How good are the Chris Reeve Sebenzas?

KingMC said:
The only thing that really bothered me is the fact that I was on-topic and answered the question the OP asked, only to have someone deem it unworthy of the thread because it wasn't valid enough (first impressions don't count, apparently) and attempt to prove why I was mistaken without sharing anything personal. I assumed this thread was about personal experiences and opinions or else I wouldn't have posted.
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Ah, don't let the little things bother you in the General forum. I think he was just telling you they get smoother over time. And like you, I didn't care for the small thumb studs when I held my first, but I soon got used to them after buying one. It's not a knife that's made to flick.

The main reason I replied was to explain why your football analogy made no sense. That's all.
Take care.
 
I've had a small sebenza and several Mnandis. They are beautiful, well-made knives, ingeniously designed and produced with the best tolerances in the production world. They can do everything you need an EDC knife to do at a high level. And yet, I've sold all the CRK knives I've ever owned, and fairly quickly at that.

Why? Because in my opinion, they're soulless. Even if it's the best assembly line in the production knife world, they still roll off an assembly line. My Sebenza is exactly like your Sebenza. And for the money of a Damascus Mnandi or Sebenza, I'm just about in custom territory or close enough to it that I can save a bit more and get something handmade and unique to me--which to me makes a lot more difference. YMMV.

It's all about where you feel value lies. I think a lot of people also just love the CRK name. They want to own a CRK and they feel like if you're a knife knut you "just have to have a Sebenza."
 
I want a sebenza to try out. To me it looks sleek and classy. It will be in time but I will buy one. I'm just beginning my knife collection so I have many knives I need to get before I dive into the $350+ knife world.
 
HyPnOtIk said:
I want a sebenza to try out. To me it looks sleek and classy. It will be in time but I will buy one. I'm just beginning my knife collection so I have many knives I need to get before I dive into the $350+ knife world.
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I've owned my Sebenza 21 for about a year and a half now and I can't imagine not having it. I have drawers full of knives that just don't get the carry time that the Sebenza does. You may find yourself saving a bunch in the long run if you try a Sebenza.

I blew a LOT of $ on knives that I wouldn't have bothered to buy had I bought a Sebenza first. For me, it's some kind of traditional slipjoint and a CRK for EDC.
 
mbp said:
I've had a small sebenza and several Mnandis. They are beautiful, well-made knives, ingeniously designed and produced with the best tolerances in the production world. They can do everything you need an EDC knife to do at a high level. And yet, I've sold all the CRK knives I've ever owned, and fairly quickly at that.

Why? Because in my opinion, they're soulless. Even if it's the best assembly line in the production knife world, they still roll off an assembly line. My Sebenza is exactly like your Sebenza. And for the money of a Damascus Mnandi or Sebenza, I'm just about in custom territory or close enough to it that I can save a bit more and get something handmade and unique to me--which to me makes a lot more difference. YMMV.

It's all about where you feel value lies. I think a lot of people also just love the CRK name. They want to own a CRK and they feel like if you're a knife knut you "just have to have a Sebenza."
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I get this point very well. However, I am not selling my seb any time soon, just because to me, that unique custom knife can be a fixed one only. I just don't see any folder as a natural extension of my hand.
 
Kiteman72 said:
I've owned my Sebenza 21 for about a year and a half now and I can't imagine not having it. I have drawers full of knives that just don't get the carry time that the Sebenza does. You may find yourself saving a bunch in the long run if you try a Sebenza.

I blew a LOT of $ on knives that I wouldn't have bothered to buy had I bought a Sebenza first. For me, it's some kind of traditional slipjoint and a CRK for EDC.
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One day I will get there. I kinda do this when I get started into things is I start small and work my way up. I got really interested in knives around 2 1/2 years ago and was into Kershaw and ZT. I ended up only keeping the $60 Kershaw Piston and used that as my daily carry as I felt it was perfect for my needs.

