the insane hype and hold one in your own hands before buying one. It's a fine knife but nothing more than that.

Sheesh, I'm a sucker, lol.

I completely agree.

 

[SharpJax]

There's plenty of knives that people carry that I don't like. However, I don't go publicly bi*ch about it, because what will that accomplish? It would just make me look like a picky little princess...

All you've done (OP) is open a can of worms, and you knew that was going to happen. How about you just simply return/sell your Sebenza so that someone else can enjoy it...
Or does that make a little too much sense?

LOL Blues. I'd agree with NetShock though...the whole point of this place is to share and discuss opinions. Of course, that included yours. But, yes, If there were only one it'd be pretty dull.

On the Sebenza subject...had a small 21 and it bored me to tears (love the grey turd metaphor). Sold it for exactly what I paid. Later I bought far cheaper Bradley Alias 2, which is a suitable substitute in many ways....Looks very similar....similar materials....made in the USA, and opens and closes smoothly and precisely...well centered, great lockup.... and it even cuts stuff when its sharp (which mine is - sharper than my Sebenza in fact though I'm sure that could be altered). If that's all you're looking for there are so many serviceable knives made here and elsewhere for much less money. If you value those engineering, manufacturing, design elements that are practically Zen in their simplicity with Sebenzas (and I do...just not the design so much on the one I had)...well, then it might be worth it to you. I just picked up a large Insingo (incoming) to see if that floats my boat any more than the small 21 did. If I don't like it, not only can I sell it, I can probably sell it very quickly and get close to what I paid for it. I'm sure the OP can do the same, as several have suggested.

As an addendum to all that, I've noticed in reading through various threads over the few months I've been a member, that there are many who initially don't like the Sebenza, some having very similar reactions as the OP, but have come full circle back to them with a new appreciation of what they have to offer.

Ultimately, its not a bad investment but if you don't like it, throw it back in the pond...there's plenty of variety out there to suit all kinds of tastes. Picky little princesses included.

 

[Will Batayte]

I got the large 21. After playing with it for a day, all I can say is: "so what?????"

If you are on the fence after reading all of the near-mythical fan-lore of this knife, don't do it. This is the perfect example of the emperor's new clothes. It's a nice knife. Solid. No blade play and centered. Whatever...It is not a $450 knife or a $400 knife or even a $300 knife. It is a $220 knife that gives my Spyderco Southard a good run for the money.

Ignore the insane hype and hold one in your own hands before buying one. It's a fine knife but nothing more than that.

Sheesh, I'm a sucker, lol.

I had one in the past and it was a good solid knife. But with the amount of TI framelocks out now it does come off a little simple. It was a good knife and solidly made. Was it perfection? Nope. I'm not a fan of the thumbstud and I much prefer a flipper design. The thumbstud style knife that really shines for me is the Scott cook lochsa. That is everything I wanted the sebenza to be and more. I get where you're coming from on it though. You read so many posts about sebenza this and sebenza that, it seems like it'll be the end all be all. Maybe 20 years ago it was. But technology rode on and there are many knives of equal stature. I remember the first time I picked one up. It was at paragon sports in NYC. I was kinda surprised too. Kinda like wow that's it huh? Then I got one for myself and resigned to use it as my edc. What the sebenza is is a simple no frills knife. It does its job and does it well. With a better thumb stud I'd have liked it a lot better. Is it worth $400? I have to say that I do think it's a bit over priced. Now adays you can get some really nice knives for around $200 in similar materials and to just as close tolerences. So yeah its a little too expensive.

 

[bhyde]

I had one in the past and it was a good solid knife. But with the amount of TI framelocks out now it does come off a little simple. It was a good knife and solidly made. Was it perfection? Nope. I'm not a fan of the thumbstud and I much prefer a flipper design. The thumbstud style knife that really shines for me is the Scott cook lochsa. That is everything I wanted the sebenza to be and more. I get where you're coming from on it though. You read so many posts about sebenza this and sebenza that, it seems like it'll be the end all be all. Maybe 20 years ago it was. But technology rode on and there are many knives of equal stature. I remember the first time I picked one up. It was at paragon sports in NYC. I was kinda surprised too. Kinda like wow that's it huh? Then I got one for myself and resigned to use it as my edc. What the sebenza is is a simple no frills knife. It does its job and does it well. With a better thumb stud I'd have liked it a lot better. Is it worth $400? I have to say that I do think it's a bit over priced. Now adays you can get some really nice knives for around $200 in similar materials and to just as close tolerences. So yeah its a little too expensive.

Where are these with knives with "just as close tolerances" and how did YOU measure them?