Looking for a clean simple knife

E

EricB-

Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
4
Hello everyone,

ive recently started to look for a knife to carry on me daily. Im studying to be a industrial designer and I always find myself needing to cut something.

I really like the look of the sebenza due to how it is very clean looking, however as its been killed to death everywhere, im not going to pay that amount of money for something like that.

Im looking for something very clean and simple, no crazy designs, inlays, patterns, etc etc

Id like the handle to be metal and not some weightless plastic or composite.

Btw I was looking at the large sebbie, and I liked that size

Anyway, do any of you experienced knife aficionados know of a knife that fits my criteria?

Thanks! I cant wait to be a active member of this forum!
 
kershaw-volt-ss-3655.jpg


Super simple, metal handles, and really cheap :) What's your budget?
 
what is your budget? if you dont want to drop coin$ on a sebbie, then i would recommend the sage 2 by spyderco......
 
Do a google search for "CUSTOM BLADEWORKS" (yes all in caps) all of there designs are very minimalistic! Alternatively if you can find one look into Ray Laconico he makes a number of models that fit your description (personally if I could, I would buy a Laconico)

Hope it helps!

-niner
 
Kershaw Leek - about the size of a small Sebenza
Bradley Alias - similar size & materials to large Sebenza
Endura4 SS - a less traditional shaped knife, but very functional
Delica4 SS - about the same size as the Leek, similar design to Endura
Sage2 - another Ti framelock, but w/ Spyderco's leaf-shaped blade
 
I would go titanium handles over ss if I were you. they have a "warmer" vibe to them. SS can get awfully cold in the winter and hot in the summer (don't leave it in your car in sunlight, ouch), whereas ti feels more neutral. Also, as they get worn in and scratched, I feel Ti looks even better than new, whereas SS looks a little worse for wear.

That said, I have a stainless steel handled knife and love it, and am currently looking to purchase another (spyderco police). I just prefer ti.
 
EricB- said:
so many good suggestions!

you guys are great!

this forum is VERY HELPFUL and nice!!
Click to expand...

Be careful, if you stick around too long your request is going to change from "one clean, simple knife" to "five clean, simple knives to rotate throughout the week, two heavy duty knives for yard work, one elegant gentleman's knife for dressy events, and three more 'just because'".
 
I'm going to second the Bradley Alias, good materials, very sleek. Or perhaps a Boker Plus Epicenter. Also, welcome to the community... heed goodeysniper's warning haha
 
And.. if you stick around here too long.. the price on the Sebenza will soon become "reasonable" in your eyes.
So... assuming since you like us so much that you'll be around for a while.. Congratulations on your future Sebenza!! Lol.

Anyways, I suggest the Bradley Alias 1 or 2 as a good simple clean titanium knife for half the coinage of a Sebenza. If you want something like a Large Sebenza get the Alias 1, if you want something like a Small Sebenza get the Alias 2. I have a Large Sebenza and an Alias 2, I love them both. =]

The Alias large or small, is a great knife. You should pick it up.
 
Take a look at the Protech TR-3 Integrity, simple design with great materials and excellent execution. I bought mine on a whim and ended up carrying it a lot.

DSC02244.JPG


Another cool Ti option, if the blade isn't too long for you, is the Spyderco Ti Military. Here's a pic next to a Sebenza for size reference.

DSC00245.JPG
 
Second on the Protech TR# Integrity that is a quality piece that is pure function.
 
The Kershaw Leek, while quite common, is a very streamlined knife that isn't very ornate, and incredibly useful, as a lighter use knife. Even with the newer handle options, the new colors aren't really flashy or begging for attention, it can also be had in G10 or bead blasted steel. 14c28N is no slouch, and the S30V variant is a real sleeper, not to mention the composite blade, (D2/13C26) that is very cool.
 
Coming from a graphic/industrial background myself I appreciate the Sebenza not for the tight tolerances, I'll leave that to the engineers. I admire it form follows function design which is very Bauhaus; nothing more, nothing less. The graphic side of me like the subtle curves and everything design element has a function. For example on the 21 model the back of the scales is not exactly a straight line( I measured it, it's less then 1mm in the dip).

I looked at the Bradley Alias 2 before I bought my Sebenza, perhaps it was my bad luck...the knife I bought was way off center, the blade rubbed on the scale no matter how I adjust the pivot screw, the frame lock sticks big time and the blade felt off balance when deployed. It spend a total of no more then 30mins with me before I repacked it and sent it back, I didn't even bother trying to contact customer service to try and fix it. The Sebenza is exactly the opposite of the Bradley. Nothing to adjust, it's a Zen-like philosophy, put the screws together and it's just "it", something that cuts. It's like a VW or Porsche where the basic design is the same for decades.

I lean towards this design and the knifes I like are the ones with clean straight lines (no Spyderco for me! Too curvy!), no tactical jimping everywhere, no crazy-ass grinds that is impossible to sharpen yourself, something that one can easily buy and replace without going through dealers with unreasonable mark ups or secondary markets. Couple of knives comes to mind: The Scott Cook Lochsa, Ray Laconico Small EDC, Gareth Bull Warlock, Sacha Thiel Citizen in carbon fiber. These are just examples of design and might not be what you are willing to pay for but if you are looking for the "One Knife" just check them out.

Good luck and have fun!
 
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