- Joined
- May 7, 2012
- Messages
- 4,971
As requested by kidcongo:
I'd like to start the definitive list of all the design features that the glorious Sebenza 25 has improved upon from it's dated predecessor, the 21.
Let's preface this with a reminder to all that Sebenza means 'work' in Zulu. The Sebenza has become a working folder icon.
Beginning with some quick points:
The blade:
The 25 has a more defined drop point profile improving tip strength for heavy duty tasks. Perhaps the most important part of this, is people will stop incorrectly calling the Sebenza a clip point as often happens on the 21! I would be happy enough if this was the end of the post. But oh no, there's more! The 25 comes in at a well balanced .140" (3.56mm) blade thickness which is a slight increase over the Large Sebenza 21 at 0.125" (3.175mm). Enough of an increase to improve strength, durability and it provides a more robust feel, but does not cause it to be too heavy.
It also has a large hollow grind that comes very close to the cutting performance of a flat grind, but still slices as well as a hollow grind. Perfect for all around use as it combines the best of both grinds. The jimping has been made more aggressive thus is can now be called useful while wearing gloves. It is still gentle enough to be kind on the hand, perhaps with the exception of some hammer grip tasks where the webbing between the thumb and pointer finger is riding very high on the blade, but this can be mitigated by moving ones hand to a safer position away from the cutting edge as designed and using a thumb on the tip end of the blade, which is more comfortable with the new blade thickness. It also come standard with double thumb lugs for an ambidextrous opening.
The pivot:
The 25 has a newer pivot construction doing away with the bushing system. This has improved user serviceability, customization and reduced the need for a trip to the factory for washers. Because the pivot design can be tightened by the user and both the male and female sides of the pivot can be adjusted, the user can adjust the pivot to get the exact feel they want. As the washers wear over time, the user can simply adjust further to maintain the buttery smooth feel the Sebenza is known for. This is a vast improvement over the downfall of the bushing system in the 21; the blade play that develops as the washers wear and requires the knife return to the factory for new washers.
Now, both washers are the same size further improving the feel of the action by reducing friction, creating more pockets for small bits of dirt to move into, longevity in washer life, more lubrication stored for longer service intervals and more contact surface on the lock side for more strength in the pivot, generally considered the weakest point of a folding knife. The diameter of the pivot has also been increased for more strength. Finally the heat treated 416 stainless steel stop pin has been strengthened and interference fit into the lock side of the handle.
Other improvements:
The Sebenza 25 also has a ceramic ball lock bar interface that increases the lifespan of the lock and helps it to maintain it's position. The lock bar now moves further into the tang improving the strength of the lockup without reducing the lifespan of the blade. The ceramic ball lockup also provides a more awe inspiring and confidence inducing 'thwack' when opening the blade. The ceramic ball does double duty by falling into the detent helping the blade stay closed.
Perhaps the biggest visual difference of the Sebenza 25 is the handle design. The addition of an index finger groove in the handle provides a more positive grip while balancing the need for a universal fit, as Chris has commented the more specific the design of the handle, the less universal it's fit. The design of the 25 was balanced with this is mind. The 25 has also done away with 2 of the 3 holes on the butt end of the handle. Gone is the single empty hole often wondered at by new CRK fans, or band-aided over with an inlay; and the hole for the lanyard pin has also been removed. Thus the lanyard pin is no more, and lanyards can be tied upon the spacer which has been changed to accommodate this.
Finally I would like to discuss the pocket clip.
If I could describe the pocket clip in one word, it would be perfection. Let us take a look and revel in it's comfort:
As you can see, it contours to the hand like it was made to. In fact, it is.
How does this compare to the 21?:
Well not bad huh?
That is because, they are basically the same clip!
So how is it that some people find the 21 comfortable, but the 25 not comfortable:
I would put forth that they are indexing their fingers in the finger groves in a way that causes the palm to conflict with the pocket clip.
I propose those that find this to be the case, try the following steps:
1.) Place the 25 in ones hand so that the pocket clip sits in the correct position. Please refer to my earlier photos for exact details, but you will know you got it when you feel "Ahhh there is the perfection I expected." Try it with your eyes closed. Your hand knows what to do, if you stop your brain from overriding it. Breath in deeply and slowly, exhale the prejudice.
2.) Once you have the pocket clip correctly positioned, close you fingers and see where they fall on the handle. Repeat it several times, slowly, gently. You will feel the knife disappear into your hand like it was made just for you. It was.
3.) Wash you mind of preconceived notions of how your fingers "should" be. Think of the 25 as a woman. She wants to be held the way she wants to be held, not the way you want to hold her. Listen to her, be a good partner. Stay open-minded and try new things. As Chris said, "Take care of your knife and it will take care of you!"
4.) If you too have now experienced perfection, stop here and bask in it. If not, repeat steps 1-3.
Should the above steps fail you, your Sebenza 25 can be given a safe, forever home where it will be treasured and appreciated here, at the Canadian Coalition for the Prevention of Sebenza Abuse. It will be able to frolic with other 25's, visit the Wicked Edge station where it will be maintained at perfection and return to the motherland for a yearly checkup. We will not judge you. Please contact me for more info on giving your 25 the best home possible as space is limited.
Ok my toddler is sitting on my lap trying to help me type for the past 30 minutes so this will have to do for now.
