- Joined
- Mar 26, 2011
- Messages
- 647
The Sebenza 25 is my first CRK product. I'm no fan boy. I understand that CRK products are pricey and a lot of manufacturing care goes into them. I'm also familiar with machining techniques and the small/medium scale manufacturing of products like CRK knives. I cannot answer if CRK products are worth their price (since that is a question only the buyer can answer), but I did pick up a Sebenza 25 to see what all the fanfare was about.
Fit and Finish: A -
Very good, but not perfect. There were small and almost imperceivable flatness blemishes in the blade. I didn't care too much since this was going to be a user, but they were there nonetheless. If this were a collector's piece, I may have sent it back. Action was tight but reasonable smooth. After disassembling the blade and applying CRK grease, the action only got marginally better. Axle grease was later applied to much greater effect. The action has since loosened up considerably. Lockup is perfect at 50% at the ceramic ball's interface of the blade. All other details, scales, frame, blade finish, hardware, clip, thumbstud were all perfect. For a knife at this price point, I would have expected near perfection and it was almost that. I have numerous Benchmades, Spydercos and Microtechs and I would say the my Sebenza 25 only marginally beats them out in this department.
Design: A
Here is where the subtleties of this product does well. It's just a knife right? Well, I see knives as my personal companion. It's there all the time, a tool, a toy (that's why we are on these forums right?) and heaven forbid, a defensive item. For these reasons, I am constantly in search of my perfect knife. I also work in an office/lab environment so I cannot whip out a tacticool knife to open mail or unzip boxes (BTW I love tacticool knives so please don't take offense). My Sebenza 25 is large enough to be questionable as is but probably still justifiable in size and appearance.
The blade is as large as possible for the handle size. The blade shape is functional without being intimidating. The "large hollow grinds" seems like more of a marketing ploy than anything else. Basically it's a flat grind with minimal concavity. There's no defying physics here it is what it is. I'm fine with it If you like hollow grinds the 21 might be a better solution for you.
The rounded spine is a nice, classy touch and the understated bead blast of the scales/frame keep this knife under the radar of the general public. The pocket clip is subtle and does not grab attention (like shiny clips). The overall folded size of the blade is very manageable and I have no complaints whatsoever about it. It fits in my pocket or IWB for a more discreet carry. The weight of the blade is just about right. It feels substantial in hand, but not heavy in the pocket. The ceramic ball as a detent and lockbar interface is great. I have a Strider SMF that does NOT lock up as solidly as this Sebenza does. I have since acquired a Sebenza 21 and I would say that the Strider is closer to the 21, but doesn't come close to a 25 in terms of the solid "twack" as the lockbar engages. The lockbar is also quite stiff and my wimpy office worker thumbs are still getting use to it. I have not experienced any "lock rock" and I am very confident of the 25's lock. Detent is strong which is a good thing for me since I hate reaching for my knife only to find the tip poking up at my exposed out of the handle!
One of my only wishes was that this Sebbie had a glass breaker like the Umnumzaan. I would have picked up an Umnumzaan, but the tacticool look of the blade was simply a turnoff for me.
Ergonomics: B+
Overall the ergonomics are good. The dual finger grooves fit my hand well. The pocket clip does not bother me, but I can feel it. The jimping is quite aggressive and when pressed into use, plainly hurts my thumb. Opening the blade is simple enough but I guess I'm use to flicking blades open. I'm still getting use to opening the Sebenza without flicking it. I have medium/large hands and feel that my thumbs should be just a bit longer to open the blade more comfortably. I'm sure that's just me since I've never heard this anywhere else but if anyone else is out there with this observation, I'd like to hear it. I do prefer the ergos on the 25 over the 21 I have (with inlays).
Blade: A
I know there is a lot of discussion regarding the CRK HT of S35VN and their hardness. Without getting caught in that I'd have to say that I feel no particular disadvantage using S35VN using the CRK HT on this Sebenza 25. I own the popular PM2 M390, Millie S90V, BM Contego and Rift in M4, Microtech Socom in CTS-204P, Endura in ZDP189, Caly 3.5 in Super Blue, Strider SMF 3V. All I can say is that this S35VN, even though it may not have the same edge retention or toughness as the other aforementioned steels, is no slouch, even with the "soft" CRK HT. I sharpened the blade to 15 DPS and this steel can take a scary, hair whittle edge much easier than the other steels (except for the 3V and maybe Super Blue). Also unlike the Super Blue, M4 and 3V, this blade is stainless and relatively maintenance free. Basically this steel with the CRK HT is an excellent blend of edge retention, toughness, ease of sharpening and corrosion resistance.
Another note about this blade after use I've found that most of the damage and edge degradation is caused by rolls, not chipping. It makes for much faster resharpening and less material removal.
Value: C+
As I said before, I can't tell you if this blade is worth the price tag, but cost does not necessarily equate to quality for me. High cost mainly means no one has figured out how to effectively streamline manufacturing. Maybe there is no need to streamline or there are technological hurdles. If we are honestly looking at value, these knives are just hard to justify (but I still bought one).
Overall: B+
Basically I carry this knife because 1) it's very good at everything I need it to do 2) it has no glaring flaws. All my other knives are either: 1) Too tacticool to use as an EDC 2) annoyingly rust prone (sorry Super Blue and M4 but it's true for me - I use and wash my knives in soap and water and don't always get around to a good drying/oiling afterwards). Only time will tell if my opinion remains constant or if something else catches my eye. I have started moving some blades, so maybe I've found something special.
