Help Me Buy A Sebenza

[cziv]

In 10 minutes I'll be 62 and retired. I want a Sebenza but one that will work for me. I need advice.

I sold a NIB Sebenza large 21 in a weeks time this past August. It created a hot spot in my palm with that upsweep on it's handle's rear end.

Nice folder for sure. Josh K posted several Sebenzas in the Ti Framelocks thread and beside the Umni there's a couple that have a slightly rounded butt at the rear end top of the handle. I'm referring to the knives without the bend in the spine of the handle.

Are these still available? What are they called? Where do I buy one?

Image courtesy of Josh K

Thanks!

 

[dinozzo]

those are "regular" profile sebenzas, they are disco'd but im sure you will be able to find one here on the exchange

 

[Josh K]

Those are Regular pattern Sebenza's. They were disco'ed in 2008, though they still pop up on occasion on the exchange. Several on the 'bay in used condition just went for a bit under $500 though. Price-wise they can be prohibitively expensive, but I prefer the pattern to the Classic's or 21's. You can get lucky if you scour the exchange boards on various forums. You can pick up a real beater for about $350 and for another $50 have CRK re-blast the handles ($37.50 + shipping). The blades don't really need to be re-tumbled unless something major happened. The stonewash finish takes care of any light scratches.

 

[Mobile-eyez]

Yea that's the handle profile of the regular sebenza. They aren't being made anymore but there still pretty easy to find. Congrats on your retirement! Hope you grab up a regular sebbie soon!

 

[cziv]

Yea that's the handle profile of the regular sebenza. They aren't being made anymore but there still pretty easy to find. Congrats on your retirement! Hope you grab up a regular sebbie soon!

Thanks Guys. I'm retired!! Yayyyy! 62 I lived to make it. I hope there's still funds left for my first check!

Wow that's bad news about the "regular" Sebenza. I suppose and XM-18 would be more in order for that money. Too bad really. The $$ isn't going to disappear so I'll keep my eye open for one. :thumbup:

 

[Josh K]

Thanks Guys. I'm retired!! Yayyyy! 62 I lived to make it. I hope there's still funds left for my first check!

Wow that's bad news about the "regular" Sebenza. I suppose and XM-18 would be more in order for that money. Too bad really. The $$ isn't going to disappear so I'll keep my eye open for one. :thumbup:

I'm not sure an XM-18 would be a better choice, but my tastes are different.

Congrats on making it! Now you get to hang around for another 30 years. :thumbup:

 

[5.56]

Aren't the "annual" Sebenza's still made in the regular handle?

Although those cost a pretty penny too.

 

[Josh K]

Aren't the "annual" Sebenza's still made in the regular handle?

Although those cost a pretty penny too.

Yes, those are still in the Regular profile, but they run about ~$600 for those.

 

[cziv]

I'm not sure an XM-18 would be a better choice, but my tastes are different.

Congrats on making it! Now you get to hang around for another 30 years. :thumbup:

Thank you Josh. I bought an XM-18 for my son in the Army and an XM-24 they're awesome knives. I like the flippers and indestructible feeling they give in the hand. I loved the lg. 21 but when I grip it that point in the back digs into my hand. Maybe an Umni? Lots of guys have said good things and lots have said bad, How do you like yours - honestly?

 

[axtalan0]

The knife is nice and all, but what I really want to know is how did you retire at 62???? Do you live in France?

 

[Josh K]

Thank you Josh. I bought an XM-18 for my son in the Army and an XM-24 they're awesome knives. I like the flippers and indestructible feeling they give in the hand. I loved the lg. 21 but when I grip it that point in the back digs into my hand. Maybe an Umni? Lots of guys have said good things and lots have said bad, How do you like yours - honestly?

I love my Umnumzaan. The back doesn't kick up like the 21. It's a bit more sloped then the Regular pattern. Holding the 21 I can see what you mean about the back digging into your hand, but it doesn't really bother me. The Umnumzaan doesn't do that.

And.....

You can pick up a new Umnumzaan for about $400. Used could even go cheaper.

 

[giant1]

Thanks Guys. I'm retired!! Yayyyy! 62 I lived to make it. I hope there's still funds left for my first check!

Wow that's bad news about the "regular" Sebenza. I suppose and XM-18 would be more in order for that money. Too bad really. The $$ isn't going to disappear so I'll keep my eye open for one. :thumbup:

The XM-18 has a very different profile to the Sebenza, it has a pronounced "bend" when you look at the knife from the side which means that the blade tends to slope down slightly when you hold it while the Sebenza has a very straight profile. Nothing wrong with either but if you prefer the sebenza I am wondering if the XM-18 will be to your liking?

