My Sebenza, the knife that almost stopped me buying other knives...Should I trade it?

M

MRaymond

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Jan 27, 2012
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Hi all, I know many of you have several CRK's and other mid-techs, high end production knives and mainly, experience. For some odd reason, I have been itching to try out a Hinderer. Specfically an XM 18 3.5" flipper. Slicer grind would probably be best for my uses. I do realize that I will never "need" a beefier knife than my Large 21 insingo. But, alas, I am still wanting to try an XM 18. Due to finances (mainly because the wife would flip if I spent that much money on a knife) I would need to trade (+cash) my beloved Insingo for the Hinderer. I am looking for guidance from you folks that have experience with both and may have done something similar to what I am contemplating here. Would you recommend going down this road? Do you think it would be a mistake and I will miss my sebenza? What are your experiences with the two. I don't really want to compare the two, I just want some level headed advice from those who have experienced the same conundrum. Thanks!

Oh, here is a pic of my seb. just for fun.

E287BA3D-CE94-4B8D-BD88-317599AFF520-4671-0000061C22F7A5CA.jpg



Mike
 
Oh this is a slippery slope indeed.

I have gone down this road and have been carrying mostly XM-18 lately but today I grabbed my small Starbenza. Main reason is it's in the leather sheath and I am not really wanting a bunch of things in my pocket marking each other up. If you already carry the Sebenza without a sheath then you very possibly won't miss it. The flipper makes it a bit clunkier but I am really enjoying the flippers.
 
Have you handled the Hinderer?
Will you use it?
Sometimes it's hard to use a specific knife.
Will you miss your Insingo? - yes.

red mag
 
Good question Franzdom. I do carry my Sebenza in a leather sheath in my pocket at work. I work in an office and I would just rather keep it deep in my pocket. At home, on weekends, etc I carry it without the sheath. I don't really need it at work, I also have an Alox SAK if I need to take a knife out at work. Therefore the Hinderer would be just for non work/weekends, etc.

Red Mag,
I have never handled a Hinderer. I did have a ZT0550 and got rid of it. It was too bulky. However, it seems from pics that an XM 18 is a little less "blocky". For the record, I never held or seen a sebenza prior to buying one last august either.

pmek5, On some level I guess I am not looking for impartial advise. I just know that many on this forum own both and I would rather see this group's opinion before I bring a thread like this to General.
 
I have both of the knives in question (but in the 3" variant) and I love both. As much as I think the Hinderer is one of the best (if not the best) hard use knives on the planet, I am not sure I would trade my CRK Sebenza Insingo for one. It really depends on your intended uses for the knife. If you still like your CRK, then I think you will definitely miss it if you sell just to buy the Hinderer. I would keep the CRK and save up for the Hinderer over time.

3KnivesWeb.jpg
 
My advice is what you won't want to hear. I own both, and would wait unit you can afford an XM-18 without selling your CRK. But I'm not a trader/seller. I save up for a knife, and then buy it. I have a small collection of high quality knives.

But I realize that some people enjoy buying and selling knives on the forum. Good for them. Just not my thing.

XM-18's will be around in one form or another when you want one. IMO, neither is better than the other: I enjoy both.
 
I concur with the above, you can't just have one or the other, they are so different.
 
Thanks for the responses. I figured the vast differences in these knives makes it hard to pick one over the other. I really do like my sebenza. Perhaps waiting pouncing on an XM at a reasonable price on the exchange is the way to go. Another option is to pick up a ZT 0560/1 to satisfy my urge for now. Time will tell:
 
Only you can decide what to do, and both knives are made very well. I know I wouldn't sell a Sebenza to get a XM-18.
I got an XM-18 in a pass around and didn't like the drop in the handle at all. I much prefer the straight handle of the Sebenza.
I was a Butcher, and owned a game processing business for many years, and I feel a straight handle is a must if you plan on using the knife alot in a variety of cutting motions. Especially when cutting away from yourself.
If I were stabbing into something I would prefer drop in the handle, but thats the only case.

When you cut away from yourself with a straight handle the rear of handle gives you great purchace in your palm. A handle with alot of drop doesn't. Make a cut going away from yourself with both types, and you will notice a big differance.
 
I recommend keeping the CRK. It's all you need for EDC. The Hinderers are awesome, but to me, they felt ridiculous in my pocket(xm 24)...felt like I had a pair of vice grip pliers riding with me. The xm-18's are a little easier for the carrying though.
 
My point of view is that the sebenza is a folding knife that will meet any challenge that a folder was designed for. It's been mentioned many times that the Hinderer is probably more hard use but I would question how "hard use" you need a folder to be and then there is the inevitable extra bulk that comes with a beefier knife. In my mind it defeats the purpose of having a folder.

Apart from my sebenzas I do have Hinderers and Striders (all of which are great) but I only ever carry a sebenza. For me it comes down to what feels best and meets all my needs at the same time. The Sebenza wins every time.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I have decided to keep the Sebenza. It is just the perfect EDC for my needs. To satisfy my desire for a hinderer type knife, I am now going after a ZT 0560/0561. I figured that any other knife that isn't my sebenza won't get carried much so I might as well try to trade my para 2 plus cash for a ZT. Wish me luck, and thanks again for your replies.
 
My advice is to NOT get the ZT. You'll just have to sell it in time and that's a hassle. I know, I've been there. My personal experience is that my Hinderer's (3" and 3.5") have replaced all of my other knives. Yes, the XM and the Seb are different animals but they both cut and when it comes down to it I just don't like switching back and forth. The Seb wasn't getting any pocket time (either was my VECP and TAD Dauntless MkII) so they are gone (or going). I've gone from a collector to a 2 knife guy just because the XMs do everything and I just love 'em.

My best advice to you is to just buy the XM. See what you think. It's not for everybody. If you decide it's better than the seb then sell the seb. If you prefer the seb then you won't lose much more than shipping cost on having to sell the XM. Just make sure that you get a good deal on one on the exchange!
 
You know what Maprik, you are probably right. I just know I won't be satisfied with the ZT and will eventually get a hinderer anyway... Decisions decisions...
 
That Seb is a great knife. I wouldn't let go of it until I was absolutely sure it wasn't going to get much use due to a replacement.... The ZT is a lesser knife than your Seb.
 
I personally would not get a ZT in place of a Hinderer just to satisfy an itch. Skip the ZT and save for a Hinderer. If you end up buying both the ZT and Hinderer, I can guarantee you'll regret buying the ZT. I'd just wait it out and save.
 
I sure did a lot of waffling yesterday. Then last night, I decided to strop and break down/clean my Sebenza. Man, what a great knife. I have decided to find a way to hold that hinderer before I buy one. I don't quite know how that is going to happen where I live but where there is a will, there's a way. Maybe I can get lucky at a local knife show in March??
 
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