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

I take nothing away from the Sebenza. Its a great knife and worth the price. While I own several CRK fixed blades, the Sebenza just does not float my boat. Its not a matter of money. I could order one tomorrow. But before that I would toss a couple hundred more on the pile and get a Mayo TNT or other custom from one of several makers that breaks some new ground and has more personality. I dont quite understand the draw either. I have handled them and its nice and all, but........:eek:
 
What's a sebenza???



Excuse me while I chant my mantra...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...TNT...:p
 
If I may interrupt this thread, since I am being called "on the carpet";)I have several. I have said before, the TNT was the end of a looong search for me for my ideal folder. They are just all I WANT to talk about :D
Once you find something you believe in...

Oh and never take yourself too seriously, I certainly don't;) :D They are JUST knives :D

Actually, here is a pic of my most recent acquisition: A
W D Pease. Just got it yesterday.:cool: :D
 

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Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
I got a Sebenza for free. I didn't have to justify what I paid for it. I didn't pay for it. I was surprised by the incredible fit and finish, and I was a little intimidated, knowing what it did sell for. Then I started using it.

I've got three Sebenzas now and an Umfaan.

Like they say, YMMV.
Click to expand...

I wish I that kind of luck! Seriously, I am glad to see someone posting about a windfall.

I have wondered if Sebenzas are like "gold pocket watches." No one spends hundreds of dollars on a watch and then calls it "OK." You tell ALL your friends it is a GREAT watch. Of course, the Sebenza is a great knife, what idiot spends THAT kind of money for plain OK?

For me, it it out of my price range, so the point is mute for me. But I can't help but think of something Les Robertson once posted: he would throw new knives into gravel to scratch them up. This way he didn't feel bad about roughing up his knives during use. I couldn't do that to a $300+ knife.
 
Yes, Sebenzas are rubbish.

Titanium is such a weak material, I wonder how they dare sell those knives like that.

When I held and opened my Sebenza the first time, a whole part of the oh-so-wonderful titanium handle broke and bent inwards.
Now the blade is stuck somehow and won´t close, no matter how often I slam the spine against my desk.
;)
 
I think one of the reasons why you keep getting "Why the Sebenza?" threads is because there are many on this board who are outspoken and LOUD in their support of the Seb. It may be a great knife but Cliff Stamp CAN break it. It is not custom so many people do not seem the point. I say the same about Striders. Why pay so much for a knife with a ROPE handle? Buy a Randall etc....
 
These "love/hate Sebenza" threads always remind me of a road-test article that Road & Track did a few years ago on the latest Roll-Royce. The writer mentioned something about the various comments that were received every time the car was parked and ended with "...and the only negative comments were received from those people who, if they had the money, would be the first to buy one!"

And I always give great credence to those who end their reply with "...well, I've never handled or owned a Sebenza, but I think they're vastly over-rated!" It's like getting a sex-education lecture from a spinster.

Now, if someone could please start another "What are you carrying today?" thread :barf: my day will be made.
 
I don't own a Seb because I have handled one.
I inspected it, opened it, closed it, tested the grip, tested the pocket-carry, ect, just like I do all the knives I consider buying.

Like I said, it's a real nice knife and I liked it.
I just did'nt like it as much as the guy selling did.
He seemed to think it was worth 280.00 while I disagreed.
After all, it's not a custom-made knife and the materials used (while top quality) are not that expensive.
So, after a lengthy inspecting/bargaining process, he decided to keep the knife and I decided to keep my money.
I'm sure he SOLD it to some OTHER FELLOW.

When I purchase ANYTHING I want a quality product for a reasonable price. I believe the Seb is a high quality knife but the price is simply too high.
You'll never be happy with something that you feel you paid too much for.

Happily Sebenzaless,
Allen.
 
Paul...:D

Everyone already knows...the sebenza is a great knife. So is the TNT. 2 different levels. It's all a matter of what you want. All a matter of how much $ you can justify in your own mind. Some folks spend thousands on a bass boat...to each his own.:cool:
 
Originally posted by jefroman
Magician, since when did a sebenza cost $380.00?
Click to expand...

I don't know....I bought my small decorated for $380...I got it from one of the online dealers. Someone who I have not seen lately..I think Mike Payne was his name? I may have paid like $340 and added $40 for overnight shipping. Why do you ask? I actually traded it right here on Bladeforums. Got a couple Benchmades and like $200 cash...May have been like $199.00. I sometimes quote prices that are a bit rounded...Is that a problem?
 
Originally posted by allenC
So, after a lengthy inspecting/bargaining process, he decided to keep the knife and I decided to keep my money.
Click to expand...
Nicely stated, but I'm not sure about this statement...
Originally posted by allenC
I'm sure he unloaded it on some sucker.
Click to expand...

We like our knives for various reasons, and hopefully we pay what we feel is fair. Depending on what knives we're discussing (a Chinacheapiespecial at a ridiculous price might make you a sucker), I probably would never call your purchase (or lack thereof) into question, even if I did not like the knife or thought the price you paid was unfair. If you're happy with it, then great! Beauty is in the eye (and in this case the hand) of the beholder, and supported by what their pocketbook (and interest in owning) can bare.

Edit: removed grammatical mistake.
 
One thing that I believe needs to be included in the weighing of the "value" of the Sebenza (value = subjective) is Customer Service.

I've dealt with quite a few production manufacturers and a couple of custom makers. Although the Sebenza is not considered to be a "Custom" knife, you do get "Custom" Customer Service. I've developed a relationship with CRK that adds value to the knife every day I carry and use it. I know I will have the full support of CRK through the ownership of the knife, and always received friendly, prompt, and intelligent help and service from them.

Yes, the custom makers are generally known for this, no argument there. But the production manufacturers I've dealt with don't come close to the service I've gotten from CRK.

There are three things you can sell/buy:

Quality
Service
Price

The third is overly compensated by the first two in my opinion.


:p
 
T-Flyer,
Fair enough. I don't always censor myself as much as I probably should. I hereby take-back the "sucker" remark and appologize to any and all offended persons.

Now, if you will kindly remove your Seb from that allenC-voodoo-doll.

Thanks,
Allen.
 
Another thing to wonder about, for those questioning the Sebenza craze: There are a lot of Sebenza owners (by looking at these forums) who buy more than one.

Now, when I pay a lot for something and it's not exactly what I wanted -- especially in the multiple $100 range -- I count it as an experience and modify my future buying accordingly.

For whatever reason you want to imagine, after my first Sebenza followed two more. I sold one of those (for a tidy profit), and am now planning two more. Back before the first one, I really had to justify the full $325. Now, it's really a no brainer, because I know I'll like whatever I get. It's not that $300+ is cheap, but I want to know it's worth spending. I finally overcame my reluctance to spend $200 on a Talon, and yet I have no qualms about spending $600+ to add two S30V Sebbies to my collection soon...

Crazy, or maybe we're just happy with what we've found? I don't bother trying to convert people. At the end of the day, I'm satisfied just to be happy.
 
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