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

I very much get the desire to own nice stuff even if it doesn't really do a better job than cheaper stuff. I'm a Rolex watch owner. Matter of fact, I've bought three of them over the years. However, they don't do a better job of telling time than, say, my 80's era Seiko quartz Chronograph. However, for me, because I'm not a knife collector but a knife user, I will not use an expensive knife as the tool it's designed to be. I notice there are lots of collectors here that probably baby their knives or rarely use them if at all. That why I said that, at least in Idaho, people I know buy knives for daily and, sometimes, hard use.

Can your Chris Reeves knives cut stuff and hold up? Sure. Do you want to beat up a Chris Reeves knife with what they cost you? Well, I wouldn't. Can I use my Rolex as the tool watch they are said to be? Sure, I *could* but I don't.

I also note that very few of these glam knife photos ever look like the knife has been used more than opening a letter if that.
You've gotta let go of the whole "fashion knives" thing. Thats the one statement in this thread that has actually made me laugh. I dont get how 2 slabs of basic titanium could be a fashion knife. Obviously the fancy versions are more along those lines, but thats usually what theyre meant to be. The basic sebenza is about as basic as you can get.

The sebenza is a great knife. Easily an icon and for sure a workhorse that could easily last multiple generations. Though i prefer the Umnumzaan, i recognize what the Sebenza is.



As to the thumb stud complaints, well, maybe own the knife longer than a few hours before selling it off lol. I've owned lots of knives that take getting used to, it isnt a weird concept.
 
I see most current production Zero Tolerance knives to be "fashion knives". I know they can work and work hard. I've carried and used one on the jobsite for years. While it was mostly a zt303 or zt350, I have taken some of my more ornate models and they looked good performing well. They got a little gunked up and it was tougher to clean due to the dirt getting into the bearings and not being able to take the knife apart, but it was no big deal.

Still, fashion knife or not, one of the driving factors for me carrying a CRK is that when I get it filthy I can take it apart in less than 5 minutes, clean the blade and slabs, wipe down the washers, grease it, and crank it back together with no fussing with centering the blade. For a supposed knife that is bought to look at, it sure is easy to maintain. Made doubly so as the manufacturer posts videos on how to do it and provides the common and non proprietary wrenches to do so.

What I am hearing is that some people think a CRK is expensive for what it is. It is. I'm not arguing against that. Quantifying someone's else purchase or preference of an object that is bought on a personal qualifying level is a fool's errand.

Last night I made a little fire in our firepit to make s'mores with my daughter. I used my Inkosi to scrape up some wood shavings, busted little pieces off an old spongy log for kindling, sharpened the sticks we used to toast the marshmallows, and even opened the bag containing said marshmallows. $450 knife that was just used to do a small chore. No thought on it. I bought it to use and carry. It was what I had on my person when I started my fire.

My daughter has been on a s'mores kick. This is third night she's asked to make them. I did the same work with a 15 dollar Mora the night before that just happened to be clipped to my pocket. There is not a 435 dollar difference in performance. I know that. You know that. But if I was really honest with myself and my REAL cutting needs, I would just carry my grandpa's 60 year old box cutter and be done with it.
 
If we were all honest about our cutting needs we would all use box cutters or Mora knives. Or maybe something like a RAT 1 or a Rough Rider.

But, we don’t have to do that. If I am honest, I don’t need my Benchmade 162 because I will never go bushcrafting. I also don’t need my issue Griptilian because I will never be in uniform again.

We get things that are better than the basics because we appreciate them on some level other than the fact they cut. What is wrong with that?
 
I think "fashion" knives are an appropriate term. What's in fashion at the moment or popular and what's not. My first Sebenza was in the middle late part of my own knife exploration. I had tried out probably a 100 knives at that point. Year 1 was basically buying and trying every CRKT and Kershaw low budget knife that NuttnFancy reviewed. Moved onto my first Delica and Mini Grip and then it was on after that. I had picked up a Techno, a whole bunch of Sage's a Domino and a multitude of "Sebenza" killers like the Bradley Alias, Benchmade 750 Pinnacle (absolutely awesome Seb substitute btw). Until finally hunkering down and getting a Wilson Combat large and small. A plain and a micarta, none of which impressed me. I then moved to a Mnandi, I liked it a bit better but again it didn't impress me.

I tended to like my Spyderco's more, Endura, Air, Delica wharncliffe etc.. etc... you know I was the biggest hater of the thumbstud. I thought it was stupid that they couldn't redesign a better thumbstud. The CRK forum nutbags didn't help jumping on any criticisim of the knife designs which made me dislike CRK at that point. Had nothing to do with the knife.

