Sebenza - I just couldn't do it...

[red mag]

@ShooterMcgawin: from your post I read, that you do regret not buing one.
You are right in that: "there is much value and use in knives, that cost less".
This use and value can also be found in a Sebenza and then there is more to it.

Since you are a knife aficionado, I'm sure you apprechiate it for what it is.

red mag

 

[ShooterMcgavin]

If a company can sell everything they produce, their product is not over priced.

I like this. A completely valid point

Now, where can I buy some of that lightning insurance? I want some of that!!!

 

[TTTis]

Actually if you read more closely you'd see I said I needed something a little larger than the gas station knife, which is why it didn't work for me anymore. I was simply making the point that, in reality, these "ultra tight tolerances" people keep using as justification for buying a CRK(rather than "I just like it") and acting like this is gonna ever really matter, is not actually something that's really EVER going to make a difference for them. Which, as I said, paying for these extra tolerances is like paying extra so you can have "lightning insurance", even though your odds of ever actually needing it are basically non-existent. Sure, if you LIKE the idea of having insurance in case you ever get hit by lightning fine, go for it. But arguing that it's actually needed?

Aside from that, I buy for aesthetics primarily. Sure, I want to be able to use them if necessary, but actually using them is NOT something that will ever be done for many of my knives(I mean, a doubled edged 5.5 inch karambit is NOT something daily use calls for). I'll also buy knives that are pretty junky, if I find something about them pleasing(I don't really expect a S&W knife to be a long lasting hard use tool but I still own some). Pretty sure you don't want me to answer the last question.

The lightning insurance analogy was pretty terrible.

 

[orixa]

Actually if you read more closely you'd see I said I needed something a little larger than the gas station knife, which is why it didn't work for me anymore. I was simply making the point that, in reality, these "ultra tight tolerances" people keep using as justification for buying a CRK(rather than "I just like it") and acting like this is gonna ever really matter, is not actually something that's really EVER going to make a difference for them. Which, as I said, paying for these extra tolerances is like paying extra so you can have "lightning insurance", even though your odds of ever actually needing it are basically non-existent. Sure, if you LIKE the idea of having insurance in case you ever get hit by lightning fine, go for it. But arguing that it's actually needed?

Aside from that, I buy for aesthetics primarily. Sure, I want to be able to use them if necessary, but actually using them is NOT something that will ever be done for many of my knives(I mean, a doubled edged 5.5 inch karambit is NOT something daily use calls for). I'll also buy knives that are pretty junky, if I find something about them pleasing(I don't really expect a S&W knife to be a long lasting hard use tool but I still own some). Pretty sure you don't want me to answer the last question.

I agree with the "lightning insurance" analogy.
I'm new to knives as a hobby, after buying a few knives I bought a Sebenza because of everything that was said about it. I like the knife but I can't say I buy the "tight tolerance" pitch. Apparently the tolerances are the result of millions of dollars worth of machinery in the CRK factory (I watched the video); buy the more I read the forums it seems that tight tolerances is not really a unique quality, there are custom knife makers who seem to be able to produce such tolerances with hand made knives in their garage. Look at custom scales on Sebenzas, nobody seemed to be bothered that they're not milled to "THOUSANDS of an INCH" within spec! CRK just beat out the competition by sheer quantity.

 

[Luis G.]

I agree with the "lightning insurance" analogy.
I'm new to knives as a hobby, after buying a few knives I bought a Sebenza because of everything that was said about it. I like the knife but I can't say I buy the "tight tolerance" pitch. Apparently the tolerances are the result of millions of dollars worth of machinery in the CRK factory (I watched the video); buy the more I read the forums it seems that tight tolerances is not really a unique quality, there are custom knife makers who seem to be able to produce such tolerances with hand made knives in their garage. Look at custom scales on Sebenzas, nobody seemed to be bothered that they're not milled to "THOUSANDS of an INCH" within spec! CRK just beat out the competition by sheer quantity.

What?
Your points are all over the place.
Have you ever had a custom? I've owned 6 customs so far. None came perfect or with super tight tolerances.

The reason CRK costs what it costs and the reason they have a reputation for tolerances is because they can repetitively pump out knives that are top notch in fit and finish as well as tolerances pretty much every time. You cannot say the same for just about any maker, custom or production.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

You guys are missing a big point here, without a well trained QC department a million dollars worth of equipment means squat if somebody's checking each knife.

