Sebenza Overrated?

[risen]

Excuse me. Do I understand you to say that you are ragging on a knife that you have never even owned?!!

I am unable to properly respond to you in this forum. Post in Whine and Cheese and we'll see.

Yeah! It's not like we're talking about a Sanrenmu, where folks always dump on it without ever having owned or even handled one to know. For shame!

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

Excuse me. Do I understand you to say that you are ragging on a knife that you have never even owned?!!

I am unable to properly respond to you in this forum. Post in Whine and Cheese and we'll see.

Oh wow, don't get too upset with me buddy I'm not ragging on the knife I'm ragging on the price which is too high.

 

[Tony8179]

I'm giving my opinion which is based on nothing.

This is always good practice. Can you give me some advice on other things you've never owned?

I will (as I have before) say that the fit and finish is not any better then any top of the line spyderco or benchmade.

Again, speaking about something you've never owned, but speaking as though you have. What?!

I don't think it's so much the guys who wont shell out the money. I think it's more so the guys with an abundance of money to buy whatever they see fit. Therefore they shell out a lot of money (to me) on something that could be had for much lower and because of the high price they tout better quality which from what I can tell is non existent.

How do you figure chief? I don't have an abundance of money. I usually plan my knife purchases carefully. And if you can tell me where I can get the same quality, tolerances, materials, QC, and CS as CRK knives at much less of a price please let me know. And there you go again talking about quality that you've never owned and and saying that it's non existent.

If you've never owned the knife how can you possibly give any sort of advice? How can you possibly know about quality that you've never carried and used? I'd suggest keeping your advice for things you have experience with.

 

[338375]

I've never owned one, but I have asked myself the same question.
One of our local shops stocks the Seb, so awhile back I went for a look to see
for myself....

Nice knife. Very smooth and solid lockup. I was expecting bells to go off when holding it, but they didn't... A fault of the knife ? No.
It just didn't grab me the way I had hoped it would. No criticism to be found though.

As Thomas W mentioned, there is a reason this knife has been awarded numerous awards, and continues to have a strong following, as well as maintaining the resale value that they do.

With current machinery that is used, I do have to wonder where the 400 dollar price comes from. I could see it if there was a huge amount of hand work being done, but CNC eliminates a lot of hand work, and there really aren't very many parts to the knife...

That said, if it truly was overpriced, it wouldn't continue to sell in the numbers that it does. People will only over pay for something for so long, before the novelty wears off. There aren't many things that sell for MSRP. I guess CRK could raise the MSRP price, and then sell them at a price lower than MSRP, so maybe some folks wouldn't seem offended. That would probably be marketing genius, not that they need any help.

This subject will never end, but in the mean time, the knives continue to sell in big numbers. I think that really answers the question.

For those that make mention of CRK's marketing, the longer these threads exist, its just more free advertising for CRK

 

[Noctis3880]

Don't forget excellent marketing.

Which I've done on more than one occasion.

I have never knocked CRK quality. But, for me, it will never be worth MSRP.

Actually I trust the "customer marketing" more than any paid advertisement. In our choice of hobby however, is there any other type of marketing? It would be ironic of you to criticize how these knives get promoted when it is more or less the ONLY way it gets promoted(i.e. praise of Spyderco's Para2 gets around the same way as the CRK Sebenza). And IIRC, Spyderco forums have their own section for reporting counterfeits. So I think it's safe to say that almost every company has their own fanbase that do the same things.

As for MSRP, I believe all of those are never worth it for the simple fact that they make it that high to encourage sales through dealers.

Well, you see I wont ever own one as they are over priced( too many other better designs at a much lower price). I'm giving my opinion which is based on nothing. I believe I'm entitled to that. I will (as I have before) say that the fit and finish is not any better then any top of the line spyderco or benchmade. You are buying the name with a crk. Sure they're nice but they are not any better to justify the horrendous price increase. Subjective and all, that's the way it is.


I don't think it's so much the guys who wont shell out the money. I think it's more so the guys with an abundance of money to buy whatever they see fit. To these people the cost might not be such a big deal. Therefore they shell out a lot of money (to me) on something that could be had for much lower and because of the high price they tout better quality which from what I can tell is non existent. Basically it's something to spend money on, not because this item is better but because you have the money to blow.

Honestly, if you just want to buy a knife for cutting things, you can accomplish that with a $10 Made in China PoS.

I think everybody shells out more money than they need to on something. Some buy cameras, some like lights, some like cars, some like music, some like clothes(and purses, and shoes), some like jewelry. And we happen to like knives.

