Is Sebenza the Best?

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I think they are the best as a lage seb is my favorite folder and overall favorite knife:)
 
Esav Benyamin said:
In other words, -- you're agreeing it has to be held to be appreciated. Have you held one? Have you used one?.
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All I wrote was that people said the same thing about Sydercos. Where did I agree that a Sebenza has to be held to be appreciated?

I get so tired of the trolling on this subject. The less trolls know, the louder they know it. We do not need any further off-topic hijacking of this Sebenza thread.
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My apologies. I really do not want to get banned so I'll drop the subject. I was under the impression that the poster was asking our opinions and I gave mine. I don't understand how giving your honest opinion is "trolling" but I will desist from voicing my opinion on the matter because I feel in danger of being banned by you for it.
 
For me, no, the Sebenza was not worth it. But I did try it out 3 times just to make sure. ;) (regular, classic, and small) As a knife person you owe it to yourself to find out.
 
I think that'll do for the off topic rants...

HOW 'BOUT THAT SEBENZA??? I bought my first Seb in 2001... Sm. Reg BG42... Owned one ever since... of course it took three years to realize that the Lg. is a superior knife... then I realized that the 21 is more ergonomic than the Regular... I can easily say that the Lg 21 is my all time favorite knife! Even if it did cost me a week's pay! Knives are just fun! Recreation is healthy. And lets not forget... To each his own!

I would have never discovered the Seb if not for Bladeforums and the knowledgeable influence... of course, there are some to take with a grain of salt, and some to just plain ignore.
 
archieblue said:
I would have never discovered the Seb if not for Bladeforums and the knowledgeable influence... of course, there are some to take with a grain of salt, and some to just plain ignore.
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and i never would have discovered the 21 w/o your vid! :thumbup:

it's the truth. a while back i had written off the sebbie b/c i disliked the overall aesthetics of the Regular and disliked the writing on the Classic. so i never paid them no mind...then i stumbled across your review of the new 21 and in less than 24 hours i had one in the mail. CRK righted all the wrongs for me. the 21 is an absolutely gorgeous knife inside and out.
 
James0723 said:
My apologies. I really do not want to get banned so I'll drop the subject. I was under the impression that the poster was asking our opinions and I gave mine. I don't understand how giving your honest opinion is "trolling" but I will desist from voicing my opinion on the matter because I feel in danger of being banned by you for it.
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Relax you're not going to get banned for expressing an opinion here. It really does appear though that you went out of your way to include a completely irrelevant and very sore and inflammatory reference to what is to begin with a rather tired subject in itself. If your intention was naive, fine, but folks who continually go out of there way to stir up bad feelings are known as trolls, and they can very well be banned ;)
 
The more knives I buy and try, the more I appreciate the Sebenza's quality.

If I wanted to keep just one folder, it'd be the Sebenza.
 
James0723 said:
People say the same thing about Sypdercos:

spyderco_prototype_iwa09_sage2.jpg


Spyderco Sage, same materials as the Sebenza, framelock like the Sebenza, a third of the price.
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Heres a quote from Sal Glesser owner of Spyderco talking about Sebenzas.

More profit is usually associated with higher price. That's normal. Profit is usually a percentage of sales price. To think that a high priced auto should garner the same proft as a low priced auto is not in accord with business. It might be the same percentage, but being more expensive, it will be more profit.

Unless you are a manufacturer, familiar with close tolerance manufacturing of heat treated steel & Titanium parts, you are not likely to be able to see all of the differences between one of Chris' knives and others. For example; CRK keeps 0.0005 tolerance on surface grinding. That's one sixth the thickness of a hair. Do you have the knowledge and equipment to discover that tolerance?

In the end, it's all about trust. CRK took many years to build and maintain their repuation. Built with consistent focus. Even those trying to make a "cheaper" version must "leave out processes" or "soften their tolerance", or they will cost as much.

Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bull**** sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for.
 
