My little advise before you go to "high end folder" world

[22-rimfire]

Interesting thread with some Sebenza love going on. That's okay.

As has been mentioned, I don't think a knife newbie would appreciate a Sebenza even if the cost means essentially nothing to them. You need some experience with other knives first. I know people who would buy a Sebenza simply because they heard "they're the best" and they want the best of everything and can afford it. It would be mostly pocket jewelry for them. I have no problem with that either. At least they carry a knife which is an extremely useful tool to have with you on a daily basis.

Here is where my knife journey has taken me..... I never really allowed myself to buy an CRK knife although I have looked carefully at them and handled them. I don't think my life would be any fuller if I had spent the money for a Sebbie. My journey is taking me backward in terms of cost to the point that I am totally comfortable carrying a Victorinox Swiss Army knife routinely and using the hell out of it. I have some higher end folders, but just got comfortable with this aspect of my life that I don't "need" a CRK knife to make me feel better or live from day to day. Sometimes I carry two folders in which case the second knife is usually a higher end knife.

This is not to say that I don't like the more expensive knives and I lust for them sometimes. I generally don't like thumb studs, flippers, or metal sided knives. That pretty much places CRK knives outside my buying radar; but I still look at them. I have settled into a "under $200" kind of price range for most of my knives except the occasional custom or fixed blade that catches my eye. But I have to say my price range has gone up from around $100 to about $200 for standard factory knives if they catch my interest. Then I consider just what I routinely use knifewise and I have to say I really don't need anything better than a SAK.

My feeling is if a Sebenza is what you want, by all means acquire one and use it.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I agree with alot of what's been said already ... and I agree basically with the OPs assesment of a Sebenza ... a well built simplistic design ... as well produced as designed ... and hard to beat F&F even in many knives costing much more.

But I'm not sure I would reccomend to someone new to knives to spend that kind of money and get a Sebenza.

Alot of knife people ... myself included ... it took awhile and trying out several brands ....several types ... different materials ... to find out what I liked most ... and to appreciate what you get as you step up in the price points and in quaility of knives.

To jump into a Sebenza first off ... many people wouldn't realise what they had and certainly wouldn't appreciate the beauty and quality of the simple elegance. And I know some that have jumped into Sebenzas and end up selling them because they weren't "impressed" or because knife X looks so cool ... and they had to kind of come full circle back to a Sebenza to appreciate them.

Big to the OP if he jumped in and found and appreciates just what he has.

 

[SCWillson]

Spyderco Dice or Domino. Great steel, awesome ergonomics, perfect lockup, titanium frame lock, and less than half the price of a Sebenza.

I've never handled a Sebenza, but I seriously doubt the fit and finish is noticeably superior to my Dice. Certainly not enough so that a beginner would notice.

 

[emjay4248]

I don't think that starting with a Sebenza will work out well, most beginners won't fully appreciate the F&F and the rest the knife is relatively boring for the cost. I'd suggest a trip through Spyderco's repertoire first and then move up from there, I think a feel for the lower end of the high-end folding market will really give a baseline so that you know what you're getting when you upgrade. CRK is in the realm where more money doesn't equal better materials, but rather better F&F, and without a baseline for average F&F the CRK just won't stand out.

I completely agree with you. I started out with Kershaw's and CRKT's moved up to Spyderco, Tenacious, Resilience then PM@ S30V. After that it was off to the races. Now I like being in the $ 100 to $200 range. I also buy Lightly used or LNIB on this forum and then you get alot more for your money. If you start out with CRK your missing alot of the journey. By the way I sold all my inexpensive knives except for a blur in S30V and a blackwash Leek and used that money to help fund my new more expensive knives. Put the Sebenza away for now and get some $40 to $60 knives. Just remember to have fun doing it and don't get obsessed, This can turn into a very expensive hobby

 

[emjay4248]

By the way it seems that you have done your due diligence and learned alot about knives in two months. I'm impressed.

 

[BD_01]

I agree with most sentiments. My move to CRK was incremental, after years of Gerber, Buck, SOG, sub $100 Spyderco, etc. I spent a short amount of time in the $150-200 range before making the relaively large jump to my first CRK (Umnumzaan), as I was curious about all the fanfare. In some ways unfortunately (wallet), I was really, really, impressed and several other Reeve purchases followed. I love them all (but the 'Zaan is still my favorite).

My progression definately played a huge role in my appreciation for CRK products. I agree the Small 21 is an amazing high end "pocket and forget it" knife. I understand why it is used as a benchmark.

There are very few similarly priced knives I've been able to handle; a couple XM-18's and two or three midtechs. For that kind of money, something in the Reeve lineup has always won my attention. I know there are a few midtechs out there with my name on 'em, but I'm a "touch it first" kinda guy; given my location, finding them will take some time.

I still like lots of knives in the $150-$250 range. That's a fun zone for me to play in. When I contemplate a purchase at the top of that spectrum I always stop and think; for an extra $50 I could be hitting the low-range secondary Sebenza market (on a good week ).

 

[evltcat]

I started out with low end knives, and they taught me want I DIDN'T want in a knife.
Moving up to a Spyderco or Benchmade will give a good feel for what a well made knife is really like, at a lower price point.
Some will decide this level is fine for them and be quite happy without trying a high end folder or going custom.

The Sebenza just ain't my thing...
But, if you're like me and you still want to try a CRK, try an Umnumzaan.

Mine is the older version in S30v, and CRK ran them softer than the current S35vn.
I hone it regularly after use and it performs very, very well.

I've come back from custom's to mid tech's and am very impressed with the Steelcraft series from Begg knives.
My next acquisition will be a Glimpse 7.0.

 

[whp]

Starting out with a Sebenza? Nope, not for me.

Using and owning a CRK should not be a beginners stepping stone. Why cast pearls before swine, so to speak? Not that beginners are pigs, or anything but, many times they don't know, what they don't know. The F&F would not be noticed by a noob. So why waste the materials and workmanship of a Sebenza on a group of people that will collectively never notice it?

I also think an experienced knife person will appreciate a CRK more than an inexperienced one.