Sebenza 21 or 25?

If you want to save some bucks get a 21 because you can find some awesome deals on the exchange and save the extra money for other stuff. Now if you're going to buy brand new then definitely go with the 25.

Don't worry with the whole, "should have gotten a <insert knife>" because you can always sell it in the exchange and put the money toward the desired knife.
 
The 25 was a must have for me, I do not own a 21 YET, if I didn't buy a 25 I would always be wondering and thinking I should of gotten one. I think the 25 is straight forward, nice blade in a nice package. I believe you'll love what ever one you choose, and you'll be looking for your next CRK real soon.
 
Well if it's usually a special occasion you're dressed up and the small is lighter and more compact. Which would tackle anything you'll need. I haven't carried my small since I got my 25 and Large 21 insingo with micarta inlays. So I'm a large sebenza guy now. But if you are going to carry it all the time definitely a 25. But I'm just thinking practical :)
 
When trying to decide on my first CRK, i liked the style of the Sebenza and the sturdiness of the Umnanzaan. For me the 25 was the perfect combination of the attributes I preferred. I really like my 25. Great all around knife for edc or heavy use. I understand why Chris Reeve developed this knife.
 
The 25 Advantages Rating: 9.5 Probably deserves a "10"
1. Jimping is actually functional.
2. The ergonomics allow better ability to flick the blade (not recommend by CRK)
3. Better ergonomics for holding the blade
4. Feels more solid with more heft than the 21
5. Aesthetically cleaner design (no superfluous hole and lanyard bar)
6. Larger pivot screw
7. Thicker blade
8. Rumored to have higher Hrc hardness even though still listed as 58-59 (jdavis882, 2013)
9. Double-sided thumb stud is standard
10. Most important premise: Ceramic ball replaces titanium carbonized surface that comes in contact with the tang of the knife a la Umnumzan. Hence the lock will last much longer.

The 21 Advantages Rating: 9
1. Lighter
2. Thinner blade
3. Pivot bushing alleviates any need for locktite although I need it for my 21 to maintain the desired blade action without pivot loosening.
4. More variations currently available; i.e. inlays, blade styles (tanto, drop point, insingo, damascus)


The 21 is an honor to own but the 25 is everything I have ever wanted in a Sebenza. The 25 may be Chris Reeve's magnum opus.

 
I agree with almost everything that Usagee says above, although for me I do miss the pivot bushing on the Umnumzaan and Sebenza 25. In addition, I find the finger grooves on the Sebenza 25 are uncomfortable. I really could do without them, and if I had the right tools, I would grind the handle scales down and remove the grooves altogether. I seriously find them that irritating.



Anyway, to answer connorr93's question, depending on what "special occasions" means, IMHO the small Sebenza might be a much better choice than either the large Sebenza 21 or the Sebenza 25. If you mean occasions where you might wear dress pants, or a suit, IMO the small Sebenza fits in much better, especially with the pocket clip removed, which is how I prefer to carry it. Consider also that you get quite a bit of blade on the small Sebenza in a very small, compact package. In fact, the blade on the small Sebenza is only slightly smaller than the blade on a Spyderco Paramilitary 2, and yet the small Sebenza is quite a bit smaller.

 
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Usagee said:
The 25 Advantages Rating: 9.5 Probably deserves a "10"
1. Jimping is actually functional.
2. The ergonomics allow better ability to flick the blade (not recommend by CRK)
3. Better ergonomics for holding the blade
4. Feels more solid with more heft than the 21
5. Aesthetically cleaner design (no superfluous hole and lanyard bar)
6. Larger pivot screw
7. Thicker blade
8. Rumored to have higher Hrc hardness even though still listed as 58-59 (jdavis882, 2013)
9. Double-sided thumb stud is standard
10. Most important premise: Ceramic ball replaces titanium carbonized surface that comes in contact with the tang of the knife a la Umnumzan. Hence the lock will last much longer.

The 21 Advantages Rating: 9
1. Lighter
2. Thinner blade
3. Pivot bushing alleviates any need for locktite although I need it for my 21 to maintain the desired blade action without pivot loosening.
4. More variations currently available; i.e. inlays, blade styles (tanto, drop point, insingo, damascus)


The 21 is an honor to own but the 25 is everything I have ever wanted in a Sebenza. The 25 may be Chris Reeve's magnum opus.

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Ah lot of that is subjective. I don't find the 25 to be more flickable at all. Very un-flickable really.

You're paying for the double thumb lugs. You can get them on the 21 just as easily, so really, that just makes the 21 more versatile in terms of choices.

The jimping on my first 21 was just as grippy as my 25, not so on the Classic that I had. I believe it depends on the particular knife.

