Sebenza 1st timer- for anyone else thinking about it here were some surprises

I like the Large Sebenza 21. I carry mine fairly often. But lately I’ve been thinking that the Umnumzaan may be more my speed. Both are very nice.

I’m not sure if anyone else makes a non-flipper Ti frame lock of equal quality for under $500. If there is such a brand , I’d be interested.
 
I carry various fixed blades as my primary edc knives, with a small Sebenza as the perfect folder to have clipped in my pocket to handle smaller tasks that come up. The traditional knives I grew up with were excellent in form and function, and I feel like the simplicity of the Sebenza is the modern equivalent of the one knife you can carry that will do about everything you need it to do. I haven't bought another folding knife since I purchased a small Sebenza. It has proven to be ideal for almost every situation I have needed it for since then.
 
The small is not for me, I own exactly two smalls and both are regulars. What about them makes me like them so much that they’re my preferred carry knife and own quite a few.
CRK offers more variations of dedicated left handed knives than any other brand I own. They’re built so the owner can take one apart without screwing it up. If you do happen to screw one up, box up everything, send it to them and they’ll take care of it without making you feel like a dumbass or feeling you’re on trial for a crime. I can pick up any one of my CRK’s and each one will be consistent with any other one. I know what to expect when I buy a new/used CRK. They age with time/use to become smoother and still have the same tightness as a new one.
I’ve been carrying one long enough that the thumb studs don’t bother me, depending on the graphic and demand, some do gain value exponentially. Any knife will sell for what people are willing to pay. It’s a crap shoot selling as to whether or not a knife will gain value once it’s discontinued. Are CRK’s the perfect knife, absolutely not, but for me they work and I’m not afraid/worried to use mine that are in my work knife selection.
 
Got it in my head that I needed one and purchased a small insingo. Never got used to the thumb studs ( and I tried to the point of a raw thumb a couple times) totally appreciate the quality and workmanship but couldn't justify owning something so expensive that hurt my thumb to open. Maybe that's why the spyder hole mod is so popular. Ended up selling it for almost what I paid ,which is always nice
 
I've had a CRK collection, yrs ago, quite a few large and small model 21's and one Zaan. The smalls, particularly in the nice woods, are really nice to look at. The small is definitely too small for me to hold onto, but I love the large Sebbie...primarily in plain slab titanium for carry.
 
He's here in Idaho. Most guys I know pay him little mind. He's making fashion knives IMO and priced accordingly. There are soooo many better options for so much less money. Maybe if you're a collector, you have a different take but for daily working knives? Yeah, no.
 
I’ve handled a few and had a nice conversation with the folks at the BladeShow West booth last year. The people are nice. Made in the USA is great. But the knives themselves didn’t do it for me. I’ll also note that my fit and finish comparisons actually come from the Spyderco Drunken I carry regularly. Maybe I just have an exceptional Drunken?
 
The small is too small for me, and the CRK thumbstud sucks..So I don't have a small and I got the thumbstud changed
 
CSG said:
So will a Buck knife, Benchmade, and on and on. My bolded in the above post.
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I get what you're saying. My dad has carried a Buck 110 as a work knife for about 45 years. I dont mean opening bills or cutting packaging string. He's been a professional in the dirt contractor for about 50 years. He uses his Buck knife hard. Now, he's probably been through a dozen of them. I remember he used to by the Craftsman version back in the 80s because if he broke the tip off the knife, he could just take it back to Sears with no question asked. Buck didnt even offer that. When that shipped sailed when our Sears closed down, he has just sharpened and sharpened his name brand Buck 110 knife year after year. I used to buy him a new one with a custom sheath I would make him every few birthdays/father's days. The Buck is a good, solid knife.