Here's another quote by Sal. It's from a thread in the Spyderco forum called "Spyderco vs Sebenza".

Chris had been refining and improving his knives for many years. I think that Chris Reeve Knives are in a class by themselves.
 
Brutus013 said:
Is the Sebenza really the best folding knife money can buy (production knives, of course)? Compared to other production knives in the same price range or even less (around $250, or, obviously, less), things like Mcustas (the MC-14 series), high end Spydercos (Phoenix, perhaps), Klotzlis, and plenty of others, is a small Sebenza really going to be noticeably better?
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its certainly not my fav lol, its a good knife though no doubt, but "best" is a very subjective thing, i prefer my spyderco Ti ATR FWIW.
 
James0723 said:
I was under the impression that the poster was asking our opinions and I gave mine. I don't understand how giving your honest opinion is "trolling" but I will desist from voicing my opinion on the matter because I feel in danger of being banned by you for it.
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Your opinion would be more valid if you've owned, or at least held and used one. A 2nd hand opinion about a different knife tested by an idiot with a 3lb hammer doesn't count.

And as for the OP's original question "Is the Sebenza really the best folding knife money can buy?", there are 2 possible answers: Objective and Subjective.

The objective answer is that yes, the Sebenza is pretty much the best made production knife that money can buy. CR holds to tighter tolerances, QC, fit and finish, etc, tighter than any other production knife manufacturer out there. This is fact. Opinion does not apply.

There's a reason that Chris Reeve wins awards for quality year after year after year.

The subjective answer is that everybody has different tastes, and different opinions on how much they want to spend on a knife. In other words, do you like the knife, and is the cost worth it to you?

Myself for example, the cost isn't an issue. I'm far from rich (even less so in recent months), but knives are not where I skimp. One of my EDC knives is a $400+ Microtech automatic. However, the Sebenza is not the knife for me. I'm not a big fan of frame/linerlocks for one thing. And yes, I have held and used a Sebenza - a Large Regular as part of the Straight River Permanent Passaround - for a full week. I was extremely impressed with the quality and precision of the knife. The pivot is sooooooo smooth, and the lockup is like a bank vault. But I didn't like the ergos, I don't like frame locks, and I prefer a blade with less belly and a more forward tip. So I don't own one.
 
Planterz said:
Your opinion would be more valid if you've owned, or at least held and used one. A 2nd hand opinion about a different knife tested by an idiot with a 3lb hammer doesn't count.

And as for the OP's original question "Is the Sebenza really the best folding knife money can buy?", there are 2 possible answers: Objective and Subjective.

The objective answer is that yes, the Sebenza is pretty much the best made production knife that money can buy. CR holds to tighter tolerances, QC, fit and finish, etc, tighter than any other production knife manufacturer out there. This is fact. Opinion does not apply.

There's a reason that Chris Reeve wins awards for quality year after year after year.

The subjective answer is that everybody has different tastes, and different opinions on how much they want to spend on a knife. In other words, do you like the knife, and is the cost worth it to you?
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I'd say the problem is that everyone has different definitions of "BEST". You see, "best" is not something that can be measured. Therefore nothing can objectively said to be best ever.

However you could say the following things: Smoothest, most accurately machined, easiest to maintain etc etc etc. Those are all measurable standards.

"BEST" depends too much on personal point of view, personal surroundings, uses, price in comparison to personal funds, taste, people you associate with etc etc etc.

So maybe we should say this:

On most points dealing with measurable factors, the allmighty CRK Sebenza scores higher than it's competitors.


However wether it's "BEST" for you is an answer only everyone can give for themselves.

I like my folders to look like I spent the amount of money on them that I did. (or at least in the same general pricerange) so the Sebenza isn't for me. I personally think it LOOKS like something the chinese build for <€50. I also don't like the shape of the handle and the way it felt in my hand. I'm personally probably never ever going to notice that 6th of a hairs width tolerance that Sal Glesser talks about. So that's another reason why I'd never spend that amount of money on a Sebenza.

