ORIGINAL critical view of Sebenza (superb folding job is not superb cutting action).

Never try to teach a pig to sing. It makes you look foolish and annoys the pig.

Appropriate enough to post twice.
 
As someone else touched on. There can be more to a knife than its sheer cutting performance. I know for many of you, its all about how the knife performs, and ONLY about that, but others appreciate knives in other ways too, and the Sebenza is one such knife that can be appreciated on levels other than simply how well it cuts, its extreme precision and beautiful workmanship for example are very satisfying to behold, touch and feel. It does also just happen to deliver state of the art cutting performance as well.

Like someone else said, look at what a high-end watch costs, several thousand, even a quality pen can cost many hundreds, there are some very simple folding knives by guys like Lake and such that cost $5,000 or more, so, in perspective, the $300 pricetag of a knife as well made, and as good as the Sebenza, isnt, shouldnt be so tough to swallow. If you feel $300 is too much to spend on a knife, so be it, thats your sense of value, but $300 is not that much to pay for one of the finest knives available IMO. Like someone else said, the best costs money, as it should.
 
Originally posted by Keith Montgomery
Mathew (if you would rather I call you Buzz, please let me know), I agree with you as far as the convenience of discrete carry of a folder over a fixed, but that is about the only aspect of folders that is more convenient in my opinion. I find fixed blades more convenient to use (I don't have to open and close one) and to maintain.
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You may call me whatever you want, as long as you spell it correctly!!! :p ;) Hehehe

I definitely agree that carry is the only aspect of convenience where a folder outdoes a fixed blade. In every other area, the fixed blade has it in spades.

--
Matthew Carter (also known as Matt, 'Buzz, Buzzbait, Dozier boy, Sebbie loudmouth, and SAK fanatic)
 
Sorry Matthew, I will not make that mistake again. By the way, I really enjoyed that article you wrote on the Dozier D-4. It was very well written.

Koolstof, you should not buy a Sebenza if you think it is overpriced. It is as simple as that.
 
Hehehehe... Spell it any way you like. I was just yankin' yer chain. ;)

Thanks for the compliment. My reviews normally have a few more critical comments. But to tell you the truth, I just couldn't find anything wrong with the Dozier. It's just a superb knife for the money.
 
No offense Eric, but knives that routinely sell for 75% of their cost are not "holding their value." Second, some folks on here have had the oppertunity to handle and use sebenzas, and still know they are not the end all to folders or knives in general. I own a few folders in the sebenza price range that kick the hell out of it in terms of ergonomics, finish, fit, materials, etc... Just because people dislike a knife, primarily due to the unnecessarily high price in my case, doesn't mean they have zero experience with it.

On to fixed blades. I like small fixed blades, i just rarely have the oppertunity to carry them. I live on a college campus where carrying fixed blades is not looked upon very highly. In fact, I have already had a run in with housing officials over even having them in my apartment. As buzz stateed earlier, convenience of carry is the best advantage of a folder. I carry a Carson M4 on a daily basis, and the small size (when folded) makes it very nice to carry. When the folder is high quality, such as the M4 or the sebenza even, worrying about it closing on the fingers is a non-issue. I'd love to be able to carry fixed blades more, but I simply can't do it at times, and at other times, simply choose not to as I already have the folder on my person. I guess what I'm trying to say is, i love fixed blades, but when it comes to EDC, the convenience of a folder is hard to beat.

JR
 
Originally posted by Jeremy Reynolds
I own a few folders in the sebenza price range that kick the hell out of it in terms of ergonomics, finish, fit, materials, etc... Just because people dislike a knife, primarily due to the unnecessarily high price in my case, doesn't mean they have zero experience with it.JR
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There may be a folder in its class that may equal the fit and finish but I don't believe there is one that would "kick the **** out of it" in terms of fit and finish and even materials though that can be subjective to some.... You may not like the design nor the price but the whole CRK line is second to none in the fit and finish department.
 
