pro's and con's of the Sebenza?

[shootist16]

I have a Sebenza on the way. I have finally given in to the pressure.

I have read numerous threads stating that the Sebenza is the best production knife available, for the price it should be.

I know that with everything there are trade-offs. For every up there is a down. Can someone please explain what exactly makes this the "best" production knife? What are the faults, if any, of the Sebenza?

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Dennis Bible

 

[Paracelsus]

Since I don't own one, I can only list the reasons why I Do Not have a Sebenza. I'm sure they have other virtues as well, but here is my list:

Faults

1: They are super ugly and almost define the phrase grey turd.

2: They are hollow ground

3: They cost about $100 more than makes sense to me and the decorated versions are ridiculously expensive for a production knife.

Positives

1: BG42 is a great blade steel

2: They are well made

3: They work well

4: Folks that have them seem to love them. It is rare to read a complaint from someone who has one.

Paracelsus, not a fan, yet

 

[ARtsig1]

Dennis,
You made a great decision. I say this even though I just posted two on the for sale forum. Still have a new large classic! Most of what I have to say is going in the plus column. I like the simplicity of the design and the way it is executed. Take it apart when you get it and you will see what I mean. I really like the thick titanium that is used for the handle slabs and the little extras like the 45 degree angle on the handle edges so they do not cut into your hand. This knife has a solid feel to me. Other extras are an anodized thumb button, anodized rear spacer, mirror polished screw heads. All of this sorta adds up to a super nice knife. The edge will come hair popping sharp and should lock up tighter than any other knife you have. I like the blade design of the classic since it has a more defined point. It carries well due to the thin size, but believe me it is heavy duty as any folder I have.
I have noticed that the newer ones don't open as easily as the one I had a couple of years ago but that is fine with me since I don't want a knife that falls open in my pocket! It is not hard to open just a bit stiffer action.
I really can't think of a lot of faults. If I could have a custom Sebenza it would have a thicker blade about 5/32" but that is just a personal preference. I would also like to see it a bit longer, say 3 3/4 to 4 inches in length. Of course my wife would too but thats a story for another forum.
Dennis, I think you will be happy with the purchase. Let us know how it goes.

Art Sigmon

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12

 

[UW Mitch]

Cost and looks are probably the downside of the knife.

When I got mine, back last April, I unwrapped it expecting the holy grail of knives. Turns out it was just a knife...nothing magical...unless you account for the fact that I have constantly carried it in the past 8 months despite getting some pretty good "user" customs. It's great, because it feels like a tank, and I don't feel bad using it.

~Mitch

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My Hobby Page

 

[shootist16]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by UW Mitch:
It's great, because it feels like a tank, and I don't feel bad using it.

~Mitch

</font>

I hope I feel the same way. I have never been able to use a $300+ knife. not when there are knives like the Wegner or 710 that function flawlessly.



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Dennis Bible

 

[Senator]

I had a problem a few years back with a small Sebenza I owned. The thumb stud kept catching on the liner of my pocket, resulting in the blade partially opening when I went to draw the knife. Bad news! I contacted Chris Reeve about it. He insisted that there must have been a problem with the detent, despite my assurances to him that the detent was perfectly fine. He also said that I might have had some loose threads that were catching on the studs. I checked and found no loose threads in any of my pants pockets. I felt that the small, sharp, pointy thumb stud, combined with the tip-up carry was the problem.

I reluctantly sent it back to CRK. Once they received it, Chris called me and stated that the knife had "obviously been tampered with." Hmmm, since the knife had come unopened from an authorized dealer, and I had done nothing other than disassemble it to clean and lube it, I knew that not to be a true statement. There was no use in arguing...

Anyway, Chris re-drilled the detent and took some of the "bite" out of the thum stud's ridges. When I received it back, the detent was exactly the same as it was before (which was very good BTW). The first time I withdrew it from my pocket - yup, you guessed it - the thumb stud caught the liner and opened.

I traded the knife to a maker who, because he was going to remove the pocket clip anyway, didn't care about the problems I had. When this issue was brought up over on KnifeForums a few years back, several other people came forward to say that they had experience identical problems. I still believe that the problem is a combination of the "catchy" thumb stud and the tip-up configuration.

I loved the knife, but couldn't deal with the chance that I'd cut myself badly one day when I went to draw it.

