I started reading this thread when my first sebenza was in the mail on its way and I must say it had me a bit concerned.It was a classic in s30v at 58-59 rc. When it arrived I inspected it and there were two visible rolls about midway along the edge. My first thought was great, this is the most I've ever spent on a single knife and the heat treat is crap. The other thing I noticed was how thin the edge is, most production knives even my flat ground spydies are significantly thicker behind the edge.In fact the grind was closer to a straight razor than the grind on my Lionsteel sr1. So then I was concerned that not only was it too soft but that thin thin edge may result in gross failure.
Well I took it out and using a 600 grit belt put a convex edge on at about 35 degrees inclusive, it formed a nice even burr which stropped off easily leaving it hair popping sharp. Then I cut everything I could find, not very scientific as I didn't have a comparison blade or count the number of cuts and pressure applied but I just wanted to get a idea of how it would perform. Now I own a few good production folders which I have used daily for many years, and occasionally make knives so I have played with a few different steels and try hard to understand the effects and proper use of heat treatment, edge geometry, and alloy content. So I feel I can make a reasonably informed judgement on cutting performance.
As I said I cut everything I could find, cardboard of varying thicknesses, rope both nylon and cotton free hanging and on a board, I whittled a point on a 1-1/2 inch pine block, I cut up zip ties, sheared pieces off a phone book, sliced kydex and other plastic, hard coated chipboard, I even whittled some shavings off an aluminium bar, then I cut some more cardboard. As I said there was no counting the cuts or pressure I basically just went 'till my hand got tired. When I quit the knife was still slicing cardboard but would not shave or slice paper. Inspecting the edge there were a few very small rolls thanks to the aluminium I belive but overall the edge was in good shape. I gave it a few swipes on a ceramic rod which fixed the rolls, the blade would again shave and slice paper, not well but it would.
So overall I am quite impressed with the results, I think Mr Reeve has done a superb job of balancing edge geometry hardness and alloy choice. It performed well for me at the tasks I will use it for, and I would say it performed better than a lot of high dollar production knives I have used.
I will happily and confidently use my sebenza for many years to come.
