Sebenza or Spyderco??

M

marcengels

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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After reading alot of stuff about Chris Reeves´ Sebenza I was wondering, is there any knife from Spyderco that can compete with a Sebenza? I am talking about a small Sebenza, Classic or 21, I do not care.

If you have to believe everything you can find from the Sebenza it has to be one of the best and strongest knives out there! The only problem for me would be the price. If I had to spent 330 Dollars it would be no problem but getting that thing to Holland doubles the price!

I know a Sebenza costs much more than an average Spydie but is there a knife that can compete with it? Do not forget, I am talking about a small Sebenza so compare that with a small Spyderco please.

Why should/should not I buy a small Sebenza?
 
First of all, you just answered your own question.

"The only problem for me would be the price." If the price of a Sebenza is too high for your own financial status, then be frugal and get a cheaper knife.

Secondly, you are asking this question in the Spyderco forum. You can predict the result already.

I think unless you absolutely abuse your folders, almost any Spyderco will cut and function just as well as the Sebenza. CRK are for knuts that seeks perfection.
 
The Spyderco's are just as strong as the Sebenza, and cheaper. For me, knives over $200 are no fun because then I'm always afraid to use it hard. Check out the Manix and the Paramilitary.
 
...almost any Spyderco will cut and function just as well as the Sebenza...
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As someone that owns and carries both brands, I can honestly say there's no CRK knife I've ever seen that can cut along side a Spyderco. (comparing like model for like model of course). I love my Micarta 21 and it rides daily in a belt sheath but it can't/won't/don't cut anywhere near as efficiently as a run-of-the-mill similarly sized Spydie. That's just fact. I once used a Chinook to cut a 5 gallon bucket into a drainpan. The savage cutting ability of a Spyderco knife is legendary. Had a FRN Harpy that cut a plastic/rubber splashguard into ribbons. The list goes on. Spydies cut. That's what they do. They do it oh so well. :D

Sebs are wonderful. As a gadget freak I love mine. An example of manufacturing greatness. Opens and closes like it is on pillar bearings. What a smooth folder. However, when it comes to cutting... The Spydie wins every time. Spydies cut like they're on some kind of laser guidance system. :)

My grail knife is a Spyderbenza. Everything but the blade made in Idaho by CRK, with micarta inlays and the new lanyard pin thingy. Blade and final sharpening takes place in Golden, customer gets choice of PE or fully serrated blades (all blades will be flat ground of course). Round hole opening system. Street price four bills. Warranty taken care of by CRK. This is the grail collab of the knife world. If this happens, I'm in for a half doz of these. I'll have one in each pocket and one in a neck sheath!
 
I bought a CR folder and felt like it wasn't worth the 400 dollars.
I held it and just couldn't see it at all. So I sent it back and bought 2 knives I'd always wanted for the same money.
It's just a matter of personal preference, nobody can decide if you are willing to spend that kind of cash and be thrilled with your purchase for you.
 
Spyderco does S30V, edge geometry, and ergonomics much better than CRK ever has!

Regards,
3G
 
No. Spyderco does not build any knife that matches the Sebenza in all respects. Two different companies, two different business models, both "do what they do" extremely well, but what they choose to do is different.

That said, the closest Spyderco to the small Sebenza would be the RIL Sage. It's close to the same size and uses the same CPM S30V blade steel and the same type titanium for its handle. Fit and finish are excellent, but not to the exact same level as the Sebenza's. Pivot is not as robust as the Sebenza's, not weak by any means, just less overbuilt, Sage's clip is not as fancy, but some feel it offers superior retention and a more discreet carry. On the plus side, there are those who'll say the Sage's full flat grind makes it the better slicer, that its Spyderhole opener is superior to any thumb stud, and that it has better ergonomics. If that's not incentive enough, the "street price", at least here in the States, is less than half that of a "base model" Sebenza.

Paul
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^ What Paul said.

I now EDC my SageII more than my small Sebbie. Much better handle for large hand, better grind(flat), and mine opens smoother than my sebbies.
Also love the wire clip.

With Deer season nearing I'll go back to my sebbie for a couple of months since it has more belly for skinning.
It won't happen, but I would love to see a SageII with a drop point blade.
 
