Looking into buying my first sebenza !! please advise

A

anhdor

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Jun 15, 2014
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Hi,

After serious consideration, I've decided that it's time to get my very first Sebenza. Since I work in a office type of environment, the small Sebenza is the best fit for my need. However, I'm on the fence between the plain titanium handle and the Micarta inlay. I want to get the plain handle one because it is thinner and will fit in my pocket better, but I've heard that the handle would get scratched pretty easily. In my opinion, the inlay handle would help prevent some of those scratches or perhaps makes them less pronounced; but i'm afraid with a thicker handle on the inlay, the knife will not fit as nice.

Would anyone here who own both knives let me know the fit and feel comparison between the two? Also, I would like your opinion on which knife feels better for you.

Thank you for sharing your opinion.
 
The thickness of the scales with an inlay is minimal. I've owned 2 smalls, one UG without inlays and one with mammoth bark inlays. I can't tell the difference when clipped to my pocket. Plus, the only part that really ever gets scratched is the clip. I wouldn't worry about the scales getting scratched too much.
 
You really can't go wrong with either and if the plain gets scratched more than you can stand, it can be sent back to CRK to be reblasted. As far as thinness goes, I don't noticed much of a difference in the pocket between inlays and non inlays however to me the inlays feel better in hand when using and add a bit of style to the knife.
 
I prefer the small without inlay. Mine has a polished front scale with dog tracks - absolutely love it.
The size is perfect, it's slim and does my EDC tasks.
The micarta will also change it's apperance with use, and as stated above you can have it refurbished.
hope this helps.
red mag
 
Either one will suffice. Not a noticeable difference between the two. I'm a fan of the micarta, so I'd say micarta all the way. Whichever you chose, it will be the right one. As far as getting it scuffed up, get a small pocket sheath to go with it and you won't have to worry about that. Most of the time, I carry a small in my front shirt pocket, when I carry in my pants pocket, I do use a pocket sheath.
 
Worried about scratching an EDC??? I don't understand. If you're worried about scratching it, and you bought it for EDC, you bought the wrong knife.
 
I find that the plain jane version is perfect for me. The titanium is incredibly "soft," you won't be able to understand what I mean by that until you handle one. It just feels luxurious in the hand. I have handled the inlay models, and they do not have this effect. I have also found that the plain version has more than enough grip for me. My Sebenza is strictly an office-type EDC, and I will never need to use it in an outdoor/wet hands settings. I have knives far better suited to that environment.

Finally, as long as you take care of your knife, you don't need to worry about the "snail trails" much. I've had mine for almost 6 months and the only scratch on it is on the pocket clip. Plus, if you're ever dissatisfied with the finish, or want to have it restored before gifting/selling it to someone, CRK will give it a "spa" treatment and send it back to you looking like new for just 30 bucks.
 
Office Setting.... wearing slacks? I'd consider the small Carbon Fiber version. Weighs close to nothing and wont drag slacks down as much. I have a reg small and a CF and the reg small has been regulated to weekends :). just my 2 pesos
 
The only two small Sebenza's I carry are the Micarta, and a plain small Regular.

Hard to say which I like the best, as both are great. I think I prefer the plain Regular over the Micarta, but prefer the Micarta over the plain 21.
As you said, the micarta does hide the scratches better if that means anything to you.
Can't go wrong with either.
 
If you are that worried about scratches, get the non inlay one. They are much easier to refinish.
 
The micarta inlay itself is much more susceptible to getting dinged up, stained, and scratched. It's a much softer material than titanium, and they're really isn't anything you can do to fix it. Where as the solid titanium can always be re sand blasted (220 grit alumina seems like this finish they use). And besides I think titanium looks better with use. All the snail trails blend together and parts of the knife handle will be hand polished from use.

If you like the solid metal feel, forget the inlay. If you want a little more thickness and texture in the grip, get the inlay. Ebony hardwood is my favorite.
 
Mr. Anhdor,

You have made a wise decision to purchase a Sebenza. It is truly a knife that will last a lifetime. Regardless of which model you choose, it will become "yours" after you carry it, use it, disassemble it, clean it, etc.

As for me and my pocket? I have chosen the small Plain Jane Sebenza 21 Insingo as my daily carry knife. I love the Insingo profile and you should at least consider it in your search for your Sebenza. As compared to the micarta inlays they are very similar in feel when clipped to the pocket and when in hand, the micarta feels slightly fuller and a a tad more grippy, but overall I see or feel no distinct advantage to either choice--it comes down to personal preference.

About scratches? Personally, I love the earned pocket-worn look and my Insingo wears it very well!





 
Scurvy092 said:
If you are that worried about scratches, get the non inlay one. They are much easier to refinish.
Click to expand...

The Micarta is the only inlay model that they re-blast.
The knife will look as new again, just as a refurbished plain model will.

The other inlay models can't be reblasted.

Moxy said:
The micarta inlay itself is much more susceptible to getting dinged up, stained, and scratched. It's a much softer material than titanium, and they're really isn't anything you can do to fix it. Where as the solid titanium can always be re sand blasted (220 grit alumina seems like this finish they use).
Click to expand...

As I said above, the Micarta models can be re-blasted too.
And I've never seen the Micarta on one dinged up or scatched. They will darken from hand oils, but most of that can be taken out with a degreaser.
I have one Micarta that has been carried a good bit since 2005. The Ti has many marks, but the micarta doesn't have one mark, ding, or scratch.
 
Ken44 said:
As I said above, the Micarta models can be re-blasted too.
And I've never seen the Micarta on one dinged up or scatched. They will darken from hand oils, but most of that can be taken out with a degreaser.
I have one Micarta that has been carried a good bit since 2005. The Ti has many marks, but the micarta doesn't have one mark, ding, or scratch.
Click to expand...

Good to hear, didn't know that. Still, micarta is softer than titanium. Technically, it will take damage and deformation before the titanium will. As with anything, if you take care of it, it will last a good long time.
 
Moxy said:
Technically, it will take damage and deformation before the titanium will.
Click to expand...

With the small inlay's I think it will be the other way around.
If you took the micarta inlay version and threw in on the ground over and over you would have dings all in the Ti.
I doubt the Micarta inlay strips would show much of a mark from the same abuse.

I haven't abused this one by throwning it down(so no Ti dings), but you can see how the Ti finish has worn. The Micarta has only darkened a bit from hand oils, and most of that can be taken out with a good de-greaser, or with a re-blasting.


Not trying to argue. Just wanting to tell just how tough these small strips of Micarta are. Thanks.
 
I am in in-Lay guy. I currently have a in-lay and non in lay knife. was thinking about selling the "Star-benza" to get another inlay knife (Cocobolo). I like to have one black and one brown. the extra thickness added by the inlays is not even noticeable.

 
Lot's of good info guys - although I doub't it will help.
Let me put in another vote for a wood inlay.
It changes the character of the knife - makes it more traditional IMHO.
For office environment the CF scales looks like a winner to me - it's weight's even less than a Delica4.
red mag
 
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