Sebenza and CRKT Ryan Model 7

E

ErikD

Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Messages
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Just got my Large Plain Sebenza and CRKT Ryan Model 7 today.

The benza is great but not quit what I expected. It seems smaller now that I hold it than it appears in pictures, but it fits my hand well. Second the integral lock bar is harder to release than the liner locks I am used to, not a bad thing at all, just something to get used to. The fit and finish are great, the action is so smooth and nice, and the blade is the sharpest factory edge I have seen.

On to the Ryan Model 7. Honestly I was disapointed. I bought it because I loved the look and design. I don't have many other knives, an LCC, Buck/Strider, SERE 2000, and the afore mentioned Sebenza. When compared to these knives the Model 7 seems very cheap, and I wouldn't rely on it 100% in a difficult situation. The liner seems thin, and I haven't heard the greatest things about the steel. I think the main reason for my disapointment is that I moved backwards in quality, making my expectations higher. Has anyone tried to replace the scales on the Model 7 with black micarta? I think this might improve it a bit, make it feel more substantil in the hand. Do you think it is possible?


Erik
 
Trust me... most people react the same way with their first Sebenza. For some reason though... you will come to seriously consider it the best knife around. Over the next week as you pick it up, work it, use it, feel the action and realize the pure utilitarian function of the Sebenza it will become a great thing.

On the lock bar... you will get better at working it. Make sure you are not putting any pressure on the blade when trying to release the lockbar (sounds elemental, but its all about timing).

Enjoy...JT
 
Once you've tasted quality you'll never be happy with the cheap stuff.Start saving for customs cause you're ready my friend,
 
It's a bit unrealistic to compare your CRKT to the Sebenza, LCC, and Strider. The cheapest of those 3 goes for at least 2-3X what the Model 7 does. The knife was never meant to compete in that arena.
 
Actually, the Ryan is one of the few CRKTs that I don't like. The other is the BladeLock. I really dig the KFF, M16 and Point Guard. If you want to redeem CRKT in your mind, do one of the larger M16s with the aluminum handles. They're a lotta' knife for the money. Much more so than the Ryan. The M16 rules the world of budget knives.

Yah, the Seb will grow on you. I had the exact same reaction at first. Now I can't imagine ever going a day with carrying mine.
 
Yeah I have read that the Sebenza will grow on me, an I believe it is starting. I am not able to put the knife down, I am still amazed at how well it performs.

RH: I know it is unfair to compare the Model 7 to knives that cost 2-3 times as much. I just couldn't resist buying one, it was so cheap, and I liked the look a lot. I had also read reviews here stating it wasn't such a bad knife for the money, so I went ahead and bought it just to see what $40 could get me. I might end up giving it away to my cousin who has only cheaper knives, he is only 10 or so and is already interested in knives, might as well get him interested in good ones right?

mrd74: Way ahead of you, I am already scheming to get myself a large TNT and Strider AR.


Erik
 
Oh, YES!! Come on. The Sebbie is in a total different class in quality and price as well. It will grow on you.:cool:
 
I have found that the Sebenze lock needs to be pushed down at a 45deg. angle instead of straight 90deg. like liner locks. Anybody else find this to be the case?

-Travis
 
i have had a few Crkt knives when i first started out collecting but quickly got rid off them cause there so cheap looking /feeling /they wear out fast cause they have to be sharpened so much but what can you expect to get when you buy a knife from a company that sells 20.00 dollar knifes ? they should be on the cable knife show along with the frost **** i hate those cheap crap get your fingers cut off when the soft metal liner lock fails knifes !!over the years i have had a few and learned a good lesson. ( ouch ) How many times have i heard the old i handled a Sebenza and it didn't seem all that good it cost to much i like my Crkt / Benchmade / Spyderco etc a lot better maybe we should have a i buy cheap knives Forum for all those people that like to bash knives they have never owned or are to cheap to try how can you learn anything about differant knives if you don't carry them and use them. ya they cost 375.00 or so new used 250.00 that ain't so bad

