Ralph Vs. Sebenza.

Walking Man

Walking Man

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Let's say you have a choice between a D.D.R. knife or design of your choice. (what does the second D stand for, anyway?). Whether it's a $600 custom or a $300 combat elite or Camillus Aftermath, you have a choice between this and a Sebenza of equal value, whether have wood inlays or damascus steel or whatever. What would be your choice and why?
I've had 4 (maybe 4?) Sebenzas from time to time, but I only have a dominator now. I've had an Aftermath, and I have a custom on the way. So my answer is that right now I would prefer a DDR knife, mainly because of the ergonomics, and the assisted opener with the flipper is pretty cool too. thoughts?
To be completely fair, I think I would eventually like to get a classic Sebenza too. I've only had the newer shape, but I think I'd prefer the old.
 
I think Darrel Ralph knives are just plain awesome. I would always take one over a Sebenza of equal value. I do want a large classic micarta Sebenza, though.
 
WM....feeling a little trollish are we? ;) Don't have a ralph..totally satisfied with my sebenza. To each his own...
 
The "style" of a sebenza suits me much better then the "style" of DDR's.

YMMV of course.
 
metallicat said:
WM....feeling a little trollish are we? ;) Don't have a ralph..totally satisfied with my sebenza. To each his own...
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Read my whole post....! Dangit! :p
 
Walking Man said:
Let's say you have a choice between a D.D.R. knife or design of your choice.
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I think the discussion comes to a screetching halt right there :D.

I'd personally go with the D. Ralph. No question at all. You can get the seb later.
 
I'd take the Ralph, I own one of his with one on the way and a few sebbies. I carry my DDR my sebbies are sittin.
 
I always figured the "D" stood for "Designer."

As in "Designer (or Designed by) Darrell Ralph"

I'd go with Mr. Ralph. More choices available, no just the same design with different look options.
 
I would have to go for the Ralph. I have handled a sebbie and didn't like how it felt in my hand (both large and small sebbie's). The way the spine of the knife meets the handle and leaves a ridge above the pivot is uncomfortable for me.
 
Now this IS a tough question for me, as I LOVE Sebbies AND DDR's knives!! (I have 2 on order!!) And I would choose the DDR. I am a die hard Sebbie fan too. But, I just LOVE DDR's stuff!! I LOVE his AXD-NG!! And then there are the Gun Hammers..........
 
Much as I'm not really a "sebenza" person (don't worry, I've had them, just not my cup of tea); I have to admit that I'd choose a Dutch Landscape sebenza. If anyone has seen the other one (with the windmill and the diamond at the center of the sails), you'll know what I mean. I'm a HUGE fan of 17th century Dutch landscape painting and that thing is just plain gorgeous. It would, of course, be a safe queen, as I find sebenzas hard for me to carry.

-Anthony
 
I have had both knives, multiple variants. I like them both but I prefer the DDR's. The DDR's open much easier for me and I like the ergo of them... the sebbie is very plain and boxxy feeling to me, Darrel's knives seem to be thought through the process a bit more in terms of how the knife actually fits in your hand during use.

and I know what the second D stands for, but I won't tell :)
 
I'll take the DDR EASY.

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I have them both for a while, must describe my feeling like.....tasting ice cream. Sebenza is more like Vanilla flavor...and D.D.R. is like butter peacan......I like both flavors, can't really say exactly which is my favorit. I pick one depends on my mood at the moment.

Do I making any sense to you?? If I must must pick one, i will go for D.D.R. "Much" unique design. You just can't count D.D.R.'s creativity.
 
i have a DDR 4" CF/talonite maxx and a seb, F&F is close but better by a hair on the DDR, i like the DDR designs better myself, imho ralphs F&F are as good as any i have seen, this speaks pretty well for the seb to be this close, just have never been nutz about sebs, maybe w/a 4" blade? in all honesty never have carried a maxx much either, but of the 2 that would be my choice.

artfully martial is that a 4" maxx?? where did ya get it, i havent seen many w/the CF(i preume thats CF handles.....) actually the only CF maxx i have seen is mine, its #3 though so at least 2 others around, nice knife though.
 
Which do you like better, a solid color shirt or striped? Broadcloth or corduroy? Long sleeve or short?

DDR or CR? Too much alike in fit, finish, and function to make the choice anything but a whim. Darrel is one of the all-time great designers and knifemakers. Chris led the way in the framelock and in manufacturing excellence. Both are, however, participants in the same general area of high-end knives. The differences between their work is mostly cosmetic.

I could reach out my hand right now and pick up a Sebenza on the desk in front of me, or open the top drawer and get my DDR EDC. I like therm both. :D
 
The Sebenza fits me very well. I especially like the (plain) Large Classic. I really like elegant simplicity.

I also love Ralph's designs. Some of his high-end decorated knives make me drool like few knives can make me drool. But like comparing a porno star to your soul mate, drooling isn't all that matters. The Sebenza feels like my knife soul mate, even if DDR's extremely decorated knives are what I think about when I am alone.

Luckily I can have both without being accused of cheating. I bought a Sebenza first, and I think that was the right move as it is a good step towards the world of customs. In addition to a silly-good-looking DDR custom (such as one of his butterfly knives with rayskin), I also want one of his more plain models, such as a basic Gunhammer EDC-X, and a Combat Elite RRF.

But there are also more CRK models I want (Mnandi, Aviator), and more Sebenzas I want (I want a computer graphic, and a wood inlayed).

I love them both and cannot decide which I prefer until I get a lot more experience.
 
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