High End Production or Custom?

I've sold all of my custom folders(other than slip joints) in favor of Sebenza's. Never found a custom I liked as much, and I've handled alot at the Blade Show over the last ten years. I have many other prodution folders, but none compare to the Sebenza. I do prefer custom fixed blades though.

I tolerance levels on a Sebenza are as good as any handmade, and the design is my favorite over any knife. I love the simple straight handle, and the ease in which it can be taken apart for cleaning. They will also re-blast the handle's for no charge if ever needed, and it will look new again. Can't get that with a custom, or at least not for free.
 
Here's just a suggestion: Kevin Wilkins is a custom knife maker in Germany and his knives are really unbelievable in their build quality. His tolerances make CRK look a little mediocre since even CRK has acceptable variances in blade centering. They don't come up often but there is a Wilkins Avalon for sale on the exchange:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...eves-les-george-all-mint!!!?highlight=wilkins

I have nothing to do with this seller but I've been agonizing over this knife for a a couple days. I want it but I know that I can't afford it right now. At it's price I don't think any production or custom knife at the same price will come close in terms of value.
 
Show me a custom knife that cost less than a Sebenza that's as well made & I'll eloquently describe how you are misinformed. Personally I carry my Strider SnG more often but it's only 'cause I enjoy banging on it. While my Sebs are, all things considered my "best" knives, the Sebs demand a little more respect for some reason. I have more expensive knives, but they definitely don't offer more... They offer "different." But then again the same could be said, depending on ones point of view, of the Sebenza.

That's really all it boils down to for me. I carry knives that I respect. Sometimes I respect the way the knife is made. Sometimes I respect the maker. With Chris Reeve Knives it's all encompassing. Passionate, reputable with an exceptional product. Some will call Chris Reeve a bit of a "know it all" but they forget just how much of their own ideas & otherwise available information is pure assumption & bias. A Sebenza will not be the best knife for any one purpose. It is the finest made jack of all trades knife available. As it stands, CRK has never been outdone on any similar design except for by himself.
 
archieblue said:
Show me a custom knife that cost less than a Sebenza that's as well made & I'll eloquently describe how you are misinformed. Personally I carry my Strider SnG more often but it's only 'cause I enjoy banging on it. While my Sebs are, all things considered my "best" knives, the Sebs demand a little more respect for some reason. I have more expensive knives, but they definitely don't offer more... They offer "different." But then again the same could be said, depending on ones point of view, of the Sebenza.

That's really all it boils down to for me. I carry knives that I respect. Sometimes I respect the way the knife is made. Sometimes I respect the maker. With Chris Reeve Knives it's all encompassing. Passionate, reputable with an exceptional product. Some will call Chris Reeve a bit of a "know it all" but they forget just how much of their own ideas & otherwise available information is pure assumption & bias. A Sebenza will not be the best knife for any one purpose. It is the finest made jack of all trades knife available. As it stands, CRK has never been outdone on any similar design except for by himself.
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Whatever you say, pal.
 
Maprik said:
Here's just a suggestion: Kevin Wilkins is a custom knife maker in Germany and his knives are really unbelievable in their build quality. His tolerances make CRK look a little mediocre
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That wasn't my experience with the Wilkins I owned(purchased LNIB on secondary). With the respect to the maker( I love some of his work), the model I owned didn't come close to my Sebenzas. Now granted, I only owned one, but I guess you only get one chance to make a first impression and mine was luke-warm at best.
 
flipe8 said:
That wasn't my experience with the Wilkins I owned(purchased LNIB on secondary). With the respect to the maker( I love some of his work), the model I owned didn't come close to my Sebenzas. Now granted, I only owned one, but I guess you only get one chance to make a first impression and mine was luke-warm at best.
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Hm. What model was that?
 
I'd focus on USE. How will you really use it, or do you want a fondler? And make sure the steel grade matches your intended use. But if you owned a custom you probably are considering all of that.

One advantage to a high end production is that there is a lot of feedback on specific issues that you might encounter. But if you are familiar with a custom maker, then that is not an issue.
 
majigy said:
+1 for Alan Davis.
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Man, I wish that I had gone with Alan before I bought my 9th CRK. Not bashing CRK but my three Alan Davis knives are my EDC. I love these three and they were all well within your price range.

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BladeChick777 said:
Andrew -

If you can appreciate work from a perfectionist, the tightest tolerances in that range, beautiful attention to detail, a great cutter, a knife that feels amazing in the hand, a knife that has been created to be the perfect EDC, and something so beautifully simple it makes you smile, then a Sebenza is very worth it. He uses good materials, 100% USA made, he's a perfectionist, has machining and knife making down to a science, has won several awards, and has a huge following. Chris makes great knives.

But if you expect it to out cut a $100 knife.. you'll be disappointed. A Sebenza is a work of art. The craftsmanship is amazing. And if you can appreciate all of that, then a Sebenza may be the knife for you.

The Attention to detail, fine craftsmanship, tolerances, artwork, simplicity, materials, where it's made, and perfectionism is what makes the Sebenza 10x your Leek.

Custom knives are great as well and you can't go wrong with a Custom. You can't go wrong with a Sebenza either.
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:thumbup:
 
I would go custom.

As many people here will try to convince you to get a sebenza for some reason. (i don't know why everyone is so quick to try to sell someone on a sebenza like they work for CRK) I own a sebenza, its a great knife for sure, but it sits on the shelf and never gets carried because i love the knives i participated in the design of, or were handmade.

There is something to be said, and feelings that can be described - for a one of kind knife, built to your size, your choice grind, your shape, with your choice of materials.

My only caution is, if it isn't readily available, be prepared to wait. Its not like picking one up immediately from a retailer (but its totally worth it)
 
For me personally, I think custom is the way to go. Just like you said, there is something about picking out all the little elements that come together to make a great knife. Nothing against the sebbies (I probably end up getting myself one sometime), but for now I think I'll make sure I get exactly what I think is best for me.
 
Make it an extra $50 and you could get Tim Britton's Tango:
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Personally though I'd get one of if Bullet knives in fact I'm thinking of ordering one soon myself at this moment. ($350)
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