Sebenza / Emerson HD : Comparison

richstag

richstag

Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
9,008
Hello

My latest favorite pocket knife is a cqc-12 tihd. While I like this knife I have been having thoughts of ordering a large classic or standard sebenza.

I have no real reason to buy another knife but..., I like the quality of my latest fixed blade (Reeve Pacific) enough to consider one of his sebenzas.

I have read a lot on this site concerning sebenzas and have not come up with anything to talk me out of the idea.

My question is:

Would their really be much of a difference and, of coarse, if so what?

I love my Emerson but..., somebody just talk me out of this.

Thanks again!

Kevin
 
You can't go wrong with a Sebbie. Emerson appeals to a more focussed customer base. IMO Emersons excel at Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Fighting tasks where extreme situations require a strong no nonsense knife. Not that Sebbies aren't strong but IMO they are mosre useful for the average joe. I prefer the seb, it's built like a tank and seems a bit more refined than the stuff Emerson puts out.

Opps, yeah in my opinion there is a big difference. The seb has a rock solid lockup with high tolerances and is a smooth precise knife. Emersons tend to be sloppy and quality can be spotty but they look badass and that appeals to some. The chisel grind on the Emersons makes precise cutting difficult and it's cut for lefties for looks more than for using. The sebbie is like a Lexus and the Emerson is like a Hummer.
 
FWIW a CQC12 is a almost std "v" grind framelock which imho will if anything outcut a seb, lock up is similar as both a seb and a'12 are framelocks..

and yes i have both.
 
Richstag,
They are completely different knives. I have an HD-7 and a Sebenza reg. The HD is my Serious knife, with the chisel grind. The Sebenza is my-keep in the garage- knife. If I wanted to carry and use a knife, the Sebenza would be that knife. For those daily tasks I use a CRK&T MO'skeeter. In their own right, both are outstanding knives! I would like to see a true chisel grind on a Sebenza but that aint gonna happen.
Lycosa
 
Would the HD-7 (or another Ti-sided EKI) be a good alternative to a large Seb, if you are wanting a "hard user" in that size range?
 
Scott Dog said:
You can't go wrong with a Sebbie. Emerson appeals to a more focussed customer base. IMO Emersons excel at Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Fighting tasks where extreme situations require a strong no nonsense knife. Not that Sebbies aren't strong but IMO they are mosre useful for the average joe. I prefer the seb, it's built like a tank and seems a bit more refined than the stuff Emerson puts out.

Opps, yeah in my opinion there is a big difference. The seb has a rock solid lockup with high tolerances and is a smooth precise knife. Emersons tend to be sloppy and quality can be spotty but they look badass and that appeals to some. The chisel grind on the Emersons makes precise cutting difficult and it's cut for lefties for looks more than for using. The sebbie is like a Lexus and the Emerson is like a Hummer.
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Thanks Scott Dog

What kind of Lexus?:)

I like Hummers.

Kevin
 
I carry one of ernies custom cqc 5 at work and it is the best EDC knife ive ever carried that being said I also have a few Sebies and love them. I alsohave a hd 7 and it works great for hard use i carried it for close to a year and I put that knife though a lot and its still works perfect. Both knives lock like tanks. If you looking forna easy knife to mantian and sharpen for your everyday needs the Sebie is your knife. If you want a hard use knife with a quick draw but need to maintian a lttle more than I say stick with the emerson. I had STR make me a lefty cqc15 with Ti frame lock and both sides are titanium. That knife is solid.
 
SIFU1A said:
FWIW a CQC12 is a almost std "v" grind framelock which imho will if anything outcut a seb, lock up is similar as both a seb and a'12 are framelocks..

and yes i have both.
Click to expand...

Thanks S1FU1A

I knew you have a 12 and was hoping you would have a sebenza also. I like the blade on my 12. After help from you and others I am able to easily keep the knife very sharp. And it cuts very well.

Kevin
 
Lycosa said:
Richstag,
They are completely different knives. I have an HD-7 and a Sebenza reg. The HD is my Serious knife, with the chisel grind. The Sebenza is my-keep in the garage- knife. If I wanted to carry and use a knife, the Sebenza would be that knife. For those daily tasks I use a CRK&T MO'skeeter. In their own right, both are outstanding knives! I would like to see a true chisel grind on a Sebenza but that aint gonna happen.
Lycosa
Click to expand...

Thanks Lycosa

Why would you pick the sebenza to carry and use over the HD-7?

Kevin
 
spikedog said:
Would the HD-7 (or another Ti-sided EKI) be a good alternative to a large Seb, if you are wanting a "hard user" in that size range?
Click to expand...

That is just what I am hoping.

Thanks

Kevin

P.S. I know that the HD 12 is a great user.
 
knivesanonymous said:
I carry one of ernies custom cqc 5 at work and it is the best EDC knife ive ever carried that being said I also have a few Sebies and love them. I alsohave a hd 7 and it works great for hard use i carried it for close to a year and I put that knife though a lot and its still works perfect. Both knives lock like tanks. If you looking forna easy knife to mantian and sharpen for your everyday needs the Sebie is your knife. If you want a hard use knife with a quick draw but need to maintian a lttle more than I say stick with the emerson. I had STR make me a lefty cqc15 with Ti frame lock and both sides are titanium. That knife is solid.
Click to expand...

Thanks Knivesanonymous

Why do you say the sebenza is easier to maintain and sharpen. And why is it better for everday needs.

Kevin
 
Most people can keep a sebbie sharp on a sharpmaker. From what I read on these forums sharpening a chisel grind is not as easy to do. Also for everyday tasks, a chisel grind tends to want to drift off course when cutting fruit, vegetables, cardboard or openning mail. The v grind is easier to make smooth precise cuts, the knid that your average person makes more often.
 
Scott Dog said:
Most people can keep a sebbie sharp on a sharpmaker. From what I read on these forums sharpening a chisel grind is not as easy to do. Also for everyday tasks, a chisel grind tends to want to drift off course when cutting fruit, vegetables, cardboard or openning mail. The v grind is easier to make smooth precise cuts, the knid that your average person makes more often.
Click to expand...

Thanks Scott Dog

I think My 12 is basically a v grind. The edge has different angles, but in my experience it does not effect cutting.

My old Specwar chisel tanto is a different story but that never bothered me.

Thanks again

The more input the better

Kevin

I guess I should say: exluding a chisel ground blade. Thats my fault.
 
I think I am already talking myself out of this.

The thing is I can keep the 12 rediculously sharp with a simple diamond rod. So sharpening is not a problem any more (thank goodness).

I really think I simply did not have a clue how to sharpen a knife well.

I do like the idea of the sebenzas v edge, I just dont know if its enough for a switch.

Thanks again everybody.

Everyone I have talked to on this site is always very helpful and curtious.

Please keep helping!

Thanks

Kevin
 
The overall quality and subtle details are going to be overwhelmingly better on a Sebenza if you know what you are looking for. A Seb is a better user/EDC by design, and if you have owned many knives of varying levels of quality, you will quickly and convincingly see that the Seb is in a class of it's own. Materials and lock types aren't everything, and those with refined tastes in knives know that.
 
J85909266 said:
The overall quality and subtle details are going to be overwhelmingly better on a Sebenza if you know what you are looking for. A Seb is a better user/EDC by design, and if you have owned many knives of varying levels of quality, you will quickly and convincingly see that the Seb is in a class of it's own. Materials and lock types aren't everything, and those with refined tastes in knives know that.
Click to expand...


Thanks Joe

This is kind of what I was thinking. Subtle differences making the overall presentation of the knife more appealing to a quality consious person like myself.

Very helpful, Thanks

I just keep thinking the Emerson is good enough for a user. I just never seem to stop at "good enough."

I just don't want to wonder what I was thinking after a purchase.

I will really have to like the sebenza to put it in my pocket over my Emerson.

I would go to look at one, but there are no suppliers near me.

Kevin
 
An Emerson is more than good enough. They are well made knives and solid users, especially the frame locking models, but they are no Sebenzas. If the details and subtle improvements matter to you, then you will almost certainly love the Sebenza like you've never loved a knife, that is, as long as the design doesn't bother you. Your Sebenza will be a perfect cutting tool if you buy one. Everything will be lined up and expertly finished to tolerances unmatched by other production companies.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260685

Check out this thread to see how simple and perfected the design is. You don't really appreciate one until you've taken it apart and seen how perfect all the pieces are.
 
All my carried folders are either Sebenzas or Emersons. Here are my points on the differences between Emersons and Sebenzas.

1. For the same size blade, you'll find the Sebbie is a much more compact knife. The only Emerson I can compare it to in that respect is the CQC-7. There is just enough handle to hold the blade.

2. The Sebenza is measurably thinner than a comparable size Emerson.

3. CRK claims .0002" tolerances and they mean it. Emersons don't come close.

4. I put my Emersons away when I started carrying the Sebenza.
 
Richstag,
I do carry the HD-7. The SEB is put away although I do take her out to admire her! The HD is carried by me and will only be put to use if necessary. It is not a user knife. Some can but I can't justify using a really nice knife for utilitarian cutting. That's where I use a good quality reasonably priced knife. The knife I'm carrying the most is the Pat Crawford frame-lock. I just love that knife. You'll figure it out, Kevin. Have fun.
Lycosa
 
When I said the sebie is easier to mantian that is becuse its Easier to take apart and clean in fact they tell you to take it appart to clean. Emerson are nothard to clean but when you take them apart and put them back together you need to make sure to put it at the right tesion so the made doesent shift. When I told you a sebie is better for chores better suited for cutting with a thinner blade. For myself I work as a property manager but I also help run a campground. So I need a knife I can cut branches with,scape gum from Under the tables,cut hoses for sprinklers, cut plant pots open, just to name a few. My custom cqc 5 is perfect size for what I do plus I personaly like chisel grind blades, it does that awhile to learn how to properly sharpen them but once you do they amazing. Sorry for the bad spelling im writing this on my phone
 
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