sebenza limits

[Mr.BadExample]

Has anyone done any Sebenza testing? I have an S30V Large Classic, I'm wondering what the approximate limitations are. I searched, but of course, Sebenza and testing comes up with a ton of unrelated posts because many knives are judged against Sebenzas.
Mostly I'm wondering how it holds up to chopping in a pinch, and how much torquing you can get away with. But I don't wanna find out the hard way
I cut some Cat-5 cable with it today and didn't nick or chip the blade, that was a relief. I've nicked ATS-34 Emersons and Benchmades doing that. SpyderEdge holds up well against Cat-5 (ethernet, twisted pair, etc).
I know some folks will say "get a Strider AR or SnG!" but I don't like tactical blades as much. They scare the sheeple I have to work with. Is there a folder with wood slabs that compares at all with the Strider?

 

[blademan 13]

That's good news on the S30-V not chipping. I have had micro-chipping problems in the past using my Sebenza to cut Cat 5 cable. It sharpened out easily but still happened. It was with the factory edge however, and now I generally put a two stage secondary bevel on it with the final edge at about 40 degrees included. This makes for a slightly heavier edge which has helped with durability as I have not seen this type of problem since.

Can't say I have ever done much chopping, twisting or prying with my Sebenza. I'm sure in a pinch the chopping would not be a problem but I would not use much more than wrist strength when doing the other stuff.

 

[mete]

I consider chopping or prying with any folding knife to be abuse.As for cable if it's soft copper that shouldn't nick the blade unless perhaps you are twisting the blade. But that's why they make Leatherman tools.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Chris Reeve considers just opening the Sebenza hard, with a flick, to be abusive, so chopping is far outside of the intended scope of work. Few makers or manufacturers would actually encourage such work.

The only folder that I have ever saw be functional for that kind of use was a custom from Arlee Niemi, the Megaladon. Of course the Uluchet from P.J. Turner is designed for this, but it is not really a folding knife in the traditional sense.

-Cliff

 

[Mr.BadExample]

Thanks for the replies. A while back at work, we were cleaning out the old server room of a building scheduled for demolition, and no one had a key. I started cutting through the drywall with my Emerson tanto folder and got nowhere. The security guard took out a small hawkbill slipjoint and carved right through it. We cut a hole and kicked the paneling out the other side, and opened the door. Blade design means a lot.
When cutting something like that, a certain amount of torquing is necessary just to remove the blade from the material. Same with cutting thick cardboard. This is the kind of prying I meant, not using the Sebenza to open a paint can or something.
Here's another one for you- have you ever had your Leatherman pliers jam closed after crimping something? Can't really use your leatherman to pop them open.
I chipped an Emerson doing that, now I carry a Busse Assault Shaker for prying.
Thanks Cliff, I checked out the Megalodon at Centerlock Knives and it looks very interesting. I'll have to pick one of those up someday!
I like my Sebenza a lot and don't want to abuse it. I've been happy with everything except the relatively thin hollow grind on the blade (they were out of the BG-42 flat ground blades when I placed my order). I haven't had trouble with it, but it feels brittle. I'm glad the Cat-5 didn't chip it. After hearing blademan 13's story I won't use mine for cutting ethernet cable anymore!

 

[thombrogan]

Re: Wood slabs and a strong folder:

Check out the Benchmade 733-02 if you can. It's got winewood slabs and a thick S30V blade. If that's too dainty, cook dinner for everyone at your worksite and use a Strider SnG as your chef's knife. That should win them over.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

There is no way you are going to break the blade torquing it in cardboard, I don't think I have see a knife that was that brittle, and I have handled a lot of highly optomized knives.

The current Supertool I carry has the head jam on closing. It was damaged when I used it to cut some wire a few months back, it also knocked the jaws out of alignment.

-Cliff