Only one knife for a user : CRK Large Sebenza or Phil Wilson Spydie Sprig ?

Wowbagger

Wowbagger

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I know that is a perfectly potty question but it is one I have been asking myself.
Besides I have work I am avoiding so why not write up a post right.

For Christmas I will buy a knife for my self (maybe I can finagle The Chef to buy it . . . nah she would rather see me go barefoot than feed my knife addiction) . . .

CRK :
I love Ti
I like finely made mechanical stuff
I like frame locks
I like the S30V (? S35VN will be similar in a good way ?)
bottom line here is I go through life Sebenzaless; can it be done ? In at least a semi civilized manner. With NO Sebenza ? I'm not so sure.

on the other hand :

Sprig :
I really appreciate the utility of a fixed blade
I have a fair amount of use for a four inch blade
I seem to prefer the S90V over the S35VN and can use the added abrasion resistance
I prefer thinner blades in relation to their length
heat treat is everything (another plus for the Sprig?)
rounder handles I like better but not sure about the over all Sprig handle.

Talking some food prep but no hunting etc., City slicker use but manual work.
 
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Recognizing that they are very different knives with different purposes, I would get the Sebenza.

I have both and love both, but (and I am projecting here) the Sebenza has much more practical use applications. It can be carried anywhere i go and is tough enough to be used for grimy work and thin enough for lunch slicing and kids' clothes-tag cutting.

The Sprig is really nice in hand and very well made. I have used it in the kitchen, but I don't hunt or fish and haven't found good daily use for it. The distal taper makes it great for fine work, but I am hesitant to use it as an all-round camping tool because of the (a) S90v, and (b) thin stock with full flat grind.

The Sprig is cheaper, too. If the two knives are really being weighed so closely against each other in your mind, perhaps saving a few hundred dollars is enough of a factor to tip the scales.
 
Consider an Umnumzaan? Ticks all the same boxes as the sebbie while also ticking the larger blade box of the Sprig.

Of the two you listed though, I'd get the Sebenza. It just feels special. (So does the Umnumzaan.)
 
Ccc,

Yes the sprig is really pushing it over all length wise for everyday carry. I carry a fixed everyday in my pocket; can't see it but the Sprig is enough longer it is going to peek out.

I want to leave price out of it. I tell myself the Sebenza is three or four hundred dollars and I kind of like nursing that fantasy so lets leave it there.

I was looking at new Sebenzas a couple days ago and they seem to have dropped the ebony inlays as an option; is this true ? I suppose I can buy an older one but looking at softer S30V then too I suppose.

You are not hot on the idea of S90 for camping; is it breakable if used in a careful manner ? I assume it is pretty darned hard to break in actuality discounting stress risers and any flaws in the alloy.
 
Consider an Umnumzaan
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Yes I was looking at the Umnumzann for the first time. Intellectually (imagining gripping it) I am not drawn to the pattern on the scales. I really . . . if I had a brain . . . should go to a knife shop that has them and test drive.

I doubt there is such a store in Colorado Springs, Co. PM me if I am wrong.

Probably have to go to Denver right ?
 
Just get the Sebenza bro

You will carry it more which means you will use it more.

Also check out a Murray Carter Muteki neck knife.
 
Wowbagger said:
Ccc,

Yes the sprig is really pushing it over all length wise for everyday carry. I carry a fixed everyday in my pocket; can't see it but the Sprig is enough longer it is going to peek out.

I want to leave price out of it. I tell myself the Sebenza is three or four hundred dollars and I kind of like nursing that fantasy so lets leave it there.

I was looking at new Sebenzas a couple days ago and they seem to have dropped the ebony inlays as an option; is this true ? I suppose I can buy an older one but looking at softer S30V then too I suppose.

You are not hot on the idea of S90 for camping; is it breakable if used in a careful manner ? I assume it is pretty darned hard to break in actuality discounting stress risers and any flaws in the alloy.
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Easy: Seb. 21 because it's always the most perfect EDC, especially once you get tired of everything else...

CRK has recently discontinued some of the Inlays that they where offering on all of their knives, and will be bringing out 7 (I believe) new types of wood inlays....

Check the sub-forum, there's a list in there somewhere of what's discontinued and what's new....
 
the large 21 has been riding in my pocket fairly often in the past months. i find it nearly the perfect edc. not too heavy, not too small, not too big. its really just right, i have tended to take it easy on it. its a very nice knife that been serving me well for about a year and a half. it was only a sunday knife, but now i carry it around 3 days a week.
in short im gonna have to say buy a large 21 and actually use it, i havent found much i really like to carry more.
 
For all practical reasons, a fixed blade would be the best choice for what you've listed for uses. The Phil Wilson will be a better slicer and don't sell S90V short. Even with a thin blade, S90V will be tough enough to hold its own. It will be able to handle light outdoor use.
If you're looking for something to play with and use, then the CRK is the route to go. A fixed blade is rather boring compared to a folder. Both are fine knives, and if your looking for bragging rights, how many people you know own a Phil Wilson. Of course, that's only for the knife world, the outside world doesn't have a clue who Phil Wilson or Chris Reeve are.
 
While the fixed blade is the first choice, the advantages of a folding knife outperform it.
As the folder is easily carried in a pouch it is always there when you need it.
The lg. Sebenza should fill all your needs.
Sturdy with a blade fine enough to cut an apple, not afraid of getting dirty.
As for the inlays, Macassar ebony is available - from what I've seen it's a nice wood.
Let us know how you decide.
 
Wowbagger said:
Yes I was looking at the Umnumzann for the first time. Intellectually (imagining gripping it) I am not drawn to the pattern on the scales. I really . . . if I had a brain . . . should go to a knife shop that has them and test drive.

I doubt there is such a store in Colorado Springs, Co. PM me if I am wrong.

Probably have to go to Denver right ?
Click to expand...

I'll second the Umnum recommendation and if you aren't attracted to the pattern, suggest you look at the Wilson Combat version. They pop up on the exchange fairly regularly.
 
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