3 years later, I came full circle once again and I gotta be honest, I think it's one of those quintessential should have knives in a collection because it lacks all of the novel doo hickies. It's just your basic super solid knife. Ignoring the price, it's mostly the kind of knife that I would like in my pocket. The insingo blade shape that they came out with works super well for me too I love it. If I was in a position to have more than one CRK right now it would be a a large and small Insingo and a Zaan. Literally a large and a small, just like a Blur and a Leek or a Native and and Endura is probably more knife than anyone could need.

So that's great that ppl have options to discuss and like and not like knives and to have choices! The OP might come around a few years later and just say that CRK's are great even though they aren't perfect as I have done.
 
Price doesn't seem overly excessive for a quality American made product by skilled labor. How cheap are you willing to work. There is a lot of hand fitting that go into these and their market is meant to be between manufactured and custom. Skilled labor and benefits, factory overhead, taxes, materials, research and design, profit(well deserved for a 31 years of work), and dealer mark up all add up.
Sure you can buy china knives cheaper, but that is a totally different playing field
Of course I would not object if they were less expensive without sacrificing anything, and I do buy almost all of mine on the secondary market at a discount.
 
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Since I carry traditionals mostly, my small Seb seems like a big knife. I am sure the large would be like a tank, for which I have no need or desire. Mine is snakewood. I think of CRKs as the gray pinstripe suits of knives. I'm talking about a subdued stripe, plain front pants, cuffs, three button; just the way I like them. (Not those funky little skimpy collars or stretch pants either.)

Suspender buttons optional.
 
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Mine’s pretty well used and I carry it just about every day it did get a spa when I got the engraving done last summer

Has that blade had a regrind done or something? What happened to the first cm's of the edge from the handle?
 
If you are concerned about price, first and foremost, the Sebenza is not the knife for you. Go pick up a Mora as your fixed blade, RAT 1 & 2, and a SAK Cadet. You will be well served by these.

However, if you want a work knife that your grandchild will carry, the pride of ownership, excellent customer service, and a quality blade that works day in and day out, you are going to pay for it.

I am on the downward slope of my knife purchasing. I don't really need another knife. If the knife I am using does not meet my needs for that day, I can always grab another out of my collection. However, I do have some concerns about the type of blade that I may buy for my future. My goal is to simplify my collection and go up in quality at the same time. A Sebenza Insingo seems to be a logical item to consider.

Show me another American made modern folder with the same level of quality workmanship, customer service, and simple clean designs and you will have my attention. Especially if it is for less money.
 
If you are concerned about price, first and foremost, the Sebenza is not the knife for you. Go pick up a Mora as your fixed blade, RAT 1 & 2, and a SAK Cadet. You will be well served by these.

However, if you want a work knife that your grandchild will carry, the pride of ownership, excellent customer service, and a quality blade that works day in and day out, you are going to pay for it.

I am on the downward slope of my knife purchasing. I don't really need another knife. If the knife I am using does not meet my needs for that day, I can always grab another out of my collection. However, I do have some concerns about the type of blade that I may buy for my future. My goal is to simplify my collection and go up in quality at the same time. A Sebenza Insingo seems to be a logical item to consider.

Show me another American made modern folder with the same level of quality workmanship, customer service, and simple clean designs and you will have my attention. Especially if it is for less money.
Well, I have a couple Buck knives that are pushing 40 years old and another, my Folding Hunter from 1974, which I bought it as a duty knife. They all work as well today as then. One does not need to spend $300-500 for a pocket knife USA made that will hold up for generations. Don't get me wrong, Chris makes great knives but for daily use, they are overkill no matter how one tries to justify it. Just like I said about my own high priced wristwatches. Doesn't bother me that people want to buy them, it's good for his business which is good for my home state of Idaho.
 
One does not need to spend $300-500 for a pocket knife USA made that will hold up for generations. Don't get me wrong, Chris makes great knives but for daily use, they are overkill no matter how one tries to justify it.

Thank you @OLd_gUY for this quote which I’m blatantly stealing :p

“I heard of a guy who feels a Sebenza is too expensive but has around 10 $40 dollar knives :confused:
Why do some people go to Starbucks when a cup of instant Folgers will get the job done?
Why drink a premium beer? Why wear Nike’s? Why order a steak?”

While a Sebenza is probably overkill, I mean, a lockback could be considered overkill, a 45. acp is overkill...

I’m just glad I live in America and have enough money to have all these overkill’s :D
 
Amen, brother!

