Knife Newbie... Question re: Sebenzas

T

TheSwagger

Joined
Mar 18, 2003
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5
As a knife nut, I only recently stumbled upon this site, and other internet knife forums. It seems that Sebenzas are held in regard as the Excaliburs of our time. As a complete newbie, could you give me your thoughts on why it is worth $100+ more than say.... a Spyderco Police model? I have no problem shelling out big bucks for a knife... but is it going to be worth it when I could buy 3 or 4 damn good knives instead of 1 Sebenza?
 
I went through the same thing until I read a post from a guy who said that he had bought a number of cheap knives over the years and then realized "I couda got a Sebenza".
I now have two. They are perfectly made-comparing it to a Spyderco is like comparing a BMW with a Ford.
 
I concur 100% with FLWRONG. I recently bought my first small Sebenza and as soon as Spark activates my Gold Membership I am going to try and sell a few other knives so that I can buy small Sebbie #2. I've collected knives on and off for 25 years and always went for $100.00 max w/an eye toward quantity instead of quality. Not that Spydies and Benchmades aren't quality products but like FLWRONG said, why drive four Ford Explorers when you can drive one Land Rover? Bottom line, get a Sebbie and you won't look back.
 
In addition to info posted here you may also want to check out the CRK sub-forum here at BFC. Lots of info there.

One big plus about a Sebenza is that you can take it apart for cleaning and maintenance without voiding the warranty (they supply the tool for assembly and dis-assembly).

Quality control, attention to detail and top notch materials are all part of the Sebenza following.

Like anything though personal tastes and influences play a big part in whether this is the knife for you or not. There are those that like the Sebenza, those that don't and still those that are indifferent
 
Originally posted by FLWRONG
I went through the same thing until I read a post from a guy who said that he had bought a number of cheap knives over the years and then realized "I couda got a Sebenza".
I now have two. They are perfectly made-comparing it to a Spyderco is like comparing a BMW with a Ford.
Click to expand...

More like a Lambo to a ford! BMW...you mean BMtroubleU!!!:D My buddy has a 2002 and had 2 transmissions put in it already and other electrical problems! Real piece of S#*%.;)

Sebenza in probibly the finest folder at any price and you will never regret buying one!:)
 
It's hard for me to describe what makes a sebenza the BEST in folders (for me, anyway) The quality and workmanship are superb, but a lot of other makers are too. I am not a spyderco fan at all. They just don't feel right to me. I like their sharpmaker though. When I first held my sebenza, I let out a long deep breath and just thought....yeah. It is truly my favorite folder of all time.
 
Mmm... Sebenza. If I weren't saving money to get the highly anticipated Busse folder when Jerry releases one . . . I very well might go for a Sebenza.

As it stands . . . maybe in a few years. *sigh*

Oh, for the fundage some of the people on these forums seem to have. Not talking to those of you with Sebenzas; I'm talking about the folks that seem to have one or two knives of every sort. :)
 
Welcome to the Forums.:)

I would try to handle a Sebenza first before you buy one. They are very expensive and knives are a very individual thing. A new one will cost you about $345 and even used, a good clean one will go for about $200.

That said, I'm a Sebenza fan and I have both the large plain and the large Classic. I probably prefer the Classic due to the additional relief for the index finger.

When you thumb open a Sebenza, the quality you feel is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. It's there. The overall ruggedness is also very evident. It's really is in a class by itself.

Again--try to handle before you take the plunge. Good luck.:)
 
Originally posted by TheSwagger
but is it going to be worth it when I could buy 3 or 4 damn good knives instead of 1 Sebenza?
Click to expand...

Depends on the person. It's not worth it for me, no.
 
Here are some specific reason why I go for (small) Sebbies:

1. Excellent craftsmanship. Each knife is put together with much pride and precision. You can feel it when you open and close it.

2. Superior ergonomics. No other knife fits my hand quite like a Sebbie.

3. Outstanding materials. Each individual piece that makes up a Sebbie is top notch. They don't cheat on the materials at all.

4. They look like a knife ought to look. I know that this is a "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" kind of thing but that's my opinion.
 
