Sebenza / Emerson HD : Comparison

I think you were just looking for a reason to get a Sebbie which is fine.

I don't think a Sebbie is much better as an actual user. I like the grind on my Commander
it is the sharpest knife I own. Is the Sebbie going to open your mail any better than an Emerson? Probably not but if we were going to be practical about our knives we would all have a Mora and a Byrd and would not spend a lot of our free time on knife sites.

I was planning on getting a Sebbie but spent the money on a Lambert custom.
The reason I wanted it was mostly to see what all the fuss was about.
I will admit .0002 is a sexy number.
 
I've got a number of Emersons and love 'em to death, but I have to say they just can't compete with my Large Sebenza in terms of build quality. Not only are Chris Reeve knives built like tanks, they look good, function flawlessly, and don't have any of the BS "this knife is obviously designed to gut people" look that so many "tactical" knives have nowadays.

That being said, when you get right down to it my Emerson Commander cuts every bit as well as my considerably more expensive Sebbie. So it basically comes down to personal preference. I know I'll be buying more Emersons as soon as he starts making other models in left-hand configurations.
 
"scape gum from Under the tables"

The best example I've seen of a knife chore best suited to the chisel/tanto grind!
 
I have an HD7 and a Small Sebenza. I prefer and rank the Sebenza as a better built, higher quality folder.

STR
 
ya know i am bad about 'dissing sebs i suppose mostly 'cuz they have such a huge following & i got one and it just didnt "grab" me like some knives have, but there is no disputing a seb is a very well finished well made knife, mine has as good a F&F as some customs i have, it is a very nice knife.

that said i'm not sure its fair to compare a HD7 and a seb as far as F&F go as the seb is a little pricier knife than a HD, its a true statement though.

if i had to choose between a seb and a HD7, i'd pick the seb, a seb and a CQC12 is another story though, i like the blade and handle of the '12 lots better than the seb, enough to offset the diff in F&F.
 
I have a small classic seb and have had a couple emersons.

I liked them both but the seb wins hands down.

It will perform food prep chores very easily, where my cqc10 was too thick.
I know that the seb will do all I ask it to do but I won't enjoy messing it but I didn't mind giving the 10 a hiding.

any emerson is about a million times more tactical than a sebenza, but the sebenza is so much more precise and exquisite.

The fit and finish on my sebbie is fantastic. every folder I've had has had a bit of play open, including my emerson.
the sebenza has no movement, locks up like a tank and will look beautiful whilst doing it.

I'd say, if you want to cut and cut nicely, get the sebbie, if you want a knife that is going to keep you out of the crap, get a sebbie and carry the emerson as well ;)

good luck
 
I've owned a couple of Sebenza's but never kept them. Handle ergo's do it for me cause I have messed up wrists. EKI's are just plain more comfortable to hold and use. Sebenza's are probably the BEST built production knife in the world along with MT SOCOM's! But like someone said here, will it open mail or scrape gum or cut rope/branches any better than my cheaper EKI's? Just my 2cents. keepem sharp
 
J85909266 said:
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.
Click to expand...


Thanks again!

I will keep this in mind.
 
iamsmiling said:
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.
Click to expand...

Thankyou.

This is good to know. The 12 fits my had perfectly. I have never handled a 7.
Maybe I should just stick with what fits. Or take a long ride and try a sebenza in person.
 
Lycosa said:
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
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reasoning!

My buddy just got a Junkyard dog 2. For fifty bucks that is a well put together knife.

I will have fun figuring it out....
 
knivesanonymous said:
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
Click to expand...

Thankyou! I understand.
 
Unsub said:
I think you were just looking for a reason to get a Sebbie which is fine.

I don't think a Sebbie is much better as an actual user. I like the grind on my Commander
it is the sharpest knife I own. Is the Sebbie going to open your mail any better than an Emerson? Probably not but if we were going to be practical about our knives we would all have a Mora and a Byrd and would not spend a lot of our free time on knife sites.

I was planning on getting a Sebbie but spent the money on a Lambert custom.
The reason I wanted it was mostly to see what all the fuss was about.
I will admit .0002 is a sexy number.
Click to expand...

You got me. I already have lots of reasons though. None make much practical sense.

Who ever said I am practical anyhow?:)

Thanks

It helps.
 
STR said:
I have an HD7 and a Small Sebenza. I prefer and rank the Sebenza as a better built, higher quality folder.

STR
Click to expand...

That helps for determining quality. Guess I better get my hands on one before I decide.

Thank you
 
SIFU1A said:
ya know i am bad about 'dissing sebs i suppose mostly 'cuz they have such a huge following & i got one and it just didnt "grab" me like some knives have, but there is no disputing a seb is a very well finished well made knife, mine has as good a F&F as some customs i have, it is a very nice knife.

that said i'm not sure its fair to compare a HD7 and a seb as far as F&F go as the seb is a little pricier knife than a HD, its a true statement though.

if i had to choose between a seb and a HD7, i'd pick the seb, a seb and a CQC12 is another story though, i like the blade and handle of the '12 lots better than the seb, enough to offset the diff in F&F.
Click to expand...


Thankyou!

This is kind of what I was thinking would happen to me.

I would be intrigued by all of the talk on its quality but disappointed by its design.

I just can't be sure until I see one.

Honestly, if I had not had to just send my 12 in for a lock issue I would not even be typing this right now.

Hopefully when I get it back these urges will be suppressed.
 
Waldganger said:
I have a small classic seb and have had a couple emersons.

I liked them both but the seb wins hands down.

It will perform food prep chores very easily, where my cqc10 was too thick.
I know that the seb will do all I ask it to do but I won't enjoy messing it but I didn't mind giving the 10 a hiding.

any emerson is about a million times more tactical than a sebenza, but the sebenza is so much more precise and exquisite.

The fit and finish on my sebbie is fantastic. every folder I've had has had a bit of play open, including my emerson.
the sebenza has no movement, locks up like a tank and will look beautiful whilst doing it.

I'd say, if you want to cut and cut nicely, get the sebbie, if you want a knife that is going to keep you out of the crap, get a sebbie and carry the emerson as well ;)

good luck
Click to expand...


Thank you.

I will keep this in mind aswell
 
longbow said:
I've owned a couple of Sebenza's but never kept them. Handle ergo's do it for me cause I have messed up wrists. EKI's are just plain more comfortable to hold and use. Sebenza's are probably the BEST built production knife in the world along with MT SOCOM's! But like someone said here, will it open mail or scrape gum or cut rope/branches any better than my cheaper EKI's? Just my 2cents. keepem sharp
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.

I have been dissapointed by so many knives due to poor ergonomics in relation to my hand.

Very helpful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top