Last month I decided I want something better and started looking into Benchmade and Spyderco. I knew Benchmade and Spyderco were good because I had handled them before but never really had the urge to buy them. Now I went on a damn buying spree lol. I'm working my way up the ladder to the Sebenza, but like any other hobby I have, I don't get something insanely expensive right off the bat. As it sits right now I can get two awesome Spyderco or Benchmade knives for the price of one Sebenza and my main goal right now is to have a wide variety of awesome knives from different manufacturers, even if they aren't being carried. I know it might sound stupid to most people but, just like with my guns, I want to have choices with my knives.
 
..."Would a Sebenza be noticeably better than a Benchmade or Spyderco?"...

No.
Look at what BM or SPC offers these days. Please keep also an eye on the price-tag.

From my experience I got broad array of feedback, when I showed the Sebenza to people.

While it is fun to discuss this topic, only you can find out yourself.
You got to put it to actual use and then decide.

To me to whole package fits.

Please let us know how you decide.
all the best
red mag
 
Kiteman72 said:
I blew a LOT of $ on knives that I wouldn't have bothered to buy had I bought a Sebenza first.
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Same here, over the years, I've bought so many folders that I thought would "make do" instead of a Sebenza, that I would have been way better off just buying the Sebenza. I've sold off several already.

Anyone thinking about a Sebenza, as others have said, just get one and see for yourself. If you don't like it, they are usually easy to sell on the exchange, and at least you'll know for yourself.
 
Put my Small Micarta 21 in my pocket today, and after using it 3 or 4 times, I have to say it is just a fantastic, no nonsense small folder - to me the natural progression forward from the traditional friction folder. There is no higher quality than this particular iteration - micarta inlays are perfect, blade is both strong and functional, bushing pivot is the best pivot ever, simple, re-new-able practically indefinitely - this is just a superb knife.
 
mbp said:
I've had a small sebenza and several Mnandis. They are beautiful, well-made knives, ingeniously designed and produced with the best tolerances in the production world. They can do everything you need an EDC knife to do at a high level. And yet, I've sold all the CRK knives I've ever owned, and fairly quickly at that.

Why? Because in my opinion, they're soulless. Even if it's the best assembly line in the production knife world, they still roll off an assembly line. My Sebenza is exactly like your Sebenza. And for the money of a Damascus Mnandi or Sebenza, I'm just about in custom territory or close enough to it that I can save a bit more and get something handmade and unique to me--which to me makes a lot more difference. YMMV.

It's all about where you feel value lies. I think a lot of people also just love the CRK name. They want to own a CRK and they feel like if you're a knife knut you "just have to have a Sebenza."
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Although I'm a CRK owner /user, I would never tell someone they 'have to have a Sebenza'. It's something a person will decide to do for themselves or not. As was already mentioned, Sebenzas (or CRKs in general) are not for everybody. That's not an elitist statement, it's a fact. Just like Spydercos or Benchmades or ZTs or even SAKs are not for everybody. Because people's tastes vary. How utterly boring would it be if everybody thought exactly the same? That's why there are so many choices of knives.

As for Sebenzas or production knives in general being 'soulless', my feeling is that EVERY knife is soulless until it is really carried and used. In other words, any 'soul' a knife has develops over time. IMO, no knife that is new in box, including a traditional knife with scales made of natural materials, or custom pieces, has any 'soul' or 'personality' until considerable use over time gives them their unique marks, 'scars', etc., that then give that particular knife its unique character, even among others of the same model.

Jim
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Same here, over the years, I've bought so many folders that I thought would "make do" instead of a Sebenza, that I would have been way better off just buying the Sebenza. I've sold off several already.

Anyone thinking about a Sebenza, as others have said, just get one and see for yourself. If you don't like it, they are usually easy to sell on the exchange, and at least you'll know for yourself.
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Yup. Try one and sell it if you are not happy. You will be out little to no money. It is difficult to read peoples opinion on one of the most iconic knives in our hobby when they have no experience with said knife. It costs very little to try one out.
 
