Sebenza 25 Questions

Hairlesstwinkie

Hairlesstwinkie

Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Messages
1,562
I'm thinking about picking up a 25. I've owned a small 21 Insingo, large Classic, and Zaan. What should I expect compared to those 3? What are the pros and cons of the 25? I forgot to mention that I'm selling my classic to help me fund it so I won't have direct comparison to another Sebenza.
 
Last edited:
The sebenza 25 is closer to the zaan than the older sebenzas. So if you like the zaan, you should like the sebenza 25. Like the zaan, it has the adjustable pivot and is not as simple to break down and clean as you need locktite to reassemble. I prefer the older tighten and go design, but it looks to be a thing of the past as the zaan, ti-lock, and now sebenza 25 have it. Only the mnandi and 21 sebenza remain. Hard to tell how long crk will make the 21. I will say I like the regular sebenza over the 25, but have been carrying the 25 recently, so I am giving it a chance.
 
I really don't like adjustable pivot. I like the tighten all the way and it's done and perfect. That's what I loved about my Large Classic. I didn't like having to adjust for the Zaan. Pivot aside, how's the new large hollow grind and the new ergos?
 
nyefmaker said:
The sebenza 25 is closer to the zaan than the older sebenzas. So if you like the zaan, you should like the sebenza 25. Like the zaan, it has the adjustable pivot and is not as simple to break down and clean as you need locktite to reassemble. I prefer the older tighten and go design, but it looks to be a thing of the past as the zaan, ti-lock, and now sebenza 25 have it. Only the mnandi and 21 sebenza remain. Hard to tell how long crk will make the 21. I will say I like the regular sebenza over the 25, but have been carrying the 25 recently, so I am giving it a chance.
Click to expand...

The 21 is their most popular seller. It's been around forever. I seriously doubt it'll be going away anytime soon. I have a 25 on the way and have never owned a non-pivot bushing CRK.
I love the 21, I would hate to see the 21 lose the pivot bushing system.
 
I didn't know that the 25 didn't have the pivot bushing. I've always thought that was a very unique aspect of Sebenza and contributed to the smoothness of the pivot.
 
You probably already know my opinion since I have a current thread on the topic.

I'll say this... I wouldn't trade my 25 for a classic, but if I had a classic I wouldn't sell it to fund a 25. No way. Not if I liked it anyway, and I do really like the classic. I probably WOULD trade the 25 for a classic or 21 micarta inlay, or maybe an Insingo though.

I'll also tell you that I am pretty experienced at assembling and disassembling knives in general and the 21 and classic are far easier to reassemble than the 25. In the scenario of a field take down the 25 is straight forward, but nowhere near as easy as the others.

Honestly, if you have a bond with your classic at all I say don't do it.
 
Strigamort said:
You probably already know my opinion since I have a current thread on the topic.

I'll say this... I wouldn't trade my 25 for a classic, but if I had a classic I wouldn't sell it to fund a 25. No way. Not if I liked it anyway, and I do really like the classic. I probably WOULD trade the 25 for a classic or 21 micarta inlay, or maybe an Insingo though.

I'll also tell you that I am pretty experienced at assembling and disassembling knives in general and the 21 and classic are far easier to reassemble than the 25. In the scenario of a field take down the 25 is straight forward, but nowhere near as easy as the others.

Honestly, if you have a bond with your classic at all I say don't do it.
Click to expand...

Umm I'm kind of confused by what you're saying. Would you trade your 25 for a classic or not?

Going through these few opinions are telling me to just keep using my classic and not getting a 25...
 
Sorry, I just read what I wrote and it came out weird.

I meant that I wouldn't trade my 25 for a classic, but I probably would for a classic inlay or 21 inlay, or possibly an Insingo. That's probably useless info for you anyway, and the last thing I wanted was for my post to sound like an ad, it wasn't.

The most useful thing in my post I think you got. I wouldn't sell a classic to fund a 25.
 