But there is a bit of pride of ownership when it comes to CRK for me. Not that they the be all, end all. There is no pefect brand. However, I bought my first 110 when I was 18 (after having been gifted one at 16). It was a knife I bought at Walmart with my first paycheck after graduating high school before heading to college. I was working for my family business before going off to school and wanted to carry something like my dad did. It's a good work knife, but short it being a little Cats In the Cradle, it lives at the bottom of my knife drawer with half a dozen other 110s and 112s. Regardless, they WILL last for generations. Then again, I have craftsman box cutter that belonged to my grandfather that is well over 60 years old. Its way he carried on the job when was alive. Sharp as the day he carried it...only took swapping out the blade to get it that way;)

Still, and this is just personal opinion, I simply find the level of fit of the CRK heads and shoulders above off the line production knives that I have tried. I used to be a big buyer of ZT. I was very impressed with the fit and action of their knives until I started to get some lock slip, found the grinds uneven, and started to wonder why I was paying $300 for something Spyderco nails at the $150 range.

I had always wanted a Sebenza. Being of an age when Chris Reeve came about that viewed owning a knife over $30 as a huge luxury, it was always a bit of a grail. Time passed on. I made more money. I bought lots of knives. I never made the leap to CRK, because I was still having a hard time shelling out $400+ for a folder.

When I went back to finish up my degree, my advisor told me to hold a small goal in my head, to have a small reward on the finish line. Beyond bettering myself and my family, etc etc etc, have a little something in mind to treat myself to for a couple years of hard work. I decided I wanted a Sebenza 21.

After 2 years of working on my studies every night at age 38 I graduated and decided to get my Sebenza. I wanted to buy it in person and from a reputable dealer. So I went to Spark's shop and decided to buy one he had on hand. Great guy, great shop, more than fair price...but the PJ Inkosi just fit me so much better. I liked the finger grooves, the double thumb studs, and the way it felt more like a work knife. Back to my roots.

For me, the fit and finish of CRK is better than anything else I own. It rides in my pocket as a reminder of a hard earned goal achieved. I dont think I own a knife with more sentimental value short of the khukuri I used to cut my wedding cake, but that's a bit of an impractical EDC.

So when I meet my dad out on the job to go over the next dig, he is sporting his 110 on his belt in a sheath I made for him. I have my Inkosi riding in my front right. My 19 year old little brother working under my dad currently has a budget Spyderco I gave him. He's licking his chops. I have a ZT with his name on it. Maybe he'll bump up past that, maybe he'll carry a 110 like our dad. Hell, maybe he'll end up with our grandpa's box cutter.

CRK isn't for everyone, and I dont begrudge anyone who doesnt care for them, but I dont think any knife's value is easily qualified.
 
They are well made, effective cutting tools from a respected domestic manufacturer. Some elements of style and size will not make them right for everyone. The price can be prohibitive to many. I think many of the CGG knives are beautiful and artful, but I prefer PJ, micarta or organic inlays. We're lucky to have so many choices in the knife world.

A casual read of this thread has revealed more emotional responses in dislike of the Sebenzas than in their defense.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I get what you're saying. My dad has carried a Buck 110 as a work knife for about 45 years. I dont mean opening bills or cutting packaging string. He's been a professional in the dirt contractor for about 50 years. He uses his Buck knife hard. Now, he's probably been through a dozen of them. I remember he used to by the Craftsman version back in the 80s because if he broke the tip off the knife, he could just take it back to Sears with no question asked. Buck didnt even offer that. When that shipped sailed when our Sears closed down, he has just sharpened and sharpened his name brand Buck 110 knife year after year. I used to buy him a new one with a custom sheath I would make him every few birthdays/father's days. The Buck is a good, solid knife.

But there is a bit of pride of ownership when it comes to CRK for me. Not that they the be all, end all. There is no pefect brand. However, I bought my first 110 when I was 18 (after having been gifted one at 16). It was a knife I bought at Walmart with my first paycheck after graduating high school before heading to college. I was working for my family business before going off to school and wanted to carry something like my dad did. It's a good work knife, but short it being a little Cats In the Cradle, it lives at the bottom of my knife drawer with half a dozen other 110s and 112s. Regardless, they WILL last for generations. Then again, I have craftsman box cutter that belonged to my grandfather that is well over 60 years old. Its way he carried on the job when was alive. Sharp as the day he carried it...only took swapping out the blade to get it that way;)

Still, and this is just personal opinion, I simply find the level of fit of the CRK heads and shoulders above off the line production knives that I have tried. I used to be a big buyer of ZT. I was very impressed with the fit and action of their knives until I started to get some lock slip, found the grinds uneven, and started to wonder why I was paying $300 for something Spyderco nails at the $150 range.