At least some of those that today are saying they don't like it(for what ever reason), will be carrying Sebenza's in the future and praising them as others have. It took me a little while(trying this and that) to determine what I wanted in a knife and I found the Sebenza fit what I was looking for.
Certainly many come to CRK(same with many brands) do to the noise about them, but they stay for the knife.
 
I had one and lost it somehow. It was clipped in the front pocket of my jeans while I was hiking. My guess was that something snagged it. Talk about seeing a grown Hillbilly from WV cry. There are few things in life that'll make you cry. Something hurt your dog, your truck, your wife or your Sebenza.

I'd LOVE to have another some day as they are EVERYTHING everybody here has said they are! All knifes are compared to them.

Maybe someday I'll be able to afford a user.
 
I have had several. They are very nicely made knives. I did not appreciate how well they are made until I had bought several, thought "Meh, these are overrated", sold them and went a few years without one. I then bought a small Inkosi, an Umnumzaan, a Mnandi, and then a small insingo 21, over the last 8 months or so. Of those the mnandi is by far my favorite knife.
Buy one, try it out. If you do not like it, it is VERY easy to sell here on the forums.
 
Makael said:
Im kinda shocked someone would post this comparison.
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...... don't be, just research the poster a little.

KingMC said:
The only thing that really bothered me is the fact that I was on-topic and answered the question the OP asked, only to have someone deem it unworthy of the thread because it wasn't valid enough (first impressions don't count, apparently) and attempt to prove why I was mistaken without sharing anything personal. I assumed this thread was about personal experiences and opinions or else I wouldn't have posted.
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.... mate your opinion and take on the Sebby for YOU is just as valid as that of everyone else's is for THEM. Your 5 mins with the blade at a shop is much more than many have have bought a Sebby have had prior (me included). It is impossible to say (for ANYONE to say) that this knife (or car or toaster or shoe) is BEST for someone else as knives are almost as personal and underwear !! People do get overly brand passionate on forums and defend to the last against someone who may not like that particular brand.
 
I liked my small Sebenza enough to want more Chris Reeve knives. It took a week or so to break in. When I first got it, it was really stiff, and made my thumb sore. Then, I took it apart and lubed it (It was brand new, but was sitting on a shelf for a year). Wow, the difference was amazing. Now it flicks open very easily.
 
mbp said:
I've had a small sebenza and several Mnandis. They are beautiful, well-made knives, ingeniously designed and produced with the best tolerances in the production world. They can do everything you need an EDC knife to do at a high level. And yet, I've sold all the CRK knives I've ever owned, and fairly quickly at that.

Why? Because in my opinion, they're soulless. Even if it's the best assembly line in the production knife world, they still roll off an assembly line. My Sebenza is exactly like your Sebenza. And for the money of a Damascus Mnandi or Sebenza, I'm just about in custom territory or close enough to it that I can save a bit more and get something handmade and unique to me--which to me makes a lot more difference. YMMV.

It's all about where you feel value lies. I think a lot of people also just love the CRK name. They want to own a CRK and they feel like if you're a knife knut you "just have to have a Sebenza."
Click to expand...
My sentiments exactly. It took me along time to pull the trigger, and when I got my large 21 with bocote inlay, I was so underwhelmed it didn't last the week. Though not as gentlemanly, I much prefer my TSF Beast.

I would much rather spend the money on or towards a custom, something especially unique.

I've often considered trying one again, but when you can get a custom from a maker here on the forums for close to the same price, I'll choose that custom every time.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
I enjoy mine, about the time things get stale carrying my sebenzas I will handle someone else's knife. Then I renew my enthusiasm with crk.
 
I held one for the first time a few days ago and I was literally giggling like a school boy. Very nice blade.
 
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