Question about a Sebenza CLassic 21 Lrge

L

LouZava

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Nov 1, 2009
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How sharp does this Sabenza come from the factory or where ever you buy it from? Ive found it for almost 400 dollars. At first glance of pics and reviews on this knife, I thought to myself whats so great? But now, Wow this knife is great! According to all the review vids. I want one and I think I will get one too.
Now I want to know how sharp does it come? Scary Spyderco sharp or not so sharp (Benchmade sharp)?

Also Ive read and heard about S30V steel chipping. So why do they use it on this EXPENSIVE knife? Sebenza guys please sell me on this knife. Thanks guys. :)
 
The S30V chipping thing hasn't really been in the main discussions since S30V was a new steel several years ago. Of those complaints, I haven't seen any of them about Sebenzas chipping. Chipping will not be an issue with your Sebenza (assuming you don't do unreasonable things with knives).

The out of box sharpness level doesn't seem like it should really be a concern for anyone. Eventually you'll have to get it resharpened so either you're going to learn how to sharpen (freehand or use some sharpening system) or you're going to be sending it to someone to get it sharpened. If you're buying the Sebenza from an online store, you can always have them double check for sharpness before shipping it out to you.
 
Yea i see what your saying. Im not concerned, just curious. For paying 400 bucks it better cut wind. lol nevermind. Anyway, I bought the Sharpmaker and have been practicing on cheap knives. Thanks for the reply (s).
 
Both of mine came sharp. The small classic was VERY sharp. The large 21 would shave but wasn't quite as sharp as the small.
No chipping at all. I don't expect any either.
 
I've always heard CRK heat treats their knives to a slightly lower hardness than say Strider, because it's suposed to be optimal in terms of "toughness" for s30v. maybe someone more knowledgeable about s30v can chime in. i don't own any knives in s30v actually (umnumzaan coming on tues).
 
My Sebenza came fairly sharp from the box.Since using it a few times I have re-sharpened it with no problems and no chipping.

The only S30V blade I had chipping on was a Spyderco Manix I bought a few years ago. I was able to sharpen it out with little problem.
 
I have several sebenzas, large and small and never had a chipping issue with S30V. The chipping issues were when S30V first came out and I have heard of no issues with it lately. I EDC a large regular with S30V. I sharpened it on the sharpmaker about two weeks ago. I have since cut Alot of cardboard in the last two weeks. My wife is big into recycling and likes all the cardboard cut up for the recycling guys. I had to package up many ebay items and nearly all of them required me to basically make custom boxes. I was cutting various foods on the cutting board as well. I checked it today and it still shaves hair, not as good of course, but it shaved hair without much effort. Cardboard is supposed to dull knives pretty quickly, but mine has held up pretty well. I only sharpened it about once a month, and its mostly just 10 swipes on each side with the ''fine'' sticks on the sharpmaker, then its back to shaving sharp again. I only dislike the 21 because I do not personally care for the pointy blade shape. I like the regular blade profile that has more belly to the blade and is more of a drop point. But thats my own personal preference as I am sure I am in the minority. I would like to get a large classic someday though. As far as being shaving sharp from the factory, all my sebbies came second hand. ALL have had the factory edge though. I have bought several New One Piece knives from CRK and distributors and they were scary sharp. I have read Many posts and nearly everyone states how sharp sebenzas are from the factory. Every once in awhile, you hear someone is dissappointed with the sharpness. But is it them and how they perceive sharpness ??? I feel everyone has their own perception of sharpness, so whats scary sharp to someone, might not be scary sharp to someone else. I always check by shaving arm hair. If is slices hair off my arm with no effort, I consider that scary sharp. You will not be dissappointed with a sebenza. I bought many one piece knives from CRK before I got a sebenza. I too thought it was rediculas to pay $400 for a folding knife at one time. I was used to $40 buck and schrade knives. I have since sold nearly all my other knives to buy more sebenzas and one piece knives. Once I discovered CRK quality, everything else seems to be lacking. I even tried strider ( in my experience, the worst factory edge ever ). And to me personally, the strider will never compare to a sebenza, and the sebenza is even cheaper than a strider and I feel you get more for it. So go out and get a sebenza, in any configuration and you will never look back. Once you get it, post in the CRK forum your thoughts, I would like to hear them !
 
tf8s said:
I've always heard CRK heat treats their knives to a slightly lower hardness than say Strider, because it's suposed to be optimal in terms of "toughness" for s30v. maybe someone more knowledgeable about s30v can chime in. i don't own any knives in s30v actually (umnumzaan coming on tues).
Click to expand...

If you get the Feb 2010 issue of Blade, the heat-treat pro Paul Bos, has a little comment about S30V. Specifically, that S30V's edge holding is optimized at 58.5 - 59 HRC, and that it begins to get "chippy" at about 61 HRC.

Guess what hardness CRK uses with S30V? :rolleyes:

It's a good article if you see a copy of the magazine.
 
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DallasSTB said:
If you get the Feb 2010 issue of Blade, the heat-treat pro Paul Bos, talks a little about S30V. Specifically, that S30V's edge holding is optimized at 58.5 - 59 HRC, and that it begins to get "chippy" at about 61 HRC.

Guess what hardness CRK uses with S30V? :rolleyes:

It's a good article if you see a copy of the magazine.
Click to expand...

yeah actually I think that's what I was referring to. I haven't read the article, but that's exactly what I heard. I'll have to check it out. also, feb 2010????
 
I just realized something though... doesn't paul bos heat treat striders (or they use his method at least) aren't striders heat treated to 60HRC or higher?
 
tf8s said:
I just realized something though... doesn't paul bos heat treat striders (or they use his method at least) aren't striders heat treated to 60HRC or higher?
Click to expand...

I believe Strider (Bos's recipe, which is the same as the Bos stamped Striders, IIRC), BM, Spyderco, & most others HT their S30V at 58-60 (I think Spyderco lists theirs at 59-60). CRK lists theirs at 57-59.

I've had 7 different Sebs & an Umnum, all S30V & used most of them. I had no issues with chipping or edge holding.

To the OP, NIB lg. 21 Sebs list at $385, unless they're an inlay model. If so, then they start at $485, I believe. You should be able to find a LNIB Lg. Classic, Reg, or 21 for $350 or so, depending on condition, etc.
 
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