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SANRENMU Folding Knife
- Thread starter jerm03
- Start date
Yeah, what he said,
...whatever it was. 
But these are nothing but cheap knock-offs.
Big Mike
just because the same store sells two knives doesn't mean they're made by the same company you know
I feel embarrassed that I have bought several of these knives and even more so at how well I like them. I basically wanted to carry and use several sizes, lock types, opening methods, weights, blade designs etc to see what "real knife" I would buy. I couldn't afford the two sizes of CRK, Spyderco, or BM knives it would take just to evaluate lock/size/opening types much less all the other characteristics. Additionally, I'm just now getting to the point where I don't regularly loose knives, I couldn't bear to loose a $100 knife, much less a $400 one. A $10 knife is not such a big deal so it's also a cheap way for me to testy my new found ability to hang on to a knife so I won't loose whatever "real knife" I decide on.
I haven't decided yet and likely won't for months; maybe years. I want to use the variations long enough to decide before I invest in a good US made blade or two. The SRM/Enlan/Land/Navy knives are a cheap way to decide what's right for me. Arguably, I could have chosen several of the less expensive US made variants and I did where I could; namely Buck and Kershaw. Specifically a cheap Benchmade to try the axis lock would be what all my cheap knives cost added together.
I understand the temptation to simply dismiss them as crap. I'm so against buying them for political, human interest, intellectual property and US economic issues that it's tempting to dismiss them this way. It just ain't so. They are nice knives at most any price and amazing for the price I paid. I don't fault those buying them or not buying them for reasons other than how good they are or how cheap they are. Everybody has to decide that for themselves; I, for one, am thankful we can.
I haven't decided yet and likely won't for months; maybe years. I want to use the variations long enough to decide before I invest in a good US made blade or two. The SRM/Enlan/Land/Navy knives are a cheap way to decide what's right for me. Arguably, I could have chosen several of the less expensive US made variants and I did where I could; namely Buck and Kershaw. Specifically a cheap Benchmade to try the axis lock would be what all my cheap knives cost added together.
I understand the temptation to simply dismiss them as crap. I'm so against buying them for political, human interest, intellectual property and US economic issues that it's tempting to dismiss them this way. It just ain't so. They are nice knives at most any price and amazing for the price I paid. I don't fault those buying them or not buying them for reasons other than how good they are or how cheap they are. Everybody has to decide that for themselves; I, for one, am thankful we can.
Why feel embarrassed? They are decent, "real" knives, just as many others. They aren't those gas stations knives, some of which are dangerous to use.
The SRM 738, with the carbon fibre scales, is a sweet knife. It gives me just as much pleasure to carry as ANY of my other folders, some which I paid twenty times as much for.
That knife more or less exists, It is the Navy K507 which features G10 at one handle side. A nice knife for the price, and the size difference with the 710 makes it more comfortable:
It would be good to see a Sebenza in that "in between" format.
I now realise that I still have to do a review clip about my 3 Navy knives. Eventually...
only $7 and has all these features? how could you go wrong?? lol
Features:
High Quality Handicrafts
Exquisite style, fine craftsmanship, with a fashionable style design
Can be used to cut fruit, twigs,rope, and vegetable species, etc., you can use at home is also convenient for outdoor use, is a stylish tool
Common types of screws can be elastic
Easy to carry, when you go for a picnic, it can carry with you
It's a good helper at home and outdoor camping
Package: 1 x ZH214 Spyderco High Performance Knife
I like and only buy cheaper knives, I have a Böker Trance, CRKT Drifter, you get the drift.
I bought two of the Sanremnu which look like a Sebenza.
These knives are just not good enough for me, if I would wear them, I would wear them to use them HARD.
Prying, digging, whatever I want I do with them with not much consideration for the knife.
I see them as throw away knives. And for that purpose they are good. Lock up is good.
But I can't take them serious as knives, my Drifter and Trance or just so much smoother and with better finish.
Deployment is also slow and while they lock up fine, it doesn't lock up with the confident click my other knives have.
I bought two of the Sanremnu which look like a Sebenza.
These knives are just not good enough for me, if I would wear them, I would wear them to use them HARD.
Prying, digging, whatever I want I do with them with not much consideration for the knife.
I see them as throw away knives. And for that purpose they are good. Lock up is good.
But I can't take them serious as knives, my Drifter and Trance or just so much smoother and with better finish.
Deployment is also slow and while they lock up fine, it doesn't lock up with the confident click my other knives have.
That knife more or less exists, It is the Navy K507 which features G10 at one handle side. A nice knife for the price, and the size difference with the 710 makes it more comfortable:
It would be good to see a Sebenza in that "in between" format.
I now realise that I still have to do a review clip about my 3 Navy knives. Eventually...
Thanks, Dagon. I'll have to take a look at that one. I would like the Sebenza in that size, but wouldn't pay the price.
I sluspect everyone here knows except me, but where are the blades measured from? Are they measured from the screw or the front of the frame? Thanks.
Is the knife as well made as the Sanrenmu, and who nmakes it? Thanks, again.
