Knife Newbie... Question re: Sebenzas

Folks, I have no problem at all with an individual that does not care for a blade from a particular maker, but I do expect that individual to speak from experience and not heresy. Personal experience is the criteria for dissen a blade not "I heard" "I read" or some other third person experience.

Now to handle a blade at a gunshow and to find you don't care for the way it fits your hand is one thing. However, the on going trashing of CRK from someone that does not own or has not owned the knife in question is unacceptable in my mind.

One does not have to agree that the knife is a value; it is your opinion.

BTW, brownshoe I have no problem with you or anyone expressing opinion, it is the way information is presented that is at issue here.
 
.45acp, I see your point...but what you're saying only holds true up to a point. Sometimes you don't have to actually even see an object to know that you don't like it.
I've read the specs on certain knives and determined that they were not for me without even seeing the knife.
Maybe they were too heavy or too large or too expensive for my tastes, and I would not think twice about saying so on this forum.
If I read about a lock-back knife that was constructed of only unlined zytel and 420 blade steel retailing for $120.00, I would have no problem saying it's overpriced.

How many people who bashed Yugos had actually driven one?
 
I have avoided this thread like the plague until now, so here goes.

The Sebenza: Never owned one and never will. The reasons:
1. Way too much money for what it is.
2. He doesn't return email requests [ as in ignored ].

I test knives on the www.folders-r-us.org site and when we started the venture I put forth on some forums what others would like to see tested.

Never received a reply from his staff, himself, or anyone connected with him, not even a courtesy reply about not sending knives for testing, Nada, zip, now thats what I call, uh, never mind what I called him, suffice it to say that I would not carry a knife if his were the only knives on the planet.

I have customs as nice in the same design that were far less and of the same materials and quality.

The Sebenza is a nice knife, but too expensive for what it is.
Don't start about the money, I have knives I have designed and had made for that are thousands of dollars so it isn't the amount of money spent but what you get for the money.

I think ANY maker who won't return an email as a courtesy, should be taught that to ignore potential customers can cost him fame and fortune, even if only a little.

I know he doesn't need my money, no big deal either way for both of us I suppose.

I can say that MOD has sent several for testing and have sold several since the testing of their products have been reviewed on the website.

I can hear the flames roaring as I get ready to sign out here, retardant suit is on so flame away.

Brownie
 
That's all well and good for the experts and collectors, but I'm not one of them. I wanted a knife and bought one.

When I decided I needed a better knife than the $46 made-in-Japan knife I'd been beating on for years I picked the one that felt the best and had the best fit and finish. The name of the maker was vaguely familiar and the seller had very good things to say about the line. Same sort of thing I've done during 40-odd years of buying and trading guns - quality isn't too hard to spot most of the time. Now maybe the absolute best deal is hard to spot, but good work isn't.

As I said in an earlier post, even the vendor at the gun show tried to talk me into a less expensive knife - not very hard, but he did try. It's only money and the one Sebenza I've ever used is a great pocket knife.

The rest of it is splitting hairs ;)

Of course, I've put $500+ scopes on .22 rifles, too.

John
 
What's this crap about the Sebbie not being able to handle constant flicking? brownshoe, you are such a dumbass. The Sebbie is the only knife that I know of that can take this type of punishment. I've had my share of customs and other high end knives. brownshoe, Were you prison rapped by some guy who stuck a Sebbie up to your throat or something? You seem so anti-Sebbie dude. Chill out man. The Sebbie rules! The thing I look for in a quality knife is when it's closed, there should be no play what so ever. Every damn production and custom knife I have, (and I have a lot) has some kind of play when closed. All my Sebbies never had play when closed. Is it just me or is the Lochsa one UGLY knife? I don't care for it.
 
CRK returns all my e-mails promptly. They have treated me well over the years. I own a nice little collection of their folders. Value is relative and their knives aren't for everyone To me they are worth it and that is all that matters to me. They are very busy, Chris is a very upfront kind of guy and doesn't put up with any monkey business. He doesn't need to pander to someone that wants to "test" his knives. He does plenty of his own testing and his standards are high. He is also kind enough to make all his knives in left hand configurations. For that, and the fact that he makes a very fine folder, I give him my business. I'm not sure why he doesn't return your e-mail. It's probably a combination of him not having the time and feeling that he doesn't need your business.

