Sebenza or not? Wood or not?

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kutch133

Joined
Nov 1, 2000
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A short while ago I posted on the blade discussion forum asking for opinions on buying a small wood inlay vs a custom. I believe the consensus was to buy something from DDR or Tom Mayo as they were also framelocks that I could get for the same price or less than the Sebenza. I'm looking to buy in early in 2002 as I'm still saving for the big event. I'm not sure I'll have enough funds to get the wood Sebenza or custom and I really haven't made up my mind. I want a tank for a knife and EVERYTHING I've read about the Sebenza fits the bill. So here are my choices and you're welcom to vote. Here are my choices in no certain order.

1. Large wood Sebenza. (Nice choice if I have the money.)
2. Small wood Sebenza (Ditto)
3. Custom from Tom Mayo or Darrel Ralph
4. Large Sebenza
5. Small Sebenza
6. Bm Pinnacle (Consolation Prize)

My post was incomplete and my wife sent it in thinking it was.

[This message has been edited by kutch133 (edited 05-17-2001).]
 
Cast my vote in Wood...small Wood inlay that is, love the knife!

G2

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by kutch133:
a small wood inlay vs a custom...

I'm looking to buy in early in 2002 as I'm still saving for the big event.

I want a tank for a knife and EVERYTHING I've read about the Sebenza fits the bill.

</font>
Click to expand...

Kutch133,

The small wood inlay 2002's are nearly all spoken for (limited number per year), and delivery won't be until at least mid-summer and perhaps later per the best guess of the CRK person I spoke with (a lady, but not Anne).

You've really given the reader little, in this thread anyway, to go on.

The Sebenza vs. Mayo vs. Ralph thing comes down to a matter of preference for style, looks, materials, etc. All three build quality knives and stand behind their products. All three make knives that are plenty solidly built for a folder, more solid than most (and all folder's have limitations).

I've never handled one, but hear the Buck Strider folders are real tanks. I think they look like tanks though too. So are the old SOG Tomcats and the old Al Mar SERE's. The new SERE is pretty solid IF you get a good lock out of the factory. But so too is the BM 710 axis lock solid, or any of the Axis or Rolling Lock knives. There are plenty of solid knives out there from custom makers too: Kit Carson and Greg Lightfoot come to mind also.

Not sure what to tell you. Pick from the three you mention based on design/style, and availability of materials if materials is an issue that drives your decision (440V, 420V, BG-42, damascus, Talonite, on to handle materials, from titanium to carbon fiber, wood, micarta, etc).

If you can firm up what your criteria for selecting the knife are, you'll get much better feedback and analysis from the forumites. Otherwise, you'll just have people voting their personal preferences, and guess what, your vote is the one that counts.

(I own 3 Sebenza's and 2 Darrel Ralph knives, one a folder. I don't own a Mayo, yet.)


[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 05-17-2001).]
 
Kutch. That large wood inlayed Sebenza will do everything a small will AND MORE! Splurge man!!
smile.gif
 
Better still, buy one knife from all three makers... get them all on order and stagger the delivery dates! Eat beans and rice for a year, not Filet Mignon! Drink water, not milk! Drink Milwaukee's Beast, not Samuel Adams! It'll be worth it!

Seriously, do yourself a favor and get a really good blade on your first "custom" or "semi-custom (CRK)".

The heat treat that CRK does on BG-42 is probably as good as anyone in industry, and you can make a strong case that BG-42 is the best balanced stainless tool steel going right now (as we all wait to see if Crucible can truly deliver what they promise with stainless 3V).

Similarly, Darrel Ralph most assuredly knows how to heat treat 420V, just ask him to take your blade to at least Rc58. I'm sure Darrel would do Talonite if you asked. I like Darrel's EDC, but the Apogee is nice too. Gotta find a color scheme or set of scales that you like.

Mayo certainly does Talonite blades and you can not really go wrong here if you want a blade that is, to an extreme, nearly unstainable, easy to sharpen, and very abrasion resistant, holds an edge and keeps cutting waay after that shavin' edge is gone. Downsides are tiny: edge tends to roll a bit but can be easily steeled back up, won't take a super-duper wicked shavin edge like good 420V will.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 05-17-2001).]
 
I want my knife to have titanium handles and a frame lock and I want to be able to beat it up (even though I never will but just know that I could). I really wanted to get a wood but feel that my first Sebenza should be the regular. Money will dictate what I end up getting. The problem I have deciding could probably be solved if I was able to actually hold a Sebenza in my hand, but that it not possible as I know of no B&M stores near where I live that carry high end knives.
 