I can understand what the OP is trying to say though with his post. I think everyone or at least a lot of people have gone through the same thing he did which was exactly what happened to me. You know, like when you anxiously await that CRK box to come with all the cool swag in it. The box itself was like a step up from Spyderco boxes that is until, the Chinese shops got into the cool box and knife swag game which is natural evolution from a marketing standpoint.

The CRK finally arrives and while opening the box, you feel like you just hit one of the benchmarks of the knife game, finally getting a Sebbie and you think the clouds will part and the Angels in heaven will sing to you. And none of that happens... in fact you're wondering WTF, it really is true, this small 21 looks and feels kinda a lot like the CRKT Drifter that you bought 3 years ago as a proxy to trying out something that feels like a Seb before plopping down $300-$400 for one.

You're wondering why it doesn't fly open as lighting fast as your Blur, Domino or ZT566. A month later you're like why the h*** is the annodizing rubbing off so fast from this stupid pointy thumbstud that hurts my thumb.

So that said, you have to know what you're getting into when you want to own a CRK. It's simple, built really well and has great aesthetics. It's not going to rub the same itch as when someone is hankering for a Koenig, the latest cool Spyderco that comes out. And in all honesty will a Benchmade Bugout beat out a Sebenza in terms of pockability, probably... But do those other knives satisfy that same Ti Framelock itch, not really. So for a lot of us owning both might be a good idea, or none at all. But I do understand where the OP is coming from and I don't think he means anything critical by it, just his casual observance. 50/50 that anyone ever comes around to loving or hating a knife in this price range when $100 knives are just great. The quality of a lot of $100 knives these days are ridiculous. Hell I've gotten a bunch of $75 knives that are great in the last year.


Well, I have a couple Buck knives that are pushing 40 years old and another, my Folding Hunter from 1974, which I bought it as a duty knife. They all work as well today as then. One does not need to spend $300-500 for a pocket knife USA made that will hold up for generations. Don't get me wrong, Chris makes great knives but for daily use, they are overkill no matter how one tries to justify it. Just like I said about my own high priced wristwatches. Doesn't bother me that people want to buy them, it's good for his business which is good for my home state of Idaho.
 
In regard to the "Fashion Knives" and photos of CRK knives that don't get used, I think you can say this for most mid to higher end knives. I see knives from Holt, Grimsmo, Koenig, ZT, Benchmade, JG, GB and others all the time that are flawless and have probably never even seen the inside of a pocket. That would hurt the value right? LOL.

As for CRK, you also have to understand there are two categories now for their owners. Users and Collection Pieces. I have some of both. I have some that get used and carried on a regular basis and I have some that I bought and keep as collection pieces that will never be carried. They are rare and hold a higher value and will likely increase in value over time. You can't say that about many knife companies out there. Does anyone think their Holt Specters are going to increase or even hold their value 5, 10 or 15 years from now? Maybe? But, we can address that in 2040.

Some users and some safe queens.

VKyhOQOl.jpg
 
Thank you @OLd_gUY for this quote which I’m blatantly stealing :p

“I heard of a guy who feels a Sebenza is too expensive but has around 10 $40 dollar knives :confused:
Why do some people go to Starbucks when a cup of instant Folgers will get the job done?
Why drink a premium beer? Why wear Nike’s? Why order a steak?”

While a Sebenza is probably overkill, I mean, a lockback could be considered overkill, a 45. acp is overkill...

I’m just glad I live in America and have enough money to have all these overkill’s :D
Well all of that is simply silly until he got to the .45 part. ;)
 
BTW, while I'm not a collector, I have a surprising number of knives. In years past, when I found a deal on an SAK I liked, I'd buy a few, especially of the Classic and Ambassador models. But I absolutely get people who collect higher end knives and don't use them. To me, CRK simply holds zero interest. I've looked at them and handled them and yes, they are well built and look nice new. But for me, I prefer my Mini-Griptilians (I have three but only because I'd misplaced the original and replaced it with a yellow handle version so it was more visible and a Cabela's D2 steel model because it looked cool). I've never needed Benchmade's CS other than to request their deep pocket clips which were sent to me at no charge.

And not for nuthin' but I received a Benchmade Bugout yesterday that was such a piece of garbage, save for the blade, that it's going back today. So it's not that I'm a Benchmade fanboy, I just like the Griptilian design.
 
