Leek trumps Sebenza

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
1,342
...in my "knife naive" friend's eyes. Keep in mind that this guy's only experience with knives is when he cuts steak and butters bread. He is otherwise a very intelligent and informed individual.:D

Just for fun, I showed him a Seb and a Leek to see how he'd do.

I asked him to guess their approximate prices... Seb = $60 Leek = $75
I asked him which knife he'd rather carry in the woods... Sebenza
I asked him which knife he'd rather carry in the city... Leek
I asked him which knife he'd rather walk out of our meeting with... Leek

When I told him what a new Sebenza costs I think I saw his eye twitch a few times. And after I confessed to owning another knife that costs more than a Sebenza, he made me buy him a beer... you know, since I can afford it and all, was his reasoning!

These were the very two knives in question
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Most people look at me like I'm nuts when I tell them how much my Sebs cost - but then they think $30 would be too much for a folder. It's a different story from experienced knife users who can appreciate intelligent design and precise engineering - who's opinion matters most to you?
 
I assume you didn't mention the materials involved.

I have nothing but respect for Kershaw, their ability to make high quality knives as affordable rates (made in the USA) amazes me.
 
Had something similar happen to me on the fourth of july.. I was showing a buddy my small bocote wood inlaid Sebenza when another guy walked up and took a look at my knife and said "Sebenza?? Never heard of 'em - you need to go to walmart and get one of these Winchester knives like I've got - Winchester make the best knives in the business."..... :rolleyes: For a fleeting second I thought about educating him on the difference between a Sebenza and a $7 dollar chinese made Winchester linerlock but I came to my senses and realized it would be a waste of time to say anything. So I said "nice little folder" and left it at that. ;)
 
Lay down another US-made bargain - a Buck 110 you could get from WallyWorld for $30 inc s/t - next to the Leek & Sebbie, and it'll look more expensive than either of them, to the uninformed.

I recently got both a BM 630 Skirmish and a 635BK mini-Skirmish - they look/feel far nicer than the Sebbie, too (The 630 is gigantic in comparison.). The Buck 172 Mayo TNT is no slouch, either. Five years of use later, and that Sebbie's tighter tolerances may make it feel tighter. I bought my two Skirmish models and all of my Leeks, including a Damascus one, over several years - and still have less invested than a basic Large Sebbie would run. It's all in what you can afford... I'd love to have a Sebbie - I like having my assortment better! But, if my ship ever comes in, and it's not the RMS Titanic, I'll have one. Now, I am afraid, I can only aspire to have 'change... just change' in my pocket. Oh yeah, and whichever Leek or Skirmish I choose for the day. Life really is good.

Stainz
 
WELL, tbh I still think a Sebenza is overpriced, and I would have never considered getting one if it weren't for this forum. :) I am still working my way up to an Alias II.
 
I had a friend visit a little while back and he wanted to see my knives. He doesn't know about knives, he's a sound engineer. After showing him the first knife and explaining the materials and telling him the cost, he proceeded to guess the cost of all the others as I handed them to him one by one, once again explaining the materials and brand. He actually did Extremely well at his guesses and was not at all shocked by the prices. He said "well, quality costs money".
The only knife that threw him was a Buck 110, which he thought would cost $100. When I told him they cost $30 he said "that's a great deal". I agreed.
 
A recent sleeper - their least expensive (MSRP of $75!) S30V knife - actually, a mirror image, except for the flipper bulge, of the MSRP $350 Buck 172 Mayo TNT's blade - the #347 Vantage Pro. Here mine is with my recent Benchmade 635BK mini-Skirmish:

IMG_3515.jpg


The CNC-ed G10 scales are a nice touch, too. It's bound to upset the price/value calibration for a while - and it's made in the USA.

Stainz
 
I bet the results would be different if the Seb didn't have the stonewashed blade. I want a Seb; but, I'm not a fan of the stonewashed finish.
 
That's really interesting.....Leeks are nice, though :)

(by the way, seconds on the sebenza for 30 bucks)
 
I do not even try to educate friends / coworkers as to the virtues of different types / makes / materials. It usually falls on deaf ears.

There are those among us that appreciate the engineering that goes into a $2,000 watch, and there are those that see nothing different between that and a $30 Timex other than $1,970.

I always carry a sleeper knife with me, as I cannot tell you how many times I let someone see my knife only to have them do something stupid with it. I start talking "titanium", "S30V", "liner lock" and their eyes roll back in their head.

To the OP - I say if $30, $60 or $75 knife floats someones boat - thats great for them. The beauty is there are so many good products at these price ranges. I personally appreciate the quality and materials used in the higher end production knives.
 
