It's a Sebenza thing and I don't understand

Originally posted by Knife11
...and thank you to the rest of you who had the nuts to stand and say you don't like it either.
Knife
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:rolleyes: Yeah, we're a real tar'n'feather bunch, us Sebenzanistas :rolleyes:

Matthew
 
I have handeled a few Sebenzas, and I carried a borrowed one for about a week. They are nice knives, but I did not find them to be much more impressive than other high quality factory folders. When they were first introduced the Ti handles and frame lock were exclusive features which could command a premium price; but now these can be had on less expensive knives. What I am saying is that the Sebenza is not a bad nife at all; it just didn't strike me as vastly superior to the competition.

On the subject of tolerances, what exactly is the basis for this? I have never seen any manufacturers publish tolerance data; and there is no way a person can eyeball things to within a thousnadth of an inch. I would like to see somebody take some micrometer calipers to a Seb and another quality folder to determine just what the tolerance differance is, if any.

I wonder how many designs of knives "that cost at least 100 dollars less" will last...
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Well, lets see. The Spyderco Endura/Delica will probably be produced as long as the company is in business. Benchmade will likely have the 710 in its lineup for many years. The Leatherman PST has been around for a while. Many SAK designs have too. I think some less expensive designs like the Camillus EDC and Gerber's Gator series could easily become classics. And then there is the venerable Buck 110. It's pretty safe to say that the Sebenza will have plenty of company in 20 years.
 
Three things I don't like in any knife. Metal handle, hollow grind, frame lock. Just my preference. Combining those three things is just a complete waste for me.

For you sebenzanistas, I am happy for your joy in the Seb. I can't say it's a bad knife, just not a knife for me, at any price.

Phil
 
The Seb is a really nice knife but some of the things being said about them are pure BS.
Things like:
A lock that NEVER wears out...a pivot that NEVER loosens from wear...

Anyone who believes those statements is'nt cooking with all burners.
Nothing made by human hands will last forever.

Get real,
Allen.
 
Originally posted by phatch
...For you sebenzanistas, I am happy for your joy in the Seb. I can't say it's a bad knife, just not a knife for me, at any price.

Phil
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I told myself I wouldn't respond to this question again, but it's not for everyone.

It's like the Harley thing; "if you don't understand, I can't explain it."

Or the car thing?
Or the watch thing?
Or the gun thing?
Or the dog thing?
:rolleyes:
 
I too can't stand Sebenzas - ugly, overpriced, tolerances are too tight, blades are worthless, frame locks are dangerous. But they are knives, and every knife needs a home. That's why I started the Home For Orphaned Sebenzas. If you are tired of taking care of your Sebenza, or you're prone to abusing it since it's "just another knife", or maybe you know someone that no longer cares for their Sebbie, please contact us at the Sebbie Orphanage. We'll take good care of them, give them proper maintenance, take them on long walks and let them cut all sorts of things.

;) :D ;) :D
 
I've never handled a Sebenza so I can't say its not worth its $325 price tag. I do own a SERE 2000 and have to say that there is no way the Seb is $210 better. It's not possible.

I really do like the lg Woody Sebs, though. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a folder. You can get a SIG Sauer .40 for that price.
 
Not everyone finds them ugly, btw. I am very minimalistic in my life (you should see my apartment). To me, the Sebenza is one of the most beautiful folders I've ever found. I think only the Apogee has come close to making me appreciate more curves on a knife..

But that is not why I like the Seb. In fact, I scratched mine up intentionally, so I wouldn't shy away from using them HARD. So looks really are a separate question from function.

As for function, it is built well, and cuts well, like many knives. The lock is stronger than most, and what is very important <b>it is easy to take apart</b>. There is nothing I hate more than a gritty lockback.

Otherwise, if it doesn't float your boat, that's why there are so many makers out there.
 
Before I answer, a quick story. Please read this...;) !!!

About 3 years ago, I asked a similar question, how was the Sebi at more than three times the price, better than my Spyderco Military.

Sebi(large plain)////////////Military ////////////Winner
BG42 Steel //////////////////CPM 440V/////////////Military
Ti Framelock/////////////////Nested Liner/////////Sebi
Hollow ground////////////////Flat Ground /////////Military
Good ergonomics//////////////Excellent Ergo's/////Military
Thumbstud////////////////////Spydiehole///////////Military
Amazing fit//////////////////V/Good fit///////////Sebi
Fair pocket clip/////////////Exellent p.clip /////Military
Workmanlike//////////////////Tactical!////////////Military
Fairly quick to deploy//Woh! Its out!/////////////Military

Is the Military a great knife? YES! Is it better than the Sebi? NO!:)

Ok so the CMP440V Vs BG-42 is a complex issue, both have good/not so good points!

Well anyway, I asked the question and got hammered!:mad: , well in answer to the question it has taken a lot of use and a lot of looking really hard to find the answer. The Sebenza is quality in the best lock up package in the business IMHO. Every inch is pure working mans knife. Solid and overbuilt without the house brick aspect of a Strider knife.:)

Look at the way the Benza is designed..., the way it fits the hand, the instinctive rightness of it. A working piece of art. The Military is the result of a better design but it cannot match the build quality and solidity of this knife, nor can anyone expect it to at 1/3 the price. Yes CR knives are expensive and are knocking at the door of customs, but has anyone else seen a better knife for less? To compare the consistancy and quality of the CRK range with a make like BM is in fact an insult I take to heart:eek: , Spyderco are far better built and priced than BM and thus I use the fact I am an avid SpyderHolic and CRK Sebenzanista! To compare two knives I own several of and use a lot. On paper, you learn a lot, in practice you learn the truth.