TKD: The Sebenza can handle all the flicking that you want to throw at it and it doesn't void the warranty. It will just wear it out quicker. I have not heard of any Sebenza being hurt by flicking. The infamous Lenny did not have is warranty voided by flicking. He bent and filed the lockbar. Even after that, Chris fixed the knife for a nominal fee. Lenny was happy and issued a apology to CRK.
 
Whether he wants or needs any business is irrelevant to his ignoring two emails sent about two weeks apart.

He's not a class act at all. Anyone in business knows you do not ignore potential customers. Had I been given one to test I may have decided after the tsting I really needed one myself, though I doubt it.

Hey, I have handled the knives he makes, they are good, not the best I've seen for the money but good noentheless. My readers wanted one tested with the criteria given by the readers. Not his testing and reporting his own results.

That would be like asking H Ford to test his vehicle and give us an objective opinion wouldn't it? Others are so eager to accept a makers own testing criteria nor his objectivity.

So lets see, he got the first email and someone told him of the request. He said "ignore him"-----------or

He saw the email and ignored me.-----------or

He didn't get the first one and got the second one and ignored me-----or

He was told of the second email referencing the fiorst a week before and he said " ignore him"

What do you folks call that here on this forum? I could care less if he sent a knife or not, it was the readers who wanted a test performed independant of his own testing.

Brownie
 
Originally posted by brownie0486
He's not a class act at all. Anyone in business knows you do not ignore potential customers. Had I been given one to test I may have decided after the tsting I really needed one myself, though I doubt it.
.
.
.
What do you folks call that here on this forum? I could care less if he sent a knife or not, it was the readers who wanted a test performed independant of his own testing.
Click to expand...

So, pretty much, he's not a "class act" because he didn't "give you one to test" so you could decide if "you needed one"?

Perhaps you need to check the definition of customer.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but by asking for free merchandise, you don't fit under the first definition - "One that buys goods or services."

Is everyone that wants a free knife a potential customer?

Your website is not exactly the authority on "knife testing" with a grand total of four reviews.

Even if it was the end-all and be-all of knife testing, I would hardly expect an objective review out of a reviewer that gets free knives from knife companies.

There have been many, many independent reviews of the Sebenza. If your "readers" can't find any of them on the web, perhaps they should spend some knife money on basic computer classes.

If I were Chris Reeves, I most certainly would not send you a free knife either.

-- Rob
 
Can the rest of the Sebenzanistas relate to Chris or Anne just shrugging at the kind of attitude this dude exhibits? Why would they get involved with him, when they have real customers who appreciate the quality and service they give us?

I can go along with anyone who says they don't like the looks, they don't want to spend the money, they're happy with some other maker's knives. That's cool, that is their own personal choice. But these twerps who have to try to trash what they're not smart enough to understand ... as Paul just said: :rolleyes:
 
baraqyal:

I just knew one would take it I didn't want to spend the money or that I was looking for something free.

You be the one sir.--reread the post before replying and assuming something that obviously wasn't written but that you read into [wrongly I might add].

No, he's no class act because a professional would have had the courtesy to respond in some kind and not ignore the messages. Like an Ostrich sticking his head in the sand I guess, hey? Showed his attitude is terrible

I mentioned I was never interested in his Sebenza as a carry knife for myself, thats why I don't own one, not because I can't afford one. I have more high dollar one of a kinds than most, and some designed by myself as well and then executed by the makers. Where did you get the idea I was destitute? and your inference I was trying to get something for nothing, where did that come from?

I didn't ask to send me a knife for me. I asked for one to be tested. Reread the post again and don't read something into the context that isn't there.

Really now, a knife reviewer with free knives not being objective. How about this, the knives on the site tested so far are 50/50, ones sent for review and testing by makers and the ones I bought from my distributor and tested at my expense off the shelf. Course when you assume all knives tested are free you must be talking about the knife rags, thats what they do. Are they objective? According to you they must not be [and in fact most aren't, you're right]. Not the case here though at least 50% of the time, so far. We don't take advertising so we have no loyalty to any maker. They know it when they send the products.

I don't need a free knife, thats also something you made up as you responded. I expected a REPLY. I didn't get one, no big deal, no courtesy response from him or his people.

When you ask for a sample of ones products you don't expect all to say sure, okay. You do expect a reply one way or the other. Pretty unprofessional if I do say myself not responding with some type of answer.

