One Knife: Large Sebenza 21 vs ZT300

[NjHart]

Howdy yall and thanks in advance for any input and somewhat unusual rambling questions,


A bit of back story first, a couple of days ago I lost my Large Sebenza from my pocket, but thanks to some brilliant help from the folks in the CRK subforum I actually managed to find it in the middle of my pasture 24(ish) hours later. Needless to say, I spent those 24 hours somewhat in a panic trying to figure out how and if and could find it and what I would do if I could not. Luckily I found it, but I had settled on ordering myself a ZT300 to replace it. I've given it a little time to sink in and make sure I'm not rushing any decision of any sort (and in fact one option is certainly to do nothing, and sit happily with my found Sebenza), but I've been debating replacing the Sebenza and I'm looking for any and all input on my thoughts so far. A couple of givens you should know or that you may find useful, I live in rural Texas and can carry pretty much anything I want without any noticing. I'm roughly the least threatening person ever, so how the knife would look in other places outside of rural Texas is a minor factor but not a major one. Also I have a philosophy of 1 knife. I don't want to really vary my rotation. I have a set of stuff I put on and carry every day, and I like that. I know some people are all about variation and spicing things up, but that really isn't my style. Whichever I carry will remain in my front left pocket (I'm left handed) regardless of whether I'm fishing at the coast, camping in the woods, doing ranch work, or going to the office (family company, and its usually just me so again I can carry whatever).

My two options are my large Sebenza, which I already own and have been carrying for few months, or as the title would indicate the zt300. I've handled both knives before, though the 300 only briefly in the shop, and they both seem great. I have 3 concerns with the sebenza that even prompt me to ask the question, but make no mistake I do love my sebenza and I have and will continue to argue its the finest production knife in the world- I'm just not sure its the best for me. My first concern is by far the biggest- my sebenza came out of my pocket. I know this could happen to any knife, but it happened with the Sebenza and I can see it happening again. I joined the forums after I lost a Benchmade (totally different set of circumstances) and I'm sort of snake bit here so to speak. I don't feel like I can trust the clip at the moment and having to constantly check that my knife is still there is not something I want to do- I want to be able to trust it to remain in place at all times. The second concern is the least important of the three. The sebenza isn't the fastest and easiest deployment ever. It's only ever come up in one situation- cutting fishing line, but it took me longer get my sebenza from my pocket to use than I'd like. Finally is the Sebenza psychological problem. I have never refused to put it to work, but I do cringe at every heavy cut and if I'm sitting at my work bench it is rarely my first choice just because I feel like I'm preserving it. I know this'll ease with time, and it isn't like I'm not using but I hate worrying about using my tools.

For the 300 I'll keep my concerns and musings short and sweet since its mostly just research and reading rather than actual experience. Sharpening recurves isn't fun. I can do it, but it isn't fun. It looks a little more aggressive. It's not a deal breaker, but its less elegant and people friendly- though if I have to choose I'll take function over form by a mile. More moving parts to break and wear down.


So after much rambling, what would yall do? What would you do for yourselves and what would you do if you were me? Is there anything I'm not considering or thinking of, or any advice about anything related?

 

[wolf5391]

I would carry a zt300 over a large sebenza any day. the zt0300 begs to be used and used hard. the zt300 is the only folder I have owned that I can use as a fixed blade and never have lock rock or lock up issues.

the dlc wears great and the only time Ive been able to scratch it was when cutting bags that had rocks in them. even that did minor scuffing.

The knife is heavy but for me its an edc and works great.

all are users:

 

[MRaymond]

I also think the Sebenza (25 in my case) is the greatest. One thing I will say about the 0300 series is that it is awfully heavy. 8 oz I believe. It is also very wide. I wouldn't imagine much else would fit in your pocket, but that is just speculation. You might also get a new belt or some suspenders to hold up your pants. I will say this however, it is one solid knife and very cool to feel it fly open. And Gibbs has one. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Maddogg774]

I have both, I also live in rural Texas and I pick the 0300 between the two. I carry my Grayman Satu more. But knowing what your needs are I would suggest a swamp rat rodent solution more.

 

[Officer's Match]

300 is a tank for sure, but the Sebenza is just fantastic. I've been carrying a Umnumzaan and a Spydie Southard more lately, but every time I pick up my Large Starbenza, I ask myself why I even own anything else.

