Kinda Makes Me Mad

[Razor]

It kinda makes me mad, that my large sebenza won't cut like my spyderco military. The military has the flat grind. I guess that is why it cuts so good. I just wish my sebenza would cut like that. Is it just me?

 

[DaveH]

Nope, I feel the same, the best quality knife should also cut the best IMO.

There's a couple of things to do, take the angle down yourself , it's more then 20 per side IME, or have someone else do it.

Every once in a while I think about writing a letter to CRK to mention they could do a better job in that department.

 

[Django606]

Spydercos are usually ground at 15 degrees per side..Sebenzas are ground anywhere from 18-21 degrees per side.

I don't think it is the fact that the blade is flat ground, because you would only really notice a difference when cutting something like cardboard. Flat ground blades provide less resistance when cutting through lots of material (cardboard box) because of their \/ shape, whereas hollow ground blades are usually better at cutting almost everything else.

 

[PiterM]

For me Sebenza cuts just fine, and the blade is much stronger than quite brittle blade of Spyderco Military (and especially the tip). Mili is a great cutter, but Sebenza is more all-round hard-work oriented knife. Also remember about slightly convex cutting edge on Sebenza, which makes the edge lasting longer than Mili's. Is it just me who thinks so?

Benza is my favorite folder. And and my right front pocket have seen at least 5 versions of Mili, including S30V, ATS34 and 440V so I know Mili a bit

 

[bruce]

Have a Sebenza in BG42 (1997 model), had a Military in 440V or whatever they used in about 2000. My Sebenza cut way better than the Military! I kept the Sebenza, sold the Military.

 

[Razor]

Don't get me wrong, I like the sebenza better. But everything that I tried to cut with the military, was cut with alot less effort, and the military stayed sharper longer. The sebenza would shave hair off your arm, so it was not dull.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

The sebenza would shave hair off your arm,

Razor, there's your problem -- your Sebenza IS a razor, it has a polished edge. That's fine for shaving, but it isn't as effective on coarser materials like cardboard or food. For that you need a coarser edge. Use the grey Spyderco stones, not the white for the final finish, and see if the Sebenza doesn't do better.

 

[djolney]

In my experience, Sebenza + unpolished 15º edge = cutting machine.

The only knife I own that cuts better is my Bill Buxton EDC.

 

[barrabas74]

In my experience, Sebenza + unpolished 15º edge = cutting machine.

The only knife I own that cuts better is my Bill Buxton EDC.

I 100 percent agree with that first part, my sebbie is a cutting machine and does keep up with my milie. however I must admit the milie is a monster at cutting.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Each knife has its own characteristics, its own strengths. My Douk-Douks will outcut almost any pocket knife or folder you can find, but they aren't as comfortable for long, hard cutting. That's why we collect them and use them, to find what works for us in different circumstances.

 

[recoil]

Then again,
You can always get one of these if you must have a flat ground blade CRK.

dave

 

[PiterM]

dave.... that's one of m dreams

 

[Barrabas]

Razor,

That's an interesting viewpoint.
From my perspective I always reprofile my blades. I had a Para Military, that I reprofiled to about 12 degrees on the back bevel, and have done the same with my Seb & Strider SNG.

I have not been able to find a cutting application that I use on a daily basis in which the Paramilitary, or the Strider's flat grinds come close to matching the Sebs hollow - to me they just need more push power to get through.

But then again, most of the cutting I do is whittling, apples, and coring the occasional Pineapple, and cutting the plastic off of battery packages etc. and the Seb has won hands down (so far anyways) in those aps. Cutting paper and such, I see no real difference & rarely ever cut cardboard.

I have never had a Military. Is the blade width different than on the Para?

I personally like the looks of a flat ground better, and they just seem sturdier to me, but haven't been able to find a flat ground heavy duty folder to match up with the cutting ability of the Seb to date. Would REALLY like to though.

sp

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I have never had a Military. Is the blade width different than on the Para?

The Military blade is just over 1/8" thick and about 1 3/16" wide, both dimensions tapering sharply to the tip. I have an S30V and the new BG-42 and both slice food nicely.

 

[u812]

Spydercos and some others are very sharp out of the box and that is good but I have noticed that the very thin edge will roll over and need touching up more.The angle that the Sebenza is sharpened at will hold up longer but in return you will give up that WOW sharp edge.

 

[BlackEnd]

Spydercos and some others are very sharp out of the box and that is good but I have noticed that the very thin edge will roll over and need touching up more.The angle that the Sebenza is sharpened at will hold up longer but in return you will give up that WOW sharp edge.

Good point, but it also has a lot to do with the kind of steel used as well as how well it's heat treated. Key to keeping a good sharp edge is not to let it get too dulled...i.e. when it starts to roll or burr a bit; touch it with a strop even a fine ceramic rod. I'm speaking mostly of the Sebenza as this is my EDC. I also found the newer stainless Damsacus Sebs being put out with Devon Thomas steel, hold a pretty good edge and IMO cut better than the S30v.

 

[AdamLuczak]

I sharpen my Sebs on all 4 Triangle stones (diamond, medium, fine, ultra fine) to the level of mirror polished edge. 20degrees per side.
It cuts as hell.

Adam

PS. And in my opinion Devin Tomas Stainless Damascus is the ultimate. It cuts better, hold edge longer and sharpens easier than S30V. The best steel I used.

A