As far as I know CRK has never had a production run where hundreds of knives went out the door out of spec, can BM say that, Spyderco? Don't get me wrong they both make outstanding knives but not to the consistency of CRK.

 

[HOTCHKIS]

I am on my 3rd one in two months a small micarta sebenza for carry. There is just something about the quality!

 

[Uitd208]

" bying Sebenza" allways remind me the story about one man from Glendale CA, who bought Bentley and died after couple of weeks because of starvation. And...i have one.

 

[bld522]

One of the most telling points to me about Sebenzas is that EVERYBODY talks about them. When it comes to high-end production knives, I can't think of another knife that gets more airplay than the Sebenza gets. There's got to be a reason for that . . . and there is!

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Of course everyone under 21 talks about Justin Beiber

One of the most telling points to me about Sebenzas is that EVERYBODY talks about them. When it comes to high-end production knives, I can't think of another knife that gets more airplay than the Sebenza gets. There's got to be a reason for that . . . and there is!

 

[bld522]

It's been a very long time since I was 21. But if I were 21 again, the last thing on my mind would probably be Justin Bieber.

 

[mostel]

I am not saying that the Seb is cheap. But folks waste so much money on stupid, fleeting crap like Soda in 32 oz cups that cost a buck fifty, and candy bars that cost a buck or more, and McDonald's dinner for 7 bucks... all wasted money, here and gone, for pure junk, and there's a million examples of that sort of waste. What about going to Chili's for a burger with the family? 60 bucks...

Starbucks coffee and a snack... 8 bucks.

The Seb is something made by hand that lasts for a lifetime, and it is genuinely well made. My argument isn't about preference or taste, just something of real value vs. all the wasted dollars on fleeting junk, overpriced crap that's 'done' in half an hour or less. That junk adds up fast as we all know...

Maybe it's true that you could get a very nice knife for under 150 but let's face it--it will NEVER be of a Seb's quality. Will it do work for you? Will you love it? Sure. But there's a lot of really crappy knives out there... some pretty good/very good ones, but very few excellent ones.

 

[ShooterMcgavin]

It's been a very long time since I was 21. But if I were 21 again, the last thing on my mind would probably be Justin Bieber.

"So you're telling me there's a chance"

 

[bld522]

It's been a very long time since I was 21. But if I were 21 again, the last thing on my mind would definitely be Justin Bieber.

Fixed!

 

[Ankerson]

I am not saying that the Seb is cheap. But folks waste so much money on stupid, fleeting crap like Soda in 32 oz cups that cost a buck fifty, and candy bars that cost a buck or more, and McDonald's dinner for 7 bucks... all wasted money, here and gone, for pure junk, and there's a million examples of that sort of waste. What about going to Chili's for a burger with the family? 60 bucks...

Starbucks coffee and a snack... 8 bucks.

The Seb is something made by hand that lasts for a lifetime, and it is genuinely well made. My argument isn't about preference or taste, just something of real value vs. all the wasted dollars on fleeting junk, overpriced crap that's 'done' in half an hour or less. That junk adds up fast as we all know...

Maybe it's true that you could get a very nice knife for under 150 but let's face it--it will NEVER be of a Seb's quality. Will it do work for you? Will you love it? Sure. But there's a lot of really crappy knives out there... some pretty good/very good ones, but very few excellent ones.

Don't forget $500 cell phones or the latest gadget.... That people will camp out for days waiting in line to get......

$200+ shoes with someones name on them.

$200 to $400 Flip Flops..... God help me with that fashion tragedy....

But yeah, more people really can afford $400 knives than they think, the real problem is MOST of them throw more money away on booze, eating out, that Starbucks coffee and other assorted things....

That stuff really adds up fast and if they really sat down and added up all the money they spend on that stuff per month/year they could buy pretty much any knife they wanted too and afford it easy.

But then that makes too much sense so they just say they are too expensive... $400 for a knife, that's crazy.....

 

[Fanglekai]

I am not saying that the Seb is cheap. But folks waste so much money on stupid, fleeting crap like Soda in 32 oz cups that cost a buck fifty, and candy bars that cost a buck or more, and McDonald's dinner for 7 bucks... all wasted money, here and gone, for pure junk, and there's a million examples of that sort of waste. What about going to Chili's for a burger with the family? 60 bucks...

Starbucks coffee and a snack... 8 bucks.

The Seb is something made by hand that lasts for a lifetime, and it is genuinely well made. My argument isn't about preference or taste, just something of real value vs. all the wasted dollars on fleeting junk, overpriced crap that's 'done' in half an hour or less. That junk adds up fast as we all know...

Maybe it's true that you could get a very nice knife for under 150 but let's face it--it will NEVER be of a Seb's quality. Will it do work for you? Will you love it? Sure. But there's a lot of really crappy knives out there... some pretty good/very good ones, but very few excellent ones.

They aren't made by hand. Humans cannot make anything with tolerances that close.

 

[Ken44]

I am not saying that the Seb is cheap. But folks waste so much money on stupid, fleeting crap like Soda in 32 oz cups that cost a buck fifty, and candy bars that cost a buck or more, and McDonald's dinner for 7 bucks... all wasted money, here and gone, for pure junk, and there's a million examples of that sort of waste. What about going to Chili's for a burger with the family? 60 bucks...

Starbucks coffee and a snack... 8 bucks.

The Seb is something made by hand that lasts for a lifetime, and it is genuinely well made. My argument isn't about preference or taste, just something of real value vs. all the wasted dollars on fleeting junk, overpriced crap that's 'done' in half an hour or less. That junk adds up fast as we all know...

Maybe it's true that you could get a very nice knife for under 150 but let's face it--it will NEVER be of a Seb's quality. Will it do work for you? Will you love it? Sure. But there's a lot of really crappy knives out there... some pretty good/very good ones, but very few excellent ones.

Don't forget $500 cell phones or the latest gadget....

$200+ shoes with someones name on them.

$200 to $400 Flip Flops..... God help me with that fashion tragedy....

But yeah, more people really can afford $400 knives than they think, the real problem is MOST of them throw more money away on booze, eating out, that Starbucks coffee and other assorted things....

That stuff really adds up fast and if they really sat down and added up all the money they spend on that stuff per month/year they could buy pretty much any knife they wanted too and afford it easy.

But then that makes too much sense so they just say they are too expensive... $400 for a knife, that's crazy.....

Good point.

I've got a cheap cell phone and a $10 a month plan. Haven't used it this year, and won't unless I break down on the side of the road. I'm still driving my 1999 Tacoma with 210,000 miles, haven't eaten out this year, and haven't been to a movie in 20 years, etc...

But I have a house thats paid for, a lot of nice guns, and plenty of knives including 5 Sebenzas.
Its all about what you want to most.

 

[Ankerson]

Good point.

I've got a cheap cell phone and a $10 a month plan. Haven't used it this year, and won't unless I break down on the side of the road. I'm still driving my 1999 Tacoma with 210,000 miles, haven't eaten out this year, and haven't been to a movie in 20 years, etc...

But I have a house thats paid for, a lot of nice guns, and plenty of knives including 5 Sebenzas.
Its all about what you want to most.

The problem is with most of that stuff they are just spending money on nothing that is borrowed temporally if you get my meaning.

At Least with an expensive knife it will last a lifetime.

 

[bearcut]

I liked the Umnumzaan better than the Sebenza I had.

I don’t have either one now, and don’t miss them at all. I sold the Seb and gave away the ‘zaan.

I would rather have two interesting $200 knives than one boring Sebenza.

I’m glad the OP wasn’t swayed by the forums.
There are some really great knives for a couple hundred bucks now, and some spectacular ti-locks for the same price as a Sebenza.

 

[RetiredGuns]

Pretty dang simple, you like them or you don't. $350 for a small is not cheap to most folks, but like mentioned many folks will buy several $125 knives without blinking because we like quantity and variety. It's part of the hobby. You see people hailing a knife as their grail only to see it listed on the Buy/Sell/Trade block soon thereafter. Some of us get bored with a knife, maybe won't carry a knife for a number of reasons or just like to horse trade. Some do this with $30 knives, $100 knives, $400 knives, $1000 knives. The Sebenza is not flashy in its base form but it does work very well. The handle as "boring" as it may be is ergonomic, the jimping is functional, the rounded spine is an extra touch, the blade shape lends itself to great cutting with nice belly for rock cuts and slicing, the lockup solid, great clip and smooth as glass.
Many say it would be a better deal at $150-$200. We see Ritter mini-grips with Wilkins scales going for $300 - is that a better deal? I do know that every single Sebenza listed on the forums is either sold or traded with little problem so there is a reason for this. Like 'em or not, they command constant respect and have great desirability.