Is the Sebenza a tactical folder?

ARtsig1

ARtsig1

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Thats the question.

I know that tactical is what you have on you when a tactical situation arises. How many, if any, carry a Sebenza with a tactical situation in mind? I quess by tactical I am talking about self defense.

I carry a large Classic Sebenza everyday, and have for the past year ( a record for me to carry the same knife this long ) but not with a tactical mindset. I carry it because to me it is the finest example of a folding knife available. I also carry it because it does everything I "ask" it to do. Finally I carry it because it gives me great confidence to know that I have a knife that when open is a virtual fixed blade that won't let me down! :D

I always have a second knife on me carried in my left front pocket and it is a smaller knife. Right now it is a Spyderco Toad but sometimes it is a Spyderco mini Dyad. This one is for people who ask to borrow a knife and also for other things that I don't want to pull out my Sebenza for ( SHEEPLE ).

A third knive sometimes goes along for the ride, especially now that school is out! I will usually carry at least three knives to my part time job at Wal-Mart. Since I work in Sporting Goods where we sell knives it is not a problem.

Is this common for most of you out there?

Again the real question is back to the Sebenza as a tactical knife. What do YOU have to say?
 
The Sebenza has an awesome high-performance edge geometry and a good reliable lock. So it at least makes the baseline for a folder that can be used for self-defense in a pinch. The problems I have with the Sebenza in this role are: 1. tiny, hard-to-hit thumbstud, 2. handle that's not particularly secure for hard thrusts.

Joe
 
I would tend to agree with you on the thumbstud. It is tiny and in a stress filled situation it could be easy to slide off of without getting the blade opened!:eek: I think the regular profile does not readily lend itself to a tactical situation as well as the Classic shape does. At one time I didn't really see much difference between the two, but as I've carried and used the Classic's, especially the wood inlaid and leather inlaid models, I've gained a greater appreciation for the Classic profile. The way it swells at the back coupled with the deep forefinger notch up front seems to really fit my hand like a glove. Especially the wood inlaid model since it has a little bit more thickness that a non inlaid version. The leather inlaid, while not as thick, seems to grip well with the aid of the leather inserts.
 
I think considered <i>purely</i> from a self-defense viewpoint, the whole concept of a "tactical folder" is an oxymoron. Given, however, that we must sometimes use what ever we have, and that "tacticalness" isn't just for self-defense, but any situation where the knife must be (a) deployed quickly, and (b) survivable - gets the job done without becoming unusable itself, the Sebenza is as "tactical" as any of the rest.

Like anything else, it has its advantages and disadvantages. The stud may not be the most robust one-hand facilitator out there, but the knife's smoothness helps to insure that it will open. Some people complain the handles are uncomfortable with long-term or other "hard use", but in compensation, it is certainly one of if not <i>the</i> strongest (most fixed-blade like) folders on the market today. Finally, its "survivability" quotient goes way up (in my book) as the knife is easy to field strip and clean.
 
I`ve never handled a Sebenza. On the Chris Reeves forum you`ll find a ton of folks that love`em.
But I do have advice for the folks that want to borrow a knife. Tell`em to buy one. A knife is such a basic tool, I cannot imagine anybody without at the least a SAK of some version or another. Hell my 15 year old daughter as one in her purse along with my Mini Leatherman(the one with scissors).

Come to think of it, maybe that where the rest of my missing odds and ends are.
 
I carry one all the time and have to agree with the thumbstud thing, it is very slow to deploy IMHO........but its a great knife. I put bigger dual thumbstuds on mine and relieved the left hand side a bit, and rebeadblasted it and got it SHARP! but no holes.....yet.
 
As a poor man, let me add a poorman possibility.

The Kershaw Vapor or Vapor II are also frame locks. They may not have the best steel, nor the best shape for thrusting ( a bit of skateboard tape would probably help ).

They flick open with authority. And seem to me to be quite sheeple friendly.

Best of all is the 19.96 and 24.xx prices of them at Wallyworld.

Vapor II is what's in my front right pocket.

I doubt I'll ever consider spending the bucks for a Sebenza. Who knows for sure?

Joe Shmoe
 
I'd forgotten about the classic handle shape, it is definitely more secure, at least for my hands.

Joe Shmoe: I'm a big fan of the Vapor, too, especially for the price. Ironically, it's got the same problem the Sebenza does, only worse: tiny sharp thumb stud that's hard to hit.

Joe
 
There isnt an aftermarket thumbstud for the sebenza because the sebenza's thumbstud is fitted very tightly into the hole. There is no easy way to remove it.
 
Man. . .