If you don't try a Sebenza you will still always be wondering what they are all about. Your reasoning for choosing a plain model is sound. This is the route I took (except I went for the large as I feel 3 1/2" is the perfect size blade for everyday use) when I first got the urge for a high quality knife. Have been comparing customs against it ever since. Sort of my personal benchmark. Customs have come and customs have gone but I have never once thought of parting with that plain Sebenza. It just defines the term "pocketknife" so well. Unlike the fancy customs where every mark becomes a blemish, a mark on a plain Sebbie just adds to the package.
I have followed up my original purchase with 3 Ralph's and a damascus wood inlay. All very nice knives, but if I could have just one to use and enjoy, make mine a plain and make it a large.
 
kutch,
We definitely do not have access to a good knife store in our area (we're not too far from each other). The nearest I can tell you of is in the Monroeville Mall. I've had my small plain Sebenza for about a week now. What can I say, it's great! I love it! It's the best folder I've ever held in my hand. I may be down your way sometime in the next couple weeks. I'll let you know, maybe we can hook up and you can check out my Sebbie.
I really don't think you can do better quality wise. It's a matter of which appeals most to you.

Paul
 
Kutch:
I have a small wood inlay, a small DDR Apogee and a Mayo medium recurve. From what you describe, my vote goes to the plain small. That would be a tank of a knife that you could beat up on and it would be a couple hundred dollars less than the Mayo or the DDR. The wood inlay is beautiful but is not what I would call a beat up kind of knife. It is a tank and it is great and I use it frequently. Mayo does great work too. But again, I can't bring myself to beat up a $500.00 knife. If you want to beat up a knife I would suggest a Benchmade axis lock.
 
I just put in an order for one of the large 2002 wood inlays with Ms. Bridget. It will be my first Sebbie. Now I realize that I could have gone the custom route, but I chose to get a CRK for a couple of reasons. One, there is no guarantee that you'll get quality with customs, while I don't think I've ever heard complaints about CRK's quality. Two, I have every reason to believe that the wood inlay will be a worthy companion for both me and my mine. I handled a woodie before I even handled a plain, and I love the way it feels. Reminds me of a small FB. Three, although the plain versions may be among the "plainest" knives ever made, the wood inlays are some of the most beautiful pocketknives I've ever seen. It'll be a knife that I'll be proud to own and will be given to my (future) favorite grandchild.
 
Kamagogng:
I think you have made a wise choice. In my opinion, the wood inlay is the nicest of the Sebenzas. Each is a unique work of art. The woods are beautiful and the knife is awesome. I have a feeling that in ten or fifteen years you are going to have a very valuable knife. I love my small. Just looking at it makes me think,"wow what a knife!" The precision required to make the wood inlay is beyond belief. They are a bargain in my opinion.
 
Sebbie all the way....just remember...they might be addictive.... I just delivered my 4th Sebbie to a customer here locally this evening....and this was all in 1 month! He started with a large plain, then got the Classic, then could not decide between the small plain or the small classic......so guess what? HE GOT BOTH
biggrin.gif


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Knives & Things
Mike Payne
 
I, like kamagong, placed my order for a SMALL 2002 wood. I was having second thoughts because of the cost but the more I look at pics of the woods the more I want one. Too bad there aren't any B&M stores in my area that carry Sebbies so that I could go in a drool over their stock.

[This message has been edited by kutch133 (edited 05-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by kutch133 (edited 05-25-2001).]
 
I'll say you have a fine taste for knives! Not to denigrate BM by any means, they have some very fine knives, but you will not ever go wrong in the hands of Mr. Reeve, Mr. Ralph, or Mr. Mayo from what I've seen, felt, heard and read. The lucky thing for you is you can't lose picking from this pool of talent!

Brandon
 
I would either go for a BG-42 TNT or, do what I did and get a numbered MM Sebi and a 750 as a beater. Best of both worlds, the Sebi is amazing and the 750 is very nice.

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That is a tall question. Let's see if I can address it logically. First the question of large or small. IMHO, you must examine the risks, benefits and disadvantages:

1) Legal Limit in your state - you certainly wouldn't want to get it confiscated by the law if it was beyond the legal limit.

2) Purpose - If legal (at least in my eyes), the large will handle larger duty jobs (I have multiples of both large and small). The small is less intrusive in the pocket and still very useful

Wood Inlay vs. standard handle - I just can't bring myself to use my 2000 wood inlayed DIW version it is too nice.. I know many of our fellow forumites that use their wood inlayed version. But, everytime I carry it in a zip pouch, and I need a knife, I reach for the small graphic in my pocket instead of the woody. Just me. But, it would be a great, great tool and beautiful to own.

If you are intending on using it, I would go with the standard verions first. I like both the standard and the classic. The classic seems to fit my hand a little better with the flared handle. Also, for use, go with the SW vs the polished since you won't see the scratches (they always bother me).

Sebenza vs. custom:

I have a number of custom folders. Most tacticals that I have will handle any task I throw at them. It is up to you whether to go with one vs another.

Best wishes.
 
Large wood inlay Sebenza. Why? Because I just got one and really like it!

Bob,
I just picked up a 2001 Desert ironwood woody, in the large format, at the Blade Show today. You know it would make a great match to the 2000 I sold you. Only one problem. I plan to keep this one! Been kicking myself ever since I sold the other one.

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Art Sigmon
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