Help me with my first "serious" EDC knife

Jackal87

Jackal87

Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Messages
217
Hello guys,
I'm an italian collector of Chris Reeve one piece knives, and hollow handle knives in general..
Please, I need an advice on my first "serious" folder to use as EDC, to always carry with me.. I have a few favorite makers, and I would like some advice on which of these to choose! I want to clarify that I am not a military man, and then I will use this knife for easy ways, normal use, open packages, peel an apple, etc..
My favorite knives in my wish list are: (in the same price range, more or less)

- Chris Reeve Sebenza 21
- Michael Zieba S1 Framelock, or Oyster Shuker
- William Henry E10, or B10

So, what do you think? Which would you choose? Or maybe you would choose another, similar to these?
Please, tell me your opinion.. Thanks in advance for your help..
 
Hello.
By the way, you have a very nice list.... seems like you will have some good high end toy soon :)

They are very good knives you have listed, and IMHO it is more a question about the kind of opening/locking system you like most.

The sebenza 21 is manual and washer basic opening/closing
The william henry is part knife , part jewelry with button lock
The Zieba looks more like flippers/fast openers

So it may depend on what you like when you handle your knives...

I like the refinment of the william henry. from your list it seems to be the more elegant and the least "utilitarian".

The 2 other ones (and especially the flipper) may be more tactical-utilitarian blades and may looks more threatening to surrounding people, maybe that is something to concider in your decision.

In you list I have been intereted in sebenza 21/25 and William Henry E10/B10 (I already have my ZT0801 that gives me everything I want from a flipper... :) ) and I decided to go for a small sebenza insingo?
And I think it will be paired with a small 21 damascus soon....

Reasons for this choice: elegant, utilitarian, and acceptable for people around.
 
Since it will just be a casual use edc cutting tool you may want to start off with a traditional folder such as a Barlow , trapper , stockman , sodbuster , or sak to see if you feel you can get by with a non locking 2 hand Opening folder. If you go straight to a modern 1 hand opener it may be hard to ever try a slipjoint, plus you'll appreciate the convenience of a one hand opener even more.

I hear great things about the crk sebenza's and they look classy too, so I'd probably go with that 👍
 
Therom said:
Hello.
By the way, you have a very nice list.... seems like you will have some good high end toy soon :)

They are very good knives you have listed, and IMHO it is more a question about the kind of opening/locking system you like most.

The sebenza 21 is manual and washer basic opening/closing
The william henry is part knife , part jewelry with button lock
The Zieba looks more like flippers/fast openers

So it may depend on what you like when you handle your knives...

I like the refinment of the william henry. from your list it seems to be the more elegant and the least "utilitarian".

The 2 other ones (and especially the flipper) may be more tactical-utilitarian blades and may looks more threatening to surrounding people, maybe that is something to concider in your decision.

In you list I have been intereted in sebenza 21/25 and William Henry E10/B10 (I already have my ZT0801 that gives me everything I want from a flipper... :) ) and I decided to go for a small sebenza insingo?
And I think it will be paired with a small 21 damascus soon....

Reasons for this choice: elegant, utilitarian, and acceptable for people around.
Click to expand...

Thank you, thank you very much, this is really interesting, I really had not thought about the differences of the opening system.. And I must say that the system that "intrigues" me the most, is the flipper.... Quick, one-handed.. I really like it..
You're right, absolutely the WH is the most elegant of these, a unique style. I like a lot, but... In fact I would prefer something more "aggressive", tactical, as indeed my CRK one piece! Thank you Therom, you helped me a lot!
 
Hickory n steel said:
Since it will just be a casual use edc cutting tool you may want to start off with a traditional folder such as a Barlow , trapper , stockman , sodbuster , or sak to see if you feel you can get by with a non locking 2 hand Opening folder. If you go straight to a modern 1 hand opener it may be hard to ever try a slipjoint, plus you'll appreciate the convenience of a one hand opener even more.

I hear great things about the crk sebenza's and they look classy too, so I'd probably go with that 👍
Click to expand...

