Larger Handled Alternatives to the Small Sebenza

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sutherland

Joined
Jun 10, 2015
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Are there any refined folders like the Small Sebenza that have:
- a blade length around 3 inches (+/- few centimeters)
- a blade width in proportion to the handle (not overly chunky, the right amount of belly)
- a slightly longer handle

I love my Small Sebenza, but would absolutely enjoy a more balanced/refined EDC to add to my collection.
 
Here are a couple that I would recommend...

I have not "sorted" these folders. The small Sebbie is too short in the grip (less than 4") to fit in my hand. The thickness of the ti slabs is about 0.050" (total) less than the large Sebbie, so I would guess the small grip width is about 0.400" or so. As a matter of interest, the Large Sebenza is a little too long in the grip for my hand also. I'm one of those "in-betweeners" who loves CRK, but really needs a "mid-sized" Sebenza...which doesn't exist.
I have carried CRK large Sebbies and Zaans for several yrs, but this year I am carrying the Southard AVO mid-tech, which fits me to a "t." It is a flipper, but I don't mind a flipper, as that becomes transparent to me in use. I really enjoy the AVO...it's a great knife at a CRK price...

The "sweet spot" for my hand size (large) is about 0.450-0.460" thick handle, and about 4.5" closed grip length. I have owned all of the below at one point, although most of them are gone now or replaced by something else.
From what I must "guess"... you might check out the Spyderco Gayle Bradley, the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 for 3.3"-3.5" blade lengths. Perhaps a Strider SnG might pull your strings also for a more tactical look and feel.
A very excellent folder, blade about 2.8" or so, is the Spyderco TECHNO. Small knife; capable of heavy work.
You will see that I don't have the closed grip lengths on these knives, but you can check out the detailed specs at BladeHQ, KnifeWorks, or many other popular knife-shops that support our forum.

POPULAR FOLDERS with Grip Thickness Considerations

Grip Thickness Blade thkness, Grip Ratio compared
& Steel to Spyderco PM2
------ ---------------- -----
Benchmade 755 MPR 0.610" 0.160" M390 1.36
Zero Tolerance 0550 0.570" 0.156" S35VN 1.27
Spyderco Gayle Bradley 0.525" 0.120" CPM-M4 1.17
Strider SMF 0.490" 0.190" CPM 154 1.09
Spyderco TUFF 0.469" 0.155" CPM-3V 1.04
CRK Umnumzaan 0.465" 0.140" S30V 1.03
Spyderco Military 0.461" 0.142" Cruwear 1.02
CRK Sebenza 21 (large) 0.457" 0.122" S35VN 1.02
Spyderco TECHNO 0.455" 0.177" CTS-XHP 1.01
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 0.450" 0.145" S30V 1.00
Spyderco Stretch blue,green 0.440" 0.118 ZDP-189 0.98
Spyderco Native5 Moonglow 0.440" 0.125 S35VN 0.98
Spyderco G.B. Air 0.412" 0.088" CPM-M4 0.92
A.G. Russell Acies 2 0.403 0.121" ZDP-189 0.90
Spyderco Sage 2 0.394" 0.118" S30V 0.88
Spyderco Caly 3, 3.5 0.362" 0.118" SuperBlue 0.80
Spyderco Caly 3, 3.5 0.352" 0.113" ZDP-189 0.78
Brad Southard AVO 0.460” 0.140” (BG-42) 3.33” CTS-B75p blade

** measurements obtained with my dial micrometer, accuracy within 0.001".
 
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Sonnydaze said:
Here are a couple that I would recommend...

I have not "sorted" these folders. The small Sebbie is too short in the grip (less than 4") to fit in my hand. The thickness of the ti slabs is about 0.050" (total) less than the large Sebbie, so I would guess the small grip width is about 0.400" or so. As a matter of interest, the Large Sebenza is a little too long in the grip for my hand also. I'm one of those "in-betweeners" who loves CRK, but really needs a "mid-sized" Sebenza...which doesn't exist.
I have carried CRK large Sebbies and Zaans for several yrs, but this year I am carrying the Southard AVO mid-tech, which fits me to a "t." It is a flipper, but I don't mind a flipper, as that becomes transparent to me in use. I really enjoy the AVO...it's a great knife at a CRK price...
Click to expand...

Thanks for such a detailed response! The Southard AVO looks amazing but seems to be harder and harder to come by. I'm not much of a flipper guy, but I do like how the AVO balances function and simplicity without looking tactical.

The front runners at the moment
- Large Sebenza 21 with a Tanto blade (despite the blade shape being aggressive, the thickness and length are a reasonable at 3.5)
- Spyderco Sage 2
- Three Sisters Forge Beast (trying to warm up to that blade shape)
- Southard AVO
 
sutherland said:
Ah! I was not aware of the Spearpoint! That looks perfect!
Click to expand...

The maker is a great guy, and very responsive to emails. If you want something special for your knife he'll do it, just ask him for a list of the custom features he offers.
 
I also want to suggest the Spyderco Slysz Bowie. It is more expensive, at about $280, than many of the other alternatives, but I think it's a great knife. The other one here is the Sage 2, at $165 or so...web-prices. The Sage 2 is my all-time favorite 3" blade, but for heavier duty, I really think that the Slysz Bowie is a standout winner.
The Bowie is longer, heavier, wider in the grip than the Sage 2. Thicker blade also, at 0.138" CTS-XHP compared to the Sage 2's S30V at nominal 0.125" thickness of blade.
Slysz Bowie: 3.5" long blade of "better" blade-steel. 4 3/8" closed grip-length.
Spydie Sage 2: 3" long S30V. 4 3/16" closed...(shorter than the Slysz).
The Bowie grip thickness is 0.496" at its thickest point, BUT the grip is 3D-conformed so as to be somewhat rounded. You can see the difference when you look at the pics of those two grips side-by-side.
One VERY unique thing about the Sage 2 is that Spyderco was able to give you a much longer "effective" grip-length due to the large choil which allows you to get up on the blade and still have lots of extra grip-length. The Slysz does NOT have this, but neither does it need the choil, as its grip is 3/16" longer than that of the Sage 2.

Here is a slide-show (if it works) of the two knives in question...
http://s246.photobucket.com/user/Sonnytoo/slideshow/Spyderco Sage 2 vs Slysz Bowie
 
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