Sebenza Alternative

GermanyChris

GermanyChris

Joined
Feb 18, 2015
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I'm actually going to start a recommendation thread :eek:

While I like my Sebenza a great deal and carry it every day the frame locks are getting kinda old. It seems like every week or two I'm cleaning it out because the action is getting stiff, it could be from pocket lint or just dust from cutting stuff but regardless it needs to happen. I've been perusing BladeHQ searching for knives with different locking systems but nothing has been appealing. I want something that is proportionally like my Sebenza, something that looks like an adult would own, non flipper, non frame or liner lock, preferably thinish, around 4oz, 3.5 to 4" blade, non-chinese and ~$600. While I'm sure I can find someone to build me something in that price range my last hand built in that range turned me off to another.

What reasonably sophisticated knife would you buy at that price.
 
You don't want a frame lock and you don't want an integral lock?

But a slim Titanium knife with no bearings and flipper?

If you want a slim knife with a different lock system get a Para 2 and add some nice ti scales. But still that would only be half of your $600.

Kinda hard to beat a knife that is slim from all the different knives that Chris Reeve offers. There are others besides the Sebenza in his lineup.

If you wanted a flipper that is slim for $600 I would suggest a Shiro.
 
Not many options for what your asking for in specific. Everything that I'm thinking of breaks one of your rules.

Benchmade Anthem? Just ask the vendor to pick the one that's centered and has an even cutting edge (some of them have uneven tips).
 
I'd be curious to see what people can suggest within those parameters. I'm drawing pretty much a blank right now. The best I can think off right now would be a Protech Magic/Whiskers, it has a fairly conservative simple/functional design, non-flipper, button lock auto, 3.75in blade, non-chinese, but it's .8 oz over your weight limit.

Oh and I assumed you weren't limited to just Titanium and it didn't have to be 600, but 600 being your max budget?
 
I'm stuck too. Honestly the only thing I can think of that fits your criteria is a Microtech OTF and that may or may not violate your views of what an "adult" would carry :cool:.
The only knife I have that qualifies is a Hawk Dauntless*, but I'm not selling mine and they are hard to find.

*nevermind, it's a flipper and not particularly thin in profile. Doh!
 
I guess I'll bullet point the requirements:

No frame or liner lock
Not made in China
No flippers
Less than 5oz
Sophisticated
I'd like to max out at $600 but over within reason is fine

I like Ti just fine but I like carbon fiber far more. I'm a do my own research kinda guy too but I'm seriously not finding anything.
 
What do you think of the hawk deadlock otf? Priced a bit higher but seems to hit your requirements otherwise.
 
Mo2 said:
What do you think of the hawk deadlock otf? Priced a bit higher but seems to hit your requirements otherwise.
Click to expand...

I think it's great and when I get back to a place that I can carry my autos I'll likely get one, but that's not the case right now
 
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Are you talking about the pivot getting plugged up? Or the lock face?

I do a lot of homestead gardening, and none of my framelocks get plugged up. My Sebenza handles dirt and dust just fine. And often my pockets are filled with fine straw dust. (I mulch with compressed staw so I don't have to til.)

Maybe you're using the wrong lubricant. I find that fluorinated grease works great -- smooth, friction-free operations and it resists the penetration of contaminants into the pivot.

But, hey, looking for a new knife is an awesome endeavor and doesn't really need justification.
 
Twindog said:
Are you talking about the pivot getting plugged up? Or the lock face?

I do a lot of homestead gardening, and none of my framelocks get plugged up. My Sebenza handles dirt and dust just fine. And often my pockets are filled with fine straw dust. (I mulch with compressed staw so I don't have to til.)

Maybe you're using the wrong lubricant. I find that fluorinated grease works great -- smooth, friction-free operations and it resists the penetration of contaminants into the pivot.

But, hey, looking for a new knife is an awesome endeavor and doesn't really need justification.
Click to expand...

Generally it's the detent ball that get's clogged up, a little hot water and a q-tip with some detergent on it fixes it. It's stuck in my head now because I was futzing with it again last night. It's not just the Sebenza it happens with it also happens with my Gray if I carry it for any period of time.
 
GermanyChris said:
Generally it's the detent ball that get's clogged up, a little hot water and a q-tip with some detergent on it fixes it. It's stuck in my head now because I was futzing with it again last night. It's not just the Sebenza it happens with it also happens with my Gray if I carry it for any period of time.
Click to expand...

Then maybe any Benchmade with an Axis lock. No detent ball to clog up. My EDC is a Rukus 610, which is too big for your requirements, but the action for such a large knife is awesome. It never clogs up. Some of the old AFCKs might fit your requirements. Those are Hall of Fame knives.
 
You could certainly go the modified Para 2 route as mentioned, or many other knives can be modded to. For $600 you could likely find a maker to do something custom that fits your requirements although you mentioned being turned off that idea. I don’t have one myself but Benchmade Anthem? Or Lionsteel TM1?(you mention cf, it comes in micarta of cf). I love my Smock SK23, it’s ti, button activated compression lock. It is a flipper but not a typical one, Smock calls it a front flipper but I think of it as a top flipper..?
 
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I just found the William Henry EDC line.

The E10 looks up my alley does anyone know who makes them or are they made in house?
 
Mo2 said:
What do you think of the hawk deadlock otf? Priced a bit higher but seems to hit your requirements otherwise.
Click to expand...

A bit higher? Don't they go for like 1000 and more? Or are they cheaper directly from G&G?
 
A very hard to find one these days and although I own one which I absolutely love, I would not seek one at the current inflated 2ndary prices simply because they can even go for more than lightly used Sebenzas:

The Spyderco Slysz Bowie

Having owned both and having sold every past CRKs which I had owned, if I had to plunk down $350+ for a used one today, I would still probably have a tough time between the two. IMO, the construction and the warranty of the Sebenza ought to prevail but when it comes to the steel, HT and the ergos of the blade, I prefer the SB by quite a bit.
 
I have to echo the Benchmade Anthem. It seems to check your boxes.

Also consider a Freeman 451 Button Lock in Titanium/S35VN. Go with an uncoated blade and plain Ti handles with CF inlays and that could look quite gentlemanly. It has a flipper tab but can be opened with a thumb groove or the button lock.
 
William Henry?

Haha just noticed you had found them a couple posts above.
 
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