Stats and figures can prove anything. Real life and use show and tell me the truth. The Sebi is one of the VERY BEST KNIVES IN THE WORLD.

I trust my life daily to CRK blades. With my Large at my side daily in my G2 sheath, I know the world is OK. I have Nemo to blame for getting me into this frame of mind. He let me use his personal ATS-34 Large for a few months. A knife I really miss, one made by Chris himself! Nemo, if you are reading this...:cool: Thanks!

So, is the person in question to be killed with malice? No, I was in the same boat... Use and a good look tells me what I need to know. Take one apart and make it a daily carry for a few months. Then sneer as you see what other makers put out at under $150 and think how a Benza has spoilt you! Heck I had to go custom and Reeve Damascus to get my new fix! Only the new Spyderco range has sparked an interest in ???? Reasonably priced knives again! Not that the Sebi is expensive... well ok it is, but not when you see what you get!

Oh to hell with it! If you owned one and still don't get it, you are stupid or not deserving the honor yet!:p

I will stop now as experience proves most formites don't read more than 10 lines in any post:rolleyes: .:p
 
Originally posted by Knife11
Maybe I'll buy one used some day.
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why would you buy one used if you've already had one and didn't like it?

You've asked sebenzinistas to explain, so I'm returning the favor...

;)
 
Personally for the price of a sebenza I would buy a folder from a custom maker. I also have a very hard time even thinking of spending $300 on a knife on my miniscule college budget. I am also not very fond of the frame lock. I am sure sebenzas are very nice, I've never handled one, just not for me. At least I don't think so, maybe one of you sebenza owners should send me one to sway me to the dark side! ;)

Ryan
 
I've owned knives from REKAT, Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw, Spyderco, Cold Steel, Al Mar, etc., you get the idea. And now I own 1 Benchmade 940, 1 Almar SERE 2000 and a large Classic. The Benchmade and Al Mar are very fine knives in their own right, but they don't compare to the Sebenza. The others weren't even in the same ballpark. Once you own a Sebenza, it spoils you on every other production knife. My .02.
 
Originally posted by: OwenM

I bet on nutforums.com there are peanut lovers posting crap like "Cashews...I just don't get it". Surely nobody likes the way they taste enough to pay twice as much as they would for peanuts. Those people that buy cashews probably don't really eat them either, since they're just for show.
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Superb OwenM ! Absolutely superb ! ! :)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here is my twist on "knives. . ."

1. There are low-end knives, medium-end knives and . . . high-end knives.

2. Every knife out there has their ups. . .and their downs ! Based on personal preference(s).

3. I'm not here to convinence you to buy or not to buy any particular knife.

4. I, like the rest of you knife knuts, have very specific wants and desires when it comes to gathering my blades !

5. If you like it, and can afford it, buy it !

6. If you don't like it. . .don't buy it.

Sorry. . .but I'm tainted ! I own several of these high-end production knives. Personally, there are very few high-end production knives that can live up to a Sebenza. And by God. . .I prefer a large over a small ! ;)

I do find it rather amusing when threads of this nature pop up ! :D
 
Originally posted by Starfish


Magician -

IIRC, the CNC machine cuts out the handle slabs, and maybe the basic outline of the blade. But the blade itself is hand-finished to fit exactly to the handles - which is why you cannot simply swap blades from one Sebenza to another.

Matthew
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Mathew,
Thanks for that info. I did not know about the blades, I should have guessed. I never meant to imply it was a bad knife, I just don't like it $380 worth. I just can't justify it. I settkled on A Spyderco Viele as my EDC. I don't saee a change. I found MY "perfect" folder. If the Sebenza iis your's then I am glad you are as happy as I am. Unfortunately, now I search for the fixed blade....Maybe the Ryan Wilson model 2 arriving this week will be the end of my knife shopping.....yeah right. BTW, Reeve CQ and CS are legendary.
 
I use to show up on these threads and say "Sebenza's are too pricey and i don't like there Ti handles because they scratch too easily", now i have changed my tune, i have a few Ti handled knifes now and i don't care anymore if they scratch or not, i have come the like the warm feeling they have and how light they are for steel handled knifes.

I have broken down to all those Sebbie lovers and the next large Sebbie i see for around $200 i'm going for it in a NY minute. Yes i said around $200, i missed three or four so far, the best one was a LNIB large plain Sebbie for $210 shipped with a newer clip added, it sold like money for nothing and babes for free!

Cheers!
James
 
Originally posted by The Magician


Mathew,
Thanks for that info. I did not know about the blades, I should have guessed. I never meant to imply it was a bad knife, I just don't like it $380 worth. I just can't justify it. I settkled on A Spyderco Viele as my EDC. I don't saee a change. I found MY "perfect" folder. If the Sebenza iis your's then I am glad you are as happy as I am. Unfortunately, now I search for the fixed blade....Maybe the Ryan Wilson model 2 arriving this week will be the end of my knife shopping.....yeah right. BTW, Reeve CQ and CS are legendary.
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Magician,

No problems - just wanted to make sure people understood that there was more to the "perfection" than a CNC machine :)

I agree with you more than you know - it is not my desire to see a Sebenza in everybody's pocket. I don't even know if the Sebenza is my "perfect" folder yet - I've only been into knives for about a year now, and only over the past few months have I really started to use my knives, so I'm just learning what I like and don't like and what works for me and what doesn't.

Matthew
 
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