Please explain appeal of Sebenza to me

[bld522]

I just watched a YouTube video review and I'm just as confused as before. He said there is a large price difference for a micarta inlay on the scale? I'm not disparaging this knife at all. I'm just trying to connect the dots I'm seeing, never having researched this manufacturer. I own a William Henry, wondering if its "like them"?

No .

HAH! Short, sweet and to the point. But as the OP mentioned William Henry, I will say that they and Chris Reeve are my two favorite production knife companies. You can't go wrong with knives from either of them.

 

[Fanglekai]

It is simple in design.

Compared to what? I watched the video on how they are made. It's not simple in design or manufacture. Simple is an Opinel or Svord peasant. The Sebenza design has a lot of details. Sebenzas aren't flashy like Striders but they aren't simple.

 

[goodeyesniper]

... or a tanto design or a wharnecliff design ...

I believe you mean modified wharncliffe

but yes, same thought applies, I'll go after any of the other countless blades that have the ergonomics of a 1x2 piece of lumber

luckily I'm not I'm the market for something like that, I like knives with thoughtful designs put into how well they handle. others aren't. different strokes.

like I said, if that's your thing, they are excellent knives. if you are on the fence then you will probably be much better suited to a better and cheaper knife.

 

[JParanee]

They are very nice production knives no more no less

They have a cult following that I believe comes from the fact that they are affordable and attract buyers stepping up from mid priced production knives to higher end

 

[bpeezer]

Compared to what? I watched the video on how they are made. It's not simple in design or manufacture. Simple is an Opinel or Svord peasant. The Sebenza design has a lot of details. Sebenzas aren't flashy like Striders but they aren't simple.

There is a BIG difference between design and manufacture. I agree, the manufacturing is not simple at all. I work doing manufacturing process analysis, so believe me when I say I appreciate the manufacturing processes that go into making a Sebenza. I would pay to visit Chris Reeve's shop.

That being said, I stand by the statement that the Sebenza is simple in design.

 

[plastid]

If Blake Lively got turned in to a knife, the Sebenza is what she would turn in to.

 

[Surfingringo]

It's a status symbol, nothing more.

"Nothing more"? That's a bit of a blanket statement don't you think?? Like, it's not a quality knife? It's not a well made, functional, long lasting tool? Oh, I have no doubt that for many it is indeed a status symbol, but it's ridiculous to universally relegate the knife to that role. Come on. What's the point of saying stuff like that?

I'm sure there are MANY who use and enjoy the knife everyday without ever telling anybody what it is or how much it cost. The truth is that 99.9% of human beings aren't even going to recognize a sebenza when they see it. So if you don't go around telling em what it is, how is it a status symbol?


Disclaimer: I don't own a sebenza, but I own other nice things that certainly aren't "status symbols". There is nothing wrong with enjoying something beautiful.

 

[Lycosa]

The Sebenza is a perfect folder design and the quality is outstanding... consistently.
But, it's not the only perfect folder design. The Strider SnG and the Spyderco Military models are also perfect folder designs.
rolf

 

[Jamboi]

I don't much care for the ergonomics of the sebenza. Handled 2 at a knife shop and they didn't really excite me. As for the price it is really not that high. If someone told me I would spend 200 on a zt knife I would have told them they were crazy, but then I did. If I had the discretionary income, I would totally buy a real Hinderer for 700 or so. To each their own.

 

[Dorito Monk]

They are very nice production knives no more no less

They have a cult following that I believe comes from the fact that they are affordable and attract buyers stepping up from mid priced production knives to higher end

This is the only place I've ever heard anyone call a ~400$ pocket knife "affordable".

 

[AmericanEDC]

Seems like I'm getting exactly what I was after, a polite discussion on both sides of the aisle telling me about this knife. I wear an expensive watch, purchased when I was 1/2 as old as now, with the intention of being a hand me down, timeless design, luxury (but not ostentatious...no diamonds) level item. It's still on my wrist right now. I over paid then as people still do for this famous brand. It has inherent quality but also a lot of image and a lot of recognize-able traits. You can get very nearly or more quality for less money I'm sure but then it wouldn't be the original. It wouldn't be THIS watch.

I'm starting to gather that the Sebenza is the exact knife equivalent to the watch I wear and have for the last 27 years. Rebuildable, serviceable, recognizeable, a bit of image, high quality still, small and subtle changes over the years. I don't wear a Timex though it would keep better than my automatic. I wouldn't insure it either.

I don't carry my silly William Henry. It's more art than knife..a safe queen. So whereas a Breguet with Turbillion might stay in the safe....this Sebenza gets used.

Did that get it about right?

 

[cbxer55]

This is the only place I've ever heard anyone call a ~400$ pocket knife "affordable".

Got that right! I would have a hard time parting with $400.00 for anything, let alone a pocket knife. I've got a few that I've paid slightly north of $200.00 for, and that is my upper limit to what I refer to as "affordable". $400.00 for a knife is a "no way at all likely situation" for this guy.

I do have one custom made folder that I paid a bit north of $400.00 for. The one and only, a Reese Weiland Hawkbill, purchased when I was younger and not so much a cheapskate as I am now. I still have it, and it never leaves the house as I've discovered hawkbill knives are almost useless for every day stuff. I keep it as a reminder to myself to NEVER EVER pay that much for a knife again. Every time I look at is, as now, I ask myself WTF were you thinking, rabbit??