Thank you very much Hickory, but unfortunately I HATE the traditional folder..... I don't know why, but I find them really ugly, but no offense if you like them! I usually like modern things, modern knives, as also the materials, for example micarta, carbon fiber, etc.. I really don't like all the slipjoint, I'm sorry..
 
Of the three choices you posted I would pick the Sebenza. I found that the small fit my needs for EDC better than the large after carrying both. The only other knife I have that is similar in quality, size, and performance is a Beast folder from Three Sisters Forge.
 
The Sebenza is equally impressive as the OPK's by CRK. Absolutely a go to knife since you already have the experience with CRK.
I'm sure there are some great makers in Italy that would be able to fit the bill. I think Fantoni knives may have what you're seeking. Wouldn't have to worry about shipping across the ocean if you went local. It's just a thought.
 
No bad choice listed. However, it's hard not to go with the Sebenza, in any iteration.
 
Ajack60 said:
The Sebenza is equally impressive as the OPK's by CRK. Absolutely a go to knife since you already have the experience with CRK.
I'm sure there are some great makers in Italy that would be able to fit the bill. I think Fantoni knives may have what you're seeking. Wouldn't have to worry about shipping across the ocean if you went local. It's just a thought.
Click to expand...

Yes, right, I'd be curious to see if the quality of the famous Sebenza is the same as the OPK! During my research for OPK I saw lots of Sebenza's, and going on a used also do not spend a lot of money.. Anyway, I bought most of my knives in the USA, it is not a problem the international shipping.. Fantoni are great knives, but I love too much the American knives/makers.... Even the Three Sisters Forge are very beautiful! But I do not know much about it, It is in the same price range?
 
Three sisters forge knives are in the same price range, or thereabouts. Since you're a CRK fan already, I'd highly recommend a Sebenza.
 
At the moment I am partial toward CR since I am craving for a large inkosi, but I have to admit that there is something with these knives.
However if you are looking to try something with a bit of "tacticool" (which is fun) I think you will actually prefer to play with flippers.

Flippers are just fun, and there are a lot with someting tactical in their designs.

The knife that pushed me into knives is a ZT0350... lot of "tacticoolness" in this model, and still one that I like a lot.
And even if I like my CRK there is no way they can compare with knives like the ZT0350.
There is not one better than the other because they are actually completly different.
Sebenza can have better finish, better materials, higher tolerances... tha tis all for sure, but they have different purposes ... comparing them will be comparing apples and oranges... not much sense.
But shall I have started with the sebenza I will have been desappointed... 8 year ago, what I was looking for was something with a tactical look and a fast and smooth opening... which is a ZT0350 and which a Sebenza is not.

IMHO there is one thing to be considered with flippers. Because of their deployment methods and sometime more agressive look (as you said), they have something of "utilitarian knives" or "tools" to me, and I don't rellay see any need so far to look for semi-custom flippers.

There are some, but you can find lot of very good flipper for half the price of a sebenza or other high end production knives.

Have a look at ZT:
0350, 0566: assisted flipper, lot of blade finishes, sturdy and robust but with an acceptable blade length
0450: small size, CF version, good blade length for urban EDC and such a good look
0562, 0801: larger, robust knives, deep cary, good steel and terrible flipping action, CF version or blackwash finish available

In spyderco, maybe the southard and the domnio are worth mentionning (I haven't tested those ones)

They are all under your price range if compared to the sebenza.
They are not is the same quality standards also but they are TERRIBLE flippers that deserve attention.

My point it that you can get a very good flipper for half the price of a sebenza or william henry and have a lot of fun.
Then you can they save some money to get one of the other high end blades latter :)
 
Therom said:
At the moment I am partial toward CR since I am craving for a large inkosi, but I have to admit that there is something with these knives.
However if you are looking to try something with a bit of "tacticool" (which is fun) I think you will actually prefer to play with flippers.

Flippers are just fun, and there are a lot with someting tactical in their designs.