thank you very much :) NOW HERE IS SOMETHING I HOPE YOU REALLY LIKE
 
Everyone is entitled to thier opinion...
but I have to disagree with Redratsnake:
I have owned all kinds of knives from alot of different makers (Benchmade, Schrade, Spyderco, Buck, Camillus, Gerber, CRKT, Victorinox, Wenger, Case, Ka-Bar, Ontario, Boker, and SOG, just to name a few), and although I don't own a Sebenza I have checked them out and handled them at gun/knife shows.
From my experiance I can honestly say that the Sebenza is a better knife than the Ryan. But I also believe the Sebenza is way overpriced for what you get.
As for CRKT knives: they are (IMHO) 100% on par with Spyderco and Benchmade when it comes to fit-and-finish and quality. The only shortcoming I can find with CRKT is their selection for blade steel (usually AUS-6). Even that is'nt all that bad, after all some AlMar knives and some Spydercos are also made from AUS-6.
I would be willing to bet that the majority of CRKT owners actually use their knives, while the majority of Sebenza owners don't.
Of course the majority of CRKT owners are probably blue-collar workers who do more tasks that require a knife.
I've never met a plumber, construction worker, or mechanic who carried a Sebenza.
I hate to see good companies bashed unjustly.

Allen.
 
Originally posted by Buzzbait
Actually, the Ryan is one of the few CRKTs that I don't like. The other is the BladeLock. I really dig the KFF, M16 and Point Guard. If you want to redeem CRKT in your mind, do one of the larger M16s with the aluminum handles. They're a lotta' knife for the money. Much more so than the Ryan. The M16 rules the world of budget knives.
Click to expand...

i agree on all points.
 
Yah Maurice. The M16 is an extraordinary value. In fact, it's the only knife that ever competes with my Sebenza for daily carry. That's saying quite a lot, considering that the difference in price is HUGE!!! The M16 is what put CRKT on the map, and it still is.
 
allenC: Actually, I am currently working as a landscaper:) !

After having the Sebenza for almost a week now I can say I have fallen in love with it. It is a great knife, and I can't really agree that it is overpriced. The knife itself is excellent quality, and from what I have heard Chris Reeve stands behind his work 100%, and that is worth something in my book. I would prefer to spend a little more upfront, and be assured that if something goes wrong with the knife, or I just want a new edge put on it will be handeled by the manufacturer without complaint.

Another plus in my view is that disassembly won't void the warrenty, as it would on many other knives. I know some people may feel that it is never truly necessary to take apart a knife to clean it. I have not been using high quality knives long enough to form an informed opinion of my own, but I am a very curious person, and want to know how everything works. I basically like to disassemble everything I buy, and I feel reassuered knowing it won't give me problems if I want warrenty service.


Erik
 
I have a M16-03Z and a Mirage for what they cost they are allright. I have also used Benchmade and Emersons and own a Microtech. Never used a Sebenza but would by one if it was affordable. The Benchmade, Emerson, and Microtech knives are better than CRKT knives but they also cost more. I'm a college student and if I lose or break a CRKT knife I can replace it for $30-40. They don't wear out much quicker than the others and you can also find them more places to.
 
I have to agree with Buzzbait and allenC. I recently recieved a large plain Sebenza, but I am too paranoid about scratches, dings, etc. to actually use or carry it. On the other hand, I have many CRKT knives that I use all the time. They work very well and hold up too. AUS6 steel isn't as bad as many people seem to think it is. If you still have a phobia about AUS6, try an S2 that cones with ATS34, or a KFF Pro that has AUS8. Use the CRKT. If it gats beat up, you won't feel bad. The same can not be said about the Sebenza. (Unless you have $$$ to burn and don't care anyway)
 
The CRKT Ryan Model Seven isn't that bad because the LAWKS keeps the liner in place, with almost no chance of the liner disengaging and if you remove the thumbstuds, you get a nice Spydie hole.
 
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