How good are the Chris Reeve Sebenzas?

Makael said:
Im kinda shocked someone would post this comparison.
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I think it was a joke post. At least, I hope it was...

I have two CRK knives. I have a CF small 21 which is one of my favorite EDC blades. I've carried it fairly regularly for about a year and can attest that the Sebenza just feels "different". My other knife is a Wilson Combat Star-Tac, which is basically a CRK Umnumzaan. I love the feel of the knife but I've never really warmed up to it. I continue to struggle with getting smooth at deploying the blade in the fairly unique way required by the Zaan. I really should carry it more to be more proficient.

If you're on the fence about a CRK, you may as well just take the plunge and buy one. Until you own one, use one, carry one and maintain one, you won't understand the intangibles that make it feel "different" from most other high end production knives. The people here who are suggesting you can do better with a cheap Kershaw or Cold Steel have probably never owned and used a CRK. CRK's may really not work for everyone from a standpoint of ergos or personal preference, but you need to have owned one and used one before you can arrive at that valid opinion. Reading reviews to develop an opinion on CRK doesn't work.
 
I have not owned a Sebenza but I got to handle one recently.

I liked everything about it except for the pointy little thumbstud, which was not comfortable.

With a comfortable thumbstud, I probably would have bought one. Just my .02.
 
If you like owning and using lovely things then a Sebenza is just one of those things. Is a Rolex worth owning, or a Mercedes car?

I own two Sebenzas. I prefer the large. I think they are great value for the enjoyment I've had from them. I can think of a lot of other things I've spent good money on that haven't given such a good return. For me my Sebenzas have been good investments and continue to give; I still get a lot of enjoyment out of them. Wish everything was as good as that.
There are now clones, there are other great knives too; but they aren't a Sebenza.

All the rest of the banter is no different to the arguments of which car engine is best. The rest is personal taste; its your money.
 
If it's within your budget, then yes, they're worth the price. Don't pass up what you already know works for you. You may be disappointed once you get a sebenza, knowing you passed up other knives. Sebenza's aren't for everyone, and that's what makes this hobby so much fun.
Repeating what's already been said, you'll have to make up your own mind by having one in hand to determine if it's for you, and to truly know if a sebenza is just hype or the real deal.
 
A lot of fuss over price. We pay just as much for a Chinese made knife now. I'm not sure what the big deal is anymore. 10 or 15 years ago. Sure. I payed 325-350 used for my first larges to try. Closer to 290 for smalls. Its OK to buy used. The warranty transfers with the knife.
There is always the ti lock or umnum or inkosi. Doesn't have to be a sebbie. Crazy how we all put crk up on a pedestal. Must be a few reasons why. I can guarantee they trade off really easy if you don't care for it. I sold off plenty and I'm always coming back . Now I carry this funky thing. Can't put it down.
The all stonewash finish on it also shows minimal wear after a year.

In the end . Its just one of many companies out there. I have fun with griptilians , tri ad models, and so many spydercos and the list never ends. But in the end its what fits you. I carry a crk but I'll be damned if I don't find enjoyment in trying the whole display case out when I have the chance.


 
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Makael said:
Im kinda shocked someone would post this comparison.
Click to expand...

Have you ever handled one?

Because I get accused of having never owned (or even handled) a Sebenza (which is true, because the design is so obviously inferior it is to me not even worth the trouble of examining one: I think this generally applies to most frame locks), yet people will make assumptions about this Kershaw also having never handled one, and this is assumed to be OK...

The Sebenza is said to have a weak detent, and its lock fails at under fifty pounds, which I am sure even the $25 Kershaw can take. To my eyes, this means the Sebenza is not even a proper knife to begin with... I won't even go into the Titanium/steel lock face wear, when for that price you would at least expect a steel insert for a steel to steel wear, as on the $25 knife... The blade to handle and blade to weight ratios are also both inferior on the $400 knife...

The edge holding on the Sebenza has often proved to be poor, sometimes shockingly so (ie the JRDavis882 testing), so even on that front there is probably is no discernible difference, and the Kershaw may even be a good deal better...

As for the surface finish, what I have seen of the Sebenza in no way looks any better than the Kershaw: Even the primary grind line is less crisp on the $400 knife... Again, get the Kershaw and look at it closely: I've seen enough gigantic close-ups of the Sebenza to know the stonewash finish looks like crap in comparison. All a matter of taste of course, but there you go...

Gaston
 
In my opinion, better than anything for the money....maybe twice the money....

I was not a CRK fan, and bought everything and anything but, from productions to customs.

Finally, I got "shoved" by a really good friend into giving one a shot (he wouldn't leave me alone, and I figured that when I got the knife and hated it, I could sell it very easily without losing much $)

It hasn't left my pocket in 7 months.....
 
Gaston444 said:
Have you ever handled one?

Because I get accused of having never owned (or even handled) a Sebenza (which is true, because the design is so obviously inferior it is to me not even worth the trouble of examining one: I think this generally applies to most frame locks), yet people will make assumptions about this Kershaw also having never handled one, and this is assumed to be OK...