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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection

Member NCCKG, SCAK, and AKTI

Deo Vindice

 

[blademan 13]

BAD

1. Cost is high, I wish they were $100 cheaper. But still worth every penny IMHO.

2. Looks are not a strong point although they do grow on you and gain character rather quickly.

GOOD

1. Feels like a fixed blade.

2. Break down cleaning is encouraged.

3. They are hollow ground (thin) and cut like the devil.

4. Great edge holding.

5. Stonewashed finish shrugs off use.

6. More comfortable than it looks.

7. Flawless fit and finish.

8. Very good resale if you feel the need to part with one.

9. A +300 dollar knife you will have no trouble justify using.

Good luck Dennis and enjoy!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I have a small herd of them, from the little Umfaan to the large new style Sebenza.

The blade, while hollow ground as Para pointed out, is a very very shallow hollow grind and the edge geometry really cuts or push cuts extremely well, I sit while working on leather projects and slice leather while glue is setting up and always compare which knife slices through leather the best and the Sebenza ranks very high, only one that cut better is my Jimmy Fikes Chiseledge fixed blade that thing is super sharp!

I like them for their strength and simple but elegant design, infact I just ordered a small Classic Sebenza to round out my collection....I've only a large Wood Inlay Sebenza to make it complete, but that is a ways off, unless someone wants to trade me one for my Jimmy Fikes CabinBoy.....

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

 

[Firebat]

They are really well made knives, no doubt. I have a Large that I bought two years or so ago, and also a decorated Umfaan. Of the two, the Umfaan sees more use than my Large does, mainly just because the Umfaan carries better, and is much more sheeple friendly.

The attention to detail is definitely there- it's extremely evident when opening and closing the Sebenzas that there are some very close tolerances at work. Seem strong enough- like others have said- like a fixed blade. I wouldn't worry about ever breaking one.

Yet I agree that they're not much too look at in standard guise. Two years ago, the quality of the Sebenza far surpassed any of the other production pieces I owned. However, with the "magic" long since worn off, and the quality of full factory produced knives coming up, the $300+ for a Sebenza can seem a bit much.

A great knife- no doubt. I think everyone should experience one, but that doesn't mean they are for everyone.

Firebat


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Name's Ash......Housewares.

 

[shootist16]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Senator:
I had a problem a few years back with a small Sebenza I owned. The thumb stud kept catching on the liner of my pocket, resulting in the blade partially opening when I went to draw the knife.
I loved the knife, but couldn't deal with the chance that I'd cut myself badly one day when I went to draw it.

</font>

I have ha similar experiences with other knives. Especially in my uniform pants. I have had my SERE 2000 open up several times as I was drawing it. I chalked it up to the studs + tip up carry, and the angle of which I had to draw the knife due to my pistol. That is why I stick to knives with holes for duty carry.

I haven't gotten the Sebenza in my hands yet, but it seems as though production knives have improved so much that the $300+ price tag may be a litle much.



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Dennis Bible

 

[bruce]

I've carried my full sized Sebenza for a year now. I thought the tip up carry was going to be dangerous from the experiences some above have had, but the clip in on the lock side allows me (right handed) to place it in my right front pocket next to the side seam of my jeans. It has never opened and withdraws very well. Jeans pockets are probably a little more snug than say, dockers or dress slacks so it tends to stay put and not move around.

It does like to be cleaned though. I recently took it in to the shop (I live about 25 miles away) and had it cleaned. Bridget did a super job of getting it back to me.

I bought it as a tool for my military service. It fulfills its role very well. I don't think of it as beautiful (although the fancy ones are very eye appealing!) but it has it's own look and suits me well.

It is the one folder I trust enough take to combat or to give to one of my children when they go backpacking.

Bruce Woodbury (Caldwell, Idaho)

 

[The General]

Good

1. BG-42 steel
2. Sharp as a scaple out of the box
3. Tough as old boots
4. A lock that will not fail...

5. Quality, quality quality
6. Snob factor
7. The look of a knifeknut who knows what it is! Worth the money that!
8. Er, I like it!

Bad
1. Clip is very poor, I would not trust it.
2. Very heavy for a daily carry
3. Thumb disc/stud, I prefer a SpyderHole!
4. Quite stiff at first to open.
5. Very expensive
6. Not flat ground.

Is it worth it? Yes, just, but as a knifeknut owning a Sebi is a must?

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

 

[toothed]

Dennis, you didn't mention which size/model Sebenza you ordered.

I personally prefer the 2MM Classic blade design over the "regular" blade--the 2MM blade seem to have more "clip" to its point.
A negative: It may be just me but my thumb often slips off the liner when I attempt to disengage the lock. It seems that the grooves are too smooth. I don't have this problem with the regular Sebenza.I recently bought a Gerber Airframe and find it similar in heft to the large Sebenza. I like carrying the Airframe over the 2MM because it cost less, has a nice palm swell, has a longer blade, seem lighter, and it cost less (sorry, did I say that already?). I don't mind damaging the Airframe during use but I would probably cry if anything should happen to the Sebenza.

