Sebenza Overrated?

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Thrustus

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I've been resisting the urge to buy a Sebenza for years, nearly pulled the trigger on a Umnumzaan. On the forums here they seem to be the number 1 folder choice. I don't want to hear from the million fans telling me why ther'ye the best but rather from the minority that think ther'ye a bit overrated. Even though I've never handled one, and read all the time about the wonderful fit and finish they look a bit homely to me like a couple of other all time favourites AK47's and Lexus cars. Anyone out there have similar opinions or do I need to be crucified?
 
I sold the first 2 i had, had problems with the second one. I bought a small reg last week and have been extremely happy with it. My advice would be to buy a used one, and see for yourself. You have obviously been wanting one for a long time. If you feel it is overrated, you most likely can get your money back very easily.
 
Definitely if you are interested, buy one off the Exchange. You can get a decent bargain if you wait -- and you've waited already, so why rush? :)

The best anything in its class is not for everyone. The best wine, the best Scotch, mean nothing to me on a hot, tired afternoon when all I want is rum and fruit juice.
 
Depends what you're looking for in a knife. If you want top fit and finish and quality materials(other than a solid gold knife anyways), then the Sebenza is it. But for me, the materials only have to be good enough so that I don't feel like I'm holding a cheap knife(say, paying $100 for a knife with FRN or similar nylon/plastic composite materials). Aside from that, the only thing I want is for the steel and ergos to compliment the use I have in mind for the knife.

So the Sebenza would never replace my ZT 0301 for hard use, but could give my 710-1 a run for a place in my EDC rotation. But being the steelhead that I am, I love a "super steel" over titanium handles.
 
Nope... I just got my 1st chris reeve folder last week (Large Ebony inlay classic) and now laying in front of me are 3 more.... I can easily say his knives are tops. There are no sharp corners anywhere, you can see that even though the handle design seems simple it is flawless, both the large and small fit my hands perfectly. I am selling the rest of my collection.. (benchmades, bucks, spydercos, etc..) because I am enamored with the quality and design of his knives..

Oh, and even though the Zaan is tops.. very nice huge aggressive knife, I would definitely suggest to get the large sebenza before the Zaan.. you can't go wrong with either, but he got it right with the sebenza the 1st time around. It is smooth and just locks into the hand perfectly.

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Thrustus said:
do I need to be crucified?
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Only if you set your mind before handling one, and even then crucifixion is a little extreme. Perhaps a smack like in a V8 commercial.

That's not to say that your mind will instantly be changed by handling one. Might be, might not be. Reading reviews and such is fine, but nothing can take the place of handling one.
 
meh. I am a lefty so the Regular Sebenzas do not do anything for me.....










but an ol Lefty in BG42 would be the bees knees daddyo
 
i'm one of the few who think they are overrated.

i'm sure they're a lovely knife. the Sebenza wouldn't have the legions of crazed fans it has if it was junk.

however, in all seriousness, is there anything you can cut with a Sebenza that you can't cut with an Opinel, a SAK or a Leatherman?

i should point out that i'm just not a folding knife kind of guy and i just wouldn't spend CRK kinds of cabbage on a single blade folder. i get far more utility and use from my Leatherman Wave.
 
all i can say is that i have had an

emerson cqc-6
hinderer xm-18 and xm-24
strider SnG/SMF

and now i EDC a regular large sebenza, and i can guarantee this knife will stay with me for a very long time. I like it so much I am passing on the new spyderco military m4 in order to get my hands on another regular large sebbie, hopefully with raindrop damascus and a blue lug...fingers crossed :)

honestly, they look beautiful, they are sharp as hell, and they feel really nice in texture, movement, finish and just overall look...to me it looks tactical but also dressy. And it is truly a cutting machine.

that is just my humble opinion
 
i wished they used a different blade material. ive never been a big fan of s30v and i would love to see them use m4 or something else exotic.
 
A Sebenza is not just a tool, but more of a refined Art. Something that has been continually improved and refined over several years. Simplistic and close to perfect in many of it's aspects.

CRKs are not for the person just looking to cut, but for the person who wants to appreciate craftsmanship, function, tight tolerances, and simplicity at it's best.

That's how I feel about it.
If you don't have an appreciation for any of these things and just looking for a knife to cut than it may not blow you away.

I agree that you should give a used one a try and if you don't like it you can pass it along with little or no loss.
 
When I first read the many posts praising the Sebenza to the heavens, I clicked on to the CR site and was struck by... how ordinary and sedate the knife really looks.
I don't question that it's well made but aesthically, it's definitely not worth the cost to me. The most recent Tactical Knives magazine has an ad on the last page for Darryl Ralph folders for about the same price as the Sebenza. If I were to give myself permission to spend about 400 bucks on one folder, I'd go for the much more exciting and ,yes, badass looking Darryl Ralphs.
 
i own the 710 benchmade and EDC it, But the Umnumzaan is my go to blade for the next half of the week, they split the time.
 
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Larry Turko said:
When I first read the many posts praising the Sebenza to the heavens, I clicked on to the CR site and was struck by... how ordinary and sedate the knife really looks.
I don't question that it's well made but aesthically, it's definitely not worth the cost to me. The most recent Tactical Knives magazine has an ad on the last page for Darryl Ralph folders for about the same price as the Sebenza. If I were to give myself permission to spend about 400 bucks on one folder, I'd go for the much more exciting and ,yes, badass looking Darryl Ralphs.
Click to expand...

It's not about the looks, it's about the fit and function. Hold one, use one, and I challenge you to say it's not worth the money..........
 
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