I think I can understand where you're coming from. You're not the type of person to spend money on a Rolex or a $20,000 camera because you feel you've overpaid for these items to do its basic function about $19,700 ago. That however does not mean that you overpaid by any means(in the sense that you did not get what you paid for). I say this because said items can hold their value quite well and can easily be sold.

So essentially, it's not like you don't get what you sink money into for a Sebenza(fit and finish), it's just that you expected something else for your money(something like a mythical super duper steel that will NEVER go dull and can cut through a steel pole).

If you wish to prove your point around here, you'd need to find another knife of similar or superior materials(handle, blade steel) and you'd need to show that it has equal or superior fit and finish to the Sebenza for a lower cost. Anything less however and whatever else you have to say will fall flat on its face.

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

If you've never owned the knife how can you possibly give any sort of advice? How can you possibly know about quality that you've never carried and used? I'd suggest keeping your advice for things you have experience with.

I wouldn't say I'm giving advice, just voicing my opinion. As I've said if someone wants to send a sebenza to me to look at I will. If I find I was wrong and feel it's worth the money I will apologize and say I was wrong.

Actually I trust the "customer marketing" more than any paid advertisement. In our choice of hobby however, is there any other type of marketing? It would be ironic of you to criticize how these knives get promoted when it is more or less the ONLY way it gets promoted(i.e. praise of Spyderco's Para2 gets around the same way as the CRK Sebenza). And IIRC, Spyderco forums have their own section for reporting counterfeits. So I think it's safe to say that almost every company has their own fanbase that do the same things.

As for MSRP, I believe all of those are never worth it for the simple fact that they make it that high to encourage sales through dealers.


Honestly, if you just want to buy a knife for cutting things, you can accomplish that with a $10 Made in China PoS.

I think everybody shells out more money than they need to on something. Some buy cameras, some like lights, some like cars, some like music, some like clothes(and purses, and shoes), some like jewelry. And we happen to like knives.

I think I can understand where you're coming from. You're not the type of person to spend money on a Rolex or a $20,000 camera because you feel you've overpaid for these items to do its basic function about $19,700 ago. That however does not mean that you overpaid by any means(in the sense that you did not get what you paid for). I say this because said items can hold their value quite well and can easily be sold.

So essentially, it's not like you don't get what you sink money into for a Sebenza(fit and finish), it's just that you expected something else for your money(something like a mythical super duper steel that will NEVER go dull and can cut through a steel pole).

If you wish to prove your point around here, you'd need to find another knife of similar or superior materials(handle, blade steel) and you'd need to show that it has equal or superior fit and finish to the Sebenza for a lower cost. Anything less however and whatever else you have to say will fall flat on its face.

Something along those lines. I do appreciate quality knives and other things however I don't think the increase in the perceived quality( because I've never seen one) of a sebenza would be worth the the price increase.

 

[Tony8179]

I wouldn't say I'm giving advice, just voicing my opinion. As I've said if someone wants to send a sebenza to me to look at I will. If I find I was wrong and feel it's worth the money I will apologize and say I was wrong.

You're voicing your opinion on something you are uneducated on. Sounds something like ignorance to me.

 

[RubiconSS]

Just out of curiosity, has anybody at any point in this mind numbing 27 pages of irrelevancy (preferably a detractor that has actually OWNED one of these knives) substantiated, quantified or qualified the basis of their supposition that this knife is Over Rated OR Over Priced?

Anyone... anyone ? Or does actually having facts to back up an opinion let alone a criticism against someones product not matter on this forum.
We ALL have a right to our own opinions. What we do not have a right to is our own facts.
Does anybody have any to back up their claims that the knife is magically somehow far less than what an obvious majority believe it is?
To comprise such an obvious minority yet still believe that this knife has managed to actually fool so many people into believing that it is Not Over Priced nor Over Rated - these few people obviously have access to some very valuable information by which they formulate their contrarian beliefs.
I think they should share this wisdom with the rest of us who are obviously unenlightened.

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

You're voicing your opinion on something you are uneducated on. Sounds something like ignorance to me.

Uneducated on sebenzas? Maybe. We've all heard the .0005 tolerances line. Uneducated on knives? Not quite.

 

[Tony8179]

I think we've gotten past the overrated point and now it's distinctly about whether it's overpriced. Personally, I think it's priced right. $385.00 for a knife that has the fit and finish better than most customs out there with astounding CS is absolutely worth every penny.

 

[Tony8179]

Uneducated on sebenzas? Maybe. We've all heard the .0005 tolerances line. Uneducated on knives? Not quite.