I'd get one in a heartbeat if they had axis lock. :D That is the only thing holding me back. I love my BMs and can see Sebbie as a "better" knife in some ways, but not as "functional" for me personally because I like the axis lock. I have shorter beefy fingers and the frame locks just seem more "work". It is like comparing a lock back to a sebbie. Having to use a lock back would be no big deal, but the frame lock is easier. Same way with the axis and frame lock. So... is the sebbie worth it if I prefer axis? :confused:

Frodo
 
The Sebenza is a very high quality knife that has to be handled to be appreciated. Value is subjective. To me the quality seems to be better than most customs. My loyality to CRK has to do with the fact that they make left handed versions of all their folders. Not many with the exception of the Benchmade Axis will make a left hand knife. High quality and exceptional customer service make the Sebenza my knife of choice. No other knife goes from clipped to my pocket to open and ready as easily as the Sebenza. No, it's not for everyone but I've seen many a Sebenza basher converted. And by the way, you need to take a Sebenza apart to fully appreciate the tight tolerances that this knife has. Reeve and company really know how to make knives. Save yourself a lot of trouble, get a Sebbie and see for yourself!:cool: :eek: ;) :p
 
I'm an Axis Lock fan in the same situation as TheSwagger, wondering if I should spend my hard earned on a Sebbie. I have a question for Scott Dog and everyone else. Can you really have the Sebenza out and ready as fast as an Axis? What about out, ready, and closed again in your pocket, all with one hand? My BM 941 and 735 are so smooth and fast--should I take the plunge on the Sebenza? Thanks for the thread, Swagger. It's just what I was thinking.
 
Buy one!! You will love it. You can always customize it to your taste if the plan scales are not to your liking or get a decorated Sebbie. Check out the Gallery for a guy that just did a little work on one. You can always send it to the guy on the island (Tom Mayo) and have him add some touches. IE. Dual thumb studs, design holes, and he smoothes it up with is really incredible b/c they are so smooth to begin with. I used to switch up EDCs once a week. But my Sebbie has not left my pocket since I got it.

I just ordered another one last week. I am having the CRK gang do a custom design for me :D Now I got to start saving my pennies before its ready
 
Does an Omega tell time better than a G-Shock? Does a Ford Explorer hold more groceries than a Corvette?

Each knife is made for a slightly different segment of the market, that's why there's large, small, cheap, and expensive: the higher quality materials and workmanship, and design, of the Sebenza do make it a more expensive knife. If you don't need the quality then don't buy the knife, but I would suggest you at least look at one, hold it, work the action yourself, before you ask questions that can't be answered properly without the physical presence of the knife.

Even so, some owners weren't happy and sold them, some weren't happy until they used them for a while. I wouldn't spend as much as $50 for a knife unless I thought I would appreciate its capabilities. (I've got 3 Sebenzas, an Umfaan, a Mnandi, and a one-piece. I like Chris Reeve's knives. :))
 
Hi TheSwagger...

I`m also new to BladeForums, but I`ve been lurking here for a while.

Based on the high regard most of the knife experts here have for the Sebenza, I`ve purchased two of them on Ebay the last few weeks: a small plain Sebenza and a small Classic Sebenza.

Beautiful knives, IMHO, and now owning them and handling them, I`d do it again in a heartbeat. As others have said, though, its a matter of personal preference. That is, its more of a matter of beauty, art and fine craftsmanship, as seen through your own eyes, rather than simple utility. It all depends how much value you place on such fine objects.

I`ve also, BTW, recently purchased a Benchmade 705 and Spyderco Kiwi...again, all based on the opinions and recommendations I`ve read in BladeForums. Those two knives are also crafted extremely well.

Bottom line: From my experiences, you`ll never go wrong buying the knives that are highly regarded here. The trick is to pick and choose the ones that you think will please you the most, since there are so many nice knives out there that get rave reviews here.

Good luck, and best wishes to you!

:)
 
Lots of good reasons have been give for buying a sebenza...but now for counterpoint.

Some people find them butt ugly.

They are too fragile to flick open. If you flick open your sebenza, it will void the warranty. Go to the CRK forum on this site and there is a current post from Reeve's wife on this subject. Once again CRK sidesteps the reason why you can't flick a sebenza open. However, rest assured, you can flick open your Spydercos, your Coldsteels, your Benchmades (particularly the Axis-locks) etc...but not your Sebenza. The old Starmate from Spyderco was specifically designed by Terzula to be flicked open with the "spyderco drop". Why can't sebenza's be flicked but all others can? You won't get an answer from CRK.

For some people (3 instances on this forum) their sebenza opened in their pockets. Being a tip up knife, this can lead to severe injury.

For some people, their handles are uncomftable.

You can get just as much knife for less money. You can get a beutiful custom for the same or a little more money.

As I believe AT Barr says, "Don't buy no ugly knife."
 
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