Nothing Magical About Sebenza

C

CarlRexHubbard

Joined
Jun 6, 2001
Messages
132
I just handled a small Sebenza and an Umfaan today. Although I thought they were nice knives, I cannot justify their price. I also handled a William Henry Spearpoint and it opened smoother and easier than the Sebenza. This was after carefully opening all of them several times. I am convinced that you can have just as good a knife without spending as much.
 
Respectfully, I don't see anything wrong with Carl's post. He handled the knives and gave his comments. It's by hearing opinions on both sides of the fence that can help us make the best decisions.
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- Johnny
 
I hope this post does not offend anyone, for that is not the purpose. I am simply trying to encourage people who are interested to handle one before purchase so they are not dissapointed because they expected something more from their new knife. Great knives, don't get me wrong, I am just saying that I could not justify buying one.
 
Nothing Magi. . . you mean you didn't see the flaming pentagrams, crystal balls and dragons that I saw when I got my Sebenza?
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You've got to BELIEVE, man!

 
A couple of weeks ago, I received a large, plain Classic Sebenza in a trade. I really wasn't all THAT impressed, either. It WAS a nice folder, but not worth nearly what they sell for. In-fact, I traded it for an excellent Luminox 3105 watch, and I feel that I got the BETTER part of THAT trade.
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.

BTW...Even 'tho I could have kept that 'Benz, I chose to keep my (customized)REKAT folders in my 2 front pockets instead, as they just "feel" better TO ME.

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
<A HREF="mailto:glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com">glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com</A>
ICQ# 53675663
 
I played around with a Sebenza at my local shop a while back. I thought it was ok, defiently a good knife, but not all that impressive. I actually like a lot of the Spyderco production folders better. But, if you want a nice hand made piece and are willing to pay for it, go ahead and get one.

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Johnathan Mitchell
 
I just got my first Sebenza and love it. That's not to say that there aren't trade-offs though. It is true that the Sebenza doesn’t glide open as easily as some other folders, such as a well-made liner lock or an Axis lock. Darrel Ralph himself has posted that he prefers a tighter fit on his integral locks than others might. I suspect that Chris Reeve is in the same camp as Darrel on this issue. This especially applies to the Sebenza, since it’s tip-up carry.

The high points of the Seb (at least for me) are:

1. Simplicity of Design – There isn’t really much anything that could go wrong with this knife. The lock is a simple, dead strong mechanism. CR keeps it simple and effective.

2. Proven Quality – The Sebenza has been around a long time, and the older ones are still kicking. This is the same reason why I invested in a custom Buck 110. I like a long track record of reliability.

3.Easy Maintenance – A single allen wrench is all you need for field stripping the knife. That means a lot to me, as I often go for extended camping trips in the mountains.

4. Quality Service – Chris Reeve stands proudly behind his product. He will fix anything that might go wrong with it.

5. Warranty – I can take apart my Sebenza and not void the warranty. That is not true of certain other manufacturers. Sebenza users are encouraged to take apart their toys.

6. The Blade – The Sebenza is an absolute cutting machine. The geometry is very nice, and BG-42 rocks!!!! The only knife in my collection that rivals the Sebenza in cutting power is my carbon steel Marbles.

Is the Sebenza the right knife for everybody? No way. I can easily see why somebody would prefer an Axis Benchmade. The Axis BM’s have an arguably stronger lock, and glide open and closed as if my magic. And depending on your aesthetic tastes, there are a myriad of possibly nicer looking knives. There are also a number of less expensive knives with similar traits to the Sebenza.

I personally wanted a hard use folding knife with a wicked strong edge. I’m also a fan of integral locks and maintaining the knife myself. I place a high value on self-sufficiency. CR creates and encourages the values I hold highest in myself. The Sebenza was right for me.
 
i think the real test comes with real world use and not basing a total opinion on only opening and closing any knives ten or twenty times each to form an opinion...also one needs to consider how the knife carries and how it stands up to the rigors of the mode you intend to use it as well as how it feels in you hand...i personally think apples and oranges are being compared here...but after owning, carrying, and using several of each knife being mentioned what do i know.....just my .02 cents worth...thanks...feverdoc

[This message has been edited by feverdoc (edited 06-27-2001).]
 
I just bought a small used sebbie last week, & I'm undecided whether to keep it. On the one hand, the QUALITY is 100% there: it is solid and absolutely tight, and mine actually opens very smoothly. On the other hand, it doesn't have the "magic" I was hoping for, and that others apparently do find in the "little grey turd" (and with a monicker like that, what's not to love?). It doesn't glue to my hand ergonomically, for instance. On the other hand, when I compare it with the 6 other pocket knives of that size that I have, the sebbie is the one that goes into the pocket - it's just better.

Did I have a point? I guess that personal taste is very subjective, but the sebbie is a quality item. And different users may find that the quality speaks to them in a exhalted chorus, or a subtle whisper.


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[previously incarnated as fishface, since 10/98]

the beatings will continue until morale improves
 
I love my sebenza, but the gentleman is correct it is an expensive knife. William Henry is an excellent knife at a significantly lower price and if they would make a lefty one I would buy it!!!!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by stjames:
Thanks for sharing the results of your extensive research. </font>
Click to expand...
LMAO

Carl, perhaps you should try actually using a knife before posting a "review", and dismissing it.
Granted, they're not for everyone (poor souls!), but some people use them for reasons beyond "mystique" and "snob appeal". They are incredible knives with unequaled attention to detail, premuim materials, well thought out design, tremendous strength, and great performance (trying to figure out how to fit another superlative in there).
You can have a good knife without spending as much, no doubt, but not "just as good a knife", IMO.

Sebenza-anything less is just....less
tongue.gif


fishface-I know what you mean about comparing them to other knives. I bought a small Seb, too. I had five other folders in the "small to medium" range (all great knives). My testimonial-I sold all five. Guess mine spoke in an exalted chorus
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[This message has been edited by OwenM (edited 06-28-2001).]
 
I think the sebbie is a very good production folder. The fact that I love grey toids doesn't factor into the matter
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. The ultimate grey toid is the Mission MPF-1, though.

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"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.", King Lear, Act I, Scene 4.
 
I am not, repeat, am not bashing anyone elses opinion. That is just what they are and this is, an "opinion". I have owned A LOT of really nice "custom" folders. Others have of course owned more custom folders and might be better judges on this but: EVERY DAY and I mean EVERY DAY I carry my large Sebenza with me on a belt sheath at work. I do not always carry a large sebenza when I'm running up to the store or on weekends (I have others I like to carry: a very nice Cover Sr. slipjoint, a W.C. Davis stag lockback, on special occasions a Kirk Rexroat stag folder or one of the two small sebenza's that I have). I have owned Crawford KFF's, Carson's (still have one), De Villers, Stout's, a Ralph Apogee, etc. and I will tell you this: there is nothing I would rather count on than that old large Sebenza. It's like a Timex "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking". It may look like s**t, it may not be "purty" but I tell you, it is built like a tank. Expensive? Yes, I suppose. If you keep your eyes open on the "For Sale" forums you can find them at pretty reasonable prices, but, IMHO they are worth every penny. A great workhorse of a knife!

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"There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
 
have posted this before, but think its pertinant to this thread, so WTF huh? was sharpening my CRKT kasper folder and sebenza, and my hunting buddy comes by - he is really into guns, but only views knives as tools - anyway i showed him the seb, and he said it was 'ok', then he picks up the kasper and says 'now this is more what i like' and said he thought it would be the more expensive knife....boy did it burst my bubble - he also likes the CRKT kasper better than my crawford ti kasper also, says the handles look 'funky' on the crawford?!?!?!- i think i am gonna try and sell him that CRKT kasper lol- just goes to show ya, different strokes/different folks i guess.....


sifu
 
Hey Carl
I think its a great idea to go to the store and try out several different knives. As others have stated though, with this knife the proofs in the usin'. Its like so many shoes or boots Ive tried on in the store that felt fine only to find out they were breaking my feet after a week.
You really have to think about how you will use your pocket carry. I have the large Sebenza for about three years. Solved my eternal folder search. I also have had the opportunity to handle the William Henry line and even though they are exceedingly beautiful I doubt it would have held up the same way as my Sebenza has. I am not nice to my every day pocket carry.
I kind of think about the Sebenza in the same way as I do other tools I enjoy owning. It is a tool !! and its the ability to perform and simplisity of design that appeals to me. Kind of like a nice Plane or a new hammer. Not to say that I dont enjoy and own knives that are ... Pretty. but the sebenza with its pneumatic feel, solid lock up, comfort in one thousand grips and so on make it a very useful hard working tool that grows all over you.
Is it worth the money ?? Hmmmmm. If you had asked three four years ago the answer would be easier. Integral locks werent on the market in the same way they are now and I am one of those that believes it was a great leap forward. They are offered on a few knives now. I would have said way back in the begining that it was worth it just for that.
After living with the knife over the last three years though I can still believe I have gotten my money's worth. No doubt. It has been a good solid performer and an easy extention of my hand. And I use the hell out of it. The William Henry is nice ... cutting bagels, opening the mail and so on but IMO I would take the sebenzas stout blade, sure lock up and neutral grip over a 1/16th inch thick liner lock any day.
If the price is a little stiff and your looking for a using knife. I can also recommend the Wenger from spyderco.

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Alex

My Knife Page
 
I appreciate your replies. Most of them are well thought out. After reading them I do realize that this folder is obviously not something that is liked for strictly its ergonomics and lockup. I posted this because I knew I would hear from both sides. The extensive research is lacking indeed, but there was no other choice taking into account that the store owned the knife, not myself, and using it was out of the question. I also did not need to use it to determine that the folder was not for me, as I am sure many of you have done when handling a knife in a store. It appears to be a sold workhorse, but the knife was not on par with the asking price, IN MY OPINION. Moral of the story is to handle a knife or use one if possible before purchasing. This will save you a lot of grief and will prevent you from buying a folder that does not suit your tastes.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CarlRexHubbard:
This will save you a lot of grief and will prevent you from buying a folder that does not suit your tastes.</font>
Click to expand...

I must wholeheartedly agree. When I first got onto the forums, all I heard was Chris Reeve (how does a guy with a broken neck make knives?) and the Sebenza. I actually seriously considered ordering one based on all the hype since no dealer around here had one.
Then I found one at a gun show and picked it up, tried it, etc. No thanks. To all those who say "use it before you decide you don't like it" I can only say "you might be able to afford a $350 mistake, but I can't."

The Sebenza is undoubtedly a well built tool. But it's not for everyone, and certainly not for me.

Tom
 
I've been a Sebbie owner for a few months. Like others, when I started reading the Forums all I saw were raves about CRKs and eventually broke down and ordered one.

I wasn't blown away when I first took it out of the box.

I've lived with the knife a while now and it's stolen my heart. On the rare days when I don't put the it in my pocket in favor of a neglected knife, I swap for the Sebbie as soon as I get home from work as I've missed it.

Everything else that I own feels kind of cheep now. I just ordered my first custom and we'll see what happens.
 
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