Looks, ergonomics, blade thickness, grind, etc... All subjective. :)
 
Strigamort said:
Ah lot of that is subjective. I don't find the 25 to be more flickable at all. Very un-flickable really.
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Yeah I'd agree. I can flick my 21 much easier than my 25, it's still a struggle to get my 25 open with one thumb. Still having to grip both thumb studs to open the knife.
 
Why would a 25 s flickability define its usefulness given the company s recommendation against flicking their knives?
 
whp said:
Why would a 25 s flickability define its usefulness given the company s recommendation against flicking their knives?
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Because even though CRK discourages flicking their knives, people still do it. And in certain roles, flicking the knife could be vital, such as a self-defense or a rescue situation.
 
Im having to make the same decision tomorrow. My local dealer has. A 25, 21 and small sabenza. Im leaning towards the large 21 because its about 100 bucks cheaper and iv been hearing everyone rant and rave over it for years. I have an umnumzaan with old pivot and lock bar stop and I love it. It doesnt feel like a heavy duty knife to me. So now im wondering if the 25 would suit me better. But its hard to pass a really good priced brand new 21. Guess I could always pick up a 25 later? Ths thread hasnt helped at all lol.
 
simplespeed said:
Im having to make the same decision tomorrow. My local dealer has. A 25, 21 and small sabenza. Im leaning towards the large 21 because its about 100 bucks cheaper and iv been hearing everyone rant and rave over it for years. I have an umnumzaan with old pivot and lock bar stop and I love it. It doesnt feel like a heavy duty knife to me. So now im wondering if the 25 would suit me better. But its hard to pass a really good priced brand new 21. Guess I could always pick up a 25 later? Ths thread hasnt helped at all lol.
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Go with the 25! You'll be much happier. I promise. It is a beast of a knife. And carries very very well!!
 
simplespeed said:
Im having to make the same decision tomorrow. My local dealer has. A 25, 21 and small sabenza. Im leaning towards the large 21 because its about 100 bucks cheaper and iv been hearing everyone rant and rave over it for years. I have an umnumzaan with old pivot and lock bar stop and I love it. It doesnt feel like a heavy duty knife to me. So now im wondering if the 25 would suit me better. But its hard to pass a really good priced brand new 21. Guess I could always pick up a 25 later? Ths thread hasnt helped at all lol.
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You're lucky enough to be able to handle all of them before you make your decision. Once you've had a little time with each of them, I imagine that your decision will be quite easy.
 
$100 cheaper? No brainer!

At full price it'd be a hard decision. At that price you could enjoy a new 21 then sell it used and not lose anything.

If you've had both in hand at the same time and the 25 didn't immediately stand out as a better knife, I'd go with the 21. To me the stand-out features of the 25 (mostly blade thickness and the look of the pivot hardware) are immediately apparent. The beauty of the 21 comes, not only from holding and opening/closing the knife, but also when you take it apart. That's when the 25 becomes a let down. But then if you've never had a 21 (or reg, or classic) to compare it to, the 25 will probably seem pretty awesome.

There. Does that help?

:D
 
Ha ha yea iv got to admit im kind of leaning towards the 21. I havent held them yet just saw them in the case. I went in to buy some emersons but couldnt keep my eyes off them sabenzas. Tomorrow ill hold them all and see how I feel. Iv got heavy folders so dont think I really feel the need for a heavier duty sebenza. Thanks guys!
 
I personally prefer the blade shape of the 21, it's pointy yet the spine stays thick pretty far out. I've got plenty of full flat ground blades; the hollow grind on the 21 is a work of art IMHO, and to me a Sebenza just isn't a Sebenza without the bushing pivot.
 
Officer's Match said:
I personally prefer the blade shape of the 21, it's pointy yet the spine stays thick pretty far out. I've got plenty of full flat ground blades; the hollow grind on the 21 is a work of art IMHO, and to me a Sebenza just isn't a Sebenza without the bushing pivot.
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I felt (feel?) the exact same when I got my 25. Honestly, I was just a bit disappointed. It was lacking *just* enough of what I knew a Sebenza to be to own only this knife and be happy. It's growing on me though. I will always miss the lanyard bar, single lug, hollow grind and pivot though. I guess I'll never be happy until I own both a 21 and 25 together.

Lord help me if I ever stubble upon a 'zaan!
 
Strigamort said:
I felt (feel?) the exact same when I got my 25. Honestly, I was just a bit disappointed. It was lacking *just* enough of what I knew a Sebenza to be to own only this knife and be happy. It's growing on me though. I will always miss the lanyard bar, single lug, hollow grind and pivot though. I guess I'll never be happy until I own both a 21 and 25 together.

Lord help me if I ever stubble upon a 'zaan!
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I love my 25, but honestly, if I had to only own one Sebenza, it'd be my 21. The 25 is a beast, but the 21 is everything that I know CRK to be.
 
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