Sebenza Overrated?

[JNewell]

The bold red below pretty much sums it up for me.

Just an FYI, the Lionsteel SR-1 does not require a special tool to adjust the pivot or any other screw. It has a hex head in the center and can also use the special spanner wrench that comes with it. It does require the tool to remove the pocket clip but the knife can be adjusted with common tools.

I think many people have a favorite knife and they are going to use all the things they like about it to argue why it's the best. I personally would not trade my LE Benchmade Rift with M4 steel for any Sebenza out there. And I was able to buy 3 of them for the price of a large Micarta Sebenza. I also can not find any defects or flaws with my knife. Sure, the Sebenza probably holds tighter tolerances, but I can't see that with my eyes and as far as I can tell they are both near perfect. The Benchmade has what I consider a better lock and better blade steel. I also like G10 better than metal handles like the titanium Sebenza. The Benchmade has 3D sculpting to the handles and has a unique blade shape which makes it stand out from most other knives as far as looks are concerned. And just about anyone can make the same type of arguments for their favorite knife assuming it is a quality piece. That doesn't make any of them better than the others, just better for that person.

 

[Stainz]

I will reiterate my rationales for buying a CRK - actually, a Wilson Combat StarTac version of the CRK 'Umnumzaan' - as my example of a CRK. It's a bit larger than the larger Sebbie - thicker sides and blade, too, not to mention a neater feeling in my medium+ hands. The 'StarTac' pattern on the grips is more to my liking than the regular 'zaan comes with. It was to be special - to commemorate my retirement - the added $29.95 of the 'special' version seemed worth it - it also included free shipping. It was a special occasion - and, nice as it is, I doubt that I will ever have a collection of CRKs.

Don't get me wrong - it is exquisitely made - a fine example of the art of knife-making and certainly worth more - to me - than any bottom-feeding self loader pistol Taurus has ever made. Now, tempt me with a nice S&W revolver, and things might change. It's all in your sense of values - as is the ownership of the knife itself is, as well. Commemorate an event - and you have a 'reason' to keep it - and the pride of ownership needs no more rationale than that to keep it in your collection. Of course, the problem is getting enough denaros put back to get it to begin with! You at least owe it to yourself to fondle one - whether in a B&M store - or buying a formerly owned one here.

Stainz

 

[goldie]

the sebenza is like jesus; theres such a long following & so much talk about it, there must be something to it....

 

[HJK]

I favour full customs, but i love and own many production knives too.
The Sebenzas I have are outstanding using knives by any standard. Expensive? Absolutely. And well worth the money.

 

[Thalestin]

the sebenza is like jesus; theres such a long following & so much talk about it, there must be something to it....

Does that mean Justin Bieber is Jesus?

 

[twid]

Does that mean Justin Bieber is Jesus?

Lol no. Just overrated.

 

[Josh K]

Lol no. Just overrated.

I cannot say how sorry I am that this is in General instead of a more liberal forum.

 

[risen]

Not overrated, just overpriced, imo. I hate price control marketing.

Also, I like to use my knives. If I paid the asking price, I would never use it for anything more than letter opening or just showing it off, wouldn't want to scratch the blade.

In my opinion, for a Sebenza to be fairly priced, it'd have to be $100 - $150 less, with even bigger price drops for CRK's higher-end models.

Just my 2¢.

 

[gulliamo]

I thought the thumb button (knob used to open the blade) was very uncomfortable as was the clip which dug into my leg through my pant pocket. This was quickly remedied when I lost it. I now carry a <$100 Benchmade D2 grip. It's more comfortable to use and carry. When I lose it I won't cry. The Sebenza was super pretty to look at though!

 

[MORIMOTOM]

how would the clip dig in to your leg?

 

[kawr]

I thought the thumb button (knob used to open the blade) was very uncomfortable as was the clip which dug into my leg through my pant pocket. This was quickly remedied when I lost it. I now carry a <$100 Benchmade D2 grip. It's more comfortable to use and carry. When I lose it I won't cry. The Sebenza was super pretty to look at though!

I'm sorry but after carrying and edcing both of the knives you mentioned I have the exact opposite experience from what you had since the Grip has a thicker, chubbier, and rounder profile and carries pretty uncomfortably in pocket compared to a Large Sebenza 21 and any of my Spyderco edcers. Also how the heck does the pocket clip dig into your leg when its clipped to your pocket? If you carry it loose in you pocket it still doesnt make sense since its a thin and smaller clip compared to the Grip so I call bs and question your credibility. You're certainly entitled to your opinions but only if they are actually based on truthful experiences.

 

[giant1]

To me, the Sebenza is not over-rated in the slightest.
Even if you consider that the price is high, and the steel isn't the top dog, the knife is not over rated.
There are "a few" knives that cost less and still compare, however. -The BM 710 comes to mind here. The Buck 172 is also very nice.
To me, if you've been carrying either of those lesser costing knives, and are ready to spend more for something different, the Sebenza is the obvious next step up.

