Sebenza is it right for me?

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
Thinking seriously of accumulating enough cash to buy a Sebenza.
Read threads of how great they are and am almost convinced. Of course for $350.- bucks, I need to be really convinced.

Have heard they are tough and the fit and finish are superb. I begin to question though, are they $250.- better than say, a Militaty or Para, which costs around $100.- bucks. It can't just be the fit and finish for me. There has to be more! They both have an S30V blade. ???

Another issue is the titanium handle. How does it feel in the hand under use? In the past I haven't cared much for metal handles, they don't have that comfortable grip of a G10 or Mycarta.

It's not likely i will get to handle one before I buy one, so please convince me.
 
taking it apart and still being warrantied is nice, the titanium turns nice colors if you heat it up(voids warranty tho)

I own a paramilitary, and would say that it doesnt get carried as much as my sebbie....I really haven't found anything yet to compare with my small sebbie in the $100-200 price range

to be honest with ya tho, I like my microtech socom better than the lg sebbie.

that is my favorite lg folder at the moment and have had for a few years

$350 for a small sebbie and you will never let it go....great size and performance....and a lifetime warranty
 
Gull Wing,
Nope, it isn't worth $250 more then a Military. In fact, the Military is more ergonomic, and slices better. Somewhere around $100 production knives seem to hit a point where that is the highest they will perform, and everything after that is just materials or finish.

That said, from what I hear the Sebenza has flawless craftsmanship which rivals many customs. Plus, it can be taken apart with ease to be maintained as well. Is it worth $250 more? No, but you might like it.
-Kevin
 
The Sebenza is a great knife. In my opinion it is the best folding knife regardless of price. It may not be the best in every category you can think of, but it is very good. It’s the combination of all of it’s features that make it best. It has very few faults that I can think of. Chris Reeve has done a wonderful job.

Positive Features:

It’s made by a great company that stands behind their product. They are very easy to talk to when ordering and their warranty second to none.

It’s an amazing design. There are fewer parts than most other folding knives. The knife is designed so you can take it apart for cleaning. Taking it apart will not cause wear or void the warranty. The pivot has a sleeve so you don’t have to adjust it for blade play. When the screws are tightened, everything will be just right.

It is made from the finest materials. S30V blade steel, titanium handle, and stainless steel screws.

It is machined to the closest tolerances. The tolerances are at least ten times better than any other knife I can think of.

The lock is very strong and reliable.

Their manufacturing is very consistent. You don’t have to worry about getting a bad Sebenza. All the ones I’ve seen are perfect.

It has good resale. If you decide that you don’t like it, you can sell it and get most of your money back.

You have a few options of size and style. Large and small, classic or regular, Damascus or S30V, graphics, and various inlays are available.

It is easy to buy. There is a wait from CRK, but the on-line knife shops almost always have a good selection. Some knives are too exclusive. The waiting list is long and no one has any in stock. I’m mostly talking about custom knives.

The longer you have it, the more you will like it. I doubt if you’ll ever get tired of it.

With proper care it should last your lifetime and maybe more.


Negative features:

The all-metal construction is cold in winter.

The blade is hollow ground. I prefer a flat ground blade, but that’s just me. They used to make a flat ground blade. If you want one now, you’ll have to look for a used one.

The clip is tip up carry only.

It’s too expensive to abuse. You’ll need a beater knife for rough work or to lend.

And worst of all, it makes your other knives look like junk!
 
The question of "worth" is a very personal one. I don't have a Sebenza but am also thinking of getting one. I have about 20 folders, one of them being a William Henry Monarch ($200-250 range). It is my most expensive, and favorite, folder so far. There is something about the more expensive knives that one can't put a dollar value on. I carry a Spyderco as a "hard-use" knife and it works great. But the Monarch gets carried to work (have to wear slacks) and on special occasions. I sometimes take it out of the safe just to handle it and admire the workmanship. I never do that with my Spydercos. Are the more expensive knives worth it, I think so. But you have to decide that for yourself.
 
The Sebenza, in any form, is an outstanding example of the finest in knifemaking, whether custom or manufactured. IMHO, they are well worth the price. However, they are not for every taste. I would highly advise you to try to handle one before you invest that kind of money. ;)
 
Less of a reply, and more of a follow-up to GullWing's question:

My local dealer says that CRK's policy regarding maintenance is one of the best; send them the knife and $20 and they'll refurbish it for you. Has anyone used this service and been happy/unhappy with the outcome.

I'm considering shelling out the extra %10 or so to get a model with graphics (possibly one of those "Lisa's Picks"). Do they do a good job refurbing the graphics as well?

If not, perhaps I should bail on the graphics idea (especially if I plan to actually use the knife?

Grazie,
Neil
 
gull wing, DocSaly, I suggest you read throught the Chris Reeve website, also, before you buy.

