Is Sebenza the Best?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I think Chris Reeve knives are overpriced and overhyped now that I've seen noss4's test of a Chris Reeve Green Beret on youtube. A D2 Ka-Bar that cost less than half the price outperformed it.

Granted the Green Beret is a Chris Reeve fixed blade, not a folding like the Sebenza, but I still think that test reflects a little bit on all his knives.
 
James0723 said:
I think Chris Reeve knives are overpriced and overhyped now that I've seen noss4's test of a Chris Reeve Green Beret on youtube. A D2 Ka-Bar that cost less than half the price outperformed it.

Granted the Green Beret is a Chris Reeve fixed blade, not a folding like the Sebenza, but I still think that test reflects a little bit on all his knives.
Click to expand...

have you ever owned any crk knife?
 
James0723 said:
I think Chris Reeve knives are overpriced and overhyped now that I've seen noss4's test of a Chris Reeve Green Beret on youtube. A D2 Ka-Bar that cost less than half the price outperformed it.

Granted the Green Beret is a Chris Reeve fixed blade, not a folding like the Sebenza, but I still think that test reflects a little bit on all his knives.
Click to expand...

Can we now call this thread done. noss4 has been mentioned, there is no way to salvage logic.
 
James0723 said:
Nope, and I don't care to after seeing noss4's knife test of the Green Beret. $300 fixed blade outperformed by a $100 D2 Ka-Bar.
Click to expand...

the op can either consider the opinions of scores of members who have owned and used crk products for many years or the guy who bases his opinions solely on youtube videos.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
the op can either consider the opinions of scores of members who have owned and used crk products for many years or the guy who bases his opinions solely on youtube videos.
Click to expand...

Does noss4 has some high-tech special effects editing lab? Anyone can go watch the tests and see for themselves. The knives are put through the same exact tasks, when the Green Beret is hammered through a 2x4 it snaps in half. The D2 Ka-Bar not only doesn't snap but maintains a sharp cutting edge.

As for the scores of CRK owners, I think they're a little bit biased. The argument has been made before, but I believe it's valid - when you spend that much on a knife you look for reasons to justify it, ways in which the knife is "superior", you have lost your objectivity at that point.
 
I've been following these Sebenza comparison threads for a while and notice that most negatives focus on price too high.... lousy ergos....player with it and didn't like it....I've got better cutters....don't own one....don't want one.

Most don't understand the design leadership and F&F craftsmanship. MORIMOTOM said it all about Chris Reeve setting the bar.
 
Fooj said:
Hmmm. Two of my favorite knifeaholics, and I have to choose sides :o. I side with Suz, but I know what Jos is saying. No production knife maker does fancy embellishments better than WH. What fine tools! WH craftsmanship is extraordinary. After owning several of both, and examining even more in knife shops around the country, I'd have to say that CRK folders are more consistent from knife to knife -- they're always spot on. This is why they win the Blade Manufacturing Quality award every year. In comparison, I've observed more variation in fit/finish with WH folders.
Click to expand...


+1

Having owned a number of each, I have to say that CRK knives have a more consistent F&F than WH knives. That said, the WH knives I've owned and fondled also have excellent F&F, and it's usually something really minor that makes it "less than perfect," when a flaw exists. I view the Sebenza as the pinnacle in production knives made for utilitarian uses. Other knives like WH and Klotzli are tops in the gentleman's folder category (yes, even considering the Mnandi ;)).

- Mark
 
There is no "best knife", it's all a matter of opinion and depends on what you'll be using the knife for. Knives have limitations, they can't be the best at everything.
 
I've owned all kinds.... Hinderer xm-18s Strider sng and pt. Tons of benchmade and spyderco and kershaw.

Nothing is like a Sebenza!
 
By all accounts the Sebenza has the best fit and finish out there and is a really good slicer. I'm a little bothered by the fact that the thumb ramp is available on only one side. What if my strong hand is injured and I need to open the knife with my weak hand? Also, what's with the rumors that 'flipping' the Sebenza open too quickly may void the warranty in some cases?

Then I think about the Strider SNG, and it looks great, except there are user reports saying that it does not slice as well as much cheaper knives such as the Spyderco Military.........some reports say not even as well as a SAK or an Opinel. Then there are rumors about slight blade play. Very slight mind you, but for the price you pay any blade play is too much.