I had always wanted a Sebenza. Being of an age when Chris Reeve came about that viewed owning a knife over $30 as a huge luxury, it was always a bit of a grail. Time passed on. I made more money. I bought lots of knives. I never made the leap to CRK, because I was still having a hard time shelling out $400+ for a folder.

When I went back to finish up my degree, my advisor told me to hold a small goal in my head, to have a small reward on the finish line. Beyond bettering myself and my family, etc etc etc, have a little something in mind to treat myself to for a couple years of hard work. I decided I wanted a Sebenza 21.

After 2 years of working on my studies every night at age 38 I graduated and decided to get my Sebenza. I wanted to buy it in person and from a reputable dealer. So I went to Spark's shop and decided to buy one he had on hand. Great guy, great shop, more than fair price...but the PJ Inkosi just fit me so much better. I liked the finger grooves, the double thumb studs, and the way it felt more like a work knife. Back to my roots.

For me, the fit and finish of CRK is better than anything else I own. It rides in my pocket as a reminder of a hard earned goal achieved. I dont think I own a knife with more sentimental value short of the khukuri I used to cut my wedding cake, but that's a bit of an impractical EDC.

So when I meet my dad out on the job to go over the next dig, he is sporting his 110 on his belt in a sheath I made for him. I have my Inkosi riding in my front right. My 19 year old little brother working under my dad currently has a budget Spyderco I gave him. He's licking his chops. I have a ZT with his name on it. Maybe he'll bump up past that, maybe he'll carry a 110 like our dad. Hell, maybe he'll end up with our grandpa's box cutter.

CRK isn't for everyone, and I dont begrudge anyone who doesnt care for them, but I dont think any knife's value is easily qualified.
Click to expand...

Thank you for writing. I have often said a knife with a story is more interesting than one without.

Along those same lines, an old classic car will hold my attention longer than some new exotic sedan. Sure the new sedan will turn my head but I can appreciate a classic that has been cared for throughout the years.

I am like that about a lot of things, tools, cars, quality audio gear, etc.
 
Hackenslash said:
...A casual read of this thread has revealed more emotional responses in dislike of the Sebenzas than in their defense.
Click to expand...

Not from me. A small 21 Insingo is my grail knife.

I’ve handled a few regular large 21s but, never a small Insingo.

To me, seems just about perfect.
 
CSG said:
So will a Buck knife, Benchmade, and on and on. My bolded in the above post.
Click to expand...
Nothing against Buck,Benchmade or others.I have them all and customs as well more expensive then Sebenza.
I always go back to CRK because for me ,they have consistency in all qualities which are unmatched in any other knives I owned.
Centering,no blade play,pure user design,attention to detail,resale value,less parts to fiddle with...
I found my grail and the best knife I ever had.
We are all different and of course everyone has his own opinion and taste so enjoy what you like and do cut stuff.
Stay safe and healthy.
Cheers!
 
Lol, perfect knife for those that just have take their pocket knife apart.
F3h4UAZ.jpg
 
When I first saw this thread, I thought the CRK fans were going to destroy the op. Then I saw a subsequent post favorably comparing Cold Steel knives to CRK knives for work. I thought ,"Now you ve done it!" Then I read the so-so comments about CRK s being pretty expensive for what they provide. Still no backlash. Huh.

I have one Sebenza 25 that I bought when they were introduced. I like that knife , but I don t carry it. Partly due to the fact that I hated beating up the most expensive knife I owned, and partly due to not liking metal handled knives when my hands get sweaty at work.

I think the knife is extremely well made, but a bit expensive for what it provides for my needs.
 
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