How good are the Chris Reeve Sebenzas?

A Sebenza will be noticeably different than a Benchmade or a Spyderco, or just about any other folder. Sebenzas have earned their reputation. They are made with first-class materials, they're well-designed, they work and they last. There are examples of Sebenzas from the 90's still being used on a daily basis. AFAIC, they're worth what they cost if you like the design.

Having said that, I find other knives work better for me. I don't like the ergos of Sebenzas, either large or small. The large one is larger than I like to carry in a folder and the small one is too small for my old hands to manipulate. I prefer other handle styles and different blade profiles and sizes. But those preferences come from having owned and used upwards of 20 different Sebenzas of all models over the years. I know me and my preferences better now and Sebenzas don't fit into those preferences any more. But that's me... not the knife.

If you really like knives and you've never owned a Sebenza, you probably won't be satisfied until you do so you can make your own decisions about whether you like it or not. They are one of the easiest knives to re-home if you decide you don't like it enough to keep it.
 
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It is a simple well built tool. Not a lot of bells and whistles to the Sebenza, though you can make them a bit flashier with UG & CGG graphics and inlays. Some get the Sebenza right off, others like me had to buy one, sell it & go through a number of knives to see I had been in the right place 1st off. They are not cheap, but you can pick one up on the exchange at a reasonable price(many have no more wear than a little pocket time, if that). If you decide it isn't for you, sell it and you will get all or most your money back. The new buyer takes the hit on price if they sell. Once they make their initial price drop, they hold pretty steady. The quality is as good as anything I own or have owned, and I feel every knife fan who can afford to, should at least try one. Most are not disappointed. Many that are just get too hyped up before buying and expect more than a knife . In the end it is just a knife. A well built knife, but just a knife.
You can live without one, but is life without one worth living :)
 
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There isn't much information out there on Sebenzas or Chris Reeve Knives, here on Blade Forums or elsewhere. They're a bit of an unknown as far as quality, fit and finish, etc.

Just kidding! There is a mountain of info out there, making it a little difficult to sort through. Below are the opinions of two reviewers I trust, as well as a really nice shop tour produced by Blade HQ that will give you some insight into how the knives are made and the attention to detail:

Everyday Commentary: http://www.everydaycommentary.com/2011/03/small-sebenza-21-review.html

Blade Reviews: http://bladereviews.com/chris-reeve-large-sebenza-21-review/

CRK Shop Tour, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QiEnhA3n0A

CRK Shop Tour, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6p8p6vfZQ
 
ostanley99 said:
I also have an AFO 2. I'd just carry that if I were you. If you don't mind sharing, how did you get it? Was it from a dealer because I know that Benchmade can't ship across state lines
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I bought my AFO 2 from a dealer. Fortunately, Ky isn't too strict on their auto knife laws.
 
I've never handled a Sebenza. Nowadays they don't seem very expensive in a world of high-end Chinese-made knives from Reate, Custom Knife Factory, etc. that cost more. I've never handled one of those either. Are they much better? I think they'd have to be because the idea of a faceless company in a far-away country is less appealing to me than a company an easy phone call away that will service or refurbish a knife for a nominal fee.
When I think of Sebenza I think of adjectives like competent, conservative, stubborn. That's just the image that I feel they project. I associate more with the culture of Spyderco as I perceive it.
 
Heck, you can get a used sebenza on fleabay for the cost of a new ZT if you look hard enough at it.

I don't get the hate for s35v RE: edge holding... I haven't really had a problem keeping a useable edge on my folders at all with that steel (ZT Spydie etc). 154CM, on the other hand...... but it all goes to edge angle v. intended use, IMO. no steel is going to be able to handle every task at one angle- even INFI will show wear with too acute an angle and hard use.

FWIW, I came darn close to pulling the trigger on a snakewood inlaid Sebbie 25 at BLADE until Mr. Chang bought every large sebenza they still had on friday- for me, the ergo's worked, and the size was just about right. It does, in fact, lock up like a bank vault (Again, to be honest, some of my ZT's lock up about as well), and was smooth as glass on the open. Worth $500? Heck, I don't know... But I'll eventually pick up a used on on the exchange when I have some money to throw away on more knives.
 
The Sebenza is an amazing knife!! It is the knife that I have used as a standard for all other knives.

 
If you do buy a sebenza buy one on the exchange. Most go for 330-315 now which is about 100$ off. And they age well too so don't be scared to purchase a user!
 
Zidfeldts said:
If you buy a used Sebenza you can usually sell it for what you paid.
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This is what I dont get. I check the for sale section all the time. Most used knives I see for sale in good shape usually sell for what you paid. This doesn't qualify as a perk to me. I see many used pm2's (for example ) selling for $100 when they are like $124 new and this isnt counting knives with premium steels or limited editions. The materials and customer service probably used to be a perk for acquiring a sebenza (ie titanium, fit and finish, warranty) but it seems all the big name companies have good customer service and have great knives in titanium. If you plan on getting one, dont buy it because of some belief that they are the only ones who make titanium handled knives, use s35vn, or have different inlays. Buy it because you like it. Thats the reason I want one, because I like it and have handled one before
 
It took me over 10 years to get off the fence an finally get a Sebenza, but yes, they are worth it.
 
