vaisforloverss
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Messages
- 180
Good Day Blade Forums,
I love to read and see knife comparisons. They help me better understand relative sizes and shapes of knives, especially when compared to knives I already know. Too many times a knife has looked so sweet on the retailers website, only to order it and find it too big or small or wide, etc.
I really like the look of the Kingdom Armory Mini Samaritan, but found few pictorial reviews on it, and none photographically comparing it to the Chris Reeve Sebenza, which due to its size, materials, and cost, it was commonly compared. Thankfully I saw a great review comparing it to a few common Spydercos and decided to pick one up.
This is not meant to be a judgmental review, nor do I wish to turn this into a which knife is better thread, but instead Ill attempt to provide a pictorial comparison between a Small Sebenza and the Mini Samaritan. Inevitably I will refer to features I like better on each, but will focus mainly on the Samaritan as the Sebenza has been reviewed many times over. Once again, I hope this doesnt lead to controversy.
On to the review: Kingdom Armory Mini Samaritan and Chris Reeve Small Sebenza
The Blades (The reason a knife exists):
Each blade is S30V and both are a tiny bit under 3 with the Samaritan having slightly more cutting edge due to the pronounced belly. The Sebenza sports the well known drop point, while Id call the Samaritan a cross between a drop point and clip point. I attempted to parallel the handles to emphasize the Samaritans negative blade angle. The cutting edge is almost forward of the knuckles when held naturally, which well see next
Gripping:
On the Samaritan, the most comfortable and usable grip is choking up significantly, with the thumb resting on the Spine of the blade. In doing so, it reminds me of the way I grip my Spyderco Jester. This choked up grip allows very good detailed control. Thankfully the last 1/8 of the cutting edge isnt sharpened so my index finger isnt at risk. (see next pic, Samaritan on Right)
In attempting to grip the knife with my thumb resting on the jimping at the base of the spine, I find the handle too short, with my pinkie and ring finger having little to grasp. This is solved on the Small Sebenza by adding a lanyard. Generally I feel lanyards on smaller knives give me more confidence in the grip and more control. For this reason, I wish the Samaritan had a lanyard and requisite lanyard hole.
Opening and Lockup: Very similar. Because the knives are small, while opening they feel loose in my hand. The lanyard again helps on the Reeve. The Sebenzas is definitely smoother, especially while disengaging the lock. I almost always have to two-hand-close the Samaritan. I prefer the hidden retaining ball of the Sebenza. Opened and closed both blades are secure, with no play. Both have phosphor bronze washers.
The Spine: I like the squared spine of the Samaritan, especially since it is contacted while choked up. I also like the rounded spine of the Sebenza, being that I grip it without choking up. The Thumbstuds on both are usable and dont get in the way.
Closed and Carry: I love the pocket clip of the Samaritan. It is semi-deep carry and because of its low profile it rides very nicely. Because of the handles cureved spine I seem to notice it less while reaching in to grab keys, etc. Because its foot print is so small, it also begs to be carried unclipped within the pocket.
Finally, Looks: I reall like the False Bolsters Dragon Scale finish. My Samaritan is bead blasted, though I understand the current production is stonewashed. I like the blasted pivot and blasted standoffs. It makes a nice matte finish over the whole handle, except of the stop pin and Phillips screws holding in the clip. Ive read a remark on how the clips Phillips screws do not match the rest of the quality of the knife, but it doesnt standout to me. I dont think I would have noticed had I not read it before.
Overall I really like the Mini Samaritan. The Sebenza may win in most categories, should I judge them, but I think Ill likely grab the Samaritan more often. Probably because 99% of the time knives ride in my pocket, just waiting for a chore, and the Samaritan feels less obtrusive to me for some reason. When it is time to use them, both, Im confident, will perform equally well. Just like food, one may have a favorite, but it is very nice to have variety! Im lucky and blessed to have both and to be able to choose.
Thanks for your time!
I love to read and see knife comparisons. They help me better understand relative sizes and shapes of knives, especially when compared to knives I already know. Too many times a knife has looked so sweet on the retailers website, only to order it and find it too big or small or wide, etc.
I really like the look of the Kingdom Armory Mini Samaritan, but found few pictorial reviews on it, and none photographically comparing it to the Chris Reeve Sebenza, which due to its size, materials, and cost, it was commonly compared. Thankfully I saw a great review comparing it to a few common Spydercos and decided to pick one up.
This is not meant to be a judgmental review, nor do I wish to turn this into a which knife is better thread, but instead Ill attempt to provide a pictorial comparison between a Small Sebenza and the Mini Samaritan. Inevitably I will refer to features I like better on each, but will focus mainly on the Samaritan as the Sebenza has been reviewed many times over. Once again, I hope this doesnt lead to controversy.
On to the review: Kingdom Armory Mini Samaritan and Chris Reeve Small Sebenza
The Blades (The reason a knife exists):
Each blade is S30V and both are a tiny bit under 3 with the Samaritan having slightly more cutting edge due to the pronounced belly. The Sebenza sports the well known drop point, while Id call the Samaritan a cross between a drop point and clip point. I attempted to parallel the handles to emphasize the Samaritans negative blade angle. The cutting edge is almost forward of the knuckles when held naturally, which well see next
Gripping:
On the Samaritan, the most comfortable and usable grip is choking up significantly, with the thumb resting on the Spine of the blade. In doing so, it reminds me of the way I grip my Spyderco Jester. This choked up grip allows very good detailed control. Thankfully the last 1/8 of the cutting edge isnt sharpened so my index finger isnt at risk. (see next pic, Samaritan on Right)
In attempting to grip the knife with my thumb resting on the jimping at the base of the spine, I find the handle too short, with my pinkie and ring finger having little to grasp. This is solved on the Small Sebenza by adding a lanyard. Generally I feel lanyards on smaller knives give me more confidence in the grip and more control. For this reason, I wish the Samaritan had a lanyard and requisite lanyard hole.
Opening and Lockup: Very similar. Because the knives are small, while opening they feel loose in my hand. The lanyard again helps on the Reeve. The Sebenzas is definitely smoother, especially while disengaging the lock. I almost always have to two-hand-close the Samaritan. I prefer the hidden retaining ball of the Sebenza. Opened and closed both blades are secure, with no play. Both have phosphor bronze washers.
The Spine: I like the squared spine of the Samaritan, especially since it is contacted while choked up. I also like the rounded spine of the Sebenza, being that I grip it without choking up. The Thumbstuds on both are usable and dont get in the way.
Closed and Carry: I love the pocket clip of the Samaritan. It is semi-deep carry and because of its low profile it rides very nicely. Because of the handles cureved spine I seem to notice it less while reaching in to grab keys, etc. Because its foot print is so small, it also begs to be carried unclipped within the pocket.
Finally, Looks: I reall like the False Bolsters Dragon Scale finish. My Samaritan is bead blasted, though I understand the current production is stonewashed. I like the blasted pivot and blasted standoffs. It makes a nice matte finish over the whole handle, except of the stop pin and Phillips screws holding in the clip. Ive read a remark on how the clips Phillips screws do not match the rest of the quality of the knife, but it doesnt standout to me. I dont think I would have noticed had I not read it before.
Overall I really like the Mini Samaritan. The Sebenza may win in most categories, should I judge them, but I think Ill likely grab the Samaritan more often. Probably because 99% of the time knives ride in my pocket, just waiting for a chore, and the Samaritan feels less obtrusive to me for some reason. When it is time to use them, both, Im confident, will perform equally well. Just like food, one may have a favorite, but it is very nice to have variety! Im lucky and blessed to have both and to be able to choose.
Thanks for your time!