 

[Fanglekai]

Seems like I'm getting exactly what I was after, a polite discussion on both sides of the aisle telling me about this knife. I wear an expensive watch, purchased when I was 1/2 as old as now, with the intention of being a hand me down, timeless design, luxury (but not ostentatious...no diamonds) level item. It's still on my wrist right now. I over paid then as people still do for this famous brand. It has inherent quality but also a lot of image and a lot of recognize-able traits. You can get very nearly or more quality for less money I'm sure but then it wouldn't be the original. It wouldn't be THIS watch.

I'm starting to gather that the Sebenza is the exact knife equivalent to the watch I wear and have for the last 27 years. Rebuildable, serviceable, recognizeable, a bit of image, high quality still, small and subtle changes over the years. I don't wear a Timex though it would keep better than my automatic. I wouldn't insure it either.

I don't carry my silly William Henry. It's more art than knife..a safe queen. So whereas a Breguet with Turbillion might stay in the safe....this Sebenza gets used.

Did that get it about right?

Sounds about right. The knife that cuts the best out of all the knives I own is an Opinel #8. It's scary sharp, ridiculously easy to maintain, non threatening, and super light. As a tool the only thing that would be better is one handed opening.

CRK produces expensive high end knives. They are luxury goods. They do not cut better than Moras or Opinels. They are designed to cater to people who want a luxury knife. They come in many designs with premium materials like mammoth inlays. They will not perform better than an $8 Opinel but that's not the point. Pride of ownership, premium materials, exclusivity, great warranty service, and close tolerances are some of the main reasons people buy them.

An Opinel is like the Timex in your comparison. The Sebenza is the higher end watch.

 

[mlanghornes]

I held off on mine for a long time, but now that i have one, its just about my perfect knife. The ergos fit my hand well, i love the looks, design details, materials, basically everything about it. Its a simple, well -engineered beauty with a long pedigree behind it. I agree, many of the benefits (looks, ergos, etc) are a subjective thing, but it is without a doubt a sturdy tool that can be used hard and look good in a suit. If you're curious, try one. If you have no desire for one, there are plenty of other good knives out there. As for the cost, it is expensive...for a knife. But compared to guns? Laptops? Tires? Cigarettes? Going out to bars, or even regular meals from a drive through? There are lots of ways to blow $350 that won't last as long or bring as much utility as a sebenza.

 

[KnottyEagle]

I have no desire to own a Chris Reeve product and I never will. It's as simple as that.

 

[CSG]

AmericanEDC, I was reading the comments here some more and it dawned on me pretty much the same as you. I have three iconic Rolex watches and a couple iconic Omegas that are, for me, a pleasure to own and wear. But when someone tells me their $50 Casio is more accurate and does the job of keeping accurate time better than the Rolex, they're right.

I can see how knife lovers may want to spend more for a quality built knife that many might consider nothing more than a status symbol because they appreciate it for what it is. No different than those who drive a Lexus instead of a Toyota or a BMW instead of a VW.

For me, knives are tools and love them though I do, I'd be hard pressed to spend over $100 for one and can't think of one I own that approaches that price (at least when I bought them). But I drive a Lexus Land Cruiser, wear a Rolex, and buy my clothes at Target. Go figure...

 

[HwangJino]

It's a great knife.

I love mine and have carried it everyday since owning it. However I do feel the price is higher than what should be asked. Another is that I use this at work to open frozen boxes of random boxes and its not the quickest tool.

Considering a ZT flipper for quick one handed opening.

That said, anyone who uses or borrows my sebenza sure does show appreciation for the fine craftsmanship.

 

[tactical45]

I own two sebenza's and I use them more than all my other knives. I love them and will buy more of them as well as other brands also. When you use them you really start to appreciate the quality of them. Then you look for the same quality in other knives. I was and still am in the market for a ZT 0560. I was on vacation and stopped at a well known knife store to check the ZT out. They had a 0560 and 0561. One opened very hard, you could not flick it. And the other had a lot of blade play when open/locked, so I did not buy either. I don't mean to take anything away from the company they make some great knives. It's just something I come to expect for the quality of all knives. If you like it you like it, if you don't you don't, no big deal. Just my 2ct! Now to look at some ZT's! Good luck on deciding if is worth it.

 

[JParanee]

This is the only place I've ever heard anyone call a ~400$ pocket knife "affordable".

If they where not they would not be so popular.

Many people consider them an excellent knife for the money

With that said I do not own one but that does not mean that a Sebenza is not a well made knife

 

[AmericanEDC]

AmericanEDC, I was reading the comments here some more and it dawned on me pretty much the same as you. I have three iconic Rolex watches and a couple iconic Omegas that are, for me, a pleasure to own and wear. But when someone tells me their $50 Casio is more accurate and does the job of keeping accurate time better than the Rolex, they're right.

I can see how knife lovers may want to spend more for a quality built knife that many might consider nothing more than a status symbol because they appreciate it for what it is. No different than those who drive a Lexus instead of a Toyota or a BMW instead of a VW.

For me, knives are tools and love them though I do, I'd be hard pressed to spend over $100 for one and can't think of one I own that approaches that price (at least when I bought them). But I drive a Lexus Land Cruiser, wear a Rolex, and buy my clothes at Target. Go figure...

Many responders are assuming I'm interested in owning one but at this price I'm not...yet. I was more wondering what it's all about. I do want to hold one and see if its for me. If it is, price won't really matter. We spent $63 for pizza last night taking out the neighbor kids. $350-$450 hardly seems over priced if its a labor intensive production, quality materials, engineering and probably most of all.. Small unit sales. I mean if Apple or Samsung only sold the same number as CRK and made them in the US their phones would cost 5 figures.