Is there any more polarizing knife than the Sebenza?

I wonder if you can show us a single instance of that actually happening given you state it happens so often and that it's a "fact" ? It doesn't happen as far as I can see and is just a commonly used way of backhandedly trying to belittle CRK owners.

bdmicarta said:
I see similar parallels with Busse although they don't generate as many threads.

In other areas- Rolex, Mercedes, BMW all generate similar arguments.

In my mind I really isn't the thought of someone spending $500 for a knife that bugs most enthusiasts, it's the fact that the people spending that much money continually say that their knives are that much better than the knives costing 1/2 or 1/4 that that most of us buy and love. If the CRK owners would say that their knives are not any better than the $150 knives that someone else carries it would probably not generate these kinds of threads.

I wouldn't spend that much on the knife, mainly because I would worry about damaging or losing it or I would worry about the 3 or 4 other knives that I could have bought with that money. In other areas I might be willing to spend the money on one single thing that I would love and use, but in the case of knives I want to buy lots of different ones. The styling of the Sebenza doesn't do much for me, and the names are really odd. I think I could see a difference in quality between a CRK knive and some of my EDC knives, but maybe not in all of them. I'm willing to accept the difference considering what I paid. And I won't criticize the CRK products except for possibly the names.
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Haze said:
I wonder if you can show us a single instance of that actually happening given you state it happens so often and that it's a "fact" ? It doesn't happen as far as I can see and is just a commonly used way of backhandedly trying to belittle CRK owners.
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Although I don't really have a horse in this race (I prefer traditional slipjoints) I have to agree. If someone else spends more on their cutlery than I do, then good for them. I'm sure that the name is a part of the pricing factor, but top-priced items don't retain that status without reason. I see no reason to undercut another person's good circumstance to make myself feel better about my own.

In short, I can be happy with what I have and admire what others may have, regardless of style or price point, at the same time. Why is that so hard?
 
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Locutus D'Borg said:
It just seems like there has been a rash of anti-Sebenza threads in the last couple weeks. Usually started by non-paying BF members who don't even own the knife!!! Coincidence?
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Non paying members pay for the site by dealing with advertising, which generates revenue for the site. Whether or not someone pays directly to post on a forum has no bearing on anything.

I'm sure CRK makes fine knives. He certainly has the reputation for it. I don't like full Ti handles or thumb studs. It's too bad so many people can't behave like adults and simply agree to recognize that other people have their own preferences.
 
I can't believe you guys have forgotten about Emerson!!! They are probably one of the most "polarizing" knife company's out there.
 
CRK's are not polarising because when we consider buying one, the choice does not give rise to an ethical or moral choice within us. It is simply the choice of do we like it and can we afford it.

I think it is important to differentiate some of the manufacturers named in this thread. Some are simply hated because of the perceived price point of the product. (Such as CRK and Busse)
While others have ethical problems, quality control issues and warranty issues.

Insofar as CRK is concerned it has nothing to do with the knives or the company and everything to do with people's perceptions.

CRK maintain an almost perfect record in quality, customer service and reliability.
Almost all of the controversy about them either stems from people's resentment to paying the price for the product (generally to justify it in their own minds) Or they do not approve of a CRK design choice or company policy. (For example The steel choice that CRK uses)

Chris Reeve's attitude has been to say that here is my knife, this is the price, it is made to the highest quality level I can achieve and I stand by my product.
He has done this consistently for 30 years.

When we purchases from some of the other companies named in this thread, we are forced to ask ourselves if we really want to support and do business with people who have questionable moral and ethical standards………now that is polarising.

I should like to add that everything I say above also applies to Busse. Another excellent manufacturer that attracts haters because they perceive that Busse knives are too expensive. Once again nothing to do with Busse and everything to do with perceptions.
 
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Steven65 said:
Some are simply hated because of the perceived price point of the product.
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I agree! Most of the people who talk smack on other people who buy CRK knives strike me as people who just can't afford to buy one so they feel the need to belittle people who can afford one. I also get the feeling that most of them have never even handled a Chris Reeve knife before.