My knife reviews are objective, thats part and parcel for the site. You get it the way it is and not always the way you want it unlike the rags content available elsewhere where they are not objective as they need those advertising dollars and don't feel like they want to Pi## off the maker by saying bad things.

I wasn't asking as a customer, that wasn't plain enough for you? Reread the posting, again.

Because a knife has been reviewed once or many times means it doesn't need to be tested again by another?

Funny how Emersons have lock problems now but didn't in the past. Past reviews would not show quality and workmanship had deteriorated would it now? Guess that says something for continuously testing the same products over the years hey? Wrong again sir. Thats why they are constantly tested.

So you're the one who jumped the gun [sorta speak], didn't read the post the way it was reported and assumed all the worst right? I'm sure others thought the same thing, and stated I had the flame retardant suit on, you flamed and have been answered.

Still have questions about why OR HOW I feel about him and his company? Let me say it once more for you so there is no mistake this time.

HE'S IGNORANT AND NON-PROFESSIONAL BECAUSE HE IGNORED THE EMAIL. GOT IT !!!!!!!!!!!

Good--now lets discuss your attitude on the reply.
Smart people read the context of the thread and respond with relevance. Did you do that? Hardly sir.

You accused me of being too cheap to buy a knife as a customer and wanting something for free [ when I clearly stated otherwise ]. You were wrong.

You accused me of wanting one as a customer, I clearly stated it was for testing, and not to have his product in my collection. You were wrong again. If I wanted one I'd by one and stated so.

If you reread the post you'll see I said they were nice knives from handling them but were too expensive for what they are.

What I said was , if after testing I felt I should have one [it may have changed my mind, but I doubted it ] I would become a customer.

So what do you have to say for yourself and the accusations you were throwing around hey?
I know you can read, at least enough to not get the context right, so where do we go from here sir?

You jumped in with both feet, got upset at my calling him a no class act and decided to berate me in your reply.

Sounds like you also need some training in ettiquet as well.

Go ahead, play some more with this and we'll see how cerebral we can be together. Just do me a favor and don't make me reiterate something you should have read first.

Scotdog: He could have replied "no thanks" and that would have been the end of it.

Esav Benyamin stated: "He doesn't need to pander to someone that wants to "test" his knives"
I agree wholeheartedly and others have said the same thing. He didn't have the courtesy to respond. Therein lies the attitude with him and his company. Facts do not change no matter what you think. I queried, he ignore, hence he is considered ignorant to me no matter how good or bad his product is.

Brownie
 
brownie0486 -

1. when next updating your authoritative web site, you might want to add that a "tactical self-defense folder" ought to have some method for one-hand opening. You fail to mention that in any of your 5 points.

2. I am not an apologist for Chris Reeve or the Sebenza designs. However, I have owned and used many CRK products over the last 4 years, mostly folders. Their customer service is exemplary. I rarely contact them by email, but when I did, they were promptly replied to an returned. Maybe you should call them when requesting your free sample.

3. if, sometime in the future, you are considered an "authority" on knives by the general enthusiast, I presume that CRK still would not need your "free advertising" (well not free exactly - it would cost them some knives). You are promoting the tactical folder as a self-defense tool. If you knew anything about their mission - you would know that they are very averse to promoting their folders as weapons. They promote them as high quality cutting tools. Why would they even want to be mentioned on your website?

4. did EKI give you permission to use images of their knives for the purpose of promoting addition "sponsors" of your website? Have they sent you any free knives for testing?

We all have to start somewhere when beginning an endeavor - but agressively whining about a company that doesn't need you is a poor way to build interest on the most visited knife-oriented website.
 
Architect:
Good point on the one handed opening criteria. I did fail to include that as I do not use the buttons, studs and spyder holes to open my tacticals. Noted, thanks

Again, I could have used another medium to contact him when the emails went ignored but chose not to do so with no initial response.

Other companies have been contacted the same way and then dialogue continued on the phone. Just received a Microtech UMS to test from JJ at microtech today. Started out with email and then followups with several calls between us. Worked it out and I will test the knife sent within a few months.

Your point about his mission statement is noted. Another good point made. He could have told me that himself and chose to ignore it.

EKI has not sent knives to test. I have enough to use my own which I have in the past as noted. Yes, after the testing went on the website for review the company replaced the destroyed knife. Every maker so far has felt the testing was concise, accurate and appreciated the test results taking the good with the bad as reported.