Just a thought.....

 

[cziv]

The knife is nice and all, but what I really want to know is how did you retire at 62???? Do you live in France?

Google it and fill out the online application with your info and it's approved in 2 weeks with an official letter. Quite easy.

I love my Umnumzaan. The back doesn't kick up like the 21. It's a bit more sloped then the Regular pattern. Holding the 21 I can see what you mean about the back digging into your hand, but it doesn't really bother me. The Umnumzaan doesn't do that.

And.....

You can pick up a new Umnumzaan for about $400. Used could even go cheaper.

The Umnumzaan is kind of cool, I often wodered if you could adjust the pivot and all of that. I'd want a new one without the whole IDAHO brew ha ha stamped on it. I'll spend some time on Chris's site and study it a bit.

I really deserve an XM-18 though. My son's is sensational, F&F, you can slam it open, but it's not light as a feather like that new large 21 felt. So understated in quality a pleasure to EDC I'd imagine. You know when You're packing an XM but I'd bet the Sebenza is one that you have to pat your pocket to check on it once in awhile.

I probably should have kept it. It had a 2 week old birth record and was awesome until I squeezed the grip - aoowch that didn't feel good.

The XM-18 has a very different profile to the Sebenza, it has a pronounced "bend" when you look at the knife from the side which means that the blade tends to slope down slightly when you hold it while the Sebenza has a very straight profile. Nothing wrong with either but if you prefer the sebenza I am wondering if the XM-18 will be to your liking?

Just a thought.....

Thanks man I've had both the 18 & 24 - nice!

 

[Josh K]

Google it and fill out the online application with your info and it's approved in 2 weeks with an official letter. Quite easy.



The Umnumzaan is kind of cool, I often wodered if you could adjust the pivot and all of that. I'd want a new one without the whole IDAHO brew ha ha stamped on it. I'll spend some time on Chris's site and study it a bit.

I really deserve an XM-18 though. My son's is sensational, F&F, you can slam it open, but it's not light as a feather like that new large 21 felt. So understated in quality a pleasure to EDC I'd imagine. You know when You're packing an XM but I'd bet the Sebenza is one that you have to pat your pocket to check on it once in awhile.

I probably should have kept it. It had a 2 week old birth record and was awesome until I squeezed the grip - aoowch that didn't feel good.

I don't know if the Umnumzaans have the IM stamp on them. I don't think you need to adjust the pivot, mine came fine. The teardown kit is only $15 and works great for when you want to relube it.

Have you tried the one of the ZT30X series? Very fun to flip. I don't find it practical but you can really pop it open if you're just toying around with it. At ~8oz you'll also notice it's in your pocket.

 

[dinozzo]

Plain jane user regs are around $300, i dont think thats quite in the XM range

 

[Josh K]

Plain jane user regs are around $300, i dont think thats quite in the XM range

Tell me where you find these!

It's true if you actively hunt for it you can find one, but I'm not sure you can get one for $300.

 

[dinozzo]

Tell me where you find these!

It's true if you actively hunt for it you can find one, but I'm not sure you can get one for $300.

One of my friends picked up a large regular user for $300 on the exchange, and i got my sm antiqued reg for...well under $300...so it is very possible

Perhaps i got very, very lucky when i posted that WTB ad

 

[cziv]

Tell me where you find these!

It's true if you actively hunt for it you can find one, but I'm not sure you can get one for $300.

+1 and I'm there right behind you! $385 for a Sebbie large 21 is the best I can find, last time I checked anyway. I'd be all over a new large regular for $300 maybe one for the safe too!

Thanks, I have a ZT 0301 awesome flipping. I reprofiled mine and have it mirror polished. It's beyond heavy though. More for fun for flipping than to carry.

Maybe an R.J. Martin with the flipper & IKBS (forgot about that one).

 

[jill jackson]

I just bought this large 21 and it's impressed me a lot with it's very fine fit and finish. (love the well fitted lock-bar)
Sebenza's don't look so big closed, in fact they are pretty trim. But, opened they have a very impressive blade hidden in that trim handle. Got another large coming in and it's a regular only with a polished blade. I will carry that one and the ebony inlay below that's my "eye candy".

 

[jill jackson]

BTW, I fail to see the back "kicking up" on the 21 myself. At least it doesn't bother me at all. Maybe if I held the other type Sebenza I'd notice it.