Hi, my name is Ed, and I'm a Sebenzaholic. I now have three large Sebenzas, two small Sebenzas, and one Umfaan ... oh, and I just picked up a One-Piece. So. Yes. I like them.

Since everyone's finances differ, tastes differ, needs differ, everyone's knives differ, too. I like Benchmades, will never part from any of my beloved Spydies, and find my Microtechs, manual and auto, of superb quality.

But I've been through this one time too many, I think. This is my last "Why a Sebenza ..?" thread.

I'm generally the last guy to suggest doing a Search, however ... on page 2 of a current thread on this same subject :eek: Gary Graley listed a lot of threads with the same people giving the same answers to the same question ... http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=226239&perpage=20&pagenumber=2

Finally, I suggest you do not spend all that much money on a knife you haven't had a chance to really, really want. Fate will tell you when your Sebenza is ready for you. :D
 
In my experience on the forums and Ebay, Sebenzas hold their value pretty darn well, certainly as well as any production folder, you cant expect a production folder, no matter how well made, to hold value like a custom by a sought after maker, supply and demand.

To say that ANY knife's fit and finish trounces that of the Sebenza is a little silly, because its not possible. Hey, i love custom knives, i own and have owned quite a few, and i have played with and examined closely many of the better tactical knives, by guys like JW Smith, Tighe, Carson, and similar, and theres no doubt, these makers make a great knife, with great fit and finish, but they do not "blow away" the fit and finish on the Sebenza, the fit and finish on the Sebenza is simply too good to be blown away by ANY knife, well made customs included. And, i have seen plenty of customs that did not equal the F&F of a Sebenza. I have seen JW Smith customs, brand new at the dealer, with a less than perfectly centered blade, havent yet seen a Sebenza without one, and ive seen a lot more of them than JW Smiths knives to be sure. And Smith is one of the best makers out there.

Say whatever you will, but fit and finish-wise, the Sebenza holds its own against ANY knife made. Thats one of its great features. I have owned several Sebenzas and have closely examined probably 100, and i have YET to see a single one that didnt have PERFECT fit and finish, and thats just very hard to improve on, customs notwithstanding.

Thats not to say that there doesnt exist a Sebenza out there that doesnt have perfect F&F, but ive never seen one, and i bet most forumites havent either. I bet it would actually be tough to find anyone who has seen a Sebenza with a poorly centered blade, or blade play, and i bet its relatively easy to find forumites who have found a poorly centred blade, or a little play on a custom. Chris Reeve's quality is VERY consistent, cant say the same of many custom makers, though of course, thats to be expected, the CR is not a hand made knife.
 
I really do not understand the "folder vs. fixed" debate. They are two entirely different animals. Fixed blades are stronger than folders...period. Folders are easier to carry/conceal than a fixed blade of EQUAL blade length. If you want an easier to carry/conceal fixed blade, you have to give up some size. I prefer knives in the 2.75" - 3" range. I personally have no need for anything larger than a 4" blade and find 4" to be overkill for most purposes. If I need to chop something, I use a hatchet.

As for the Sebenza.........either it is for you, or it isn't. Only YOU can decide that. Is the Sebenza worth the price? It is to me, your mileage may vary.

Paul
 
Actually, i said those things together kick the crap out of the sebenza. I will hold to that statement... And I still believe there are many many custom folders out there that will hands down beat a sebenza in fit and finish. There's too many to count that beat it in ergonomics and aesthetics. The lack of options is also a good reason to stay away from the sebbie. One blade shape, one stell, one handle material (unless you pay the stupidly high prices for a woody or leather inlay.) I simply see that there are much better choices out there in the sebbie price range. And yes, many of those choices are finished nicer and fit together better. And yes, it is possible for it to be done. The sebbie is a nice $175 knife. I still wouldn't own one at that price, but it's definately a nice knife in that price range. Too bad it's double the price, and a whole lot more then any production folder being mass produced today.

