New to CRK (Small Sebenza 21)

[OpsTech]

Hello Fellow tool users. Yesterday I got my new CR Small Sebenza 21. I'm a heavy Spyderco user and I was looking for a new EDC Knife. I was currently using a Delica 4 FFG VG-10 for the past year. I was looking for something a bit stronger, not that the Delica couldn't handle the abuse I used it for, it's just my confidence in the handle that's making me change. I work in a Maintenance Repair Operation Center (MRO Buyer) and I'm constantly using my knife in the environment. What turned me on about the Sebenza was the handle. I'm not a steel snob and i've stopped complaining to the world after 154cm and VG-10 came out. Any steel made after that is great. The frame lock and titanium made the decision for me. I can't wait to test it and see if my confidence changes over time. I've been watching and researching sites and youtube for any flaw. I laughed when it was coming to knit-picking the knife, like the deployment of the "pointy" thumb stud, or the "Idaho Made" stamp. I'll admit, I had a little trouble with the deployment, but remember i'm coming from a Spyderco that had a 12mm hole in the blade. lol I'm getting used to the stud and getting better at using it. I was wondering if any of you have any pictures of your Sebenza after a year of use? Any good stories about switching from a Delica to a Sebenza?

 

[Cynic2701]

I'll see if I can get my brother to dig out his camera later today. I've used my LH Large 21 quite a bit--almost exclusively it's my EDC.

While I didn't switch from a Delica to a small 21, I did switch from a G-10 Endura to a large. I found that the Sebenza carries smaller in the pocket, is much much easier to clean, and locks up more solidly than my Endura. Although the FFG Endura sliced a little bit better than the Sebenza's hollow grind, I like the comparatively reinforced tip on the Sebenza's blade. Personally, I think the thumbstud is perfect, and in heavy winter gloves I've found the Sebenza easier to open than even the vaunted Spyderhole. YMMV of course.

 

[kreole]

Congrats! I also went from carrying Spydercos most of the time to carrying CRKs. I wasn't sure about the thumb stud at first, but it becomes second nature.

This one I got two May's ago, and it's been in my pocket most of the time since (not in a pocket slip):

That was fresh after anodizing the handle blue, which helps hide its scars, but you can still see some on the handle flat and, especially, along the corners of the bevel on the left.

Here's the blade:

It's not too bad. The biggest thing is at the lip of the hollow grind; it traded the stone wash finish for a polished one, as you can see.


The past few months I've been carrying the bigger guy, and in 3-4 times less of the time (since the beginning of April), it seems to have acquired more scratches than the small!

Again it's the front that has the most wear.

 

[Medic1210]

Hey Kreole, what's with the color change on your large's handle? Did you do this intentionally, or was this a result of something else?

To the OP, congrats on your new Sebenza. You'll find the trick to using the thumb stud is actually to not use it so to speak... What I mean is, the best way to open the knife is by not actually putting your thumb on it, but rather put your thumb on the blade itself, just 'below and inside' (as looked at from your view when holding it). This puts no pressure on the pointy end, and is how I've found to be the best way of opening it. One of the first things I noticed about the Sebenza when I got mine was the attention to detail. Little things like the nicely rounded top edge of the blade that leave it looking and feeling much more refined than the flat edges of Spydercos and Benchmades, as well as most other production knives. Not that Spydercos and Benchmades aren't great knives. It's just that you can really tell Sebenzas are, I dont know, maybe in a different class, which is to be expected when you step up to a knife that's 2 or 3 times more expensive. Definitely doesn't mean the Sebenza is 2 or 3 times better, just that for that price, you expect to see a little more refinement. I think the Sebenza delivers.

 

[kreole]

Hey Kreole, what's with the color change on your large's handle? Did you do this intentionally, or was this a result of something else?

To the OP, congrats on your new Sebenza. You'll find the trick to using the thumb stud is actually to not use it so to speak... What I mean is, the best way to open the knife is by not actually putting your thumb on it, but rather put your thumb on the blade itself, just 'below and inside' (as looked at from your view when holding it). This puts no pressure on the pointy end, and is how I've found to be the best way of opening it. One of the first things I noticed about the Sebenza when I got mine was the attention to detail. Little things like the nicely rounded top edge of the blade that leave it looking and feeling much more refined than the flat edges of Spydercos and Benchmades, as well as most other production knives. Not that Spydercos and Benchmades aren't great knives. It's just that you can really tell Sebenzas are, I dont know, maybe in a different class, which is to be expected when you step up to a knife that's 2 or 3 times more expensive. Definitely doesn't mean the Sebenza is 2 or 3 times better, just that for that price, you expect to see a little more refinement. I think the Sebenza delivers.

I did it intentionally . I've been playing around with anodizing a bit. The top one is dark blue (blends into jeans well), and the bottom is green with a purple "bolster".