EKI was contacted about using their images, yes. I have spoken to Ernie on two occasions. Once to resolve a problem a customer in Greece had. I put him in contact with Ernie and they resolved the matter.

I wasn't aggressively whining. I stated the facts. This happened, oh, perhaps 8-10 months ago. No threads from me have been seen before this thread on this matter or on any other forum to date. If I was whining, and inversely, possibly attempting to coerce/push him into sending soemthing I would have related this long ago. As stated before I would not have asked for the knife had it not been for the people who visit the site making numerous requests for this knife to be tested. I was attempting to meet the demands of the sites visitors only.

As stated before, I don't like the knife and I don't own one for a few reasons. I did state he makes a nice blade or two. I have no issues with the product [ other than the price for what you get and I don't feel it's worth what he gets ]. Thats a personal opinion and one I'm probably entitled to like everyone else.

The issue wasn't whether he needs me or not but that he failed to respond at all and ignored the question. An explanation from him or his staff similiar to yours would have sufficed nicely. Too bad you didn't work for them and respond with answers you gave here. It would have been a dead horse at that point like other makers who have said "no thanks".

Actually Microtech said no initially as well. I took their explanation of why not, called them, discussed it and now have one to test.

Your points are valid and well noted.

I apprreciate an intelligent response and questions relevant the issues.

Brownie
 
Esav Benyamin stated:
"Why would they get involved with him, when they have real customers who appreciate the quality and service they give us?"

That would be a moot point would it not as he hasn't a clue now nor then when emailed that I didn't own his product and that I was not enamored with it personally.

Your point/question is invalid. He didn't respond to find out so where would that knowledge come from? Looking through hindsight from the threads are we hey? Not objective at all sir.

You also stated "But these twerps who have to try to trash what they're not smart enough to understand"

I probably understand at least as much as you where blades are concerned and I'd venture to guess have more practical experience than yourself as well in using tactical folders for defense of ones person.

I have not trashed his product in any of the threads to date. On the contrary I stated he makes a nice knife but too expensive for what it is for me.

Twerp? "stupid or objectionable" is the description I get from the funk and wagnel on my desk.

Now I know I can be objectionable and will probably continue to be so.

Stupid I take offense to. Where the word can have two meanings, which one were you referring to in your post?

Brownie
 
Originally posted by brownie0486

HE'S IGNORANT AND NON-PROFESSIONAL BECAUSE HE IGNORED THE EMAIL. GOT IT !!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I think I got it the first time.

Anyways, I'm not going to argue it out with you.

Have a good day.

-- Rob
 
brownie0486,
I think you're just pissed cause CRK decided to just ignore your lame ass. You need to shut your hole and get on with life man. You are holding too much of that anger in man, it ain't healthy. As a business, CRK can decide to do business (or not) with ANY person or company, it's their choice man. What a freakin cry baby! Are you somehow related to the other brownie? Cause you two seem like such arses.
 
TKD:

You think wrong sir. No skin off my nose he didn't respond, just stating facts. You may not like the facts but there they are for all to see.

I've gotten on just fine for the last 1/2 year without making any comments about the subject. Maybe you were under the impression this was recently. Wrong again.

Of course CRK can deal or not deal with anyone they choose. Pretty ignorant not to respond at all though. And by the way, thats my opinion just as you have yours.

You and others have stated your views on this, you don't see me calling anyone names as you have done so here to me do you? Whose the lame ass?

One here who responded actually had an intelligent thread response and received same in kind back from me.

What would make you think I'm upset he didn't send a Sebenza? Did I not state I don't like the knife and think it is overpriced in the original posting? If it isn't something I've owned before obviously I'm not enamored by them. The people who visit the site wanted one tested and I made the attempt to procure one for testing to satisfy the people if possible, nothing more or less about it.

Hope that response made you feel better. Just showed everyone you can't hold an intelligent conversation without resorting to some lower level of cerebral thought processes.

I got a good laugh out of it myself. Knew there would be people like you responding with something similiar.

Have yourself a nice life now.

Brownie
 
Well brownie, all I can say is...Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone's got one and the other guys stinks.
As for myself, I've never had a problem with CRK and I give them a big thumbs up.