The knife that pushed me into knives is a ZT0350... lot of "tacticoolness" in this model, and still one that I like a lot.
And even if I like my CRK there is no way they can compare with knives like the ZT0350.
There is not one better than the other because they are actually completly different.
Sebenza can have better finish, better materials, higher tolerances... tha tis all for sure, but they have different purposes ... comparing them will be comparing apples and oranges... not much sense.
But shall I have started with the sebenza I will have been desappointed... 8 year ago, what I was looking for was something with a tactical look and a fast and smooth opening... which is a ZT0350 and which a Sebenza is not.

IMHO there is one thing to be considered with flippers. Because of their deployment methods and sometime more agressive look (as you said), they have something of "utilitarian knives" or "tools" to me, and I don't rellay see any need so far to look for semi-custom flippers.

There are some, but you can find lot of very good flipper for half the price of a sebenza or other high end production knives.

Have a look at ZT:
0350, 0566: assisted flipper, lot of blade finishes, sturdy and robust but with an acceptable blade length
0450: small size, CF version, good blade length for urban EDC and such a good look
0562, 0801: larger, robust knives, deep cary, good steel and terrible flipping action, CF version or blackwash finish available

In spyderco, maybe the southard and the domnio are worth mentionning (I haven't tested those ones)

They are all under your price range if compared to the sebenza.
They are not is the same quality standards also but they are TERRIBLE flippers that deserve attention.

My point it that you can get a very good flipper for half the price of a sebenza or william henry and have a lot of fun.
Then you can they save some money to get one of the other high end blades latter :)
Click to expand...

Understand, understand... Very good, to tell you the truth, I never took into consideration the ZT, precisely because they are not at the same quality level as the others that I wrote before.. But, if you recommended me them, I have to at least give them a chance.. I have to take a look at the models that you have wrote! Thanks so much!
I know there are many flipper models not custom, and certainly are great knives, but I have seen STUNNING custom flipper.. to fall in love at first sight... Such as Michael Zieba! Or Allen Elishewitz, Kirby Lambert, etc...
But because it would be my first flipper, maybe it's better to not spend a fortune!
 
I take your point, I will try to put an one of this manufacturers
Thanks you for the recommendations

Back to ZT, lot of people enjoy the ZT0562CF
My personal favorite it the ZT0801BW
 
Jackal87 said:
Hello guys,
I'm an italian collector of Chris Reeve one piece knives, and hollow handle knives in general..
Please, I need an advice on my first "serious" folder to use as EDC, to always carry with me.. I have a few favorite makers, and I would like some advice on which of these to choose! I want to clarify that I am not a military man, and then I will use this knife for easy ways, normal use, open packages, peel an apple, etc..
My favorite knives in my wish list are: (in the same price range, more or less)

- Chris Reeve Sebenza 21
- Michael Zieba S1 Framelock, or Oyster Shuker
- William Henry E10, or B10

So, what do you think? Which would you choose? Or maybe you would choose another, similar to these?
Please, tell me your opinion.. Thanks in advance for your help..
Click to expand...

There are some great knives made in Italy by Lionsteel. Check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_LUMCvEz8k
 
For what it's worth, I bought a Zieba S1 from truenorthknives and returned it, honestly I was very excited to get it and for the price and Michael Zieba's winning "Best New Maker award" at Blade 2016 I was hoping for something more.

Instead I received one of the worst locking knives I've ever bought, there was very noticeable wiggle in the blade when locked not side to side but up and down...not a good thing and the lock bar was around 70 percent. I called TNK and spoke to Neil Ostroff owner of TNK

and he said all the S1's he received were like that offered full refund and I accepted. I'm not the kind of knife collector that would do that but this knife was so bad it IMO was unusable. Neil said he would be getting in touch with M Zieba about this because of all of the complaints.

I had high hopes but was really disappointed in the end. The thing that bugs me most is how can a knife like that leave his shop undetected. The Sebenza on the other hand is a great knife and the new Inkosi is also a good choice.
 
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