Steven65 said:
While others have ethical problems, quality control issues and warranty issues.
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Emerson *cough* I still kind of like them though. It's a love hate relationship with Emerson for me.
 
Maybe not as big of a regular topic as Sebenza, but I think the Mora fanboys defend thier little $12 steak knives like they were the best thing invented since fire.

I own a few Mora's and they do have a place in a kit, but Mora fans really piss me off.
 
Once you own a CRK you will own more. I also was negative towards the price of CRKs years ago when I could not afford them. Now I can afford them and have bought and sold many. Often times at a gain. Don't be negative because you can't afford one now guys, someday you will. If you can't then I'm sorry. Don't talk down to others who do. At the same time we payed members should educate and welcome registered users and encourage them to join and learn about these fine crafted knives.

If all the nay sayers would open their minds and hearts to try to understand why so many people love these knives then you'd be all the wiser. Watch some CRK manufacturing videos then you'll understand they are a true value. The designs,materials, and man hours that are involved in producing these knives rival many custom knives costing hundreds more. If you are here to learn about knives from people who know or think they know ;), take advantage of the knowledge and try to appreciate and learn why others do. Other wise keep your negative opinions to yourself:eek:, because it simply breeds discontent where there should only be tolerant understanding. (Off my soap box now, love y'all goodnight.)
 
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I think it is just another bait, so folks can quibble and fight, and so Seb owners can claim to be the 'most' something, or others to disclaim it. I think the CRK knives I've handled were finely crafted, but just not for me. I routinely carry knives costing as much (or more), so the cost isn't the thing. Polarizing? I'm in the middle, obscured by the phase shift.
 
No bait sir. Knife art sells one with a carbon fiber front and the Ti lock side. There was a trade thread recently were some guy had jade green G10 scale and the Ti lock.
 
I concur , I hate being in the middle. Ignorance must be blissful, but I honestly wouldn't know.:p Sincerely. That being said. I don't take sides . To me both sides always seem to have a good points, they just never focus on fixing the bad ones.

I consider myself a humbled, but hypocritical truth seeker. What else is there? Stupid

ALL KNIVES are budget knives , that just simply means they fit a budget. Personally without much research into the integrity of anyone or a company. I would like a Custom Blackwood Skirmish and if I were wealthy enough to have the budget I would carry it. I know people would find fault in that. Maybe rightfully so. If I don't care about the integrity of the maker. How can I tout the integrity of the object they created.

Aren't some pennies worth way more than a penny. Priceless painting. Beauty and happiness are only a perception of what your mind has already become biased too. If you don't like what someone else likes. Consider yourself lucky , your not them.


knife people are sheeple too. How else did we get here.

James


WRGreen said:
I think it is just another bait, so folks can quibble and fight, and so Seb owners can claim to be the 'most' something, or others to disclaim it. I think the CRK knives I've handled were finely crafted, but just not for me. I routinely carry knives costing as much (or more), so the cost isn't the thing. Polarizing? I'm in the middle, obscured by the phase shift.
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Steven65 said:
CRK's are not polarising because when we consider buying one, the choice does not give rise to an ethical or moral choice within us. It is simply the choice of do we like it and can we afford it...[rest redacted for space]
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Excellent post. Personally, I don't find any knife polarizing although I do have issues with some companies and/or their owners. The product itself stands on its own merit in my eyes.

JMO.
 
What Mr. Brees said.

The polarization begins when people start to claim - or are perceived as claiming - that the bling (the titanium, the milling, the tiger stripes, the kangaroo sheath, the close tolerances, the whatever) makes the knife perform better. It does not. Blingy knives are not objectively better performers, though they may be subjectively better to the individual. I think that is where the divide begins. Because the Sebenza and Umnumzaan may be the best at being subjectively good (i.e., guys who like them tend to really, really like them), they seem to be at the forefront of this polarization thing. I tended to have one foot on each side of this one. On the one hand, I admire the feel, the engineering, etc. of the Sebenza/Umnumzaan, and greatly admire the guys who are hardcore into them. It is fun to hang with guys who are that passionate about their toys/tools, and I like to own good stuff that lasts forever. OTOH, I sorta feel stupid for dropping $450 on a knife that, while maybe holding an edge longer than a Delica, really doesn't peel an apple any better than the Delica.
 
powernoodle said:
What Mr. Brees said.

