Need some help on my first sebenza, please

Grandmaster

Grandmaster

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Jun 14, 2015
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So I want to purchase my first sebenza, I dont know much about all the models from CRK, but after reading so much about sebenzas I decided to get one, I am open to suggestions, I like these two,
Chris-Reeve-Knives-Large-Sebenza-21-3625-inch-S35VN-Blade-Titanium-w-Black-Canvas-Micarta-Inlaid

Chris-Reeve-Knives-Large-Sebenza-21-3625-inch-S35VN-Blade-Titanium-w-Black-Canvas-Micarta-Inlaid

http://http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CRKSEB21LM/Chris-Reeve-Knives-Large-Sebenza-21-3625-inch-S35VN-Blade-Titanium-w-Black-Canvas-Micarta-Inlaid
This one is the Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 21, 3.625" S35VN Blade, Titanium w/ Black Canvas Micarta Inlaid
I wish it had carbon fiber inlays, and Im leaning towards this one:
chris-reeve-large-sebenza-25-s35vn-blade-titanium-handles

chris-reeve-large-sebenza-25-s35vn-blade-titanium-handles

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CRKSEB25L/chris-reeve-large-sebenza-25-s35vn-blade-titanium-handles
This one is the Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 25, 3.625" S35VN Blade, Titanium Handles

I have some questions, is the titanium frame a little slippery?
What handle material do you recommend?

I really love the second one, it looks beautiful, my budget is $500 and since I always carry a Police, CQC 7, Commander, Military, I think its just the right size, are there other sebenzas I should consider?
and where can I buy them online?

thanks guys
 
Wood or mammoth bark inlay 21.
 
I have been thinking about the wilson combat sebenza (starbenza). It has a starburst pattern in the titanium handles so that should help with grip. Bladehq.com has a carbon fiber inlayed sebenza that you may like. And knifeart.com has a carbon fiber sebenza also.
 
The titanium handles aren't slippery, they sit nicely in the hand. However, the inlaid handles are a little more present in your hand, a little more to grip.

All of the inlays are nice, the mammoth bark is pretty amazing, you will be happy with any choice you make.

There are many good websites where you can get these, we have a pretty nice selection of them.
 
Grandmaster said:
is the plain TI slippery?
Click to expand...

Ive played around with a regular before and it wasnt slippery. But the micarta definitely had more grip. Something else to consider. The plain and I want to say the micarta inlayed sebenzas can be sent in for refinishing (or sandblasting?). Which is were chris reeve removes all the scratches from the handles making it look all new again. I dont think you can do that with the wood inlayed ones. So, if having a new looking knife matters, thats something to think about.

Anyone, correct me if im telling him/her wrong. This is what ive found from my research.
 
I haven't ever had a sebenza with any kind of inlay, but I have had the wilson combat and smooth titanium in the large 21 and 25.
I like how the WC looks, but I never thought the smooth titanium was slippery. I just preferred the pattern.
I never did use the knives in any kind of liquid other than water or fruit juice, so I couldn't speak to the tactility in oils at all, but plenty of people have used smoother mediums in more slippery situations than I ever have.
 
We are all going to recommend our favorites which means eventually all of his knives will be mentioned. That said, you can't go wrong with either of your first picks. I like the micarta and am not a plain jane type, although I do have one. I really love the Starbenza 25 and Old Pivot Startac. Maybe to help put you at ease would be to understand your real question is not be which one should I get, but which one should I get FIRST!
 
I was trying to find a sebenza 25 with carbon fiber, I cant seem to find any, are they limited production?
All I can find is the Ti sebenza and the micarta inlays, which one do you guys think looks nicer? I cant really tell from the websites,

thanks
 
Grandmaster said:
is the plain TI slippery?
Click to expand...

The beadblast finish is actually quite grippy, and in a good way. As the grip is from alteration to the actual surface, not by texture (like say a G10 scale with texture pattern) you can do a lot of work with these knives without hotspots or blisters. The polished scales (wood inlay etc) are more slippery, but the slight concave shape of the 21 handle still tends to want to centre the knife in your hand. The 25 has the added choils, which you may or may not like, but would add to the grip in some situations, but I think are more decorative than anything.
 
I know it's not on your list, but judging by the knives you carry, I wouldn't rule out the Umnumzaan
 
Is this going to be a working knife, or one that is kind of an investment and addition to your collection? I frequently check the forums and the interweb, and there are plenty of micarta inlayed Sebenza's available that are NIB(new in box), or very lightly used. You can't go wrong with any CRK folding knife IMHO. Try getting a plane jane Sebenza 21 in your hands first and see what you think after living with it for awhile.
 
thanks guys, I will probably go for the plain TI sebenza 25 with the blue stud, thanks guys, Ill keep you posted, I plan to use this knife as a EDC, doing all kinds of things.
 
One of the bigger differences between the the two is the pivot. The 21 (and the Mnandi) uses a bushing in the pivot hole on the tang. A lot of us (I believe) prefer this design as it allows you to completely tighten the pivot screw and not fuss with the pivot tension. It also makes for a well centered knife and eliminates any chance of blade play.

The 25 pivot is a more "traditional" style, if you will. The pivot pin that goes through the pivot hole in the blade is the same size as the pivot bushing on a 21. The 25 however, you will need to set the tension to your liking, which some prefer as well.

The method of lockup is different as well. The 21 lockbar rests directly on the tang when locked up. The 25 has an oversized ceramic detent ball that is on the end of the lockbar and it is what contacts the blade tang when locked up.

The 25 does feel more beefy (for lack of a better term) than the 21. Neither is a slouch and as mentioned earlier, you will find some who prefer the 21 and some who prefer the 25.

The thread below shows the pivot differences.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...spelling-some-myths-about-CRK-folders-(maybe)
 
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