Anyway, the things I like most about the Sebenzas are the simple and effective design, precision fit, and quality materials. I also have a decorated small Sebenza (Aztec) which I like very much. I think it's the ideal size for me.

BTW, didn't you recently purchase a custom Tim Wegner? Why now the Sebenza so soon? It must be the "Itch" that most of us all know too well.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

The positives of the SEbenza have been well-documented here! The negatives, as I see it:

1. The handle. I'm surprised no one has mentioned this! It's neither especially comfortable nor secure, IMO.

2. The thumb stud. I know some people love it, and it certainly looks very nice, but I am not a fan of the tiny sharp thumb stud, too small of a target.

Positives include: fit & finish is usually extraordinary, great blade profile for excellent general-use performance, solid and reliable lock-up, excellent blade steel. Very nice knife, no question, and probably never a bad choice for a general-use folder.

Joe

 

[FrancisB]

I've seen a lot of excellent informtion on the Pro / Con arguement for the Sebenza.

My 2 cents:

+ Bombproof, very very solid, more so than any other folder I'm aware of.
+ Thin, I carry my large Seb in my waistline, and don't realize it's there.
+ Light (for the size, see above)
+ Doesn't look like an evil black knife. Blade shape and color doesn't scare sheeple as much (seriously, someone freaked at my AFCK a while back at work, but finds my Sebbie OK)
+ Great blade steel and config and SHARP
+ simple design, I take mine apart all the time to clean... (I think of it as the "glock of knives"
+ outstanding warrenty and service

Con's (most have been mentioned)

- stud is small for super fast opening, (I don't think this is a big deal, it's not a tac folder)
- grip isn't the best. I think it's actually pretty comfortable, but there are better grips to be sure. Thin and grip comfort are mutually exclusive goals I think.
- Cost. Hey, I buy my wife jewelry, I like nice knives... :=) I have, but never wear a really nice watch, instead I like my Timex Ironman... So my Seb is my only indulgence... and my LCC, and my SERE2000 and my .... ;-)
- Ugly?!? Not sure if I agree with this. Form follows function.. Of course, I love Glocks too, which is the epitomy of form follows function. YMMV

In short, it's a wonderful knife. It can't be all things to all people, but it's what I carry 80% of the time. If it was thicker and heavier, it could have a "better" grip, but then I wouldn't have it as often as I do...

 

[ENGINE3C]

The Sebenza is like a Jeep CJ-7 to a walking man or a Glock 30 in a CCW holster. To some people, there are prettier "tools of the trade" To me, the beauty is the simplicity. I like the idea that the knife can be refurbed. I don't hesitate to use it every chance I get. Scratches, sooo what!
What other company tells you to take it apart and clean it? None

I do wish they were a little cheaper, then I could buy a bunch of them, 2 is not enough!

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"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13

Mike

[This message has been edited by ENGINE3C (edited 01-22-2001).]

 

[rickmos]

I don't think they are ugly....form follows function...and these knives are extremely functional if nothing else.

 

[shootist16]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by toothed:
Dennis, you didn't mention which size/model Sebenza you ordered.


BTW, didn't you recently purchase a custom Tim Wegner? Why now the Sebenza so soon? It must be the "Itch" that most of us all know too well.

</font>

I have the plain, large on the way. I wasn't crazy about the classic. I guess I am in the minority.

Yes I recently got a custom Wegner. The Wegner is my favorite design to date. I just happened to work a deal on a Sebenza or I wouldn't be getting one.


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Dennis Bible

 

[Hugo]

Dennis, you're not alone. I didn't think much of the classic either. To me the "new" Sebenza is more classic, and much nicer design.

I also think that it is not ugly at all. It has character (it doesn't look like all the other knives) and has very clean and timeless design. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's comfortable... but actually it's not that bad either (I have the large one) - specially if you are using it with gloves. Design follows function... yes, that's how it's done. But there are limits to everything... as I also hate how some people like to destroy those clean lines with dual thump studs (or the cutout for it).

About the hollow grind. It's both good and bad... I generally like flat grinds better (although some hollows are very beautifull), but the hollow grind of Sebenza is so long and thing that it's something quite different from hollow grinds of Spyderco for example. Cuts like...

Hugo.

[This message has been edited by Hugo (edited 01-23-2001).]

 

[shootist16]

I'm getting really excited now. I can't wait to get it into my grubby little hands. Worth it or not it seems to be a knife that every knife nut should own.

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Dennis Bible