CRK is one of the 3 knife brands I’ve settled on; the others being Victorinox and Spyderco. Truth be told, my most consistently carried knives are Victorinox. So I am in no way a ‘knife snob’ or someone who only goes for ‘high end’. I own a total of 5 CRKs, and I got my first (a large regular Sebenza) new in 2002. All of my CRK knives are ‘plain Jane’ versions with no inlays or graphics, so in no way are they ‘fashion’ knives or ‘pocket jewelry’.

Does a CRK actually CUT any better than other knives? IME, not really. But the knives sure as hell hold up. I’ve not always been kind to that first Sebenza, and other than ‘snail trails’/scuffs all over the titanium handle slabs and some wear from sharpening, it’s good to go, and the lockup is still as solid as day one.

I don’t care for the convex edge bevels that CRK uses. IMO, it kind of negates the advantages of having such a high, thin hollow grind. Even the slightly thicker ‘flat hollow grind’ they use on the Inkosi models is quite a thin grind. IMO, CRKs would cut better out of the box if the bevels were a flat V grind instead of convex. I had to do a major edge reprofile on that first Sebenza. But the later CRKs I got came with thinner edges out of box, and they are easy to resharpen.

I don’t care much for CRK’s thumb studs, but TBH I also haven’t had much of a problem with them, either.

Some say they would never use a Sebenza or any other CRK because of the baseline $400+ prices. But how many of those who say that have several thousands of dollars worth of sub-$400 knives sitting around, many probably not used much if at all? If all one person carried was a $450 Sebenza or Inkosi, after one straight year that would amount to a little over $1 a day; and if that one knife was carried and used year after year, for a decade or more, the daily cost of its ownership would drop significantly. Of course, how many here on the forums carries only one knife to the exclusion of all others anyway.;)

CRKs are not for everybody. That’s not an elitist statement, it a simple fact. Just like Spydercos and Victorinox and Buck and GEC (or any other brand) are not for everybody. It’s all preferences. But to say that CRKs are fashion knives and useless as ‘real work knives’ is a fallacy. I’m a fan of CRK knives, but not a ‘fanboy’. Personally, I don’t care what others like or dislike. But to imply that CRKs are not up to ‘real work’ is ridiculous. Ironically, many of those who say that CRKs are not working knives also admit that they wouldn’t actually use one because of its price. Kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Jim
 
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In regard to the "Fashion Knives" and photos of CRK knives that don't get used, I think you can say this for most mid to higher end knives. I see knives from Holt, Grimsmo, Koenig, ZT, Benchmade, JG, GB and others all the time that are flawless and have probably never even seen the inside of a pocket. That would hurt the value right? LOL.

As for CRK, you also have to understand there are two categories now for their owners. Users and Collection Pieces. I have some of both. I have some that get used and carried on a regular basis and I have some that I bought and keep as collection pieces that will never be carried. They are rare and hold a higher value and will likely increase in value over time. You can't say that about many knife companies out there. Does anyone think their Holt Specters are going to increase or even hold their value 5, 10 or 15 years from now? Maybe? But, we can address that in 2040.

Some users and some safe queens.

VKyhOQOl.jpg

Aleforme, you are my hero! Epic photo! :cool::thumbsup:

We Knife-Nuts are already beyond the pale with our collections. I myself have, at one point, owned several CRKs' worth of the latest-and-greatest 'bestest budget' knives. Which makes more sense? Does any of it make practical sense? :D Probably not.
 
In regard to the "Fashion Knives" and photos of CRK knives that don't get used, I think you can say this for most mid to higher end knives. I see knives from Holt, Grimsmo, Koenig, ZT, Benchmade, JG, GB and others all the time that are flawless and have probably never even seen the inside of a pocket. That would hurt the value right? LOL.

As for CRK, you also have to understand there are two categories now for their owners. Users and Collection Pieces. I have some of both. I have some that get used and carried on a regular basis and I have some that I bought and keep as collection pieces that will never be carried. They are rare and hold a higher value and will likely increase in value over time. You can't say that about many knife companies out there. Does anyone think their Holt Specters are going to increase or even hold their value 5, 10 or 15 years from now? Maybe? But, we can address that in 2040.

Some users and some safe queens.

VKyhOQOl.jpg

Some really nice ones in there
 
When I used the adjective "fashion", I was using it more broadly in that I think it includes things like status, prestige, etc., not how a knife is decorated. A Rolex is all those things too. But not to everyone! I wear one of mine most days and even though fans like to think of the sports models as "tool" watches, most don't wear a $5-20k watch to do chores; they slip on their Casio or Timex. For me, with the CRK knives, they are simply too expensive to use hard. If that's not an issue for some of you, cool. I just couldn't do it and that's really why I don't own one.
 
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