Searched long and hard for something new... alas... NOTHING compares.

[archieblue]

Just like I said above... nothing compares to a Sebenza.

I do a few knife reviews on youtube. Since my last review I have bought several knives.. Umnumzaan, Gold Class Griptilian, Burger Exkelibur, Paramilitary 2, Mini Grip... and I never posted the reviews because the end result was always the same... Build quality and overall performance of the Sebenza is better.

The past few weeks I've probably spent 10 hours looking for something of high quality in the sub-$500 range to play with... looked at a SLEW of knives. From Galyean Pro series to the JW Smith Collab to Strider (again) to Brad Duncan Customs to a Caswell EDC and our very own Ray Laconico plus literally a dozen more.

...ended up pulling the trigger on a new-from-dealer Sm. 21 s35vn w/ "Idaho Made" stamp.

Why are so many "high quality" (expensive) knives missing the boat here?​

1. The way the pins of the Seb are employed. Three thick pins penetrate in a tight fit through both sides of the Ti scales. The spacers AND pivot bushing slip around the pins instead of screws threaded directly into the spacers. Lateral force is on the pins and not on any screws. (AFAIK NOBODY else does this with exception to some pivots)

2. Hardened face on the Ti lockbar (NOBODY else does this)

3. Cleanest and best clip fastening idea ever.

4. Maximum amount of blade stored in the handle when folded... slim.

5. It sits right in the perfect nook between hard use and useful Jack of all Trades blade.

6. Press fit, and very attractively machined thubstud.

I reeeeeeeally wanted something new and different, but instead, this will be my 10-12th Sebenza (new one will = 2 currently). SOMEHOW I can justify it with some small differences... The new in-house made double sided allen screws, new steel, new fancy grooved stop pin sleeve, (gulp) "Idaho Made"...


I wish other knifemakers would just pay attention to the details. They've only had 22+ years to see what CAN be done. Either they cannot do it, or they think people will just buy the pretty shiny thing because it looks fancy and says Ti/CPMsomething-or-other on the specsheet. Either way... once again, my hat's off to you Chris Reeve... you dog, you.

 

[j3jymann]

Sounds like sebenzas are great and all except that you have to keep replacing them... 10-12 in the past however long? They sure must wear out quickly.

They might not be up to whatever "standards" you have come up with but there are a whole lot of amazing knives out there, to say otherwise is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[mongomondo]

2. Hardened face on the Ti lockbar (NOBODY else does this)

Spyderco, Kershaw, and Lion Steel do this.

 

[archieblue]

From sm.reg BG-42, to one of the first s30v's to one-offs, to Graphics & woods, to losing one, to Lg, 21 and just plain B-S-Ting... and a brief affair with SnGs... yup... I'd say this is my 10-12th. ...never had a problem with a single one... except the "Classic MM" inscription on the Classics. I've tinkered with every single knife I've owned before and since, and in my opinion, nothing compares. Hinderer is obviously well built, but I have little use for a sharpened folding prybar and much EDC use for a sturdy slicer.

I've read where Tim Galyean and Ken Onion talk about "carbidizing" their lock faces, but I did not realize that Kershaw was doing it... makes sense if it's true. Spyderco and Lionsteel use a HT'd stainless insert... not my bag if it's avoidable.

 

[snowreaper1]

Very good points you made on the sebenzas attributes. It is such a well designed piece of machinery. So simple but efficient. Ive never had a knife where there is
absolutley no play in any position the blade is in and pefect lockup and blade centering even when the pivots been removed from the knife!
But I think a knife that does compare would be the umnum. Different design and function but shares the same precision and build quality.

 

[Capolan]

It's interesting you say this, as I feel similar - yet I search for the "one" that puts me back on my heels a little as far as quality goes. I do not have a Strider yet, and honestly I'm not sure I want one - I've heard many things regarding their fit and finish and to me, that's not acceptable from a knife in that price range. I've heard raves also about the XM-18 by Rick Hinderer, and I'd be more inclined to go that route rather than a Strider - but still...I'm not "sold" on it yet.

I have to say that a strong front runner (for me anyway) to the sebenza is the Microtech D/A Socom (which they do not make anymore). the fit and finish of the Socom is on par with, if not better than the Sebenza. the lock is as tight, the "snap" is loud and bank-vault solid, and it is smooth as glass. The knife sits in the pocket extremely well and has a perfect tension to the clip to stay YET! - deploy as needed. the blade grind is excellent and highly useable, even as a modified Tanto. The steel is CM154 and it holds a edge well. The handle is extremely comfortable in the hand, is fairly thin and has great kraton inserts to get a nice grip on the knife. Honestly - I prefer it to my Sebenza, and even to my Insingo. If you haven't ever played with one - i really recommend you look at them at a show. It is, besides the Sebenza, one of the few knives that I own that I truely feel is worth more than I paid for it. It is a knife that other knife people, when they play with know immediately why it costs what it does. Forget that it is double action - the knife in any action is incredible.
It is really, that good. The SOCOM ELITE doesn't compare - get a D/A Socom.


I'm also eagerly awaiting a ANDREW DEMKO - but I'm going to have that thing made into a folding pocket tank! so it might not be compareable. My other carry recently that is getting more and more favorable is my Darrel Ralph Trigger Maze. It really is an outstanding knife that at first didn't "wow" me...

 

[ssblood]

I've seen heat treated lock bars on Striders. Not sure what knives get this and which don't. The bead blasted back will sometimes have s flamed discoloration where it contacts the blade.

 

[stjames]

Spyderco and Lionsteel use a HT'd stainless insert... not my bag if it's avoidable.

Total deal breaker for me, the idea of screwing a failure point onto the lock interface defeats the entire point of a RIL knife. CRK's Umnumzaan has a much simpler and more elegant solution to extending lock bar life.