Sebenza & Griptilian

W

Wanderlust

Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
472
Okay, so I am thinking strongly about getting a Sebenza next month, but as with everybody's first high end knife I am a bit apprehensive. First of all I carry a Benchmade Griptilian everyday now and have for the past year and a half, but I am looking for something that can work as hard and is a little bit thinner. In comes the Sebenza, but my only concern is that I feel the Sebenza might be a bit long and a little heavy to carry everyday like my grip. I was wondering if anybody could chime in with some thoughts here, and also if somebody could please post some comparison pics of these two knives as I am not able to get my hands on a Sebenza before I purchase it. Thanks.
 
The difference between a large griptilian and a Large Sebenza is 1.25 ounces. Not huge. It is worth the ultimately solid feeling that a Sebenza has. To me, it feels closest to a fixed blade out of any knife I have experienced when open.

When carrying my large around on a daily basis. I have never noticed the weight.

That being said I do carry a 20lb work belt around about 6 hours a day :D

Just get one, you have the itch, you will always wonder if you don't. Be prepared though for a little buyers remorse when you receive it. Just give the knife a couple of weeks, or months and you will realize it is worth every penny you paid and more.

Shane

My Large Seb
100_0839.jpg
 
Once you get a sebenza, you will wonder how you ever went without one........I just got a umnumzaan, now I am wondering why I waited so long for that as well !!! Nearly everything Chris makes is golden. The sebenza has been around for 20 years, that did not happen by accident ..........I love that puzzle piece sebbie, very cool indeed.
 
Once you hold the Seb you will want to beat that Grip with a sledge hammer. Yes I can appreciate the nervousness with getting one but no worries.......GET IT
 
I would say that even with the slight weight difference, the Sebenza will carry better than a full-sized Griptillian. The handle has less bulk. I have a mini-grip that I like a lot, but the Sebenza is simply a much better knife.

One thing that I have noticed about Sebenzas is that, unless there is some highly exotic inlay, they are not extraodinarily impressive much right out of the box. You have to carry and use one for a few days to get the full flavor. Once you've had it in your pocket a few times, fondled it:rolleyes:, used it, and really examined it, it will amaze you and make you want to carry it regularly.

My other EDC knives are feeling very neglected recently.
 
I agree with everybody. Once you get one you will wonder how you got along before without one.

I wish i would have gotten one 20 years ago.
 
I love my seb but I don't feel my other folders are worthless. They just excll at different things. I really lie how well the seb is constructed but I cant say it cuts better than any of my other edcs. I dont feel the seb outperforms any good knife, it just looks a lot sexier doing it :)
 
Thanks for all of the input that's about what I thought, I am going to have to just buy one, but now the question in does anybody still carry the Sebenza with the sideways/partial American Flag, not the "Freedom" one. I love this model but I don't know what it is called or even if he still makes it, anybody have a line on it someplace?
 
I too have recently purchased a Sebenza. Could have saved a lot of money, if I had purchased one 3 years ago.
t7xhappy.gif
 
The Seb and Grip are two different birds.

The Large Grip is one hell of a knife for $70.
So is a Lg. Seb for $385.

I have a 551S D2 combo Grip that can do things
my Lg plain Seb can't. Like cut rope fast and it
has a cool axis lock. But I usually EDC a Lg Seb.
The Lg Seb is a precision made Titanium Framelock.

This is a CRK forum so your replies *might* be biased.

They are both great knives.

-Ron

Benchmade CRK Size Comparison Top-Bottom :
943S, 707, 556, 551, 913, CRK Lg. Seb

kf.jpg
 
Before I bought my Sebbie, I settled for several other knives, including Griptilians, SOGs, Bradley Alias II, etc, etc. I was not satisfied until I bought the Sebbie and I'm so glad I did. Unfortunately for my wallet, I will not settle for less than a Sebbie. Yeah, the price is a little steep, but it is soooooooooooo worth it. Make sure you post pics after you get it. Good luck!!!
 
I finally handled a large Sebenza last Saturday at the Tulsa Gun Show. I have walked by the man's table for years looking at the Sebenza's and then seeing the price and walking on. I finally asked to see if I could hold one. I bought a nice used full size Sebenza before I left the table. I used the knife some that night. I was so impressed with it that I went back to the man's table, I believe his name was George Hamilton from Minnesota, and bought a new full size Sebenza Enigma. I wish I would have bought a Sebenza 15 years ago.
 
I know what your saying, if I/we, had purchased years ago,we could have saved a lot of $$$$ :p
 
DarinReiss1 said:
I finally handled a large Sebenza last Saturday at the Tulsa Gun Show. I have walked by the man's table for years looking at the Sebenza's and then seeing the price and walking on. I finally asked to see if I could hold one. I bought a nice used full size Sebenza before I left the table. I used the knife some that night. I was so impressed with it that I went back to the man's table, I believe his name was George Hamilton from Minnesota, and bought a new full size Sebenza Enigma. I wish I would have bought a Sebenza 15 years ago.
Click to expand...


See what I mean? Some knives look better under glass or on paper. The Sebenza is at it best in your hand day after day.
 
Well, just to give you the other side... I finally picked up a small Seb about two years ago. As you can imagine from the replies here, my hopes were high. I had been EDCing a Mini-Grip for a few years and wanted something a little classier- hey, I AM a knife collector, right? Anyway, two years later the Mini-Grip is still my main EDC. The Sebenza is a nice knife, but just doesn't move me to give up the Grip. I think the ease of use of the Axis lock is probably the main reason and, of course, YMMV.

Am I sorry I bought the Seb? No. Will I ever EDC it? Probably not, too many cheaper knives work as well or better and look better (mine is plain). For the type of collection I want, I do need to have a Sebenza, but I really don't see it as a "must carry"- maybe when I get a Lochsa!
 
MVF said:
Well, just to give you the other side... I finally picked up a small Seb about two years ago. As you can imagine from the replies here, my hopes were high. I had been EDCing a Mini-Grip for a few years and wanted something a little classier- hey, I AM a knife collector, right? Anyway, two years later the Mini-Grip is still my main EDC. The Sebenza is a nice knife, but just doesn't move me to give up the Grip. I think the ease of use of the Axis lock is probably the main reason and, of course, YMMV.

Am I sorry I bought the Seb? No. Will I ever EDC it? Probably not, too many cheaper knives work as well or better and look better (mine is plain). For the type of collection I want, I do need to have a Sebenza, but I really don't see it as a "must carry"- maybe when I get a Lochsa!
Click to expand...

Another Sebenza dealer walked up to talk to this dealer I was working with the first day I looked at the Sebenza's. He asked to see me open and close a full size and a mini Sebenza a few times. He observed that the full size fit my hand better due to how much smoother I could open it. The full size opened smoothly and the mini opened in a choppy, unnatural motion each time. I usually prefer and carry smaller knives but I have to agree with his observation. I don't think I would have gone back to buy a second one if I had bought a mini Sebenza to start with.
 
Okay so thanks to this forum and everybody on it I am going to pick one up next month. Thank you everybody who posted such good information for it it was all really helpful. Now my only question is what is the difference between the "Classic" and the "Regular"?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top