However there are people that DO appreciate the points that I don't. And for them the "almighty Sebenza" might be (insert booming masters of the Unverse voice here)THE ULTIMATE KNIFE.

Everything that has to do with "BEST" is the wrong question.
 
"I can't afford it." I've said that. It does pertain to Rolex watches - mainly because I won't wear a watch - naw, it's their price! I love quality - and value. I've fondled the Large and Small Sebbies (21), both new and used, they are extremely nice. The truth is, I could afford one. Heck, I could have had both a Large and a Small for what I've spent on B-Ms this year - add a Mnandi if you include what my wife bought me - and the Kershaw JYDII in Ti & SG2 I bought. Sure, the three CRKs would have more used value - but I bought knives that 'spoke to me' when I fondled them. Sadly, Sebbies - and that one Mnandi - were just quiet in my hands. Perhaps I was just in awe because someone thought I'd buy one - and put it in my hand.

I was relieved when the Large didn't just scream at me. It was beautiful - as was the used one. Yeah, they were very 'basic' - I'd prefer a polished S30V blade. I like utilitarian. The W-Hs they also showed me at the yuppee outdoor store across town were even more impressive - dressed up - great 'Gent's' knife. Back to the Large Sebbie. The BM 635 Mini Skirmish jumped at me, however. It - and it's 'large', a 630 Skirmish, are the finest QC BMs I have. Something just nice about a well executed Ti framelock and S30V blade. The Kershaw 1725 JYDII I have in Ti and SG2 sets a high standard, too - and it came razor sharp. Still, the Sebbie (21) Large is in a class devoid of competition. Now, what to do without this fall - so I can afford a Sebbie...

Stainz

PS Yeah, they are worth it!

PPS Someone was unhappy, pages back, with their BM Gravitator. Mine, a 425 Wharncliffe, came perfect - except for the dull blade.
 
SteelSnob said:
Heres a quote from Sal Glesser owner of Spyderco talking about Sebenzas.
Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bull**** sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for.
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Thanks for posting that. It is one of the most insightful comments I have read for a long time. Written by some one who understands the industry from the inside....... I have decided to adopt it as my Signature line....
 
SteelSnob said:
Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bull**** sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for.
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Exactly. :thumbup:

Another old quote is:

A Rich Man (Or smart) will buy something once, but a Poor Man (Cheap, dumb) will buy it many times over.
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But yes you really do get what you pay for in the end.
 
I think its a fit and finish issue. I've got a new buck mayo tnt and new small regular sebenza on my desk right now and up until recently had owned a mission mpf 3 which is also a titanium frame lock like the other two.

Heres my take fit and finish its the sebenza, design its damn near a tie between the tnt and sebenza but all three have good things to offer in this catagory but the mayo tnt probably just eeks out the sebenza in my opinion. Toughness, and simplicity the mission, I've taken all three apart and the mission has the fewest parts that just a fact, additionally I've done things with the mission in the field that would probably snap the blades of the other two. Don't have anyway to prove this, this is just my sense after looking at the blades of seb and tnt with their much harder blade material and hollow grinds compared to softer titanium beta c full flat grind of the missions, I'd say within a year the S30V blades are going to snap or chip.

I hunt and fish in some remote locations and find myself using my folding knives from time to time in a manner that most people would consider abuse, but I'm not carrying a tool box with me into the field, sorry. Plus their mine so please before everyone starts piling on about abuse I don't tell how to use your stuff, so please return the favor.

Overall quality, in my opinion goes to the seb mainly because of the fit and finish. You can tell when compared side by side to the other two that the guys or gals who made the seb paid attention to every detail small and large. Does that make it the best, yea probably the best made production folder which is why they win the awards. Does that make it the best knife, for me no, its not the best knife. So while I know best knife is subjective I don't think best made production folder is, I know this may seem like splitting hairs but I think its important here and relative to this thread which keeps appearing.
 
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