I carry my benza (as I do all of my knives) simply. . .as a tool.

To be tak-ty-cal. . .all you need is a relatively sharp and hopefully pointy thing !

It doesn't have to have black screws.

It doesn't have to have a black coated blade.

Nor does it require serrations.

Believe me !

Get into a situation that requires you to pull your blade or draw your gun. . . Want to talk about taking forever !

Want to pull you weapon. . .walk !
 
I do not think of the Sebenza as a tactical knife at all. I think of it as a top notch utility folder. It is designed to handle just about anything you put in front of it. If it has to be used to defend yourself it is quite capable of doing so, admirably.
 
Riiiiiiiiiiiiight...

The sebenza is about as "tactical" as an SAK. :rolleyes:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand "tactical" products to be those which are designed for some form of combat or LEO scenarios. I think the Sebenza is about as far from that as possible. (Along with a lot of other blades, I know!)

You want tactical? Look at Strider or Masters Of Defense

THOSE are some TACTICAL blades, IMO!!! :D

drjones
 
I don't think of the Sebenza as a tactical knife as such, but probably in a pinch it could fill the bill, IMHO. I think it more depends on who is handling the knife and their training and background. My belief is that knives, in spite of alot of hype that occurs, are very rarely used as self-defense weapons.

BTW, the sharpness of the Sebenza opening stud seems, for me at least, makes it much more "sure-fire" as far as opening reliablity.
 
Originally posted by drjones
You want tactical? Look at Strider or Masters Of Defense

THOSE are some TACTICAL blades, IMO!!! :D

drjones
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what you mean by tactical. Compared to the Masters of Defense knives, for example, the Sebenza: has better steel and a higher-performance edge geometry (defensive situations are about cutting, right?), a lock that is both much stronger and more reliable, and in the case of the classic Sebenza, the handle provides reasonable security and there's both a sharp point for thrusting and a belly for slashing. Is the Sebenza not tactical just because it isn't black and not marketed as such?

Generally speaking, a good utility knife and good tactical knife will have some traits in common: good edge geometry, a steel that can hold a good edge geometry, a strong and reliable lock, a handle that provides security and finger protection, a strong frame that can withstand torquing stress, and a reliable opening mechanism. The Sebenza not only has most of these, but it does some of them so well, I feel it's a much better defensive knife (I know, "tactical" doesn't just mean "defensive") than many purpose-built tactical or defensive folders. Not that it's perfect, I'd like the thumb stud to provide a bigger target, for example.

Joe
 
I think the Sebenza is a tactical folder. It dosn't fit the typical idea of what a tactical folder looks like because it's has a "classier" appearence and isn't black. When selecting a tactical folder, lock strength is one of the main things you look for. The frame lock is clearly a good choice here. The Sebenza also has good blade geometry that would allow for efficient cutting and stabbing.

However, I also do not like the thumb stud, and would prefer a Spyder hole. Other than that minor complaint, I think it would do fine. Personally, I would probably choose something else though.
 
The Sebenza was one of the first knives to start this whole one-hand opener, pocket-clip craze I believe. If tactical means "all black with a thin liner lock that is easily accessible so it will close on your irreplaceable fingers", then, no, the Sebenza is not a tactical knife. The only knives I own are a Large plain Sebenza and a Darrel Ralph Medium EDC with the frame lock (IBL) because they are the highest quality knives of their kind. I agree with you Art. The EDC is more comfortable and a bit classier but costs $100 more. Worth it IMO. It's razor sharp, opens with one hand, has a pocket clip and has the strongest lock mechanism out there. Yes, it's a tactical knife.

Leo G.
 
Lots of interesting opinions out there, and good ones at that:) I tend to agree with what KMW, Joe, and others had to say about a good utility and a good tactical sharing basic characteristics. I too think they do. At any rate if the Sebbie is what you are carrying when a "tactical" situation arises, then the Sebenza is a definate tactical folder!:eek: :D

Keep those opinions comming.
 
Craftsman safety knives are probably the most commonly used knives for killing or hurting people, which I suppose is what "tactical" means in knife vernacular. Maybe a $350 Chris reeves safety knife would be the ultimate Tac blade??:p
 
I would say that "strategic" refers to the overall planning and logistics of a military operation. "Tactical" refers to carrying out that operation in the field. So "tactical" has come to mean, not just fighting, but all the cutting, prying, chopping, poking ... you get it.

The Sebenza is tough, sharp, reliable. What else would you want when you're far from home and need to stab someone? A bayonet ??? :D I carry my large N.I.C.A. tanto Sebenza sometime when I'm feeling otherwise vulnerable.
 
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