 

[brandonc]

I have been EDCing my ZT0300 for over 3 years. It's never had any problem with the clip or falling out of my pocket...I have no desire to own a Sebenza.

 

[NjHart]

It's early still, but this is sort of the opposite response of what I was expecting. I was expecting lots people very nicely and politely calling me an idiot for even considering it. Very interesting and thanks for all the input so far!

 

[Franciscomv]

I own both and like them a lot, for different reasons. I don't think the 300 looks agressive, the broad tip gives it a very utilitarian look.

My opinion, which should come as no surprise in a forum full of knife junkies, is that you ought to buy the ZT at least to have as a back-up in case something happens to your Sebenza (knock on wood). I've used my 300 a lot at my family's ranch, if you don't mind the weight and the amount of pocket space it takes up, it certainly won't let you down when it comes to performance.

If you think something's wrong with your Sebenza's clip, send it back to CRK and they'll fix it. Personally, I don't like carrying knives with pocket clips at the ranch. I've had a couple catch on something when dismounting, and caught a Native about to drop from my pocket when riding. I prefer a small fixed blade in a sheath with good retention (and "jump safe", since I work with some ill tempered colts), and anything else I carry (a multitool, gun, etc.) either goes in a good belt sheath or in my pocket but with a lanyard tied to my belt.

As an alternative to a ZT 0300, you might want to look at a small fixed blade like an ESEE 3.

 

[Ken44]

I'm the one that suggested you hunt for it with a bright light, and I think you should stick with the Sebenza

Its a better knife overall, and its also a very tough knife. It will last you a lifetime.

Use it hard and in ten years you can send it in to get reblasted for free if you wanted to. I sent back a 1999 a couple of years ago, and I had used it very hard. It looked terrible, but never did a single screw come loose and it never developed any blade play. I got it back and it looked like new.

I've had alot of knives in my life, but this one is the only folder that held up perfect after almost 14 years of all types of use.

 

[NjHart]

Oh I should have noted, even without my primary I have a JYD that plays as permanent backup and I have a cheap fixed blade (and one day will invest in a nice one) for those tasks. I'm not a rancher by profession- I take care of ours mostly after hours and on weekends, though of course that is where my knives tend to see their most use. Whatever my primary knife is, it is always with me as part of my permanent setup. It goes in my pocket just like my phone, keys, and wallet. I don't have an aversion to fixed blades, but its not always all that feasible to go get one and I'm not a fan of EDCing them. I should have definitely led with there is absolutely nothing wrong with my Sebenza clip- its performing exactly like you would want it to, but without it being crazy tight the clip against smooth titanium can be pulled accidentally and a bit too easy for comfort for me. For normal use for the vast majority of people the risk of getting it clipped onto something isn't nearly as major as my risk. I always seem to have hay bales, sacks, etc right up next to me.

 

[MNofUSN]

for what your are getting out of the Sebenza Id go with it

 

[Franciscomv]

[...] I don't have an aversion to fixed blades, but its not always all that feasible to go get one and I'm not a fan of EDCing them. I should have definitely led with there is absolutely nothing wrong with my Sebenza clip- its performing exactly like you would want it to, but without it being crazy tight the clip against smooth titanium can be pulled accidentally and a bit too easy for comfort for me. For normal use for the vast majority of people the risk of getting it clipped onto something isn't nearly as major as my risk. I always seem to have hay bales, sacks, etc right up next to me.

Point taken about fixed blades. I understand exactly what you mean about the pocket clip. Have you tried a belt sheath? You can have a nice molded leather (or kydex) sheath made for your Sebenza. Something like this (random google pic):

 

[dragonsprayer]

i ramble bad!

i go for it, the zero T is great knife, as we all know Criss R has had his share of ..... well. he makes good stuff and there are 2 sides too a coin.

get the ZT test it push it, and if it fails then sell it used or get a new one from a good warranty company and buy back the old or move on?

i the ZT but then again i still carry a 35 year old kersaw kai steel, honed for 5 hours and not sharped for decades. wow where did all these go? i used too see lots on ebay - mine has no model on it, and i have the matching folder -somewhere?

it is the best knife i ever owned and i have 100 custom usa made knives all in the mid hundreds plus.

kersaw is making me mad, why not still make the classic? i am old, new too the site, i do not know names and numbers well but i own a very extensive collection of knives.

love the site