JR
 
Jeremy, i agree with you that there ARE reasons to prefer a custom knife to a Sebenza, aesthetics and prettier materials come to mind, there are several custom tacticals that i do think are better looking than a Sebenza, and given a choice between a nice Carson or a Sebenza, id probably choose the Carson, its more appealing to me, my main point is however, that Sebenzas have, in my experience, and that of a great many others, fit and finish that is just about as good as it gets, and its at a level that you simply cant "blow away", even with the best customs.

Like i said, i like customs a lot, i appreciate their style and aesthetics, and i wholeheartedly agree that many customs have the Sebenza beat for aesthetics and often the nicer looking materials used, but i stand by my assertion that with regard to F&F, the Sebenza is very tough to beat, and if there are customs that do beat it, it aint by much, and its certainly not blown away by any knife.

The Sebenza may not have the style or aesthetic appeal of a nice custom, and for that reason, i absolutely understand anyone who prefers a custom to a Sebenza, especially since the customs arent too much more expensive, but, again, its fit and finish are as good as it gets, and even a nice custom cant really do any better than that. I also doubt you can show me a custom with a stronger, better executed frame/liner lock.
 
Why do Sebenza's generate these kind of threads all the time with so much emotion? I mean, if you like it and can afford it, go for it, if you dont like it, dont buy it.
My opinion is that they are top of the line, excellent production knives. Do I think they're expensive,yes, but not when compared to other production knives like benchmade or microtech of lesser quality. Those knives are overpriced for what they are, Sebenza's are worth much more than them, and the difference in price between them is appropriate.
A production knife made by machine, even if there are human hands guiding the machine, should be flawless. Handmade knives on the other hand always have a small flaw here and there. Sometimes you dont see it but the maker knows where it is. As Bob Ogg says in his video-that's part of the handmade deal.
Buy what you like. I carry and collect customs because I like them, but why put down someone else's choice? Do you drive down the street in your car, whatever it is and criticize all those that chose a more expensive car? These debates dont make alot of sense.
 
>"It is somewhat expensive, but resale value is strong."

==================================

Now, sure. But in 10 years who knows. I'm NOT criticizing the knives or the folks who are lucky enough to afford them. But whether or not they hold their resale value in the future has little to do with the level of craftsmanship, etc., just the whims of the knife-buying public. There are better knives than old Case Trappers, right? But collectors pay loads for those. In 10 years will the market still dictate a high resale value for Sebs? Maybe. Maybe not.

I also agree with an earlier poster who put the terms "somewhat expensive" in context. To me, a $150+ knife is wildly expensive and nothing I'd <i>ever</i> buy. Again, to each his own, just don't forget some perspective and context.
 
Would it be correct if I ask to name a few? Hope this don`t cause debate, I am looking to get me a good FIRST folder, I like the overall design of the sebenza, but would like to consider what else is out there for that price range. Maybe just name the makers and I´ll look them up.

Thanks
Alex


Originally posted by Jeremy Reynolds
I still believe there are many many custom folders out there that will hands down beat a sebenza in fit and finish. There's too many to count that beat it in ergonomics and aesthetics.
JR
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Alex,

Many of the big name makers have many advantages over the sebenza, in terms of both quality and resale value. A few in the price range of the sebenza would be Darrel Ralph, Kit Carson, JW Smith, Mike Obenauf, etc... If you want to look in the price of the specialized sebenzas, you can start adding Bob Terzuola, Greg Lightfoot, Brian Tighe, Joel Chamblain (many of his are lower priced, in the plain 'benza price range) Mike Snody, etc... You can't go wrong with any of the big name/popular makers. Larry Chew is another one I would like to add, and his needle bearing pivot system makes the knives incredibly smooth.

Disclaimer to makers: just because your name wasn't mentioned, doesn't mean your knives are not in that quality level. I simply have a 17 second attention span and have no desire to sit here for the next 3 hours typing the names of every high quality folder maker.

JR
 
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