Need Help on a Sebenza

J

Jrmysell

Joined
May 18, 2014
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I recently discovered Chris Reeves Knives and think I need to have one. I have it narrowed down to a Sebenza 21 with the regular blade. I want micarta inlays and dual thumb studs. I am just going back and forth on whether to get a large or a small. I plan on using this as my EDC so that causes me to lean small. I also have medium-large hands, so that pushes me to the large. I live in Texas, so I am good on blade length up to 5.5". I think I need some experts' opinions. I think a 3.25" blade would be perfect, but since that'snot an option I need some help.
 
Jrmysell said:
I recently discovered Chris Reeves Knives and think I need to have one. I have it narrowed down to a Sebenza 21 with the regular blade. I want micarta inlays and dual thumb studs. I am just going back and forth on whether to get a large or a small. I plan on using this as my EDC so that causes me to lean small. I also have medium-large hands, so that pushes me to the large. I live in Texas, so I am good on blade length up to 5.5". I think I need some experts' opinions. I think a 3.25" blade would be perfect, but since that'snot an option I need some help.
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Small will be too small for you, get the large.
 
100% subjective... What size of knife do you usually like to carry? I hear about big hands small hands, pinkys hanging off. In the military they would say for the marine to adapt to the weapon and not the weapon to the marine. I've got one large insingo and I found it was too large for my taste. Like they say in internet lingo ymmv. Get one small and one large. Take care
 
3.25" blade-you and me too
There is a big difference in the size of the two- more than you would think from the specs. I think the small micarta is an excellent knife and certainly a great choice if this is going to be an office knife. The large is larger:) and can take on the tasks of a larger knife better, but the small can handle most jobs you throw at it. Really comes down to personal preference and very hard to determine without handling the knives.
 
actually you may want to look at preordering the Inkosi. its like the small, slightly thicker blade, double lug. i think it would make a great edc.
 
Buy both and try them out. There are plenty of good ones at reasonable prices in the secondary market. Try them both and flip whichever one doesn't work for you.

I had a million people tell me to get a large when I was looking at my first CRK. They swore I'd hate the small and end up with a large. This was in spite of my persistence my sweet spot for an EDC blade is a 3.0"-3.25" blades. Now, I do have smaller hands and I mostly use my knives for everyday cutting tasks and not any really hard use. Fact is, that is irrelevant as a small size can handle plenty or hard use. It's about what size fits YOU and YOUR needs that matters.

I now own both sizes but find I carry the smalls prob 70/30 or even 80/20 over the large.

YMMV.
 
The large is a surprisingly big knife the first time you get your hands on it. Pictures don't allow you to properly comprehend the size difference. IMO, my Large 21 is a more intimidating knife than my Hinderer XM-18 3.5" or my Strider SnG (two similarly sized knives). It's big and stabby looking.

I'm with you on the 3.25 or 3.5" variation. That'd be nice!

It's tricky, because 3" is just too small for me. The 3.7" of the Large is a little big. But I can tolerate it. I can't tolerate an undersized knife.

Go get your hands on a Buck 110 - the Large Seb and Buck 110 are very similar in size. (Yes, the Seb carries much easier). I say this only because you can find the 110 in almost any department store. Just for size reference.
 
mwally said:
The large is a surprisingly big knife the first time you get your hands on it. It's big and stabby looking.
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Truth. The large is a really big knife in the hand and can intimidate the sheeple. In spite of being a pretty big knife it carries very easily. That's one of the real beauties of the CRK knives, they are just such great carry knives.
 
Welcome to BF!!!
I started with the large Sebenza, had several before I considered a small. Finally pulled the trigger on a small and was pleasantly surprised with the small. I carry a small in my front shirt pocket and it handles most every task. When I carry both a large and small, since it's in the front pocket, I use it the most. If you get a large, then you'll be use to it. Can't go wrong with either choice.
I'd say upgrade your membership so you can sell here. There are some great deals here and you can pass it on if whatever you choose doesn't fit you.
 
I agree with the double studs!

As far a size, the small is easier to carry and the large can handle heavier duty tasks better. If you work on a ranch and go camping on the weekends, you might want the large. If you work in an office and drink beer on your deck on the weekends, the small might be better.

Another way to look at it is that when I wear jeans, I carry the large; when I wear shorts, I carry the small.
 
