Sebenza or...

Status
Not open for further replies.
rexromic

rexromic

Platinum Member
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
5,262
Hi I have been using my small sebenza quite some time and Iam very happy with it.Honestly if Chris Reeve would make it with M390 steel that would be it for me,perfect knife with perfect steel.Just wondering and thinking what is really close,same or better than sebbie in everyday use.Hinderer,Lambert,Demko,Les George,any other production or custom knife.Anyone with any opinions.If you keep your knives as safe queens do not reply,Iam only interested in opinions of you guys using yours edc all the time and hopefully there is more knives there comparable to sebenza in terms of quality,fit and finish,high tolerances,ease of maintenance etc....Or is there?:)
 
I do not own a Sebenza. Had an opportunity to buy one in person, handled it, played with it, liked it, but just didn't feel that it was enough better than the knife I usually carry to merit spending the extra, although it's clearly a fine knife, and I'd love it if I hadn't already discovered the Gun Hammer. I carry the Darrel Ralph Gun Hammer, and for me, it's plenty good enough for me not to purchase a Sebenza. I'm a big fan of 3D contoured handles and as close of a handle/blade ratio as possible, though, and Knife Center has an M390 version as well. I think it's more comfortable than the Sebbie. For me, it's the knife that ended the hunt. I can appreciate other knives, but every time I get the scratch to buy a new folder, it just ends up being another Gunny. Not everyone likes them. Nutnfancy didn't like the design, and I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. But if it DOES appeal to you, it's a great knife in my estimation. And even better, there's a sprint run knife taking pre-orders now in the HTM forum, which will be S90V, dark green handle scales, stonewashed finish, manual Maxx Glide opening, and serial numbers for a very limited run. The other knives I've liked a lot have been the Ritter Griptilian with custom scales, the Rift, and various sprint run Manix 2's. None of those find pocket time any more, however.

I'd wager you'd get a fine knife if you order a custom from any of the other top makers as well, however.
 
I ordered a Gareth Bull in M390 instead of a Sebenza. Haven't gotten it yet, but from all the feedback and pictures, it's gonna be great (and a custom is always better than a production knife, right?).

DJK
 
Well I do not agree that custom is always better than production.I had Spyderco Gayle Bradley and couple other custom knives(dont want to mention names) but GB was a mile better than few custom knives in every aspect,quality,performance ,materials,looks,F@F,etc...So yes customs are generaly better and more expensive but not always better than some production knives,IMO.:)
 
I just picked up a Benchmade 760 LFTi and I honestly feel that it compares well to a Sebenza insofar as materials, craftsmanship fit and finish etc, for about half the price. And this CPM M4 steel is nothing to sneeze at. It's tough as heck and takes a fine edge. I'm really interested in reading more responses on this topic. Cheers, friends!
 
rexromic said:
Well I do not agree that custom is always better than production.I had Spyderco Gayle Bradley and couple other custom knives(dont want to mention names) but GB was a mile better than few custom knives in every aspect,quality,performance ,materials,looks,F@F,etc...So yes customs are generaly better and more expensive but not always better than some production knives,IMO.:)
Click to expand...

I agree, the Gayle Bradley is just insane with it's fit and finish. One of the highest value knives in existence. Lot's of customs have great fit and finish but the companies are often too small to get great fit and finish very easily. Some can get there just because they can spend that much time on them, but most customs actually aren't all that perfect. CRK is the perfect company to get perfect fit and finish because they're big enough to have all the needed equipment and big enough to have built tons and tons of knives to hone in their design, but they're small enough to still put in that attention to detail and spend the time making the knives perfect. The Gayle Bradley is very surprising because it's by far the closest to CRK fit and finish I've seen for under $200. An amazing knife for sure and the materials used are even outstanding, especially for the price.

To the OP, the Sebenza is pretty much a perfect EDC in my opinion. Overbuilt knives are great and fun but the Sebenza will stand up to just about anything and it will be a much better cutter and everyday tool than most overbuilt knives with thick blades and thick grinds and such.
 
Fellows in another thread seem to think the Les George VECP is better than a Sebenza, FWIW. Looks interesting, if you can find one.
 
Well Its always a faster car,better fighter,better looking girl,better knife,but some things dont change..Sebenza
 
There are plenty of knives that are "better" than the Sebenza, and there are $5 knives that can do what the Sebenza can do, and that is cutting stuff. I will spend money on a knife that "calls my name", whether it's a $100 spyderco or a $500 Strider. I think with knives you can't just simply go off specs and the number/letters stamped on the blade. That's just me though.
 