That is useful advise. The more I messed with my classic the less I wanted to let it go. I think I'll just sell some other stuff to fund a 25. Thanks.
 
Bringing up a dead thread because this is the first one I could find that answered my question about the pivot. Sad to hear CRK went with the adjustable pivot, and I almost feel like it's taking the easy way out since I can only imagine the bushing design required much tighter tolerances to work.

Anyway, my question now is this. Does the blade centering change at all with different pivot tension like Benchmades, or does the blade keep perfectly centered regardless of pivot tightness? Also, us there any blade play at all with this new design or is it as stiff as the original sebenza design?
 
Medic1210 said:
Anyway, my question now is this. Does the blade centering change at all with different pivot tension like Benchmades, or does the blade keep perfectly centered regardless of pivot tightness? Also, us there any blade play at all with this new design or is it as stiff as the original sebenza design?
Click to expand...

Seems that I would have to intentionally try to off-center the blade on the 25 with the pivot screws, and then it would be very minimal. The take-up is just too close to equidistant. Adjusting the pivots requires some degree of precision, but blade play when the knife is in "tension" is non-existent.
 
Medic1210 said:
Bringing up a dead thread because this is the first one I could find that answered my question about the pivot. Sad to hear CRK went with the adjustable pivot, and I almost feel like it's taking the easy way out since I can only imagine the bushing design required much tighter tolerances to work.

Anyway, my question now is this. Does the blade centering change at all with different pivot tension like Benchmades, or does the blade keep perfectly centered regardless of pivot tightness? Also, us there any blade play at all with this new design or is it as stiff as the original sebenza design?
Click to expand...

The 25 somehow feels even more secure than the 21 or Regular.
 
Well, pivot opinions aside, the 25 is an awesome knife, as is the 21. The 25 is perhaps a bit more robust, has a different grind, more of a flat grind, and has more aggressive jimping. It also has finger grooves that give it a different, if not better, feel than does the 21. IMO, the ergos of both are very good. I put a 28° inclusive bevel on my 25 and it's a cutting beast. The 21's hollow grind is a tried-and-true performer and will handle your cutting needs with aplomb.

Bottom line: I'm glad I have both and both dovetail together nicely in CRK's lineup. The 21 is a great EDC knife and a true classic. I think the 25 will be someday as well. Let's put it this way, if you get the 25 and aren't completely stoked with it, I'd be really surprised. Like all CRK's, it's an amazingly well-engineered blade. Don't over think it, just get it. Having doubts? Get both.
 
Medic1210 said:
Bringing up a dead thread because this is the first one I could find that answered my question about the pivot. Sad to hear CRK went with the adjustable pivot, and I almost feel like it's taking the easy way out since I can only imagine the bushing design required much tighter tolerances to work.

Anyway, my question now is this. Does the blade centering change at all with different pivot tension like Benchmades, or does the blade keep perfectly centered regardless of pivot tightness? Also, us there any blade play at all with this new design or is it as stiff as the original sebenza design?
Click to expand...

There's a lot more important things in the world to be sad about than the Sebenza 25's pivot. It works great and I've had no issues with it. The knife is rock-solid.
 
Oh it's solid for sure. Everything about the 25 is robust. I would choose it over my old Strider SnG in terms of toughness.

One thing to realize about the new pivot is that the pb washers aren't just like any knife. They are huge, the locking side even has a cutout for the lock bar so that it can retain its being oversized while not interfering with the bar. They also have the drilled grease holes and the lock side has an incorporated locating tab. It's still a very unique design and keeps the blade dead center without any play. The tolerances have not been compromised imo.
 
Never heard of 'Zaan centering issues, so doubt 25's would have a problem either. My Umnumzaan stays dead center throughout any useable pivot tightness range.
 
Even removing the one side of the pivot I get zero blade play in my 25, the point never moves to one side or another either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top