Fit and Finish: A -
Very good, but not perfect. There were small and almost imperceivable flatness blemishes in the blade. I didn't care too much since this was going to be a user, but they were there nonetheless. If this were a collector's piece, I may have sent it back. Action was tight but reasonable smooth. After disassembling the blade and applying CRK grease, the action only got marginally better. Axle grease was later applied to much greater effect. The action has since loosened up considerably. Lockup is perfect at 50% at the ceramic ball's interface of the blade. All other details, scales, frame, blade finish, hardware, clip, thumbstud were all perfect. For a knife at this price point, I would have expected near perfection and it was almost that. I have numerous Benchmades, Spydercos and Microtechs and I would say the my Sebenza 25 only marginally beats them out in this department.
Design: A
Here is where the subtleties of this product does well. It's just a knife right? Well, I see knives as my personal companion. It's there all the time, a tool, a toy (that's why we are on these forums right?) and heaven forbid, a defensive item. For these reasons, I am constantly in search of my perfect knife. I also work in an office/lab environment so I cannot whip out a tacticool knife to open mail or unzip boxes (BTW I love tacticool knives so please don't take offense). My Sebenza 25 is large enough to be questionable as is but probably still justifiable in size and appearance.
The blade is as large as possible for the handle size. The blade shape is functional without being intimidating. The "large hollow grinds" seems like more of a marketing ploy than anything else. Basically it's a flat grind with minimal concavity. There's no defying physics here it is what it is. I'm fine with it If you like hollow grinds the 21 might be a better solution for you.
The rounded spine is a nice, classy touch and the understated bead blast of the scales/frame keep this knife under the radar of the general public. The pocket clip is subtle and does not grab attention (like shiny clips). The overall folded size of the blade is very manageable and I have no complaints whatsoever about it. It fits in my pocket or IWB for a more discreet carry. The weight of the blade is just about right. It feels substantial in hand, but not heavy in the pocket. The ceramic ball as a detent and lockbar interface is great. I have a Strider SMF that does NOT lock up as solidly as this Sebenza does. I have since acquired a Sebenza 21 and I would say that the Strider is closer to the 21, but doesn't come close to a 25 in terms of the solid "twack" as the lockbar engages. The lockbar is also quite stiff and my wimpy office worker thumbs are still getting use to it. I have not experienced any "lock rock" and I am very confident of the 25's lock. Detent is strong which is a good thing for me since I hate reaching for my knife only to find the tip poking up at my exposed out of the handle!
One of my only wishes was that this Sebbie had a glass breaker like the Umnumzaan. I would have picked up an Umnumzaan, but the tacticool look of the blade was simply a turnoff for me.
Ergonomics: B+
Overall the ergonomics are good. The dual finger grooves fit my hand well. The pocket clip does not bother me, but I can feel it. The jimping is quite aggressive and when pressed into use, plainly hurts my thumb. Opening the blade is simple enough but I guess I'm use to flicking blades open. I'm still getting use to opening the Sebenza without flicking it. I have medium/large hands and feel that my thumbs should be just a bit longer to open the blade more comfortably. I'm sure that's just me since I've never heard this anywhere else but if anyone else is out there with this observation, I'd like to hear it. I do prefer the ergos on the 25 over the 21 I have (with inlays).
Blade: A
I know there is a lot of discussion regarding the CRK HT of S35VN and their hardness. Without getting caught in that I'd have to say that I feel no particular disadvantage using S35VN using the CRK HT on this Sebenza 25. I own the popular PM2 M390, Millie S90V, BM Contego and Rift in M4, Microtech Socom in CTS-204P, Endura in ZDP189, Caly 3.5 in Super Blue, Strider SMF 3V. All I can say is that this S35VN, even though it may not have the same edge retention or toughness as the other aforementioned steels, is no slouch, even with the "soft" CRK HT. I sharpened the blade to 15 DPS and this steel can take a scary, hair whittle edge much easier than the other steels (except for the 3V and maybe Super Blue). Also unlike the Super Blue, M4 and 3V, this blade is stainless and relatively maintenance free. Basically this steel with the CRK HT is an excellent blend of edge retention, toughness, ease of sharpening and corrosion resistance.
Another note about this blade after use I've found that most of the damage and edge degradation is caused by rolls, not chipping. It makes for much faster resharpening and less material removal.
Value: C+
As I said before, I can't tell you if this blade is worth the price tag, but cost does not necessarily equate to quality for me. High cost mainly means no one has figured out how to effectively streamline manufacturing. Maybe there is no need to streamline or there are technological hurdles. If we are honestly looking at value, these knives are just hard to justify (but I still bought one).
Overall: B+
Basically I carry this knife because 1) it's very good at everything I need it to do 2) it has no glaring flaws. All my other knives are either: 1) Too tacticool to use as an EDC 2) annoyingly rust prone (sorry Super Blue and M4 but it's true for me - I use and wash my knives in soap and water and don't always get around to a good drying/oiling afterwards). Only time will tell if my opinion remains constant or if something else catches my eye. I have started moving some blades, so maybe I've found something special.
:thumbup:
