interesting thought

J

jester buddersworth

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Apr 19, 2015
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To you what is the "sebenza" of the fixed blade world? Also I need some neck knife recommendations but that's secondary to the main topic
 
Interesting thought...it seems like a difficult comparison, as the tolerances and simplicity of the Sebenza are what seem to make it stand out for most, and those don't seem like features that would make a fixed blade special.

I'm curious to see what others think.
 
36M_m.jpg

The cold steel drop forged hunter would be my take
Seeing that I can't possibly afford a sebenza.
 
I have to agree that the Nyala is the sebenza of fixed blades.
(Bad pictures are better than no pictures)

 
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Try a Kershaw Diskin Hunter for your fixed blade.

Many people are going to recommend neck knives that are too heavy to be practical. If you try to run with them you will see what I mean (and may be missing teeth!). Something like the Outdoor Edge Wedge is a better choice. Also, the Cold Steel Ready Edge, Urban Pal, and Best Pal knives are not too big, not too heavy, and are very useful.
 
Honestly, the first thing that came to mind was a Busse. Like a Sebenza, everyone raves about them but I would never pay that much for a blade.

No experience with neck knives, so I can't help with that.
 
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Charr said:
...I would say that the "sebenza" of the fixed blade world would be the Nyala, which is...literally...the "sebenza" of the fixed blade world...

http://chrisreeve.com/Nyala
Click to expand...

Yup... Considering the Sebenza is really in fact just one of many quality high end knives, made by Chris Reeve
Then obviously the "sebenza of" fixed blades would by default have to be one of the high end quality fixed blades, also made by Chris Reeve

Nyala is then your only real choice in comparison...
(Other top fixed blades would by default then be the "equivalent of" the top end folder of that said brand/maker)
 
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Tough call, I think. If I was going to play Nutnfancy for a moment and try to categorize knives by "philosophy of use," it seems to me that the whole point of a folding knife is to provide as much of the utility value (that is, cutting capabilities) as a fixed blade in a pocket-friendly format, and that the Sebenza line is a successful attempt to do this at a high level of quality. Sure, there are other folding knives from other manufacturers that also offer this, but as with performance cars or boutique guitars, the name carries with it the expectation of that high quality, where as other brands (ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco) offer some excellent knives but also some less expensive models with more modest specs. There isn't a "budget line" Sebenza, or (assuming you buy the version that meets your needs) a less capable Sebenza. Still, it is a folding knife meant to cover as many bases as the format allows.

Meanwhile, far more fixed blades are purpose-built. Just look at hunting knives, and all the specialized styles, each suited to a particular role. Same with dive knives, which is a more narrow focus. Assuming the best possible materials for the intended role are used, within those niches, there are going to be "best" knives in each. Now, if you were to try to choose a fixed blade that covers as much ground as possible rather than one built with a singular task in mind, you would get a lot closer to finding the equivalent of a "best" folding knife . . . but I sure don't know what it would be.
 
I think the Chris Reeve Professional Solider might be a better fixed-blade comparison to the Sebenza.

img_0710oxo56.jpg


If you can ignore the pronounced thumb ramp, it's similar in size and shape to the Sebenza, especially the business end.

It's also a reasonable size for a neck knife.
 
INFI.
There's nothing like it.
There are folders that rival the Sebenza.
rolf
 
I don't know as much about fixed blades as I do folders, but it's an interesting question to ask what the "Sebenza" is of fixed blades.

If you're talking about ergonomics, shape and size the literal "Sebenza" of fixed blades are the Chris Reeve produced fixed blades that mimic the outline, blade shape and ergonomics of the Sebenza folders.

On the other hand, if you're talking about attributes such as high consistency of quality, neutral utilitarian appearance, intelligent design choices such as the blade grind and construction, and level of fit and finish, and not necessarily about ergonomics, shape and size there are many, many options that have those attributes.

Those options get pared down if you include "Sebenza" to mean a classic design that's been around for a long time, or if you include the reputation and amount of discussion had about the Sebenza as one of its attributes.
 
I would also throw Fiddleback Forge out there. I think Andy does the best handles in the business, also in the same price range as a sebenza.

The Busse Custom Shop can give you quite a variety of handle and grind options for about the same or not much more.
 
How did I forget this guy?
Bob Dozier. BIG time. I waited too long to get one.
 
Bark River knives, the Bravo if you need a specific one. Sure, they have great F&F, but they are overpriced for what they are, only middle-of-the-road for their price-range and purpose, and have way too many handle material options. ;)

Also, people collect them too often, and when they use them they make sure and collect a ton of evidence that shows they use them, because using them isn't very popular even though that's their purpose.
 
Funny the comparison pic of the Professional Solder and Sebenza sort of put me off the Large Sebenza and put me right onto the Professional Soldier. Looks like a great small-mid size fixed blade for EDC (good option for Neck knife maybe??). What about Murray Carters neck knives as the Fixed blade Sebenza? High quality, similar price, maybe more importantly designed and intended to be a true EDC blade option?
 
For a neck knife i really like the crkt minimalist, however if i had the money i would get a custom folts minimalist which will have an upgraded steel, and color of your choice depending what is in stock.
 
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