You don't have to pay $350 for a Sebenza. Check out the The Knife Exchange where they are up for sale or trade at a helpful discount :)

When CRK refurbishes a knife, graphics and all, it is for all practical purposes restored to new condition. So buying a used Sebenza -- or any other CRK knife -- and having it refurbished, is like buying a new knife for a lot less money.

Many people have a hard time getting past the price or the looks, especially of the decorated models, and can't get themselves to use them. Remember, "Sebenza" means 'work'. This is what they are designed to do. A scuff or a scratch on a Sebbie is like the scars on my knuckles. They're souvenirs of jobs well done.

There are some handling differences between the small and the large, and between the classic and the regular. If you can't get to handle them in person, you might do what I am reduced to on occasion: get pictures, sketch out scale models on cardboard, cut them out, and see how they fit your grip.

Are they really too expensive? Buy two Benchmades, or three Spydercos, and rotate them between your safe and your display shelf. Or buy one Sebenza and cut up anything in sight! :D
 
After owning some costly safe queens that were too beautiful to use and then selling them, I am looking forward to a new Seb that I will be only too happy to give character marks to. It will be my hard use beater knife, carried every day - which is why I went plain on the handle and the blade finish. After it gets really scuffed up and all, I can send it in for a complete restoration and start over. And I will be enjoying the heft, smooth action and satisfying lockup each time I get ready for cutting.
 
If at all possible, check one out in person.

They are solid knives, built for heavy use, and with as precise machining and tolerances as you will find. All around, very well made (understatement).

That being said, I like the small sebenza, but the large sebenza just does not do it for me. I thought the large would until I saw/handled one in person. Just personal taste here, nothing against the knife.
 
Buy a used one on the forums or ebay if you are concerned you won't like it. That way you lose nothing on resale and might even make a buck or two.

I'm a percision nut. I like German watches, Leica cameras, and HK handguns. The Sebenza is perfect for my tastes just because of it's absolute tight tolerences.
You would think it was made in Germany. It's not the be all end all knife for me, since I also like variety. But I'll never part with any of my Sebenzas.
(currently 8)

Good luck,
John...
 
here's another something for you to think about.

sebenzas (and striders) do not slice as well as the thinner stock spydercos and benchmades. The edges on spydercos are ground a lot thinner and sharper on spydercos and hence they make better cutters.

just in case, you're expecting that the sebenza is as good a cutter as the calypso jr.
 
I bought one and yeah its great but I prefer G10 slabs over the ti - I dont know why I guess I just enjoy the feel of g10 better. Feels tougher. Its not that the seb is slippery or anything - I guess Im just used to the g10. My other only gripe is that when I spend that much on a knife Im kind of afraid to use it as often as I should - but thats a personal hangup. My opinion - buy it and check it out - theres definately something about that knife - a certain mystique if you will. If you decide you dont like it enough - simply sell it on ebay and you'll get most if not all of your money back. The way the blade opens with zero friction is really cool - its almost feels like the blade "floats" open. Hard to describe. That knife is also very easy on the eyes! Every knifeknut must check out the sebbie.
 
I had exactly the same questions as you before I bought mine. No way to actually feel one before buying and it's a lot of money, how do I know it's worth it?

When I decided, what the hell, if I never get one I'll always be wondering what they're like and what am I missing out on. So I ordered my small regular and waited, wondering if it would make it through customs and would I really like it and have I blown my hard earned bucks and so on. It finally got here I unwrapped it and played with it for a bit and the first thing that struck me was the sheer quality of the thing. Like somebody else said, I'm not big on metal handles but it just doesn't matter with this knife. The small one fits my hand perfectly, it opens easily and smoothly and locks solid and I can unlock and close it easily with one hand. It's as sharp as hell and there really isn't anything I can think of that I don't like about it.

Is it worth all the money? Not sure if I can really answer that, but I'm damned glad I got it.

Get one, if you don't like it you can sell it easily enough. Somehow though, I don't think you will.

The only real questions are:

Large or small?
Regular or Classic?
Inlaid handle or not?
Type of blade?

Enjoy!
 
No real help as I don't own one and probably never will, but I was wondering: when those of you who have them and think they are the best thing since oxygen, when you send them back to be refurbished, what do you use? Do they send you a loner? Do you curl up into a ball and whimper until it comes back?
 
Johnny_Z said:
No real help as I don't own one and probably never will, but I was wondering: when those of you who have them and think they are the best thing since oxygen, when you send them back to be refurbished, what do you use? Do they send you a loner? Do you curl up into a ball and whimper until it comes back?
Click to expand...
Very funny, for a new guy. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
No real help as I don't own one and probably never will, but I was wondering: when those of you who have them and think they are the best thing since oxygen, when you send them back to be refurbished, what do you use? Do they send you a loner? Do you curl up into a ball and whimper until it comes back?
Click to expand...


Johnny_Z I would carry one of the other four I own. Larry
 
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