The Sebenza is said to have a weak detent, and its lock fails at under fifty pounds, which I am sure even the $25 Kershaw can take. To my eyes, this means the Sebenza is not even a proper knife to begin with... I won't even go into the Titanium/steel lock face wear, when for that price you would at least expect a steel insert for a steel to steel wear, as on the $25 knife... The blade to handle and blade to weight ratios are also both inferior on the $400 knife...

The edge holding on the Sebenza has often proved to be poor, sometimes shockingly so (ie the JRDavis882 testing), so even on that front there is probably is no discernible difference, and the Kershaw may even be a good deal better...

As for the surface finish, what I have seen of the Sebenza in no way looks any better than the Kershaw: Even the primary grind line is less crisp on the $400 knife... Again, get the Kershaw and look at it closely: I've seen enough gigantic close-ups of the Sebenza to know the stonewash finish looks like crap in comparison. All a matter of taste of course, but there you go...

Gaston
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Good Lord you're so full of crap! I clearly remember several posts of yours stating that you own a Seb and that it was "subpar" etc..

Nobody should ever listen to this guy, and I really don't understand why he's on a knife forum when all he does is spread negativity about nearly every knife:rolleyes:

The Sebenza is a great knife, end of story.
 
JR88FAN said:
In my opinion, better than anything for the money....maybe twice the money....

I was not a CRK fan, and bought everything and anything but, from productions to customs.

Finally, I got "shoved" by a really good friend into giving one a shot (he wouldn't leave me alone, and I figured that when I got the knife and hated it, I could sell it very easily without losing much $)

It hasn't left my pocket in 7 months.....
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Have had a few CRK's over the years, currently a 25 and it's either that or a Spyderco military in my pocket. :thumbup:
 
Gaston444 said:
Have you ever handled one?

Because I get accused of having never owned (or even handled) a Sebenza (which is true, because the design is so obviously inferior it is to me not even worth the trouble of examining one: I think this generally applies to most frame locks), yet people will make assumptions about this Kershaw also having never handled one, and this is assumed to be OK...

The Sebenza is said to have a weak detent, and its lock fails at under fifty pounds, which I am sure even the $25 Kershaw can take. To my eyes, this means the Sebenza is not even a proper knife to begin with... I won't even go into the Titanium/steel lock face wear, when for that price you would at least expect a steel insert for a steel to steel wear, as on the $25 knife... The blade to handle and blade to weight ratios are also both inferior on the $400 knife...

The edge holding on the Sebenza has often proved to be poor, sometimes shockingly so (ie the JRDavis882 testing), so even on that front there is probably is no discernible difference, and the Kershaw may even be a good deal better...

As for the surface finish, what I have seen of the Sebenza in no way looks any better than the Kershaw: Even the primary grind line is less crisp on the $400 knife... Again, get the Kershaw and look at it closely: I've seen enough gigantic close-ups of the Sebenza to know the stonewash finish looks like crap in comparison. All a matter of taste of course, but there you go...

Gaston
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Just saying very controversial things with admittedly no experience to back it up is trolling. You do it way too much.
 
I love the Sebenza but it couldn't hold me.
When I want to EDC a Titanium handled folder, its My Mission Ti MPF or my Leu Bluie.
Todays EDC is my Orange E4.
rolf
 
Gaston444 said:
Have you ever handled one?

Because I get accused of having never owned (or even handled) a Sebenza (which is true, because the design is so obviously inferior it is to me not even worth the trouble of examining one: I think this generally applies to most frame locks), yet people will make assumptions about this Kershaw also having never handled one, and this is assumed to be OK...

The Sebenza is said to have a weak detent, and its lock fails at under fifty pounds, which I am sure even the $25 Kershaw can take. To my eyes, this means the Sebenza is not even a proper knife to begin with... I won't even go into the Titanium/steel lock face wear, when for that price you would at least expect a steel insert for a steel to steel wear, as on the $25 knife... The blade to handle and blade to weight ratios are also both inferior on the $400 knife...

The edge holding on the Sebenza has often proved to be poor, sometimes shockingly so (ie the JRDavis882 testing), so even on that front there is probably is no discernible difference, and the Kershaw may even be a good deal better...

As for the surface finish, what I have seen of the Sebenza in no way looks any better than the Kershaw: Even the primary grind line is less crisp on the $400 knife... Again, get the Kershaw and look at it closely: I've seen enough gigantic close-ups of the Sebenza to know the stonewash finish looks like crap in comparison. All a matter of taste of course, but there you go...

Gaston
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We are all entitled to our opinion, and I am not going to argue with you because you are correct in how you look at a knife in terms of what's important to you.

I will address your points however...

My Sebenza (I have only owned two) does not have anything close to weak detent.

"Lock Failure" does not include putting 50lbs on the spine of a knife. I use the other side.
I do pry with my knife, and stab through material and have never had an issue.
If I was to accidently put load directly on the spine, 50lbs would cover my mistake...anything else is user error.

