Sebenza 21 Photos

Great buy! After owning it a while let us know how you like it comparted to your other knives. Is this the most expensive knife you own? I ask because if you have been buying knives in the 50-200 dollar range your thoughts on how the Sebbie stacks up against knives in that range is always interesting. After some time it really growns on you.
 
I consider this only my second 'real' knife. My first being a Benchmade 710 D2. All others being in the sub $40'ish range. I did a lot of reading and actually returned a Bob Lum Benchmade LFTi because the blade was not centered. Every time I tightened the pivot down it would either be too tight and the blade would not move or too lose and the blade would not center. Really annoying to someone who is OCD about stuff like that. So my research began. I almost ended up with an Umnum but due to the lack of bushing, I opted for the Sebenza.

Having said that here are my initial impressions:

Fit and finish are amazing. The blade definitely is centered on this knife and there is no play whatsoever. The blade seems extremely sharp. I love the blue lug touch but was a bit disappointed to see that the two blue spacers in the back are a slightly different color. Maybe they are aluminum vs steel or anodized at different times. Either way, it's not a huge deal but I did notice it. Lastly, The blade is still somewhat hard to get out since it's brand new, but I'm sure with time will loosen itself up. I can't wait to actually use it. I bought this as a 'user' (EDC) knife. I was also surprised as how good it feels in the hand with the blade open. It's a nice secure feeling. The only way I can compare the 710 to it right now is that the Sebenza feels like it's a single piece of metal versus many pieces bolted together. I do love my benchmade 710 and it's locking mechanism though.

Overall, I wanted a knife that even after 15 or 20 years would be something to cherish. I'm the type of person that likes to buy once and take care of it so it lasts forever. ;)

Thanks.
 
Great photos.. I'm a professional photographer, so I love it when I see a great knife shot the right way. You have revived my interest in a large Sebenza. I carry an SNG cc or an Emerson CQC-8 now, with a William Henry on the way.

I didn't see a real place for this knife in my carry line up, but maybe there is after all!

Thanks for the images!

Jonathan
 
Thanks Joncongsiglio!

I'm a hobby photographer and actually have a really nice camera setup (D700, etc.) but took all these with my Panasonic DMC-LX3 because I was in a hurry and don't have a macro lens for the Nikon. :)

I might shoot some more with the Nikon if I get a chance.

Oh, yeah, and the knife IS 'beautiful'. :)
 
nixage said:
I consider this only my second 'real' knife. My first being a Benchmade 710 D2. All others being in the sub $40'ish range. I did a lot of reading and actually returned a Bob Lum Benchmade LFTi because the blade was not centered. Every time I tightened the pivot down it would either be too tight and the blade would not move or too lose and the blade would not center. Really annoying to someone who is OCD about stuff like that. So my research began. I almost ended up with an Umnum but due to the lack of bushing, I opted for the Sebenza.

Having said that here are my initial impressions:

Fit and finish are amazing. The blade definitely is centered on this knife and there is no play whatsoever. The blade seems extremely sharp. I love the blue lug touch but was a bit disappointed to see that the two blue spacers in the back are a slightly different color. Maybe they are aluminum vs steel or anodized at different times. Either way, it's not a huge deal but I did notice it. Lastly, The blade is still somewhat hard to get out since it's brand new, but I'm sure with time will loosen itself up. I can't wait to actually use it. I bought this as a 'user' (EDC) knife. I was also surprised as how good it feels in the hand with the blade open. It's a nice secure feeling. The only way I can compare the 710 to it right now is that the Sebenza feels like it's a single piece of metal versus many pieces bolted together. I do love my benchmade 710 and it's locking mechanism though.

Overall, I wanted a knife that even after 15 or 20 years would be something to cherish. I'm the type of person that likes to buy once and take care of it so it lasts forever. ;)

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The thumb stud is Ceramic I believe. Not 100 percent but if you asked in the Chris Reeve's forums they'd tell ya. If you take care of the sebbie it should last and last!
 
I was under the impression that the thumb lug is aluminium. Sorry, but I forgot where I read that. When I disassembled the knife, the spacer had a heft that felt like steel, so it probably is a different metal. Personally, I think the beauty of anodized metal is that it can take all the different hues of the spectrum. Do a google search for "spyderco rainbow spyderfly" as an example. On the Sebenza the spacers look decorous yet subdued whereas the lug seems highlighted in the same motif as a target for your thumb... to me at least.

nixage's story and sentiments sound very similar to my own. I've also gone through a plethora of cheapies, had bad luck with fit & finish on three $100-130 range knives, and have made the jump to Chris Reeve. I have an eye for detail as I'm sure a photography hobbyist such as yourself shares, my friend. I particularly enjoyed your close-up photos.

I've opened my new Sebenza just twenty or thirty times and it's already began to smooth up. Allow me to give you some advice; try wrapping your index finger around the top of the handle and the rest of your fingers gently wrapped around the clip when opening the blade. I was in the habbit of opening liner locks like I was rubbing my thumb outwards across my fingers, sort of gripping the knife like I was pinching it. On the frame lock that actually holds the ball detent shut. Just remember that the benefit of the frame lock is how your hand holds it shut.

Edit: According to True North Knives the thumb lug is titanium. I had to look it up on account of all the conflicting statements, but T.K.C. is right.
 
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Thanks RyanMM. I will give your way a try. I think I'm pretty much doing it in a very similar fashion.

It actually has gotten much smoother in just a day of playing around with it. My thumb hurts a bit though since I've been opening it much more than I normally would any knife.
 
I just switched over to the D3's last year. The new Nikon gear is amazing. I miss my 85 1.2, but everything else Nikon makes up for it. I have yet to buy a macro.

A simple trick is to set your camera in manual and expose properly. Now, remove your lens (24-70 2.8 works best for me) and turn it around and hold it to the mount so you shoot through it backwards. Acts like a killer macro!

Great little trick for people that might only use a macro once in a blue moon. Give it a try!
That's how I shot this image - It was early last year with a 5D and a 24-70 turned around. First time I ever heard of it, so I gave it a try..

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Jonathan

nixage said:
Thanks Joncongsiglio!

I'm a hobby photographer and actually have a really nice camera setup (D700, etc.) but took all these with my Panasonic DMC-LX3 because I was in a hurry and don't have a macro lens for the Nikon. :)

I might shoot some more with the Nikon if I get a chance.

Oh, yeah, and the knife IS 'beautiful'. :)
Click to expand...
 
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By the way,

I have put links in the descriptions on flickr to 'large' size photos.

I hope these help in the purchase decision. ;)
 
Congrats on the sweet sebenza! I'm thinking about picking up a 21, but have an umnumzaan to keep me busy until I do:D
 
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