"Neo Sebenza"

Originally posted by lshay:
Born2B:


Sebenza's: To those who understand no explanation is necessary, to those who don't no explanation is possible
wink.gif



Time to get "politically incorrect." Without ever holding, or even seeing in real life, a Sebenza, I can still imagine it to be a pretty impressive tool. It sounds like a tough knife and I'm sure is worth $300+. However, what I don't understand is why someone would want to buy spend that kind of money on an ugly utilitarian knife and be afraid to use it. If that is the case, buy a BM 710 in M2 steel for only $130. It will last just as long as a Sebenza.
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Nope, the sebenza is not expensive because of materials. The handle is 6al4v Ti,Its not quite a dollar per square inch for the thickness you would need for the slabs of a sebenza, so thats maybe $10 for the handle materials. Then the blade is BG42, somewhat pricey but not bad. Even at $20 per ft your looking at around $5. Throw in another $5 for a pivot pin,$5 for a stop pin, $5 for a clip, and $5 for screws/washers and you've got about $30 in materials. Its exactly the same for a BM750 or a CRKT S2.
For producing them: All the parts for a 750 are laser cut and garaunteed to be within .0002" + or- tolerance. So precision machining doesn't justify the extra $200. The sebenza is not made using more precision, the tolerances involved with the design are just better.
The sebenza is a nicer knife than the S2 and the 750. But what you really pay for is the CRK name and for a design that was slightly better when it was put on paper. You can't compare price to a custom because the process for making them is totally different.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
The Sebenza is a step above everything else.....and will stay that way for the forseeable future.

Paul
 
Thanks for all your responses.

What is it that CR has figured out that no one (or at least very few) else has? Is it that he was making very good knifes at a time when there weren't many, and established this huge rep that continues on, or is it that there's still very few comparable blades for the buck even now? Is this some kinda cult, or what?
 
Bugs

Keep in mind that the smooth action of your CRKT blades results from the use of teflon washers. The Sebie has phosphor-bronze bushings that are extremely precisely fit. It's a quantum leap in terms of quality.

This is not a knock on CRKT. I own several of them and they are remarkable for the $.

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Dick

AKTI Member # A001365
 
I think it is the quality of workmanship, pride in producing the very best knife that they can, and a driving taskmaster ( Chris Reeve ). I have read several articles about CRK, and in one Chris admits to being a bit of a taskmaster, apparently not willing to accept anything but the very best. I can not remember EVER reading about a CR knife having to be returned to the factory right out of the box. I believe this goes back to the pride that a small group of skilled workers have in producing a superior product.

It all comes down to what you can afford or what you are willing to spend for a knife. To some people the 'benza is butt ugly, while to some the simple elegance and precision of the design just "turns them on". Obviously I am in the latter group!

I am willing to spend for one Sebenza what I could get 3 BM 750's for. Very similar design and materials, but the sebbie just tugs at me while the 750 just sits there!

This is not a put down of the 750, so please don't take it that way. This is just one man's opinion, yours may differ!



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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Jeff:

I have owned a BM710, the Axis lock was nice (but look at the posts here and on the BM Forum about broken Omega springs) but it would not even cut newsprint out of the box
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I paid $125 for it and was lucky to get $80 for it NIB on this Forum.

Its pretty easy to get a Sebenza (large or small) for under$300, in fact except for my decorated small I did not pay nearly $300 for any of mine. If you check the FS/T Forum you will see that any Sebenza listed for around $250 is sold within a day.

So the net cost to me if I sold my Sebenza's tomorrow would be well under$50.00
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It cost me $45 to own a 710 for a week, and I never used it.

I use my Sebenza's daily, in fact I cut linguica for dinner tonight with my large plain, and could pretty close to break even on them tomorrow
smile.gif




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"Don't get even, get odd"
 
When I leave my Sebenza at home...
I miss it.

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Buck Collectors Club Member # 572
Dedicated ELU
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)
Sebenzanista
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by lshay:
Jeff:

I have owned a BM710, the Axis lock was nice (but look at the posts here and on the BM Forum about broken Omega springs) but it would not even cut newsprint out of the box
frown.gif
I paid $125 for it and was lucky to get $80 for it NIB on this Forum.

Its pretty easy to get a Sebenza (large or small) for under$300, in fact except for my decorated small I did not pay nearly $300 for any of mine. If you check the FS/T Forum you will see that any Sebenza listed for around $250 is sold within a day.

So the net cost to me if I sold my Sebenza's tomorrow would be well under$50.00
smile.gif


It cost me $45 to own a 710 for a week, and I never used it.

I use my Sebenza's daily, in fact I cut linguica for dinner tonight with my large plain, and could pretty close to break even on them tomorrow
smile.gif


</font>
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With all due respect, I know there is a cult following with the Sebenza. But the 710 has almost as much of a following as the Sebbie on these boards. I do not own a Sebbie. If I did, I'm sure I would like it. But I also own an Al Mar Sere 2000. One of the GOOD ones that will NOT fold up. It is superb; and for $120 is (I would imagine) a better deal than a $300+ Sebbie. The Sere 2000 is pretty custom in fit and finish, too. It is pretty built and solid, too. Just like the Sebbie.
But I always carry the the 710 over the Sere 2000. Who cares about fit and finish? I want utility, and the 710 DELIVERS like nothing else. For $130 you can't beat a 710, even if you have to send it back to sharpen. The 710HSSR will LAST indefinitely. The Omega spring problem seems very infrequent. If it does break, replace it with some better ones.
In short, the Sebenza is obviously a classic among classics. But you simply do not need to pay $300 for a utility knife that will outlive you.

 
I agree with Jeff and lshay.
Just about different things
tongue.gif

I've knocked my "user/carry" folders down to four knives (not counting one a friend gave me, an SAK, and the two beaters that live in the glove compartment and toolbox, respectively).
Two are customs, and the other two are the small Sebenza and the 710HS.
I think the Sebenza is the best production folder in existence, and well worth the money.
I think the 710HS is the best production folder in its league, and well worth the money.

Like lshay said, you don't have to pay full price for a Sebenza if you keep an eye on the for sale forum. I got my small for $230.
Paid $135 for the 710HS from a dealer.
Both were bargains, IMO.
Both give me confidence that I didn't find in other knives, which is why those other knives are gone.

 
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