I just received a small sebbie.... I don't get it.

I've had about twelve or so PM2's and an equal number of Sebenzas, both large and small. Most of my PM2's were in the super-steels...S90V, CTS-20CP, CTS-XHP, with only one or two in the less expensive S30V. The PM2's are great; the compression lock is a wonder in itself. The CRK folders are also great, and I really do see that Sebenzas are a step up from PM2's. CRK service is wonderful. I have never used Spyderco service except for their sharpening service.
I've sold nearly all of these knives, Spydercos and CRK's, above to raise cash for other brands to try out. I had XM-18 Hinderers in 3" slicer and 3.5" spanto for several weeks. They were a bit massive for me...like an overbuilt Sebenza. They were great knives, but I sold them quickly.
My EDC's are always CRK; either Sebenzas or Unmumzaan. I enjoy one or two PM2's but they are not, IMO, the equal of a Sebenza. HOWEVER, some of the Spyderco blade-steels (super-steels) are greatly advanced over CRK S30V or S35V, regardless of heat-treatment, in my opinion. I am the first to say that Ankerson could address this subject in far more depth than myself.
They are both great knives. I respect them equally but do NOT value them equally.
Sonnydaze
 
xtonesterx said:
great first post.

if your are not feeling the sebenza and dont understand it you probably never will and its just not for you. if you are one of those people who compare every knife to the PM2 and think the PM2 is just the best knife ever then you should just stick to it.
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:thumbup:
 
There are a lot of reasons why Sebenzas are "worth the money". Many of them are stated here, there are not many knifes that I can just look at and just admire the craftsmenship and design. With many CRK knives its all about the little things that mostly go unnoticed that get me. One more thing machining and working with titanium in general is expensive, my shop does it all the time trust me its not cheap.
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
We always need a few more, never enough. But do we have the one that reaches that special place for us. I'll bet that little annual does, and this one does for me.

SmallDamascus-Lanyard.jpg
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You make alot of sense. You know, some people would love to own just one of what we have. It's good to be grateful and too easy to be greedy.

Aidansdaddy17 said:
Sending funds for my new small 21......now! Wish me luck River! :(
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Good luck my man. Keep this one so you don't feel that ole regret kicking in again. What 21 you get?

I canceled my 25 preorder. I'm going yo wait for the small aswell.
 
Have you tried the full size version.
Maybe the large Sebenza is what you need.
Try to handle one.
red mag
 
I felt the same. Not so much that it wasn't worth it over other knives, just that because of the hype, i expected more. It has grown on me and has become one of my favorite knives, but that took time and my military still rivals it for pocket time. Had i sold my entire collection to buy a few sebenzas to replace my other knives, i would have been very dissapointed. They don't do anything other knives do, but the customer service, simplicity and comfort they provide is worth the money.
 
I find the flawless design, aesthetics and perfect finish of the various Sebenzas endlessly fascinating. I sold most of my other knives to fund a couple of choice CRKs (small reg, large 21). That said, I can't bring myself to part with my M390 Para 2, even though I have yet to put away a Sebenza and actually carry it.
 
I have a few excursions away from CRKs but the heart of what I carry is always either a Sebenza, a Zaan, or a Mnandi.
 
I will be completely honest, when I first got into this whole knife thing, I didn't even know what a Sebenza was. Nor who Chris Reeve is.
Once I learned and started to learn more, seeing rants and raves, I wondered what it was about the Sebenza. Well, I finally got to handle one and I didn't get it at all. I had my Paramilitary 2 in my pocket at the time and wondered why the heck this Sebenza cost so much more because it certainly didn't seem THAT much better.
The more as I went on in my knife adventures I started getting a feel for higher quality knives. You have to always be open and willing to learn or you'll be stuck thinking you have the best knife in the world, when there are several out there that may blow your mind if you give them a fair chance.

Anyways, I kept climbing the knife ladder and thought I found my perfect knives(ZT 0560, Spyderco Chokwe). After a while, I realized the Chokwe is a perfect EDC knife but I really wanted something a little more simple and refined. I then realized there were things I liked and didn't about the 0560 and as great of a knife as it was.. it wasn't the perfect knife for me. Well eventually I was able to get the money and I went and played with a Sebenza. I loved the quality, the feel, knowing the work that was behind it, the years and changes. I loved the feel of it and the simple utilitarian design.

I bought it. I loved the knife, I felt a bond with it(weird I know, but I must feel a pull towards a knife or it goes). I started carrying it and using it, watching how it wore in, loving the smooth and perfect design of it and how it worked. The longer I have it, the more that bond grows.

Give it a chance, if you don't feel that bond and almost affection towards the knife, then it may just not be for you. But there is a knife out there that is.

About Spyderco though - Even though I own my Large Sebenza and love it dearly, Spyderco is still my favorite knife brand. Their designs, fit and finish, quality, materials, and everything are just great. I will get crap for this... But I just recently got the Spyderco Techno. I picked this up instead of a Strider SNG, and instead of the CRK Small Sebenza Insingo. I am glad I did. It's a wonderful knife, excellent materials, very similar to the Small Sebenza Insingo in build and blade shape with just a tiny bit more belly. It's beefier but great for slicing and hard use. This knife has similar fit and finish and quality to my Sebenza. And the price can't be beat.

CRK is not meant to be 10x better. It's meant to be built to near perfection and to be appreciated and used. If you by the knife expecting it to be 6,000x better than your production knives, you'll be disappointed.