The same friends who think I am crazy for having a $400 Sebenza are the same ones who will spend that much or more on a single sporting event. At least I have something to show for my money and I can get most of it back on any given day if I sold it.
 
I can always turn the argument around by finding out what they are excited about because it doesn’t matter, their judgment or our judgment is based closer to the point of diminishing returns inversely to our interest in the object.

The point of diminishing returns is more or less objective, but the need for that small percentage of excess past the point can be extremely important to the apex user. If this point for a bicycle is say $400.00, and I don’t know what it would be, it still is worth it for guys like Lance to pay extravagantly, in a novice’s opinion, to achieve these slight benefits because it is going to make a difference to him having that edge.

In the case of a knife, paying an extra couple hundred bucks for a blade that you know will never fail you, while not relevant to me 99.9% of the time, could well be the difference between life and death for those that need that extra 3% or 4% above the point.

But more importantly, to this conversation, is the appreciation of a thing we find beauty in, it’s engineering, or often a certain level of exclusivity. All have merit and are understood by the like minded community.

So if anyone starts on me about my insanity for spending $300.00 on a knife I get to point out their solid gold, diamond incrusted money clip used for the sole purpose of impressing pole dancers :)
 
hushnel said:
So if anyone starts on me about my insanity for spending $300.00 on a knife I get to point out their solid gold, diamond incrusted money clip used for the sole purpose of impressing pole dancers :)
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Crap. I forgot to point out my friend's $1,600 bicycle.

And for the record, in case anyone misinterpreted, I like both Kershaw and CRK equally, but for very different reasons. In fact, I'm presently saving up for a Kershaw Mini Boa... among other more expensive knives.:D
 
well there you go, he likes the leek better, saves money (if he were to buy) and walks away with a fine knife in the process.
 
KarlMaldensNose said:
...in my "knife naive" friend's eyes. Keep in mind that this guy's only experience with knives is when he cuts steak and butters bread. He is otherwise a very intelligent and informed individual.:D

Just for fun, I showed him a Seb and a Leek to see how he'd do.

I asked him to guess their approximate prices... Seb = $60 Leek = $75
I asked him which knife he'd rather carry in the woods... Sebenza
I asked him which knife he'd rather carry in the city... Leek
I asked him which knife he'd rather walk out of our meeting with... Leek

When I told him what a new Sebenza costs I think I saw his eye twitch a few times. And after I confessed to owning another knife that costs more than a Sebenza, he made me buy him a beer... you know, since I can afford it and all, was his reasoning!
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I'm apparently missing the part where there's something wrong with people who don't carry the Godly Sebenza...

Please explain this to me.

Was he wrong for liking a Leek more than a Sebenza for some reason?

Or is your point that people who use lower priced knives think that people who pay...whatever they pay...for a Sebenza are rich?

How does not owning a Sebenza make him "knife naive"? I own many knives and none of them have the "S" word on them anywhere. And I'm anything BUT "knife naive".

Think maybe it's not that he's being naive, but maybe you're being a little bit of a snob?

:confused:
 
KEmSAT-Survival said:
I'm apparently missing the part where there's something wrong with people who don't carry the Godly Sebenza...

Please explain this to me.

Was he wrong for liking a Leek more than a Sebenza for some reason?

Or is your point that people who use lower priced knives think that people who pay...whatever they pay...for a Sebenza are rich?

How does not owning a Sebenza make him "knife naive"? I own many knives and none of them have the "S" word on them anywhere. And I'm anything BUT "knife naive".

Think maybe it's not that he's being naive, but maybe you're being a little bit of a snob?

:confused:
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or you could be adding to the endless cycle of people who hate on the sebenza because its expensive. Im far from rich and i own three and will get a fourth at some point.

A sebenza is an amazing knife. i don t see why just because its expensive people jump on the hater boat. it doesnt make sense, do the same people who hate sebenzas also hate dodge vipers and rolexs?
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
you need to go to walmart and get one of these Winchester knives like I've got - Winchester make the best knives in the business."
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They are the best by virtue of him owning one! :D:thumbup:

tapedeck74 said:
He said "well, quality costs money".
The only knife that threw him was a Buck 110, which he thought would cost $100. When I told him they cost $30 he said "that's a great deal". I agreed.
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Somehow I'm not surprised your friend would say these things. Folk who work in audio likely know very well that quality gear can get pretty pricey... just ask him what the "best" microphones or studio monitor speakers cost! :eek:
 
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