Sebenza: Classic or regular, the difference?

[Prof. Ed]

Hi all,
What is the difference between the Chris Reeve Small Sebenza and the Small Classic Sebenza?
Also, if you know of a favorite source for one of these knives at a great price, please send me a link. I don't know if you mention store names in the public forum; I don't wish to break any established protocols. A private email will be fine.

I wouldn't mind your feelings as to these knives or a comment about the small v. large Sebenza.
Thank you so very much.
Best regards,
Prof. Ed

 

[OwenM]

Best price I've seen on a new one is here.
:barf:

 

[Prof. Ed]

Thank you sir. That particular knife has been sold .I appreciate your help.
P.E.

 

[DaveH]

Thr only trick to getting a good price is patience, they come up forsale regularly, though not frequently for the $220 range.

 

[UnknownVT]

This is the photo on Chris Reeve's web site:

Classic 2000 Sebenza

Current "regular" Sebenza

The Classic is supposed to be the old design - but he may have had some improvements from the true original old design -

For example the old design - or early Sebenzas used to suffer from lock "stick-tion" where sometimes it was very difficult to unlock - I am sure that the current "Classics" will not have this problem as Chris has solved that issue a long time ago - and is very unlikely to produce a "Classic" including all the warts as if it were.

I personally prefer the newer versions, because they had gentler rounded edges and added grooving to the handles - so to me they felt a lot better than the original original - I haven't handled a "Classic" to be able to say if he hasn't also "improved" the handles.....

Chris Reeve has always done continuous improvements to his knives and to me I felt his improvements were just exactly that - that's why he's in the position and has the justifiably great reputation that he has.

As for large and small Sebbies - the small is about the right size for daily carry - the knife when closed is more secure than a large - simply because the blade is smaller therefore lighter and is less prone to being shaken/snapped out of the handle by a sharp shock/snap. Whereas the bigger heavier blade has a higher tendency to do this (as in almost any larger bladed liner or frame-lock).

However I find the small Sebbie just a shade too small/short - it's funny how sometimes a fraction of an inch can make all the difference - eg: I find the similar sized Kershaw/Ken Onion LEEK , and the bargain priced Kershaw Vapor to be almost "ideal" sized for me........

The large is a great knife but I'd prefer it as a belt pouch carry for safety reasons - and it is just too big for daily carry for me....

One can use Froogle.com to do a search for almost anything...
the lowest price I found this way was:

$289.95 for small Sebenza

Check out this discussion too -
Frame-Locks (ala Sebenza)

 

[masterchef]

I have had a few Sebi's and can't live without them.I found that the only one I will buy is the Classic. The Classic has a smooth cut on the lock where the Plain has the humps.The smooth cut feels much nicer on the thumb. Classic Sebi big or small is hands down the best!!! This is only my opinion!!!! Mike

Edited to say!!! Any Sebi is a good sebi!!!!

 

[APM]

I agree with Mike and love my Classic Sebbie's, but i must say you really can't go wrong with either one because there both "built like a tank and cuts like a dream".

Cheers!
James

 

[jayharley]

I just purchased a NIB large Classic with leather inlay on Ebay. I truly got it at a very very good price. I would advise trying Ebay if price is a major consideration. I also personally like the more sculptured look of the classic and the pointier shaped blade.

 

[Megalobyte]

Let's see, i have 3 Sebenzas currently, a large regular Box Elder inlay, a large plain and a large Classic with Snakewood and gold wire inlays, boy do i LOVE these knives.

I have to say, i think i like the Classic better, but not by much.

The Classic most definitely no longer suffers from any sort of sticky lock, its as good as it gets, and though i may have just gotten a particularly good Classic, i have to say, my new Snakewood/Gold Classic is the smoothest, most perfectly put together folding knife i have ever seen, and that includes comparison to many, many high-end customs. What a knife for the relatively low price i paid.

You will love any Sebenza you get, personally, i like the large, the small is, well, small... The Mnandi is VERY small.

Ebay isnt a bad place to look, neither are the forums, you may find a NIB small, or even large for about $250 or so.

Recently got my NIB plain at a retail store for $310. I was really surprised since this store generally takes MSRP and adds about 50%! I found out their cost on a large plain is $240 if that helps at all.

 

[Ren the devils trailboss]

I prefer the regular as opposed to the classic..but I have them both and they are both great..I would highly suggest getting one with duel thumb studs..that in my opinion makes the knife..


Ren

 

[Atrick-Pay]

You really have to find a place you can hold/feel both.

The Reg. didn't fit me at all. The Classic felt perrrr-fect!