Blade to handle length ratio?
Blade to handle weight ratio?
These are both personal preferences. I have noticed nothing unusual when using my knife and find the ergonomics as good as it gets for my hands...

I agree that S35Vn at 58 is too soft, and at 60 is a wonderful steel.
I am not sure how exact CRK HT numbers are? Some could be 57 some 61?
My first Sebenza was closer to 58, I was sharpening that thing a ton. My current one holds an edge like 20CV, it's ridiculous.
I miss sharpening....

Lock bar insert? I personally hate them. Just one more part. Perhaps you should look at CRK's, really old ones, and see just how far a well designed frame lock won't travel.
I think the last thing you can accuse CRK of, or worry about is travel on their locks.

As for the finish, grind lines...I have found both of mine to be exceptional. As good if not better than customs I have owned that where two or three times the price.
The blade finish is something "proprietary" to CRK, I guess some people may not like it, things like this don't bother me...it's a different kind of stone wash.
 
TheEdge01 said:
but I want to make sure they are worth the money before buying
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They are not worth it from a pure utility perspective. That is to say, all they do is cut stuff. And the "they last a lifetime" stuff is true, but so does an Endura. You could wear out several Enduras for the price of one CRK. If you are just into cutting stuff, then stay away.

However, if you love the Sebenza - or other CRK - and it makes your leg tingle with excitement, then only you can decide if it is "worth" it. Getting and sustaining that "I feel great" buzz is worth a lot of money, and a Sebenza can do that for some people. If that person is you, then definitely get one.

So really, it boils down to whether you fall into the first group or the second. I have one foot in each camp, so I'm sorta tormented. I own about 5 CRKs and admire their flavor, but often think I'm an idiot for dropping that kind of coinage on them. Its really better to be in one camp or the other.

Good luck. :thumbup:
 
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Non tell the time so they are useless as a watch. There are so many watches out there, some really expensive, and they all tell the time; but not one can cut for toffee.
 
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. 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
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A mint PM2, with no marks on it might go for $100. That's 20% less than brand new. Also depends which one it is.....camo with black blade is ~ $140.
Like others have said, you never know the actual selling price.
Joe
 
Gaston444 said:
Have you ever handled one?

Because I get accused of having never owned (or even handled) a Sebenza (which is true, because the design is so obviously inferior it is to me not even worth the trouble of examining one: I think this generally applies to most frame locks), yet people will make assumptions about this Kershaw also having never handled one, and this is assumed to be OK...

The Sebenza is said to have a weak detent, and its lock fails at under fifty pounds, which I am sure even the $25 Kershaw can take. To my eyes, this means the Sebenza is not even a proper knife to begin with... I won't even go into the Titanium/steel lock face wear, when for that price you would at least expect a steel insert for a steel to steel wear, as on the $25 knife... The blade to handle and blade to weight ratios are also both inferior on the $400 knife...

The edge holding on the Sebenza has often proved to be poor, sometimes shockingly so (ie the JRDavis882 testing), so even on that front there is probably is no discernible difference, and the Kershaw may even be a good deal better...

As for the surface finish, what I have seen of the Sebenza in no way looks any better than the Kershaw: Even the primary grind line is less crisp on the $400 knife... Again, get the Kershaw and look at it closely: I've seen enough gigantic close-ups of the Sebenza to know the stonewash finish looks like crap in comparison. All a matter of taste of course, but there you go...

Gaston
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OP, let me cut to the chase here for you. You can essentially discount everything Gaston has said.

1. He's an anti-Chris Reeve troll who has beaten this particular drum many times before.
2. Read his post. All of the reasons he hates them stem from things that he saw online or elsewhere, nothing from personal experience.
3. The dude is claiming that a cheap garbage Chinesium Kershaw has better function, fit, and finish than Chris Reeve's Sebenza. Chris Reeve had the Manufacturing Quality Award at BLADE sewn up for like, 12 years. Think you're going to be winning those awards if a $25 cheap knife is better than yours? (Hint: no.)

What you're seeing here is someone who lashes out at something they don't like, and who doesn't want anyone else to like it either. Whelp, too bad. The facts speak for themselves. Chris Reeve's products are of exceptional quality, and sorry, but some companies who produce exceptional quality will charge an exceptional price in return. In my time here, I've seen countless people who can't afford a $425 knife use every excuse under the sun as to why CRK knives are crap and "aren't worth it".

Now then, cue the "I totally COULD AFFORD IT IF I WANTED TO!" braying.

No one who compares a $25 Kershaw to a Sebenza will, or should be, taken seriously. The trolling agenda is both clear, and present.
 
How good are Sebenzas? They are very good. I have a large regular that I value highly.

Are they worth it? That is another question entirely, one that is answerable only by the individual user. In my case, I'd probably say no for the simple fact that my favorite folder is one that I bought for 1/3 the cost of a new Sebenza.

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Buy the knife that appeals to you materially and aesthetically. You're the one who has to shell out the money for it.
 
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