Thanks for all of the input, guys. It has all helped me in some way. Maybe not for my next purchase, but for future purchases.
But I think I have decided on the Sebenza. I think I just have the Sebenza bug.
It is the standard that all production folders are measured against (though which is the best is purely a matter of opinion, the Sebenza is the measuring stick). So I feel it is a knife I will always want, so I might as well get it now and start enjoying it sooner rather than later. I feel it is needed in a serious collection of production knives. Nothing can fill the hole other than a Sebenza. Not that I won't want to buy a Manix, Skirmish, and a Strider or two to fill those holes. I just feel the Sebenza is more important.
I am considering a custom as well, but as silly as it sounds, a custom wouldn't fill the gap in my collection like a Sebenza would. As a (newbie) collector, I feel the Sebenza is a must-have. If I get into customs later, I am sure I will start to buy fewer production knives.
I also find the Striders very interesting, and I still want a Skirmish very bad, but I like the style of the Sebenza more, and I can always get a Skirmish with the following paycheck. 170 bucks is no pocket change, but I can do it with one paycheck. The Sebenza, on the other hand, will take a little saving up (some from one paycheck, some from the next).
I never got around to going to the knife store and handling a Sebenza, so all of this depends on how I feel after I hold it. But if I like it, I can put it on lay-away for a small percentage of the price (around 10 percent), and then pay the next 40% next paycheck and the last 40% in a month.
When I came to this forum a while ago, I was mainly looking for information on 20-80 dollar knives that offer a lot of bang for the buck. I wanted to move up from the CCCs. I got my wish with the excellent Native, Leek, and 110. I never dreamed I would ever buy a Sebenza. I would never call them a stupid purchase or "not worth it", but I didn't feel I was into knives enough to justify that much money, even if I could afford it without problem (and I can, more or less). I can't believe I am actually saving up for a Sebbie!
Oh, and otter, that is a great pic. It shows the sort of marks the Sebenza blade will accumulate. Judging from that pic, the marks would not upset me. The was my main worry about the Sebbie and the Skirmish, and it has been pretty much put to rest by that pic since I don't mind those marks. I will still get the Black/Blue Skirmish with the ceramic coating, though, as I feel it is the best looking version and avoiding those marks (thanks to the coating) is a worthy bonus. Thanks!