The 3 inch slicer XM-18 trumps the small Sebenza IMO. The 3 inch carries so well you don't even know its there. I thought it was going to be a little chunky ad heavy like the 3.5
but the 3 inch is a different animal. And joined with the slicer grind and 20CV steel you have the ultimate cutting machine with super steel edge retention. The only bad thing about it is
trying to get your hands on one for a reasonable price.
 
I have been carrying my Large Sebenza exclusively for almost a year now. I do carry a slipjoint with it often. For me the Sebenza is almost perfect.
 
You should have been on earlier today. See this thread; answers many of your questions. Also has a good YouTube video to watch that compares the Les George, Umnumzaan and Sebenza. Here's the link to this earlier thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/975528-CRK-Sebenza-21-v-CRK-Umnumzaan-v-George-VECP

Yes, the XM-18 is nice, but I can easily buy TWO nice Sebenzas for the same price. Makes no sense to me unless you're LEO or med-tech.

I have the Umnumzaan and love it. I've often considered the Sebenza, but the Umnum is a bit "stronger" in the blade and pivot, IMO. The Umnum blade-stock is 0.140" compared to the traditional 0.125" of the Large and Small Sebenza. It's interesting to note that the Newly-introduced Sebenza"25" also has a blade-stock thickness(0.140") that is the same as its brother the Umnumzaan. Now, that's really interesting.

Sonny
 
Last edited:
Is new sebenza 25 just a anniversary blade or its gonna be a new production model?
 
Last edited:
Maybe the Kershaw Tilt.

[video=youtube;FZjYVWpRtgE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZjYVWpRtgE[/video]

1234,,,:)
 
Iam thinking about XM-18 3 inch non flipper slicer grind any thoughts about that one.Looks like a interseting knife ,small blade but stronger than sebbie and with better steel.
 
IMO, the Sebenza is "the" knife. But there are other knives I enjoy almost as much. Strider SnG fo sho. It really is a well
made knife. GREAT design, really comfy to hold, great blade shape, fantastic materials & blade heat treat. One knife maker (midtech) that I've recently discovered and THOUROUGHLY enjoy is Shirogorov. They're pricy, but everything I could want in a knife. DEFINITELY worth looking into!! Mine is the model 95 "Hati" Ti/CF W/ S30V:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1342961630.586687.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1342961740.437005.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1342961769.138464.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1342961695.674042.jpg
 
rexromic said:
Iam thinking about XM-18 3 inch non flipper slicer grind any thoughts about that one.Looks like a interseting knife ,small blade but stronger than sebbie and with better steel.
Click to expand...

My XM-18 (Non-flipper) with Slicer grind just came in yesterday & I promptly compared it to my small 21 Insingo. Interestingly, while the XM's 4 1/8" closed vs just under 4" closed on the 21, there's about the same amount of room for my fingers on both knives (I have big hands, XXL gloves are tight). However, the location of the lanyard hole on the XM kind of takes away possibly using a lanyard for additional grip, whereas the lanyard hole location is better on the Seb. I'm only saying this is an issue in comparing the small versions, it's not an issue on the lg ones, since it's not needed for additional grip, just for looks & assist pulling the knife out, if you want.

The 3" XM carries smaller than I thought it would & is definitely a heavier use folder, while still being small. Also, the blade flicks open easily/quickly with a normal thumb push. I wouldn't say F&F is the equal to the CRKs. I can see machine marks & there's a dark color in between the ridges on the spine of the blade where your thumb rests. But the XM is a solid folder & appears to be built to take a lot of hard use.

However, I would've been upset had I spent what some are spending on a XM-18. Now, this is based on only the 3" model. The 3.5" XM-18 & the big XM-24 are much more stout folders.

Another good hard use small folder are the Strider PT & mini JS75, although the older ones (Pre new lockup) are problematic. I've heard from people that have them, that the new mini JS75 is a good little folder, too. And you can probably pick one up for less than the others. The Acies II is another nice knife. I'm not sure it's the equal of the CRKs & Hinderers, but it has some very nice features for the money.
 
So if I have chance to get xm-18 for Ricks price around 400$ what would you recomend 3 inch or 3.5.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top