Enjoy!!
I'd like to start the definitive list of all the design features that the glorious Sebenza 25 has improved upon from it's dated predecessor, the 21.
Let's preface this with a reminder to all that Sebenza means 'work' in Zulu. The Sebenza has become a working folder icon.
Beginning with some quick points:
The blade:
The 25 has a more defined drop point profile improving tip strength for heavy duty tasks. Perhaps the most important part of this, is people will stop incorrectly calling the Sebenza a clip point as often happens on the 21! I would be happy enough if this was the end of the post. But oh no, there's more! The 25 comes in at a well balanced .140" (3.56mm) blade thickness which is a slight increase over the Large Sebenza 21 at 0.125" (3.175mm). Enough of an increase to improve strength, durability and it provides a more robust feel, but does not cause it to be too heavy.
It also has a large hollow grind that comes very close to the cutting performance of a flat grind, but still slices as well as a hollow grind. Perfect for all around use as it combines the best of both grinds. The jimping has been made more aggressive thus is can now be called useful while wearing gloves. It is still gentle enough to be kind on the hand, perhaps with the exception of some hammer grip tasks where the webbing between the thumb and pointer finger is riding very high on the blade, but this can be mitigated by moving ones hand to a safer position away from the cutting edge as designed and using a thumb on the tip end of the blade, which is more comfortable with the new blade thickness. It also come standard with double thumb lugs for an ambidextrous opening.
The pivot:
The 25 has a newer pivot construction doing away with the bushing system. This has improved user serviceability, customization and reduced the need for a trip to the factory for washers. Because the pivot design can be tightened by the user and both the male and female sides of the pivot can be adjusted, the user can adjust the pivot to get the exact feel they want. As the washers wear over time, the user can simply adjust further to maintain the buttery smooth feel the Sebenza is known for. This is a vast improvement over the downfall of the bushing system in the 21; the blade play that develops as the washers wear and requires the knife return to the factory for new washers.
Now, both washers are the same size further improving the feel of the action by reducing friction, creating more pockets for small bits of dirt to move into, longevity in washer life, more lubrication stored for longer service intervals and more contact surface on the lock side for more strength in the pivot, generally considered the weakest point of a folding knife. The diameter of the pivot has also been increased for more strength. Finally the heat treated 416 stainless steel stop pin has been strengthened and interference fit into the lock side of the handle.
Other improvements:
The Sebenza 25 also has a ceramic ball lock bar interface that increases the lifespan of the lock and helps it to maintain it's position. The lock bar now moves further into the tang improving the strength of the lockup without reducing the lifespan of the blade. The ceramic ball lockup also provides a more awe inspiring and confidence inducing 'thwack' when opening the blade. The ceramic ball does double duty by falling into the detent helping the blade stay closed.
Perhaps the biggest visual difference of the Sebenza 25 is the handle design. The addition of an index finger groove in the handle provides a more positive grip while balancing the need for a universal fit, as Chris has commented the more specific the design of the handle, the less universal it's fit. The design of the 25 was balanced with this is mind. The 25 has also done away with 2 of the 3 holes on the butt end of the handle. Gone is the single empty hole often wondered at by new CRK fans, or band-aided over with an inlay; and the hole for the lanyard pin has also been removed. Thus the lanyard pin is no more, and lanyards can be tied upon the spacer which has been changed to accommodate this.
Finally I would like to discuss the pocket clip.
If I could describe the pocket clip in one word, it would be perfection. Let us take a look and revel in it's comfort:
As you can see, it contours to the hand like it was made to. In fact, it is.
How does this compare to the 21?:
Well not bad huh?
That is because, they are basically the same clip!
So how is it that some people find the 21 comfortable, but the 25 not comfortable:
I would put forth that they are indexing their fingers in the finger groves in a way that causes the palm to conflict with the pocket clip.
I propose those that find this to be the case, try the following steps:
1.) Place the 25 in ones hand so that the pocket clip sits in the correct position. Please refer to my earlier photos for exact details, but you will know you got it when you feel "Ahhh there is the perfection I expected." Try it with your eyes closed. Your hand knows what to do, if you stop your brain from overriding it. Breath in deeply and slowly, exhale the prejudice.
2.) Once you have the pocket clip correctly positioned, close you fingers and see where they fall on the handle. Repeat it several times, slowly, gently. You will feel the knife disappear into your hand like it was made just for you. It was.
3.) Wash you mind of preconceived notions of how your fingers "should" be. Think of the 25 as a woman. She wants to be held the way she wants to be held, not the way you want to hold her. Listen to her, be a good partner. Stay open-minded and try new things. As Chris said, "Take care of your knife and it will take care of you!"
4.) If you too have now experienced perfection, stop here and bask in it. If not, repeat steps 1-3.
Should the above steps fail you, your Sebenza 25 can be given a safe, forever home where it will be treasured and appreciated here, at the Canadian Coalition for the Prevention of Sebenza Abuse. It will be able to frolic with other 25's, visit the Wicked Edge station where it will be maintained at perfection and return to the motherland for a yearly checkup. We will not judge you. Please contact me for more info on giving your 25 the best home possible as space is limited.
Ok my toddler is sitting on my lap trying to help me type for the past 30 minutes so this will have to do for now.
Enjoy!!
Last edited:
