Sebenza Ergonomics

slimshaneee

slimshaneee

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A common complaint I hear (or "see" on the internet :D) is that the ergonomics are lacking.

The more knives I try to find that can replace the Sebenza, the more I realize it has great ergo's. Maybe a better word is easonomics.

When I pull it out of pocket, my thumb is right on the stud, no need to maneuver my hand. When I push the blade open, my hand falls right on the grip in the perfect place. When I am ready to close, my hand is easily right on the lock. Then when time to re-pocket the knife, again it is very easy and no need to turn or reposition my hand on the knife in order to pull it off.

I find that I like the smoother line on a handle, it is easier to hold in many different fashions without having choils and things like that.

I guess what I am saying is, just because it isn't molded to the hand doesn't mean it doesn't have great ergonomics!

What do you think?
 
I think it depends on the size and shape of your hand. The large Sebenza catches me hard in the palm where the lanyard pin goes - I do wish there was a little more curve to the back of the knife - similar to the Kershaw Volt, ZT 0200 and Hinderer XM. Don't get me wrong - I love the Sebbie and I would need to do a lot of cutting before the design started to annoy me. It's just that the other knives mentioned just feel so much more comfortable in the hand.

Their curved backs seem to keep the knife in the palm of the hand instead of jabbing into the lower part near the wrist.

If you have small hands it's probably not a problem as the end of the knife may clear the hand comfortably.
 
I love my large Sebenza but also wish the curve by the lanyard pin had a smoother transition. I still EDC it quite a bit but my Umnumzaan fits my hand better. Overall the large Sebenza does just seem to work well even if it does have the one hot spot.
 
My small Sebenza feels like a true extension of my hand. I've never had a knife feel better.
 
slimshaneee said:
A common complaint I hear (or "see" on the internet :D) is that the ergonomics are lacking.

The more knives I try to find that can replace the Sebenza, the more I realize it has great ergo's. Maybe a better word is easonomics.

When I pull it out of pocket, my thumb is right on the stud, no need to maneuver my hand. When I push the blade open, my hand falls right on the grip in the perfect place. When I am ready to close, my hand is easily right on the lock. Then when time to re-pocket the knife, again it is very easy and no need to turn or reposition my hand on the knife in order to pull it off.

I find that I like the smoother line on a handle, it is easier to hold in many different fashions without having choils and things like that.

I guess what I am saying is, just because it isn't molded to the hand doesn't mean it doesn't have great ergonomics!

What do you think?
Click to expand...

I Think Your 1000% Correct My Friend. I have a Strider SMF, but it in NO Way compares to a Sebenza. I want an XM-18, but I know it cant be any better than a Sebenza. The only knife that I can think of that can come close to a Sebenza is the Umnumzaan. As much as I like the zaan, the Sebenza is something special to behold. Especially the Regular Profile.
 
It took me a long time to learn to appreciate the design of my Small 21. It's like it makes sense for work and as a tool in general.

Its very well thought out. Simple things like how much of a sweep my thumb takes to open the knife and how that compares to say a Buck. Its night and day.

The Reeve knife feels comfortable, and its more sturdy in my hand, so that I am somehow less tentative to work it harder than other knives I have.

I am not a designer so I can't really put it into words, but they have 'it' right. :)
 
Also, I aggree that the XM-18 is likely not as good as Sebenza, althouigh I have not handled one. It just seems like its trying to do too much, if that means anything.

I presonally have a negative view on Striders for whatever reason as well. I handled one recently, and you know what, its an anti-climax. I would almost get a Spyderco instead.

My Umnumzaan is great but I still think the Sebenza is better. If funds allow this year, I will get a Large 21 to go with my Small. I pictue black micarta scales and double silver thumb lugs. Nice. :)
 
I find the C cut outs on the Classics and 21s to be a very comfortable place to lock in my index finger and the rest of the knife kind of conforms to my hand.

The best I can describe holding a Sebenza is holding a quality knife. Just that, holding a knife vs. Spyderco Sage 2 I would say it's an extension of the hand. Does not feel like a knife when I hold the ergo friendly spydies. CRKs are comfortable and feel like a tool in the hand.
 
nyefmaker said:
I Think Your 1000% Correct My Friend. I have a Strider SMF, but it in NO Way compares to a Sebenza. I want an XM-18, but I know it cant be any better than a Sebenza. The only knife that I can think of that can come close to a Sebenza is the Umnumzaan. As much as I like the zaan, the Sebenza is something special to behold. Especially the Regular Profile.
Click to expand...

+1.

For a while I had only handled the odd Sebenza at knife shows and such, and felt the ergos were severely lacking (think steel twinkies). After I got one and carried it I gained a much greater appreciation for the simple lines. I don't have any hot spots or gripes about the ergos at all.

Do I think a SMF might "feel" better? Sure. Military? Totally! Do I think that they need to be improved? Absolutely not. They fit the knife and that works for me.
 
It really depends on that you mean by "ergonomic". If you mean, which knife will be the most comfortable to actually cut stuff with, I would have to say the Umnum trumps the Sebenza and my Striders (gunnergrip SnG and RW-1 SMF). However, in terms of folding ergonomics (using either left or right hand), balance and overall deft feel, the gunnergrip SnG blows the Umnum and Sebenza away. These characteristics, and the large choil, also make the SnG a "safer" blade to use overall as well, IMO. You just cannot fumble the blade and the large choil helps prevent slicing your own finger when closing the blade or when cutting with it. Obviously you have much less cutting surface, which is the tradeoff.
 
actually for my small sebenza i would say that the looks are very deceiving. it looks simple and if i just saw the knife and didnt hold it i would probably think it looks uncomfortable, however having used it i think it is actually very easy to hold and use hard. the fact that the design is so simple looking is misleading because it is one of the most comfortable knives i own to use!
+1 to CRK!!
 
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