If you buy it for the simplicity, the perfection, the tolerances, the fit and finish and quality, the simple appreciation of a fine cutting tool, I believe you'll be happy.

Give it a chance. But don't expect it to do a bunch of things that your Paramilitary 2 can't.
 
I've had a large bunch of Spydercos in the super-steels; primarily PM2's and Militaries, but have sold nearly all in order to feed my unrelenting feeding frenzy of other manufacturers. Many Sebbies also, in a nice variety of flavors, although I hand onto the large plain Janes every time over the graphics and inlays. I love 'em all. You have to "experience" the compression lock of the PM2 in order to have a clue what I'm talking about. There is NOTHING else like it out there...anywhere. The Spydies made in Taichung, Taiwan are said to have a bit finer F&F than the Seki City, Japan examples, but Golden, Colorado is no slouch either. I have a ton of respect for Sal and his boys, along with Chris and Heather & friends.
Sonny
 
Ken44 said:
I have both, and feel the price for both is right on target.

CRK has won the Blade Show Manufacturing Quality award for about ten years in a row. I won't go into tolerance levels, but read this link about what the owner of Spyderco has to say.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ation-Sebenza-and-Alias?p=5084267#post5084267
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The Awards voted on by fellow knifemakers as well, people who know a thing or two about knifemaking:thumbup: Hell even Bob Dozier collects CRK's :D Use that baby for a year, break it down a few times and you will be thanking us later. Your not the first person to feel this way and probably won't be the last.
 
With the Sebenza, what you're paying for (for the most part) is an excellent design, guaranteed perfection, but also the name--because the name has become synonymous with those things. It also depends on your value system. If all you're looking at is price-to-performance ratio (nothing wrong with that) then plenty of less expensive knives can be found which will outperform the Sebenza -- just like a $10 bottle of vodka will get you drunk faster than a $500 bottle of vintage wine. Chances are, however, you're not drinking that wine just to get soused. You're drinking it because of all the subtleties and qualities it possesses, things one is only able to detect and appreciate over time.
 
Since this thread was started by a new guy, I find it befitting for a new guy like myself chime in. Since I own 4 Para 2's and 6 Sebenza's I should have some input here... yes they both cut, and do it well. The Spydies, IMHO actually do it better.

Now with that said, all knives cut (or should). But price can't be based solely on function. Others have alluded to it but I don't think the words have been used, "ambiance". When you buy and use a Sebenza, you're buying into the ambiance of it's ownership. If you go to a steak house or the butcher you can get the same steak... but you will pay more in one place vs the other for that same reason.

I love both knives for different reasons but if you don't get Sebenza's at least if you sell it again you wont lose your shirt.
 
^ I have both, and the Sebenza is made better, and made to last longer. Has nothing to do with "ambiance".


And BTW, welcome to BF:thumbup:
 
Ken44 said:
^ I have both, and the Sebenza is made better, and made to last longer. Has nothing to do with "ambiance".


And BTW, welcome to BF:thumbup:
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$300 better? I'm positive both my Para2's and my Sebenza's will all last my lifetime and beyond so what you said wouldn't apply to me. I understand we all have different buying motivations but I don't see a Sebenza as a "value" buy if that's the case. I see it as more prestigious buy for finer quality product at a price point that doesn't make them every day beaters that you see like a Staple's branded box cutter.
 
I've read what Sal has to say about price. I don't think there is a $300 difference solely based on materials and build and I do own them too. Like I said, we all buy for different reasons. I sell Ferrari's for a living and drive a Ford Van, we can all see things differently on value, worth and cost for what we need and want. ;)

Or let me frame it this way. For $300 I don't see the quality difference tho I do see a substantial difference in quality. I do believe the feeling of opening my and closing of a Sebenza, the sound it makes when the lock engages or closes shut and the ability to tear it down with such ease is all worth the extra money. Also I appreciate that I can own them along with other folks that clearly work hard but also appreciate some finer things that make them mutually happy.
 
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FroOchie said:
$300 better? I'm positive both my Para2's and my Sebenza's will all last my lifetime and beyond so what you said wouldn't apply to me. I understand we all have different buying motivations but I don't see a Sebenza as a "value" buy if that's the case. I see it as more prestigious buy for finer quality product at a price point that doesn't make them every day beaters that you see like a Staple's branded box cutter.
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Pride of ownership. Honestly. Some might question why you feel a PM2 is worth it over their $15-20 Kershaw or CRKT. I'm eagerly awaiting my new small Sebenza to show up today. Dang usps! I've bought and sold over $4000 worth of knives in the past year. Sold 90-95% don't worry folks! Production, mid tech and custom. Again, for the $50-$200 production model knife Spyderco makes some of the best. Best value. For the level CRK is at. He beats out a lot of production, mid tech and custom in that price range. Can't compare to his right tolerances and precision manufacturing. Only Spyderco's Taichung models come close. Try one! Techno and Southard are amazing. Ill be carrying my Southard and small 21 for along time. My whole point is still....apples to oranges. You cannot compare the PM2 to a Sebenza. You just can't. Love them both differently or the same. Like two children. Otherwise sell your small if you just don't get it. Took me awhile to go full circle brother. Now I get it! Get a custom or another mid tech. ;) Compare those.
 
Cost/worth had nothing to do with me buying them. I bought them because they are better knives. Better made, made to last longer, can take them apart easy(without voiding warranty), and a much better design with its straight handle.

I used a knife for a living, so I may know a little about handle design. Thats just my opinion, and I like both knives alot.

Have you visited any other rooms yet:p
 
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