Reasons to get a plain jane over an inlay other than price...

T

The_Guide

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Feb 1, 2009
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I am in the market for a sebenza, and am leaning heavily towards the cocobolo inlay... but there is a question that has been burning a hole in the back of my head for a while now...

Is there a reason to get a plain jane sebenza over an inlay other than price?

I get that some prefer the aesthetics, but are there any other reasons?

Cheers!
:cool::thumbup:
 
I bought the plain specifically because I want the plain titanium to accumulate scratches and wear over the years. To me a scuffed all-metal knife will always look better with age, but with inlays it's not such a certainty.

Plus the thinness helps, as well as the minimalist simpler = better, but mostly it was for even and predictable wear over the course of many years.
 
A small with inlays is still a relatively thin knife. It's thinner than my mini grip. Get whatever looks like it will make you happy. The extra $75 I paid for inlays is extremely pointless. But it looks good and I enjoy looking at it. Which is all that matters.
 
I have a small Sebenza with African Blackwood..... Love it. Smallish, thin, with good looking scales. Get what appeals to your eye.

Peter
 
It's thinner and seems to ride lighter in the pocket and a little easier to pull out of the pocket.
 
A plain has the benefit of always being eligible for complete refurbishment at the CR shop, if that's important to you. Not so with inlays, silver contrast graphics, or graphics with cabochons. They also carry a little more comfortably due to the thinner profiles and (slightly) less weight. Regarding the small seb, I find less difference in feel and weight, but I don't use the clip with a small.
 
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I really like the small plain and the large with inlays. It seems to be proportionally the same to me.
T
 
I have both, but I wish the inlays for all Sebs was just like it is for the limited edition. I don't like the two strips of inlay, it just doesn't look as good as one solid piece. I have a limited in snake wood, and a regular plain. I am a lot more careful with the limited one.
If you are going to use it regularly, I recommend the plain. If you scratch it up, you won't be nearly as upset
 
For your first one? I'd say go plain. I'd like to think that the plain Sebenza design is the definition of KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid. Any embellishments take way from that definition, design and utility.

:thumbup:
 
I like the plain Sebenza for a number of reasons, already mentioned is the look. I like a very stripped back and functional looking knife. The plain is also easier to clean, if that is an issue. The plains leave little to worry about as far as natural materials having issues with chemical contact, knocks, scrapes etc. as well. The knife is also thinner so can be carried a little easier with other equipment or even just in the pocket. The refubishment of the knife is also made easier if that ever becomes needed. It just makes for a good useable and long lasting tool at the end of the day, having less parts and using few but well chosen materials.
 
keepright said:
I bought the plain specifically because I want the plain titanium to accumulate scratches and wear over the years. To me a scuffed all-metal knife will always look better with age, but with inlays it's not such a certainty.

Plus the thinness helps, as well as the minimalist simpler = better, but mostly it was for even and predictable wear over the course of many years.
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I agree with you, just my experience over the years owning sebenzas.
 
The plain has more refurbishing and finish option. Scratch it up, and don't like it -get it reblasted. You can go with the Factory scale finish, scotch brite or stonewash it. I would think the plain would be a little easier to pull from pocket. The inlay fills the hand better IMO. The real answer though is that you seem to want a Cocobolo inlay and that is what you should get. There is nothing wrong with the Cocobolo inlay, you like it and it doesn't matter what we like or don't like. It is going to show some wear over time, so will the plain, but it all just adds to it's character(not of fan of re-blasting scales. I like the wear look).
Be aware though that they can't refurbish the scales without destoying the inlay and putting in a new one. The only inlay they can refurbish with it in there is the micarta.
 
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When cutting an apple, it is much easier for me to rinse a plain handled Sebenza.
:)
red mag
 
keepright said:
Having the plain utilitarian Sebenza gives me an excellent "reason" to buy a Mnandi.
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Bingo! I won't get my small plain sebenza in the mail for several more weeks. My "lust drive function" has now turned to a nice Mnandi rather than a dress up sebenza.
 
Plain is just plain, timeless design and personally I think it looks better with use and scratches. Ive owned a few with the inlays, one with african blackwood with polished blade and it was too nice to use. Good for collecting. I just picked up a few large micarta versions and they look and feel awesome, and so far its my favorite. Pretty to look at and serves a function, providing better grip and thicker than the just the plain old 21.
 
Moonblade said:
Bingo! I won't get my small plain sebenza in the mail for several more weeks. My "lust drive function" has now turned to a nice Mnandi rather than a dress up sebenza.
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Awesome!

I have to admit that I was starting to shop for a Mnandi before my small Sebingo had even arrived - my first, bought sight unseen without handling any CRK...

... And then there's the need for a "big" knife to compliment it as well ...
 
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