Here's a quick picture for reference. Both the Hinderer XM-18 and Spyderco Stretch have 3.5" blades. The Seb's blade is insignificantly larger, but the knife is a fair bit more intimidating looking IMO. To me, it looks the most like a weapon. At least what people would perceive to be a weapon.
...if that worries you.

14niv51.jpg
 
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Do you have a knife already that you like the size of? What is it? I'll bet one of will be able to post a pic with the Sebs.
 
The problem with comparing to other knives (even ones I own) is I am in the Caribbean for Vet school and will be here until December, then going back for another full year. I was thinking if I order now, it'll be delivered before I have to come back to the island. I do have a couple Buck 110's and feel that would be slightly large for an EDC. The knife I brought down is a rather large one. I would like a smaller one as the handle is really bulky. The Sebenza's don't seem as bulky as this. It's a Buck Iceman. Apparently they discontinued it in 2008 but I can't find any specs on it except the weight. It was like $20 at Academy. I have a couple better knives back home, but they are packed (moved back from undergrad, then got married right after getting home, then moved to the island all within 7 months, so I have things in boxes and can't get to everything). This is just the knife that I knew where it was when I was packing. Thanks for the quick replies!
 
Does anybody have a Buck Redpoint that they can show next to a small? The blade is bigger on the sm, but the handle is bigger on the Redpoint. I have used one of those quite frequently and it isn't a bad size, but if the handle is too small compared, I may have to do the Lg. And as I am in vet school, wife's in grad school, just got married, I can only afford 1 right now and for the foreseeable future.
 
I've tried both, and never use my Small '21. Keep in mind that the Sebenzas are very efficient, meaning that they pack a lot of blade into the handle. Similarly, the handles are much smaller than those found on other knives with a similar blade size. For example, my Emerson CQC-7A Mini has a 3" blade, but the handle is big enough for me to get ahold of. The Small Sebenza, with its similar blade, has a handle that is too small for my hand to get a full grip on. It's as classy as possible, but just not as effective a tool as the Large.

The Large 21 is "just right", it's small enough to carry comfortably but has just enough handle to get ahold of. The blade is a bit bigger than I need, honestly, but I've never had a problem because of too much blade while I have had issues with handles that were not secure enough. If the handle of the small 21 fit me, it's all I'd carry.

The real answer is that you need to try both, or you'll never know if you have the best one for your uses and preferences.

Good choice on double studs and micarta, makes a great user knife. Here's my serrated large 21:

 
I have large sized hands and the small is fine for me. Without the clip, which makes the knife even thinner, it feels awesome in hand and is how I'm carrying mine right now. There are some members here with giant meat hooks that like the small too. It's more about what size knife you prefer for an EDC. You know your daily work environment and what daily cutting tasks you have as everyone's situation is different.

Since it's so popular I think it's a good reference, but the Paramilitary 2 is about exactly the same overall length as a large 21, yet side by side, the 21 looks like a bigger knife due to the blade. I was shocked the first time I saw both a large and small in person due to how big the large was and how small the small was in comparison. If I could only keep one it'd be my small, but I love my large as it's a totally different animal yet still very slim for carry.
 
VolGrad said:
Truth. The large is a really big knife in the hand and can intimidate the sheeple. In spite of being a pretty big knife it carries very easily. That's one of the real beauties of the CRK knives, they are just such great carry knives.
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Odd. Ill represent the counterpoint that in my opinion, the large seems small in hand compared to the industry norm for "large" knives. For those of us that are familiar with Spyderco and similar knives that tend toward a broad (tall) blade profile, the CRK seems small for its length...and has the appearance of a traditional pocket knife blade profile (and not a broad shape that some non-knife people are unfamilar with).

Opinions vary widely on that subject, though. Every person can potentially conjure a different image upon seeing a knife, but if you are concerned with the image that others conjure, I would suggest that your demeanor will go MUCH farther than the knife you are using. Flailing it about with "operator" deployments and refering to onlookers as "sheeple" would serve as examples of what I would NOT recommend;)
 
Can anyone that has both (or separate people) give me the handle lengths for each. CRK sits is down, and on the dealer websites, they just have total length and blade length, not handle. I'm assuming it's not quite, but close to the total minus the blade. I do have a SOG powertool down here with me and there is a ruler on each handle. Holding just one side, I think the small will fit my hand, and I think the large is probably quite close to the length of each handle, which seems a little big for EDC for me.
 
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