Sebenza or not Sebenza

Adi

Adi

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
215
Hi chaps, I need some advice.I am a big CR fan and love my Umfaan and Mnandi and am debating buying a small reg Sebenza but am not sure as the Umfaan is my favourite EDC.How much better is the Sebby than the Umfaan?:cool:
 
I'm not sure what you mean when you say "better". Both knives are very high quality. As far as utility goes, the Umfaan is a very small knife which can limit it's usefulness. The Mnandi is not much smaller than the small Seb. For maximum versitility I would recommend the large Sebenza. I used to think the the large Seb was too big to carry but now I prefer the large. The small Seb is more robust than the Mnandi. If you're gonna pound the knife into a tree with a hammer then get the small Seb. If not, I think the Mnandi and the small Seb are close enough in size to do the same cutting. The high quality is a given when dealing with CRK. Getting the small would be a small step up, getting the large gives you a much wider range of use. Good luck with your choice.
 
Thanks Scott, I know what you are saying re the large seb as I think the blade shape looks slightly better but I live in England and the maximum blade length for a knife is 3 inches.I love the Umfaam just for it's size and quality and I must admit I don't carry the Mnandi as I don't want to damage it (I know it sounds bad but that one is sat next to my 'Brian Lyttle Edge Knife' in my collection).The reason I want a seb is that everybody you speak to rates this knife as one of the best and I want to buy another CRK.Do you prefer the reg or the classic?
 
Originally posted by Adi
...I must admit I don't carry the Mnandi as I don't want to damage it
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You won't damage the Mnandi, believe me. I have two Mnandi as part of my regular rotation. They are very robust for their size.

Originally posted by Adi
...The reason I want a seb is that everybody you speak to rates this knife as one of the best and I want to buy another CRK.Do you prefer the reg or the classic?
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When people rate the Sebenza as "one of the best", a lot of what they are referring to it the pivot design and overall execution of the manufacturing. Both the pivot design of the Umfaan, Mnandi and the Sebenza are for all intents and purposes the same. The manufacturing quality is the same.

I prefer the Classic over the "regular" as I prefer the grip and the blade design. I never got comfortable with the grip on the "regular". I don't carry a Small Sebenza as I do not like the clip design and it is a little to big to "drop" into dress pants.
 
I've tried the Mnandi and Umfann many times at knife shows but they where just to light for me.

I prefer a small sebenza in feel.
 
I prefer the regular shape and I'll second the fact that the mnandi is robust. The Mnandi will not show marks from using like the small. The small reg will get scratches with regular use due to the powder coating of the titanium scales. I do like the clip better on the Sebenza than the one on the Mnandi. One little flick of the index finger and the Seb just jumps into my hand. If the large is too big then the small will work great for you. I thought that all locking knives are illegal in England.:confused:
 
No only flick knives and any knife with a blade over 3 inches.I like your Mnandi by the way.You got the mammorth ivory one didn't you?
 
Yeah I got the Mammoth Ivory. Actually bark ivory that has blue coloring. It's really nice, I carry it frequently. My scanning ability is poor otherwise I would post a picture. It's also left handed so I'm pretty sure it's unique.
 
I nearly bought a right handed one but could not wait and bought a zebrawood one.I love the bark ivory.Brian Lyttle made me a copy of 'The Edge' knife from the film and that's got the nicest mammoth ivory I have ever seen.Needless to say due to it's value and only being one of 20 I never use it.Thanks for the advice re the seb.I think I will go for the small reg.I have just flicked back in the forum and found a picture of an umfaan, mnandi, and small reg togethor and can see the size difference between the seb and the umfaan.It looks more like a knife I can use when hiking etc as which is a perfect excuse to buy it! (the wife will never realise I have a new knife!)
 
I think you'll like the small. It's a real worker. The Sebenza may look plain but don't let that fool you, it's a gem of a knife!
 
I'd say:
- to have a "hard working compact EDC": take small Benza
- to have VERY elegant, gentleman's EDC that can do the job as well: take Mnandi

You can start with any of them... but you'll end up with both anyhow. Your question should be: "which should I get first?" :D
 
Originally posted by Adi
No only flick knives and any knife with a blade over 3 inches.
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Unfortunately, I don't believe this is quite correct. You might want to have a look here .
 
Nathan, Checked it out and found this.
The Criminal Justice Act (1988) said that you may carry a knife with a blade length of 3.0" or less as long as it is capable of folding. That means no fixed blade knives.
If they ban lock knives I am leaving the country!
 
Originally posted by Adi
Nathan, Checked it out and found this.
The Criminal Justice Act (1988) said that you may carry a knife with a blade length of 3.0" or less as long as it is capable of folding. That means no fixed blade knives.
If they ban lock knives I am leaving the country!
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Yes, but you're not taking into account judicial interpretation. There apparently is an unfortunate judicial precedent, in which the court decided that this law could be applied to lock blade knives, since they "become" fixed when the blade is locked open. Anyway, there is a pretty thorough discussion of the issue at the site I linked for you. Check it out.
 
Thanks Nathan
I know what you mean with lock knives but there really is no problem in the UK with them and are sold in most hunting/outdoor shops.The only problem we have is with autos and fixed blades.
 
Originally posted by Adi
Thanks Nathan
I know what you mean with lock knives but there really is no problem in the UK with them and are sold in most hunting/outdoor shops.The only problem we have is with autos and fixed blades.
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If I understand the current interpretation of the law, there's no problem in buying and owning a locking folder in England.

Carrying one without a valid justification can get you in trouble, however.

But only if you're caught. ;)
 
Nathan, good point. I think a normal law abiding citizen has a low probability of being searched. Now if you're in a pub getting drunk or walking around wasted on drugs and causing trouble, even a "legal knife" could add to your troubles with police.:) ;)
 
Originally posted by Scott Dog
Nathan, good point. I think a normal law abiding citizen has a low probability of being searched. Now if you're in a pub getting drunk or walking around wasted on drugs and causing trouble, even a "legal knife" could add to your troubles with police.:) ;)
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That's correct. Discretion and prudence are always important, particularly in jurisdictions where the law does not look kindly on our hobby.
 
Good point, our hobby does come with a bad rep.Every time there is a knife crime in the UK, 9 times out of 10 it it always done with a cheap kitchen knife.The rest of us 'sensible' people with a genuine interest in fine knives have to suffer!
 
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