The polarization begins when people start to claim - or are perceived as claiming - that the bling (the titanium, the milling, the tiger stripes, the kangaroo sheath, the close tolerances, the whatever) makes the knife perform better. It does not. Blingy knives are not objectively better performers, though they may be subjectively better to the individual. I think that is where the divide begins. Because the Sebenza and Umnumzaan may be the best at being subjectively good (i.e., guys who like them tend to really, really like them), they seem to be at the forefront of this polarization thing. I tended to have one foot on each side of this one. On the one hand, I admire the feel, the engineering, etc. of the Sebenza/Umnumzaan, and greatly admire the guys who are hardcore into them. It is fun to hang with guys who are that passionate about their toys/tools, and I like to own good stuff that lasts forever. OTOH, I sorta feel stupid for dropping $450 on a knife that, while maybe holding an edge longer than a Delica, really doesn't peel an apple any better than the Delica.
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You are always so logical and convincing--you must be some kind of lawyer or something :p

Many good points in this thread. My family thinks I am silly for spending $350 on a knife. I think my brother is weird for spending 4K on a bicycle. The bottom line for me is a personal motto I have "if it works for ya, use it."
 
powernoodle said:
What Mr. Brees said.

The polarization begins when people start to claim - or are perceived as claiming - that the bling (the titanium, the milling, the tiger stripes, the kangaroo sheath, the close tolerances, the whatever) makes the knife perform better. It does not. Blingy knives are not objectively better performers, though they may be subjectively better to the individual. I think that is where the divide begins. Because the Sebenza and Umnumzaan may be the best at being subjectively good (i.e., guys who like them tend to really, really like them), they seem to be at the forefront of this polarization thing. I tended to have one foot on each side of this one. On the one hand, I admire the feel, the engineering, etc. of the Sebenza/Umnumzaan, and greatly admire the guys who are hardcore into them. It is fun to hang with guys who are that passionate about their toys/tools, and I like to own good stuff that lasts forever. OTOH, I sorta feel stupid for dropping $450 on a knife that, while maybe holding an edge longer than a Delica, really doesn't peel an apple any better than the Delica.
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Really now, "the perception of saying something".....:rolleyes:

Where are all these CRK people that actually say this ? I don't see them on this forum. That is a contrived argument regularly used by CRK detractors and is seen often by them, there are two examples in this thread alone. The CRK people do not say or believe that and if you can show us otherwise I'm all eyes to read it. The CRK owners are just not saying the knife cuts any better than any other knife and I have never seen anyone say that about a CRK, "perceived" or otherwise.
 
RecalcitrantAmerican said:
Once you own a CRK you will own more. I also was negative towards the price of CRKs years ago when I could not afford them. Now I can afford them and have bought and sold many. Often times at a gain. Don't be negative because you can't afford one now guys, someday you will. If you can't then I'm sorry. Don't talk down to others who do. At the same time we payed members should educate and welcome registered users and encourage them to join and learn about these fine crafted knives.

If all the nay sayers would open their minds and hearts to try to understand why so many people love these knives then you'd be all the wiser. Watch some CRK manufacturing videos then you'll understand they are a true value. The designs,materials, and man hours that are involved in producing these knives rival many custom knives costing hundreds more. If you are here to learn about knives from people who know or think they know ;), take advantage of the knowledge and try to appreciate and learn why others do. Other wise keep your negative opinions to yourself:eek:, because it simply breeds discontent where there should only be tolerant understanding. (Off my soap box now, love y'all goodnight.)
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I'm curious.
At what point does the insight come after paying for a membership? Is it instant? Or is it an overnight sort of thing?
Cheers
 
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