Educated on knives while a member of Bladeforums? You don't say? Does this mean you know what you're talking about when it comes to the Sebenza? No sir, it does not. The .0005 tolerances isn't a line. It's what seperates a $200 knife from a $400 knife. You're incessant yapping is only digging your hole deeper.

 

[Brennanscott]

I wouldn't say I'm giving advice, just voicing my opinion. As I've said if someone wants to send a sebenza to me to look at I will. If I find I was wrong and feel it's worth the money I will apologize and say I was wrong.


Something along those lines. I do appreciate quality knives and other things however I don't think the increase in the perceived quality( because I've never seen one) of a sebenza would be worth the the price increase.

"perceived quality"


Maybe we'll just "perceive" that this "perceived" opinion was actually worth the time we wasted reading it.

 

[Brennanscott]

Jiggy, sorry the knife costs too much for you.

Please educate us on how a Ferrari is overpriced hype now.

 

[Tony8179]

Something along those lines. I do appreciate quality knives and other things however I don't think the increase in the perceived quality (because I've never seen one) of a sebenza would be worth the the price increase.

You've never even handled one?! I would have thought that after all of your spouting off about the knife not being worth it's price point that you would have at least handled one at some point. Wow!

 

[Thomas W]

I think we've gotten past the overrated point and now it's distinctly about whether it's overpriced. Personally, I think it's priced right. $385.00 for a knife that has the fit and finish better than most customs out there with astounding CS is absolutely worth every penny.

Has to be worth every penny.
Can't be overpriced, the years would have washed it into obscurity long ago if it was.

Sometimes we need to look past our own opinions and wallets to see the bigger picture. The picture shows the history of the Sebenza with no rivals in sight.

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

Educated on knives while a member of Bladeforums? You don't say? Does this mean you know what you're talking about when it comes to the Sebenza? No sir, it does not. The .0005 tolerances isn't a line. It's what seperates a $200 knife from a $400 knife. You're incessant yapping is only digging your hole deeper.

I didn't say I was educated on sebenzas. I'm saying I know a little bit about knives and I know when I see something that is just expensive because there's people with money to spend. The .0005 tolerances doesn't mean a thing and it sure doesn't justify the price. There are so many knives out there that are beautiful, rock solid, and no blade play which do not cost $400. You say I'm digging a hole but I feel like I'm on top of a mountain.

 

[RubiconSS]

The most basic understanding of the study of Economics answers the question of whether this knife is over priced or not. The answer is an absolutely irrefutable - NO.
You can't find them. IF you do they sell for the asking price. They sell every one they make.
I submit the debate should be is the product Under Priced. Has that happened yet?
This is a knife forum. I assume some of the members actually like knives and buy knives - Why is this rediculous debate even happening.
I have been on many forums where people of common passion create a virtual collective and share in their joy. Camaro's, Racing, Watches, Jeeps, High end audio..... NEVER have I seen such finger waiving and hand wringing over $385.00 Let alone between each other! Jokes about the spouses feelings regarding financial expenditures - Yes.
Wow.

 

[338375]

Jiggy, sorry the knife costs too much for you.

Please educate us on how a Ferrari is overpriced hype now.

Actually they are uncomfortable, finicky, and expensive to work on. A 40,000 dollar Corvette is more reliable, and performs just fine.. Especially for 99.9% of the people that drive them...

Sorry... Couldn't resist

 

[Tony8179]

I didn't say I was educated on sebenzas. I'm saying I know a little bit about knives and I know when I see something that is just expensive because there's people with money to spend. The .0005 tolerances doesn't mean a thing and it sure doesn't justify the price. There are so many knives out there that are beautiful, rock solid, and no blade play which do not cost $400. You say I'm digging a hole but I feel like I'm on top of a mountain.

Now I'm just starting to think that you're trolling.

Those other beautiful knives that are rock solid with no bladeplay? Are those also knives that you have absolutely no experience with? You should really think about expanding your horizons. I love my Spydercos, my Kershaws, and my other low to mid priced production knives too. I too collected only knives in that genre at one point, but I never hated on knives that were expensive just because they were expensive though. I'm not that ignorant.

Enjoy your imaginary and lonely mountain top.

 

[Brennanscott]

I didn't say I was educated on sebenzas. I'm saying I know a little bit about knives and I know when I see something that is just expensive because there's people with money to spend. The .0005 tolerances doesn't mean a thing and it sure doesn't justify the price. There are so many knives out there that are beautiful, rock solid, and no blade play which do not cost $400. You say I'm digging a hole but I feel like I'm on top of a mountain.

On top of a mountain of something anyway. This has to be the most uneducated stance in an argument that I have ever witnessed on BF. You have absolutely NOTHING to base your claims on...

NOTHING.