Regards,
Jerry
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It's been pretty well established on here that Sanrenmu makes knives for Spyderco as well as several other companies.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2001
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- 4,608
Other than Navy K507, Enlan EL02 is the same blade shape as well, at 3.5". It's an axis though. I consider it Sebenza on axis 
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2005
- Messages
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I don't buy their Chinese crap either.
I havent seen those reviews before thanks for making those videos, its great. I have the 710 model its a very nice knife.
As good as it is for the price, the Navy 507 doesn't measure up to the SRM 710. The Navy's detent is not as strong, and I have to give mine a little "kick" when opening to make sure it locks. I have four and they all have similar issues, although nothing that keeps them from being usable.
The Enlan EL02b (the newer stonewashed version) also is a high quality folder. But if your pivot is loose or you have blade play, you won't be able to tighten it: it requires a pivot tool that isn't included with purchase.
(The three holes in the Enlan's pivot adjustment screw are nearly the same size as those in the Boker Plus Exskelibur II -- another fine Chinese blade that also doesn't come with a pivot tool. What the heck is it with these companies that they can't include a 5 cent tool with their knife? Boker at least includes the tool with the larger Exskelibur I but not its smaller brother. Go figure.)
The SRM 710 is still the best of the bunch, IMO. I have bought a bunch. More than half are just about perfect. The others have off-center blades, although not so bad that they can't be fixed by tightening or loosening the piovt screw. Fortunately, you don't need a special tool to do that.
Remember: you are on your own with these knives. You won't be able to send them back for warranty service. That is why I buy two or sometimes four of each. In my experience two is one and one is sometimes zero.
The Enlan EL02b (the newer stonewashed version) also is a high quality folder. But if your pivot is loose or you have blade play, you won't be able to tighten it: it requires a pivot tool that isn't included with purchase.
(The three holes in the Enlan's pivot adjustment screw are nearly the same size as those in the Boker Plus Exskelibur II -- another fine Chinese blade that also doesn't come with a pivot tool. What the heck is it with these companies that they can't include a 5 cent tool with their knife? Boker at least includes the tool with the larger Exskelibur I but not its smaller brother. Go figure.)
The SRM 710 is still the best of the bunch, IMO. I have bought a bunch. More than half are just about perfect. The others have off-center blades, although not so bad that they can't be fixed by tightening or loosening the piovt screw. Fortunately, you don't need a special tool to do that.
Remember: you are on your own with these knives. You won't be able to send them back for warranty service. That is why I buy two or sometimes four of each. In my experience two is one and one is sometimes zero.
Simply clamp a couple of brads in a pair of Vicegrips with the proper separation and you have a tool suitable for adjusting any similar pivot. I had to loosen the EL02 and tighten the SRM 962.
Because of issues of intellectual property, human rights, Chinese monetary policy, outsourcing and other US economic considerations, and so forth. The knives are not the least embarrassing in quality.
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I agree with you on some of those points. However, it's unfortunate but true that a great many products today that we need are apparently only manufactured in China. For instance, many computers or computer parts, electronic products, and so on. Are you embarrassed by those products too? Not trying to be contentious, just thoughtful...
In a word, yes. While I would enjoy discussing the subject to some depth suffice it to say that in the knife market, I still have at least a modicum of choice. I'm a free market sort and think competition is the driver of innovation and efficiency. I have no problem with importing a competitive product and thus exporting some of my quality of life, unless the competition is unfair. Just as I felt about Japan's automotive and steel industries in the past; I think China's competitive methods of today are unfair to a degree that creates a conflict where by I would much rather buy from other places if I have the choice.Are you embarrassed by those products too? Not trying to be contentious, just thoughtful...
I don't consider your post contentious in the least. All I mean to say is that the subject is not black and white as many would have you to believe. I cannot leave it totally out of my buying decisions but am not so righteous to dismiss quality Chinese knives as cheap pop off junk made by ..... either. If I have a judgement on the knife; I'll discuss the knife. If I have a judgement on the politics; I'll discuss the politics. This happens to be a knife thread IMHO.
Back to the knives; as far as the best handling, looking, feeling; most all subjective measures; the SRM/Land 962 is so far my favorite. I do, however, walk out the door with an SRM 710 or a Kershaw Chill more than any others. The 710 is a reliable tank with just a bit of maintenance and the Chill disappears; you don't even know you're carrying it. The 710 holds a fine enough edge for me but I have no judgement on most of the others. My opinion on the ideal knife for me is changing but right now, in theory, it would be a small Sebenza with a Benchmade axis lock and the Spyderco hole. Anybody know where I can get one of those for about $50?
received a package today with a couple of knives.
From the top:
Enlan EL-02B with stonewashed blade and G10
SRM 710
SRM 604 with G10
I am impressed with the quality so far. The Enlan is 21cm in length, the 710 is about 16 cm, and the smaller SRM 604 is just 13cm in length.
From the top:
Enlan EL-02B with stonewashed blade and G10
SRM 710
SRM 604 with G10
I am impressed with the quality so far. The Enlan is 21cm in length, the 710 is about 16 cm, and the smaller SRM 604 is just 13cm in length.