Paul
 
Originally posted by brownie0486
baraqyal:

No, he's no class act because a professional would have had the courtesy to respond in some kind and not ignore the messages. Like an Ostrich sticking his head in the sand I guess, hey? Showed his attitude is terrible

By 45acp: Brownie you are assuming that Reeves received your e-mail. He obviously did not KNOW who you are. I am positive that Reeves now knows the powerful knife wizard that you are, he is franticly looking for those e-mails. I don't know Reeves, but have spoke with him or his wife a time or two. Nice polite folks, unlike you and your conduct here.

I mentioned I was never interested in his Sebenza as a carry knife for myself, thats why I don't own one, not because I can't afford one. I have more high dollar one of a kinds than most, and some designed by myself as well and then executed by the makers. Where did you get the idea I was destitute? and your inference I was trying to get something for nothing, where did that come from?

By 45acp: It sounds like you are grinding an ax. Why would you care to test a knife that you would not own? Please post the test results of some of the other HIGH DOLLAR knifes you feel are worthy of your ownership.

I didn't ask to send me a knife for me. I asked for one to be tested. Reread the post again and don't read something into the context that isn't there.

By 45acp: If you asked for a knife to be tested, you asked for a free knife. Slice it any way you want!

I don't need a free knife, thats also something you made up as you responded. I expected a REPLY. I didn't get one, no big deal, no courtesy response from him or his people.

By 45acp: Then quit whining about no response. They did not realize WHO you where....LOL

When you ask for a sample of ones products you don't expect all to say sure, okay. You do expect a reply one way or the other. Pretty unprofessional if I do say myself not responding with some type of answer.

By 45acp: Any idea how many folks with 4 knives tested (unscientifically) asks for "test knives". Jeezzz... I'd like one my self..... Try to get two if you can.

My knife reviews are objective, thats part and parcel for the site. You get it the way it is and not always the way you want it unlike the rags content available elsewhere where they are not objective as they need those advertising dollars and don't feel like they want to Pi## off the maker by saying bad things.

By 45acp: Wow, I'll bet you really give an objective test...judging from how much you get your panties in a wad over 2 whole e-mails that go unanswered.

I wasn't asking as a customer, that wasn't plain enough for you? Reread the posting, again.

By 45acp: Could it be that was the problem?


HE'S IGNORANT AND NON-PROFESSIONAL BECAUSE HE IGNORED THE EMAIL. GOT IT !!!!!!!!!!!

By 45acp: Incorrect sir, it is you that are guilty of unprofessional conduct here, and pardon me for saying so but your ignorance speaks for its self.

Good--now lets discuss your attitude on the reply.
Smart people read the context of the thread and respond with relevance. Did you do that? Hardly sir.

By 45acp: Nor did 90% of your post contain relevance!

If you reread the post you'll see I said they were nice knives from handling them but were too expensive for what they are.

By 45acp: No heartburn with the above, its your opinion, do not buy one. I am sure Reeves is tossing at night worrying about that.

What I said was , if after testing I felt I should have one [it may have changed my mind, but I doubted it ] I would become a customer.

By 45acp: So all the makers of your HIGH DOLLAR knives send you a sample to test, just to convince brownie to buy their product...WOW...BS


Sounds like you also need some training in ettiquet as well.

By 45acp: Why would the above bother you, you need the same.



Esav Benyamin stated: "He doesn't need to pander to someone that wants to "test" his knives"

By 45acp: Esav Benyamin is right on

Brownie

In a earlier post in this thread you whined, pissed and moaned that CRK did not respond to YOU A potential customer: YOU WERE NOT A CUSTOMER, YOU WERE MOCHING A KNIFE TO PROMOTE YOUR SITE.

You sound like a pompous ass, did you ever even consider that the man was busy, did not see your e-mails and had absolutely no idea who you were and quite possiably did not care.

Wake up and smell the coffee.
 
attachment.php


Just a classic look and feel, glad to have this one with me each day.

I've owned...many knives...several customs as well as a slew of production knives and keep coming back to the consistent work of Chris Reeve knives. Just got this one not too long ago, very nice!

If you need incentive to get one, many threads, more pro than con, exist on the forum. There are some that just don't care for the knife, others that can't see to cough up the funds and that's their choice, but deals are always coming up on the forsale section, maybe just post a Wanted To Buy post and see what that would net you, you may be pleasantly surprised, just indicate about the price range to help keep the emails down to a min...:)
G2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top