I say F it dude and get a Sebenza. There is no knife that REALLY compares. There are "fanboys" though! The Millie and ParaMillie are damn nice knives too. They have equal fit and finish IMO. ...but the sebenza is EASILY more refined and looks and feels better. The cost of a Sebenza totally makes sense to me... there are just details that are overlooked on EVERY. OTHER. KNIFE. That is why they cost so much. That said, I TRY to only buy USA made knives, and I'm guessing that you don't have that ideal being from Holland. Personally, I don't care how nice it is... I WILL NOT buy a knife made in China OR Taiwan until the people that do force ALL production over there... then, just like bicycles, we're screwed. Otherwise, given your specifics, I would consider these (in order):

1. Sm Seb 21
2. Spydie UKPK
3. Spydie ParaMilitary (in S30V)
4. Benchmade 940 Osborne.......This one is the one I "feel" is right for you!
5. Benchmade Griptilian 555HG
 
The Deacon said:
No. Spyderco does not build any knife that matches the Sebenza in all respects. Two different companies, two different business models, both "do what they do" extremely well, but what they choose to do is different.
Click to expand...

I agree with Paul:cool:.... I own knives from both companys and enjoy the diversity.

Chris D. :D
 
No, there isn't. But there are good knives, no great knives. Do you want frame lock, smallish, sharp and cool? Leafstorm. Then, you'll buy a Sebenza also and have two cool knives with high end materials and wow factor.
 
That said, the closest Spyderco to the small Sebenza would be the RIL Sage.
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I own one of these ^^^ and have come close, several times, to buying a SmallSeb, and I've got a lot of time-in-hand with the SmallSeb.

I may yet buy one - it's a beautiful knife, undeniably - but you can pick up the RIL Sage for ~$140. I can tell you that it is a really fine knife and IMO a great bargain. I think it's the equal of the Caly3, though I can already hear the howls of protest on that point. :eek:

One additional point in favor of the Sage 2 - unlike the SmallSeb, it is easily used by those of us who use our knives left-handed. The double-side clip option and the hole opener work great for LHers, and the cutout for the locking tab is very generous and very easy to use left-handed.

My two cents - buy the Sage 2 mentioned above. Use it for a while. If you still feel the SmallSeb calling, I can almost guarantee that you'll keep the Sage 2.
 
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I have had a few Sebenza's and an Umnumzaan. IMO the Manix 2 (S90V if budget allows or even the regular M2) serves me better. I find it just as strong, more ergonomic, and ambidextrous. And all for less $!

Chris Reeve is extremely well made, but I can grab 4 M2's and still have enough left over for dinner and a movie for the price of a Sebenza. To me that means I can beat the crap out of the Manix without worry, which is hard to do when you have $400 tied up in a knife.
 
Biginboca said:
I have had a few Sebenza's and an Umnumzaan. IMO the Manix 2 (S90V if budget allows or even the regular M2) serves me better. I find it just as strong, more ergonomic, and ambidextrous. And all for less $!

I have the Manix S90V CF knife as well. I havn't actually handled a Sebenza before (I get to see one this Month when i go to Vancouver) but at this point the Manix is just about perfect.
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Harry, Jill, and Deacon have pretty well covered the bases for me. CRK and Spyderco are just about the only two folder brands that I have left anymore, and the only things I buy now are Spydercos.

I really like the 2 small 21s that I have (micarta and Desert Ironwood) and they see a fair share of carry time because they are such perfect little pocket tools.

Now, having said that, I depend on my Spydercos for serious work. No CRK I've ever had cuts as well, maintains as easily, or offers the carry and use ergos that satisfy me the way Spyderco does. As far as being long-lasting, I don't foresee any of my Spydercos "wearing out" from use in my lifetime, I don't have trouble with screws and pivots coming loose (and I don't use any Loc-Tite on them), the G10 or CF scales have never failed, they've just never done anything except work the way they're supposed to... time after time.
 
I often carry a small Sebenza or an Urban, while they are obviously wildly different
in some ways they are both superb small knives that carry and work very well indeed.

:):thumbup:
 
Not to belittle Spyderco but with no Spyderco using the pivot system CRK uses there is no Spyderco that can compare.
The Sebenza is simply the best production folder in the world.
 
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