Sebenza 25 - The Be All End All Knife aka "The One"

Steel_Addiction

Steel_Addiction

Joined
Jun 10, 2011
Messages
1,495
Just wanted to share my thoughts and findings on the Sebenza 25.

I have carried it from day 1 last winter until now and used it daily. That is the longest I've ever carried one folder. Almost a whole year without changing.

For me the Sebenza 25 provides me with everything I want in a folder:

Perfect ergonomics, fits my hands like a glove, and can be easily used with gloves. The narrower handle and extra finger grove sit just right in my hand.

Perfect steel, not sure if I got some magic special version of s35vn, but the sample I got from the first batch (Nov 2012) holds it's edge better than any other knife steel I've ever used, including but not limted to (s30v, s35vn, s60v, s90v, 20cv, m390, cpm 154, 154cm)
I sharpen all my knives with the Edge Pro to match the factory bevel and then give it an 8 to 10 degree microbevel.
I sharpened the 25 last winter and didn't have to touch the edge up until just a few weeks ago, I actually didn't have to touch it up but it had a few tiny micro dings in it so I thought I'd clean it up a little.
Daily tasks include (for my profession-electrician) #1 stripping various sizes of copper and aluminum wire, the worst type to strip is old acsr underground alumnium, which has a real tough almost plastic like coating. Cutting tape, opening boxes, prepping food, breaking down cardboard, etc...everything you would use a knife for, it gets used.
I do not know how but even with the larger blade stock, the 25 cuts better as well, slices through insulation like butter.

Perfect action, the 25 is super smooth no matter how dirty it gets, and I get into some dirty situations.

Perfect lockup, bank vault times 2 (Sebenza 21 was bank vault) The 25 will not budge or give any wiggle no matter how hard you try to move the blade when locked. It sits there like a fixed blade, and then with a smooth slide of the lockbar it floats closed.

Perfect tolerances, you couldn't make a knife any more fluid yet solid as the 25. No detail left undone, every aspect of the 25 was well thought out and perfectly implemented. I don't even have to put any loctite on my pivot to keep it perfect. With the pivot screw out of the pivot I still don't get any blade play.


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Needless to say, I have found the "one" and it came at a perfect time as I am in process of starting my own electrical company and that will take all of my time and resources for a few years. I have sold off all my other knives, and just purchased a like new 25 as a backup, just incase.

I'm sure in a few years or so I will be intrigued with the various alterations and additions to the 25 with inlays and maybe damascus offerings, but for now, I am 100% content. I even removed all my "saved searches" in ebay and bladeforums which alerted me of any new Sebenzas. I don't find myself frequenting the Exchange as much, and I expect to not even pop in there at all over the next few years.

I guess this is my sign out, Somehow I have found the one which I hope serves me well for many years, I'll be back down the road and hopefully Bladeforums will still be here (as I expect it will)


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Peace out fellow brotherhood and sisterhood of the CRK


Here's a few cell phone pics from day one of the 25 till today, opening up the backup 25 which went right into the safe after a teardown and oiling.

Various tasks that the 25 takes on everyday.





















 
I never thought id see the day, but I wish you luck and hope to see you back sooner than later.
You have given me a plethora of info over the years and I hate to see you go.
Take care and update us on your 25 when necessary.
 
Well said ..Steel_Addiction!
It was hard to let go of my StarBenza to fund a 25 but I couldn't be more happier! It seems similar but yet a lot different in so many GOOD WAYS!
 
Just an FYI. I am not a regular but it seems the 25's are still hard to get. Knives ship free has four in stock. They had five before I ordered mine.

Cheers,

T
 
I too am sorry to see you "sign off" Steel_Addiction. I have enjoyed your company here on numerous occasions. I hope you will return soon and often.

My sincere good wishes for success with your new company and in all your endeavors. May you and your 25 enjoy many good times together. :thumbup:
 
Just don't cut into a live wire! Great to see a user rather than a safe queen.

Mine left the local USPS sort facility this morning. Looking forward to a long relationship. It will not go into a safe.
 
Hope to see you back here again soon my friend. Always enjoy your comments.

I bought a sebenza 25 and was not immediately impressed with it. I am still giving it a chance though. I just think that the large regular sebenza is the pinacle of folding knives and it continues to be my favorite. The 21, which I have disliked for a long time has grown on me as well. While I find the 25 to me a nice knife, the regulars are still my fav...!!!

BTW.......Awesome IN USE Pics. We need to see more in use pics around here and the pics in this thread are a good example of that.
 
Sorry to see you go SA but good luck and congrat's on starting your own business. I feel the same way about my 25 as you by the way. I hope to see you around these parts soon:thumbup:
 
Glad you're enjoying your backup, even if it is a safe queen.

I've moved to smaller blades, like my recent acquisition, a small KACF Insingo 21. I like the size for EDC. I'm not a heavy user of my blades as you may have found out, lol. But if they do make a small 25, I will have one.
 
NM08SRT8 said:
I've moved to smaller blades, like my recent acquisition, a small KACF Insingo 21. I like the size for EDC. I'm not a heavy user of my blades as you may have found out, lol. But if they do make a small 25, I will have one.
Click to expand...

You can add me to that list, too.
 
Thanks guys, I hope to find some time to pop in the forums once in awhile and add my two cents.

For anyone that is looking at getting a 25, you won't regret it.
But for some like Tom that found the Regular to be the one, the 25 is still a hell of a compliment folder!

MMAR, I had no idea what "verclempt" meant, I had to google it, not to push you over the edge, but I sold my last Large Regular to fund the backup 25...

That cardboard was 90% used for oil changes on equipment and vehicles, so it had oil spots on it, and the recycling nazi's hate it when I bring cardboard soaked in oil in, so it gets burnt. Plus when you live out in the boonies you can do whatever you want! lol
 
Great pics and good luck with your business.
I've enjoyed reading your posts and hope to still be browsing the forum when you get around to coming back.

I've have one of those first thirty as well and second that it cuts amazingly well, much better than even much thinner knives. To say that it's a homerun is an understatement.

Take care
 
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