Nothing Magical About Sebenza

I'll add a few pesetas to this one. I bought a Sebenza in 1999 and at the time, it was the most expensive knife I had ever bought. The reason why I bought it was because I heard a bunch of people rave about it, but to be honest, as much as I liked it, I did feel it was overpriced. I ended up trading it for 2 brand new high end production folders and I feel I got a better deal with the trade. Don't get me wrong, the Sebenza is a great knife, but personally, if I'm going to spend $350 plus, I'd rather buy a true custom knife or 2 high end production knives.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by JohnnyLightOn:
Respectfully, I don't see anything wrong with Carl's post.</font>
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Come on, that is Heresy.
Remember in old times ppl were burnt alive for sharing another result of their research
about the earth being round.
Not sure how many saints were participating, but anyways
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Have Fun,
Alligator
 
Buzzbait, again, it's not 'dishonest' - it's simply dealing with the ridiculous laws in this society. Benchmade sells far more knives than CRK, and at a more 'general public' pricepoint. They have no choice but to put clauses in their warranty.

The fact is, they don't enforce those clauses, unless they need to. According to my warranty papers, only the original owner is covered, and I need a reciept to send in my knife. Benchmade has never once asked me for a reciept.

I just don't think the warranty that CRK offers is a valid reason to set them apart from other manufacturers. While the lawyers have their input in the larger manufacturers' warranties, for all practical purposes, there is no difference between BM's warranty and CRK's warranty.

There are other reasons to set them apart. Finish, QC, available options, etc. And I think those should really be what someone considers when comparing the various knives.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Just a few comments on the Sebenza's "ergonomics" (I hate that word!). Some say it doesn't fit the hand. Try this, take one of your folders that "fits your hand" and try it in the blade back position. Then turn it over edge up...doesn't feel so good now, does it? A straght handle will accomodate a wider variety of grip styles with more comfort than any other out there. Oh yeah, try peeling an apple with a curved, "ergonomic" handle and see how soon you cut your thumb.

Paul
 
everyone keeps saying how much they cost......
that is not that big a factor if you really want one....and the MOST I have ever paid for one (USED) is $275- I see larges for that all the time and smalls for $250......IN GOOD SHAPE!
 
Yep Tom, thats what I said way back in my first post on this subject. The sebenzas regularly appear in the "For Sale" forums at a lot less than retail. And there is only so much you can do to beat up a sebenza. They are a great deal used, plus I heard a knifemaker on Oahu takes them regularly as trade-ins:p
 
Originally posted by Paul Work
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Here's my 0.02$ regardign <CITE>Ergonomics</CITE> in general, not only Sebenza.

Try this, take one of your folders that "fits your hand" and try it in the blade back position. Then turn it over edge up...doesn't feel so good now, does it?
Out of curiosity just tried all of that with my BM 710 and 940, I have them on me now, may be I am missing something, but both were ok.

A straght handle will accomodate a wider variety of grip styles with more comfort than any other out there. Oh yeah, try peeling an apple with a curved, "ergonomic" handle and see how soon you cut your thumb.
Paul, there's a difference between peeling 1 apple (which I've done with many different knives, straight or curved handles, can't say curved ones were bad though), and using your knife for HARD work, especially if the use is prolonged.
Hard work knife probably will be used for something harder than an apple, thus you'll have to use more force. If I have to cut a lot of cardboard of carpet or whatever else may be required, I won't be experimenting with the grip styles, especially after an hour :)
I just want the job done. And that's when the ergonomics matter.
This is not about Sebenza, in general, for hard work, especially if this is more then a few minutes I personally think that ergonomic handles are much better. At least for those who do not use knife eveyday for few hours, but rather occasionally :)
The other day, I was cutting cardboard, plastic and some other stuff, it took more than 3 hours to get done. I was using Project II that day, for what it is, I mean the bare steel handle with knurling, it did very well, but at the end I've had several sore sopts on my palm, and felt it for a day or two. Next time when I expect I have to cut for that long I'll try something else, Busse E something, or Strider MH with G10 handles etc. It was absolutely Ok for first hour or so, but later I felt it, I guess its personal and more experienced knife user would not notife it at all or much later, but anyways, I don't think ergonomics can be ignored totaly :) Especially for the working knives.


 
Gator,
My observaations were only to try to shed some light on the versatility of the Sebenza design. As far as apple peeling, a curved, "ergonomic" handle will angle the edge of the knife towards the thumb, where a straight handle tends to keep the edge parallel (sp) to the thumb. I have used a knife daily for 30+ years for many applications. My experience is that the straight handle will do more, more efficiently than a curved one. Your mileage may vary.

Paul
 
I must say I agree. I am pretty much with el cid. I kept hearing about the sebenza. I dropped almost $400 on a small decorated. I carried it a while. I took it apart. When I went fishing I kept checking my pocket every two minutes, afraid I was going to lose it. I liked the way it felt in the hand. It cut okay, but not 4 times better than a $100 knife. I ended up trading it off. I got three high end productions and like $200 for it. I think I got the good end for sure. The sebenza is nice. But it is just a knife. The only thing magical is the mystique you will have to the non owners.
 
As a KnifeKnut and a Sebi fan, I have to add something here. I personally think the small Sebi is overpriced. Just look at the Camillus 154CM EDC and the small Sebi. The Sebi is one of the best knives in the world, but when you look at the value of a small and large sebi, the small looks quite overpriced, lets face it, neither are cheap. Not as cheap as me anyway. I love my Sebi, but the huge price margin over other great knives stops me buying any more.
 
