I can't believe I'm doing this, but....

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,256
...here goes yet another make my decision for me question :barf:

Background: I owned a large plain for about 3 months. I sold the knife because
(1) I needed the money.
(2) I felt guilty about spending that much money on a knife.
(3) I always worried about losing it.
(4) I babied it to avoid scratches.

Since then I have been looking for a replacement for the Sebbie. Guess what? In handling the other various choices (Spyderco Military, BM 940, BM 710 w/ AL handles, LCC, among others), I keep comparing them to the original Sebbie and the other choices come up short. Not that these knives are poor choices by any means; they just don't feel like the Sebbie did.

Flash to the present - I was laid off from a job at a sort-of "dot.com" company about a month ago. Found another job 2 weeks ago, and as part of the negotiations I worked in some extra money to cover the cost of a Sebenza ;). So here I am...

I really liked the size and heft of the large Sebenza. I have never handled a small Sebenza, and probably will not be able to before I make a decision. Both the large and the small will adequately handle all of my cutting needs in the rough and tumble office :D as well as any other chores I typically use a knife for.

So I guess the questions are as follows:
(1) Would you recommend the large or the small?
(2) If I was happy with the large, will I be happy with the small as well?
(3) Any large owners out there that work in an office environment? Any problems?
(4) Is the consensus pretty much that the large is best with a plain style, and the small is best with the classic style?

I guess if I had been really smart, I would have worked in enough money to buy both :(

Thanks for reading this long post!

Matthew
 
The small plain (regular, non-classic) is a great Sebenza. I actually use mine more than the large. I bought the large first and found it too heavy for some of the lighter weight pants I wear to work (office environ). The small has not let me down for anything I have used it for. It is not a camping knife and I'm not going to be chopping down trees to build a shelter, but I do use this knife every time I carry it in day to day activities in and around the office.
 
"Large or Small"....tough call to make...just when I have a customer of mine that I think will carry the "small" as an EDC, he will end up toting the large & vice-versa. I would assume a small would be adequate in the office, but....if you like the large and do not mind the weight of it, stick with it.
 
Have to agree with Mike:D

You'll end up with both, and large Plain and small Classic is a great way to go (that's exactly what I have). I do find I carry the small Classic a lot more than I carry the large, and I even have 2 sheaths for the large:)

I work in an office (newspaper) and the small Classic is much more sheeple friendly:cool:
 
I did think of one more wrinkle -

While I normally work in an engineering environment (which is usually pretty knife-friendly), occasionally I will have to step on a military base to work with some clients there. Is a large going to raise any eyebrows there, especially given the current situation?

While I've done work for the military before, this will be my first time on a base, so I don't want to make a bad first impression!

Thanks,

Matthew
 
I think at the current moment, a stinkin' Leatherman Micro will raise an eyebrow...:( Sad..but probably true.
 
I like the small. For me it just works better than the large. Had a large briefly but sold it because it was too much knife for me. About the base issue, I think Mike is right. You may want to call the base before hand and let them know your situation and what their policies are. Better safe than sorry.
 
I have 3 small's and 1 large, I carry the large on weekends and evenings - intermingled with the smalls. Then I carry the smalls to work almost exclusively. People do not (typically) see the small as a threat.

I would go with a small (decorated if you can swing the extra loot) and plan to add a large in the near future. They are both just as awesome but to me the small matches the perfect EDC size with the perfection of a CRK knife.

On a side note, The 3 smalls I have are the smallest knives in my collection, I generally like bigger knives but the smalls do not feel like a small knife in my hand like many others do. Kind of hard to explain...
 
I like the small. I really don't carry anything with more than a 3 1/2" blade, and prefer something closer to 3" in a folder. It's really a matter of personal preference. You can't go wrong with any Sebenza.

Paul
 
cpirtle - How do the decorateds stand up to everyday use, especially being in a pocket with keys? And if I send it back to CRK for refurbishing, can they make the decorated side look as new again?

If I had my druthers, I'd get the wood inlay :D (wouldn't we all?)...
 
I had a decorated Umfaan that did well, I think the polished side holds up against scratching better. The color engraving can discolor a little from oils in your skin but Windex cleans it up nicely.

I think one of the silver contrasts would do well also.

I have an LDC09 that I love and think is the perfect compromise to the plain and the decorated. It's got the lines for more character but is 100% bead blasted finish, IMHO one of the sharper looking non wood Sebenza's.
 
LDC09 ==
Large Decorated Style #9?
Large Deadly Cutter 9 Inches?
Little Darn ChrisReeveKnive?

:D

Jes' kiddin'. What does LDC09 stand for, and do you have a pic?

Matthew
 
Sorry, LDC was a special run of 50 knives Chris Reeve did for LDC, a company that typically sells limited edition custom tactical knives (50 each). CRK did 50 Larges and 50 Smalls (LDC109).

They came with the swedge on the blade, an extra hole (never knew why) and straight lines on either side of the knife. Also has the model name and serial number on it. This one is number 10.

BTW, I'd love to get my hands on the large #10 if someones got it :D
 
My rule of thumb is to always go with as big a knife as you can get away wife. I carry a large Seb every day to work. Then again..... I live in a rural area where knives are a way of life, and I wear jeans to work. I can get away with a big knife.

Sadly, it sounds like a small Seb may be better for you. If you have to wonder if a large knife will turn an eye, it will. That's life.
 
Nice piece cpirtle!

I want to thank everybody who took the time to respond to the original post. I've gotten a lot of food for thought; unfortunately, I still don't see an obvious choice. I guess it boils down to this: the small is the choice my head wants to make, but the large is the choice my heart wants to make. That may change if I actually get a chance to hold a small in the hands...

By the way, I remember someone mentioning once that the small Sebbie was legal (length-wise) in government buildings. Is that true?

Matthew
 
The small has a blade length of 2 7/8". But like Mike said, because of those POS people that hijacked the planes, policies have changed and a micra might just get confiscated. I have a sick feeling that we are going to bear a bit "knife prejustice" and the recent attacks have given the sheeple lots of ammo. Ask questions before you get in line to get in a building. Policies will vary but I would bet that you won't get a nail file in any federal building. Call ahead, you sure wouldn't want to lose a Sebby.:( :(
 
Starfish, I'm active duty military and have been involved in ID checks in light of recent events. While I won't get into what is or isn't being checked, I don't think you'll have a problem. Main focus is on proper identification and necessity to be on the installation.

I prefer the large "Sebbie" and carry mine almost everyday. Good luck on your purchase! regards, Chieftd:)
 
I like both, but for office/suit EDC I use the small NICA tanto. With the clip removed and coupled with a William Henry clip case (one that fits the T12 for $15.00.) It looks very non-aggresive, and very business like, your'e the only one who knows you have a sebbie.
Stratman

smallsebbie.jpg
 
I just don't find the large to be that "large" at all. It gives you a lot more useable blade edge in a package that is still easy to carry.
 
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