My one-handed EDC is a large 21 Insingo. I own MANY knives, but this has become my main one-handed go-to.

My first CRK, a large regular Sebenza from 2002 that's seen a lot of use, is still going strong. And I kinda like the scratchzes that accumulate on the plain titanium scales. Adds character. I do prefer the more neutral handle design of the 21 over that of the old regular. I also love the small Inkosi. I personally don't care for things like handle inserts, Damascus blades or any other special features on mine. I simply like, enjoy and use the CRKs that I own because they're great knives and suit me well.

People say CRK users are fanboys, but let's be truthful here: EVERY knife company on these forums has its 'fanboys'. Many of the most critical of CRK knives have clearly never even handled, much less owned one. And that's okay, too. They're not for everybody, just like Spydercos, Benchmades, Cold Steels, GECs, etc., etc., etc., are not for everybody, either. You either like them or you don't. You're either willing and able to pay for them or you aren't. There is no "should own one" about it. If you really want one, consider getting one. If you don't want one, or think they're not very good, then don't buy one. Simple as that.

If someone likes a $25 or $50 one-hand opening knife better, then that is awesome, too. It may very well be a better knife for you and suit your purposes better, but make no mistake; it is definitely not a "better knife" than a Sebenza. There are many less-expensive knives that can cut as well as any CRK knife, but a CRK will hold up over time better than most other one-handers.

And as another poster mentioned, the Sebenza and other CRK knives age very gracefully, even (or especially) with the scuffs and scratches that develop on the handles. They age better than most modern one-handed knives.

Jim
 
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I have owned a sebenza. While I appreciate the time and effort put into them, it was just not for me. A large part of that was due to my thumb not being able to grip the thumbstuds. Truthfully, I prefer knives I can mess around with. This is especially so as I am so sick now I'm only awake for 5 or 6 hours a day, and not all at once. I'm in bed now, flipping my kizer. The sebenza is worth the money if that is the style of knife you are looking for.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
Smooth_Operater said:
This is what I dont get. I check the for sale section all the time. Most used knives I see for sale in good shape usually sell for what you paid. This doesn't qualify as a perk to me. I see many used pm2's (for example ) selling for $100 when they are like $124 new and this isnt counting knives with premium steels or limited editions. T
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On the Sebenza the price hit goes to the original buyer(new). Once they take that initial hit they hold their prices well. They usually have only cosmetic damage, and CRK will restore them if needed - Under warranty in some cases.
The PM2 you mention is discounted about 20%-supply and demand can play a big part in how much you have to reduce a knife to sell it. The price you see listed isn't necessarily the price paid. There is a lot of behind the scene negotiation that goes on.
 
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Gaston444 said:
If you can't personally handle a Sebenza before buying, don't pull the trigger. Ever.

I have Kershaw $25 1987 RJ Tactical folder, an RJ Martin design, and I would always and forever choose this over any Sebenza: Being assisted it opens far more positively, and, once sharpened properly, cuts just as well, with (imo) a far better blade design. Not to mention it has a better more rounded section to its handle, and in addition the opening lever acts as a mini guard (like all flippers)... I also think the handle texture and all black color, plus discrete lettering, combine well to make it look like quite an expensive knife...

KS1987ab.jpg


Unlike a Sebenza, the handle will never scuff up or take scratches, plus it has superb ergonomics, and the blade opens exactly like an automatic knife(!): It is also longer and pointier at 3 and 11/16". The knife is lighter than a Sebenza, yet the liner lock is steel on steel, so this has lower wear over time, and the discrete clip design is just brilliant. Grind crispness and symmetry was absolutely perfect.

This is by far the best folder I have ever owned, and I have owned some worth in the hundreds, including some high end Spydercos: They all seem clumsy and second-rate now...

The Sebenza is also said to have a weak detent: For that reason alone I would never even consider it...

This is not to say the $25 Kershaw is necessarily the knife for you: I just used it as an example to illustrate how the Sebenza is probably the most over-hyped piece of cutlery in the history of cutting things (besides Busse maybe)... It is absolutely drowning in the stuff, so keep that in mind whenever someone advises such an expensive purchase...

Gaston
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Im kinda shocked someone would post this comparison.
 
Save your money, and get a CODE 4 in CTS-XHP. Better lock, better edge retention, and a more durable finish on the scales.
 
hermit dave said:
Save your money, and get a CODE 4 in CTS-XHP. Better lock, better edge retention, and a more durable finish on the scales.
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With a Code 4 there is no worry about about finish durability and edge retention.....just toss it and get a new one!
 
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