Then there is the XM-18 Hinderer. Really smooth action, comes sharp from the factory and has good fit and finish. However, they seem to be very hard to find at the MSRP of $385, as people seem to be picking them up just to turn around and flip them for $550 or greater. Also, I'm a bit concerned by the fact that it hasn't been around long enough to really prove itself, and that collectors are buying it rather then people who want them as 'users', so we're not entirely sure how it's going to hold up to rough use in the long run.

Then finally there is the Umnumzaan, which looks like a Sebenza that has been 'beefed up' to endure rougher use. However, I read some complaints that the pivot is actually not as good as the Sebenza's, and it also loses a bit of the Sebenza's 'elegance' and substitutes that with a more tactical type look.


So I guess in the end I don't really know what the best 'high end' production folder is. I tend to carry and use a folding knife more often then a fixed blade, so perhaps in the long run spending money on a really top quality folding knife is not a bad idea.
 
Saying anything is "best" is too subjective. In my experience the Sebenza is a flawless knife that is excellent in it's simplicity. Little things like the excellent pocket clip really stand out. The tight tolerances really show how well made the Sebenza is. It is my favorite folder by far and it is worth every penny.
 
Without a doubt it's the highest quality production folder I've ever seen. This is not a "value" knife. It wasn't designed as such. Is it worth the price tag? That's an individual decision. It's not for everyone. I won't spend that much on a user and I don't collect knives (ok, maybe a couple), but if you want to get the best quality, for what ever reason, get a Sebenza.
 
James0723 said:
I think Chris Reeve knives are overpriced and overhyped now that I've seen noss4's test of a Chris Reeve Green Beret on youtube.
Click to expand...

I love it when people bring that up. Than I can use my MOTIVATORS!

DHposter15418481.jpg



CanOfWormsposter25877131.jpg


James0723 said:
Granted the Green Beret is a Chris Reeve fixed blade, not a folding like the Sebenza, but I still think that test reflects a little bit on all his knives.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm sure if you beat a Sebenza with a sledge hammer it wil break, eventually...

James0723 said:
As for the scores of CRK owners, I think they're a little bit biased. The argument has been made before, but I believe it's valid - when you spend that much on a knife you look for reasons to justify it, ways in which the knife is "superior", you have lost your objectivity at that point.
Click to expand...

Justify? Do you think if I didn't like my first CRK (a Mnandi), I would have bought 8 more, plus a small and a large Sebenza, plus a Shadow IV? Just to justify that first one?:confused:

IMG_0737.jpg


My advice: try one for yourself before you vent wour opinion based on somebody elses youtube videos.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Fooj said:
After owning several of both, and examining even more in knife shops around the country, I'd have to say that CRK folders are more consistent from knife to knife -- they're always spot on. This is why they win the Blade Manufacturing Quality award every year. In comparison, I've observed more variation in fit/finish with WH folders.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... I hear you. I do have more CRK's than W-H's, so maybe I need some more W-H's to make a fair comparison! ;)

Kind regards,

Jos
 
There is absolutely no best knife out there. Best incorporates many options that are great for one guy and worthless to the next guy. You could ask 100 people and get 99 different answers. As often happens here.
 
.
the best? no such animal

however, yes, the sebenza is one of the best knives available.

oh, and if there really was a "best" knife in the universe, here would be the last place to ask to validate that fact :eek: ;) :D
 
CWL said:
Sounds like you answered your own question.

I think you already had made up your mind before you posted this.
Click to expand...

There's more to a knife than slicing ability.

Also, I want a Sebenza now. I just need to get $250-$300 together, I suppose.
 
Kaizen1 said:
Does anyone here really think that the F & F of the Sebenza is really that much better than William Henry?
Click to expand...

I don't. I have a T12 Super Conducter and a T12 with norris rainbow damascus and pearl that are made as well or better than any folder I have seen.
I think of both T12's as a collectors or gentlemens knife though. They just don't have that rugged "want to be used" look and feel of a sebbie.

F&F about the same as sebenza IMO, and don't think any company will compete with those two at Blade for the Quality Control award.
 
Until I see another company produce a knife with the pivot bushing,insanely tight tolerances, blade thick enough to easily handle hard use but still a very efficient slicer, perfect f&f, high resale value, friendly incredibly fast customer service,consistency, pocketability ,smoothness of pivot action, that's extremely easy to take apart and put back together perfectly with blade centered and no Loc-tight or adjustment required( cleaned it last night took less than 2 minutes) all rolled into one package I will say the Sebenza is the best of the best by far.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top