Mr General=get a second job
Mr Hubbard= I notice you are trying to buy one of these knives in the Knives Wanted to buy section!! :)
 
Yeah, I have been thinking about it and I am going to get one and see what all the fuss is about, all of these posts have convinced me that there is more to this knife than what can be extracted during a 10 minute encounter!:) Purchasing a used one hopefully will be more tolerable because I won't be paranoid about using it.
 
I agree with you General. Having owned a Sebenza, I really don't see what it can do that another less expensive high end production folder can't. The Sebenza is a well made knife, but so is my Microtech L.C.C. As far as the frame lock goes, for the past week I've been carrying a Camillus 154CM EDC and I love it. The action is smooth, lockup is solid and the edge is razor sharp. I also have a Benchmade Pinnacle which is just as sharp and solid. 154CM and ATS-34 may not be the same as BG-42, but I have yet to be dissapointed with these steels.
 
Tom, I will have to get a '1st job' before I think about a '2nd job'. I am looking, but employment in my area is rarer than a welshman that does not like sheep!

While I own 2 of the EDC 154CM blades AND a Sebi AND the BM750, the Sebi is the better knife. el cid, while I agree on a fundemental level that as a basic cutting tool all of the above are quite similar in performance, the sebi is simply in a different ball park for fit and finish. If I had the money, I would NOT settle for any less. However in the real world and a world with me now being out of work, certain points of view and realities strike you in the face. One being the Sebenza is an expensive knife and does not offer a three or a four fold increase in performance. In the world of Hi Fi it is called 'diminishing returns'.

E.G. a £100 cd player is basic and reasonable quality (for the money)

A £300 cd player is in a differnt class altogether, MUCH better.

A 500 cd player is a little bit better, but not much

a £1000 player is better than the last two, but by how much?

a £5000 cd player is noticibly better than the £500 player, but not 10 times as good.

IMVHO the BM 750 (when you get a good one like mine) is 80% as good as a Sebi at less than 1/3 the price.

When you are skint, a 154CM Camillus EDC at $65 is a bargain, well made by any standard. A great knife! I would rather 2 of those and a Spyderco Starmate and a Spyderco Native and a Spyderco Blue Delica. Those were my last ordered blades and they came to the same as a Sebi.

I realise CRK have to keep a 'margin' for price, but as much as I think they are brilliant people, why do they not allow some price reductions from dealers? :eek: that sounds like a Troll question, but honestly now, why? Why do we all whistle softly and pretend it is not an issue when the big companies are getting jumped on for doing the same? At what point does a company become large enough for price fixing to be illegal and unsound? One of the reasons I mention this is in the UK news, for the last few days, our Govt is bringing forward legislation to make any price 'adjustments' and 'fixing' illegal. We have had a LOT of problems in the UK with price fixing and unfair practice. That is where I am coming from with this question.
 
LMAO @ Tom Mayo!!

My standard line for anyone who tells me they need to borrow a few bucks. "Nope, you need to work a few more hours."

Regardless, I can afford a Sebenza. I chose to purchase the 154CM EDC from Camillus instead. Is the Camillus a better knife? I would not say so. But neither did I find the Sebenza to be 5 times the knife that Camillus offers a la the EDC.

I can hear the questions forming now....

"Yeah, but did you use the Sebbie hard?"
> Nope, I did not. But when I go in to buy a new pickup, neither Dodge, nor Chevy, nor Ford lets me take their rig 4 wheeling for a week or so to try it out. I must judge by what I see on the lot, and by a woefully short test drive. Same goes at a knife show or B&M knife store. If dodge wants $20K for their rig, but Chevy wants $100K for theirs, guess what I'm driving home.... regardless of how many testimonials I hear from the masses.

"Yeah, but you don't get the customer service...."
> Do a search. I've seen nothing from anyone so far to suggest that Will and the gang at Camillus give anything short of stellar performance in this regard.

"Yeah Vel, but you'd shell out a pile of cash for a custom you haven't tried out too, wouldn't ya?"
> Touche'
 
I have to admit, the Camillus EDC is an awesome knife. It's not a Sebenza in construction quality, but it's all I need in a knife that size. It's a HUGE value for the price. I carry one constantly.

But when you need a large folder, the Seb rocks!!!
 
IMHO considering the materials, level of fit & finish, service, and warranty the Sebenza is offered at the correct price point. Sebenza's are priced like a custom knife because they have the same detail and workmanship.

Granted the Sebenza is not for everybody but, neither is a BMW.... ;)
 
The Sebenza has been compared to lower priced knives, but how does it compare to a custom in terms of fit and finish? Brand new they come close to a custom, especially a decorated Sebbie in price? Is a Sebenza over priced compared to something from Tom Anderson, Bob Dozier or Mr. Mayo? I know Mr. Mayo has an extensive collection of Sebenzas, and speaks highly of them, but are they as good as a custom in fit and finnish or performance?
I'm interested in hearing what people who have both a Sebenza and a custom have to say.
 
General: I like our analogy! Up until a few years ago I ran technical/customer service for Jeff Rowland Design Group. There were many phone conversations with people who called for some reassurance that the equipment was really worth the big bucks. My response was always the same. Check them out, discuss it with fellow fanatics, and decide if it's worth it TO YOU. At end of day it was pride of ownership that made the sale.

Ron
 
I have had a couple of Sebenzas. I still have a large one. I appreciate the precision with which it is made. I have no doubt that it could take whatever punishment I could through at it. It is also backed up by outstanding customer service. Even with all of that I would much rather have one of these:

wegner1.jpg


:D :D :D
 
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