Sebenza 21 vs Koenig Arius

Sebenza 21 vs Koenig Arius

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Knifeaddict556

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Looking to buy one of these models. Have gone back and forth between both of them. Will mostly be used for just general EDC. Models I am looking at both come in at the same price. Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks
 
I have both, and love them both. I also carried each of them for 30 days straight last year. While the flipping action, and precision of the Koenig Arius is really a wonder, for an every day carry choice, for me the Sebenza wins easily (yes, despite the difference in steel). Size and utility just really shine in the Sebenza.

It could easily be the one knife I owned and carried, and as much as I love the Arius, I just can’t say the same about it.
 
Sebenza all the way. Flippers and bearings are just fiddly stuff to have to deal with, solutions to problem that don't exist. Besides, I'm a giant fanboy for Sebenzas. Ask anyone!
 
Knifeaddict556 said:
Looking to buy one of these models. Have gone back and forth between both of them. Will mostly be used for just general EDC. Models I am looking at both come in at the same price. Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks
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Sebenza is the better pocket knife in the traditional sense.

Arius is a better representation of the most modern fads in pocket knives. Bearings, flipper and drop shut action.

Depends which is more the style of knife you are looking for. Arius probably has more out of the box wow factor.

Sebenza you appreciate after 10 years of getting new knife after new knife and yet the sebenza keeps finding its way into your pocket.
 
You know you want one ;)
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whitty said:
I would not speak too much about the Arius being long gone in 10 years. I think Bill Koenig has some of the best stuff going right now and is going to be a major player in the industry for a very long time.
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I agree with this as well. The Arius is far more than a fad knife. It takes elements that are currently in demand to a very different level of precision and craftsmanship. I think its staying power will bear itself out.
 
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The Arius has the funniest looking Killer Whale blade that I will never get over. The whole knife is a whale and I will never unsee it.

Design language aside, they're pretty excellent knives. I have one right now and it is one of the better knives I've owned, for sure.

Definitely a matter of style preference and deployment preference. Both will do everything you ask.

They're about even I would say, in terms of build quality. The sebenza has a more functional design. Hard choice.
 
Be warned, this is a rant, and I am probably in the top 5 biggest collectors of Koenigs, so maybe biased over here.

DEPENDS! It all depends on priority. What is most important to you; ease of opening, ease of disassembly, longevity, materials, weight, customer service (spa treatments), your particular environment of use(humid, water, sand, maybe some others I can't think of), pocket clip, lockbar insert, ease of sharpening, box presentation

Ease of opening: Arius
-Arius - has a flipper, a 'spydieflick' capability, and 'kinda' a thumb deployment, ambidextrous
-Sebenza - only thumb stud (which is extremely uncomfortable until you find you own way to open it). Some ambidextrous versions
Ease of disassembly :Arius
-Arius - uses a non-spinning pivot, backspacer screws screw direct into the backspacer(non spinning)
-Sebenza - Tolerances are the same, if not better. Way more pieces to disassemble
Longevity: Sebenza
-Sebenza - Has a proven track record, washers always out last bearings (theoretically), slower opening knives means less damage (sorta)
-Arius - Has a lockbar insert, has a better hollow grind (theoretically able to be sharpened more without losing 'sliceyness'
Materials: probably Sebenza, Don't kno much about blade materials
-Sebenza - S35vn is meant to have a ballance to be able to last in salty conditions or humid conditions
-Arius - Both use Ti
-I would suggest either way, you purchase your knife with a CF side.
Weight: Pretty similiar I think! Again get a CF side
Customer Service: Probably Sebenza
-Sebenza - proven track record
-Arius - Return might be a bit slower due to a smaller staff
Environment: Sebenza
-Especially if there's dirt and sand. Bearings attract gunk.
Pocket Clip: Arius
-Arius - Ergos are better (based on hand size), easier deployment
-Sebenza - easier putting back into pocket, screw for clip is on the outside, more grip.
Ease of sharpening: Depends on sharpening system.
-Arius - has a flat grinded edge, no thumb stud in the way
-Sebenza - Insingo blades are easier to sharpen if using a sharpening system similiar to a wicked edge, has a convex edge which is harder to replicate unless experienced.
Box presentation: Sebenza
-Sebenza - Knife, tools, lube, loctite, COA, cloth, misc.
-Arius - Knife, COA, cloth

Summary:
If you're going to buy either, you should buy one with a CF scale. I would choose an Arius, just because it's more user friendly. I think Arius' also have better ergos for a wide range of hand sizes.
 
For me the choice was the Arius. The Sebenza has a lot of fans. It’s been around for decades, and there are many more in the hands of knife owners than the Arius. I didn’t love the feel of the Sebenza in my hand, and although I’ve handled several, I’ve never owned one. It seems very well constructed.

So I can’t give a comparison, but the Arius is probably my favorite knife at its price. It’s relatively big in the pocket, but every other aspect really suits my needs. The blade is unique, very tall, with a fairly thick stock but a hollow grind that brings it to a thin edge. It’s an excellent slicer with a strong tip. I love the look and feel of the swedges on the spine of the blade.

The handle exhibits several nice but subtle touches and has comfortable edges, a captured pivot, and chamfers everywhere. In my XL hand the grip is the most comfortable I’ve held.

It’s light for its size. Construction quality is outstanding, and the knife is easy to disassemble and service. The overall action is the best I’ve seen, and it’s great to open both with the flipper tab and the blade hole. And I think you’ll be hard pressed to find better customer service.
 
goldie said:
When the Arius is long gone and a thing of the past, the Sebenza will still be around...…..
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Since you can see into the future, care to give me next weeks lottery numbers? :p

Personally I don't see the knives as comparable. Different deployment methods, different blade steels, different inner workings. It's like comparing an assisted Kershaw Flipper to a GEC Slipjoint to me. I prefer flippers over thumb stud knives but I like my CRK as much as my Reate Flippers. Different knives for different types of carry and enjoyment.
 
Well...lol...i think the comparison is fine because its a question of EDC ability.
Ive only fondled an Arius, but i was quite impressed. Even tho its shape is err...different...it was really comfortable. In my opinion it would be better suited to hard regular cuts comfort wise, compared to the Sebenza L21.
But overall i would go with a L21. More versatile grip options for EDC. Clips securely in your pocket. Its just a tool you fall in love with, after some use. Not to mention 3 different blade shapes to choose from. I would say a bunch more pros, but i would just be regurgitating what others have said above.
This is just one guys ramblings...what do i know? Lol. I only own 21 21’s.
My vote is sebenza.


I should say...if the arius wasnt so dang expensive in canada, id buy one. I dont dislike it, i just like Sebbies more. :)
 
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