The Sebenza is the most consistantly perfect production frame-lock I've ever had.
-The steel isn't poor, not by a long shot.
-The overall design is near to perfect.
-The blade-grind (hollow) is perfect.
-The blade shape is perfect.
-The pocket-clip is perfect.
-The lock is perfect. (This really matters to me, and where this knife over-shadows 99.7% of others.)
-The look is classic, not too much, not too little, -perfect.
-The handles of both large and small fit me like they were made for me -perfect.
-The pivot is perfect.
-Made in America, perfect.
-The warranty is...I don't know, I've yet to use it.

Very few times have I had an edc that I felt absolutely content with. When I have a Sebenza, I've never felt less that content. -Unless I just wanted a larger one.

Two words , bushing pivot. I don't know why others haven't mentioned it

Here's where the simplicity, materials and tolerances do it for me...I can take the whole thing down to individual components in less than a minute. Doesn't matter what nastiness I've gotten on it, there's something that will take it off without harming said components. I can reassemble almost as fast and crank everything down tight. Lo and behold, it's perfectly centered, buttery smooth and locks up tight. Every time. I don't own a single other knife that will do that without some fiddling, and I've got a few. I just wish other manufacturers (and custom makers) would take a page from Chris and stop making me screw around with pivot tension. My two cents worth.

~Chip

There you go.......

These two posts sum up all the good points of a Sebenza.

I will add 1 more point to the above lists- WOOD INLAYS

It's all about the the full package, I own Hinderers, Spyderco's and Striders amongst others and none of them have a knife that covers all bases like the sebenza does.

 

[jill jackson]

The Ones with wood inlays have polished blades and handles. They look a lot better IMO than the plain handled ones.
What is the big deal about the pivot on the Sebenza? Isn't it different than the standard bronze or plastic washers on many knives? Is it smoother?

 

[giant1]

The Ones with wood inlays have polished blades and handles. They look a lot better IMO than the plain handled ones.
What is the big deal about the pivot on the Sebenza? Isn't it different than the standard bronze or plastic washers on many knives? Is it smoother?

The pivot and washer design on the Sebbies are the reason why anyone can dismantle and re assemble them with such ease and know that the blade will be perfectly centered with correct tension every time.

Try doing that with your Strider or Hinderer

 

[jill jackson]

Yes, but what makes the pivot so much better? Details?

 

[giant1]

The pivot and washer design on the Sebbies are the reason why anyone can dismantle and re assemble them with such ease and know that the blade will be perfectly centered with correct tension every time.

Try doing that with your Strider or Hinderer

Yes, but what makes the pivot so much better? Details?

I thought that pretty well explained it Jill

Each knife is a matched fit i.e The washers, pivot bush and blade are a set. This ensures that they all fit together just right.

I have never tried but I don't think you can swap blades and washers around between other knives (sebenzas). That's why CRK always ask that you send the knife back for that type of repair.

 

[grizzled gizzard]

Not piling on, but from another perspective, the hole in the blade that the knife pivots on is maybe 1/2" in diameter. There is another part in the Seb that isn't in any other knives that I know of. This is the bushing you are hearing of, and the main difference IMHO. The pivot screw goes through a normal size hole in the bushing, not a normal size hole in the blade.

Sure hope that helps.

 

[Gator97]

To me, the Sebenza is not over-rated in the slightest.
Even if you consider that the price is high, and the steel isn't the top dog, the knife is not over rated.

First you pretty much define overrated, and then conclude it is not overrated

The steel isn't poor, not by a long shot.

HT is subpar for the steel/knife combination. In other words, folding knife like Sebenza could use 61HRC. 2-3 HRC difference in the same alloy is easily noticeable in even edc use. That part is neither subjective, nor a matter of opinion, it is a physical parameter that can be measured. So, granted that it is still a knife, and its performance is hampered, while priced really high, I'd say, overrated.

The overall design is near to perfect.

No real argument here, it's very personal. I for one, played with large seb for 3 days and returned it.

The blade-grind (hollow) is perfect.

Since when? Hollow grind like others has its advantages and disadvantages. If it was perfect all knives would have been hollow grind, it's not that hard to make.

The blade shape is perfect.
-The pocket-clip is perfect.
-The look is classic, not too much, not too little, -perfect.
-The handles of both large and small fit me like they were made for me -perfect.

Again, all of the above more of a taste or personal preference.

-The lock is perfect. (This really matters to me, and where this knife over-shadows 99.7% of others.)

It is solid, easy to operate, but I wouldn't call framelock a perfect one. Axis is better IMHO.

 

[Siggyhk]

Well, everything I said was, afterall, my personal opinion.

As for the steel, I don't care for something I have to stuggle to sharpen. I keep my Sebenza sharp with a ceramic stone and a belt.
Hollow ground blades are the way to go in a general use folder, if you ask me.
Axis-lock is great, but only equal to a nice frame-lock.

 

[jakeyjake4528]

questions like this never have a clear answer. obviously, it mostly comes down to personal opinion. good luck arguing against that!

my personal opinion is the sebenza isnt overrated at all. while CRK offers and has offered different knives, i think its safe to assume the sebenza is their top seller. while their have been slight changes to the design, and of course with the newer 21s, they have, without any hype, been selling darn near the same knife for over 20 years, and the demand keeps raising. the amount of offerings in quality productions and customs has exploded in that same time, yet the plain jane sebenza remains a must have.

agree or disagree, the sebenza is truly something else.