Sebenza Question

boobar

boobar

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
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My question is about the utility functionality differences between the large and small Sebbie. I have a large Sebbie right now and I love it but lately I have been getting a lot of funny looks at work and from my friends because I carry such a large knife. I look at it and it is big but it is not that big. I don’t use the knife for any heavy-duty cutting; mostly paper, opening packages, and mostly I just can’t stand to be without a knife in my pocket. My question is will the small Sebbie be just as a good utility folder as the large and how much difference is there in sizes? I love the size of the large but I think that I need a knife that doesn’t make people gasp when I pull it out for a cutting chore. Any input you can give would be a great help. Thanks
 
boobar, I'm thinking of getting a small for the exact same reason.

You can find the specs here:

http://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenza.html

The small has the same thickness in blade, slightly thinner handles and a .625" shorter blade and a .750" shorter handle.

I'm sure it can do the task that the large can do, just keep in mind the slightly shorter blade and handle.

I've seen many posts of people who found the large too large, and switched to the small as an EDC.
 
I found the large Sebenza just right, not too large at all, but when I got a small, I immediately began carrying that instead. It is just enough lighter and shorter to be almost completely unobtrusive. Except for carving roasts or slicing large loaves of bread, it is big enough for ordinary, everyday tasks. In fact, opening taped boxes or cellophane packages, for example, is much easier with a smaller knife -- so I often use a tiny neck knife for that, anyway! :)
 
It sounds like you are in an urban environment with light cutting chores day to day and also have a concern with how folks at work perceive the large Seb.

I made the switch one more run down the CRK ladder. My small Seb still goes with me on weekends or when I might need it's cutting capability. But, my EDC to work is now an Mnandi (was an Umfann) until a couple of months ago).

It took me a while to warm to the Mnandi; but, it has won me over. When I use it at work, the non-knife peopele seem to regard it as just a pocket knife rather than a weapon.

The Mnandi is not a Seb; but it's one sturdy little knife that's built like Seb.
 
Damn Sheeple!!!!!
sheeple.gif


Good thing you didn't pull out a Camillus/Darrel Ralph Aftermath!!!

5.5 inches of D2 steel, 12 inches total length.

Sorry I can't answer your question, as I never handled a small Sebbie, but I think it would be too small for me.

cu2562.jpg
 
I currently own two regular small Sebbies and I am convinced that they are all I really require for normal EDC cutting chores. Although I've never owned a large Sebbie I have held several and they are just too big (IMHO)for EDC in an urban environment. Don't get me wrong, they are awesome instruments and certainly have their place but I doubt that the average person "really" needs them for day to day cutting needs. Again this is only my opinion, I'm not trying to p!ss anyone off.
 
Far be it from me to tell you not to get another knife...

But I think you should'nt get a smaller knife because of what the sheeple think. If we can be made to carry smaller knives becuase of what "sheeple" think, then are we anything more than "sheeple" ourselves?, giving way becuase we fear to be looked on as different...
-Kevin
 
I think for your stated purposes the small will be perfect. I find the large is a little more capable for food prep and weekend use. You also might want to consider the Mnandi. For about the same price as a small you can get a classy gentlemens folder. The blade is a little smaller than the small Sebenza but don't let it's size fool you, it is a heavy duty cutter.
 
Don't give in to the sheeple... as long as it's legal to carryt a 3.6 inch blade where you live/work, I say go for it. After carrying my Bm 806D2 as my edc for probably 6 months, my old kershaw avalanche (about 3.4 inch blade) feels downright small. I've never handled a Sebenza, but I definitely don't feel that it looks particulary big or intimidating in the pics I've seen. A Sebenza definitely doesn't look like the so-called "tactical folder" that scares the sheeple most, so I would stick with the large sebbie if I were you. Get it out of your mind that you're carrying a large knife, because you're not.
 
Scott or someone else would it be possible for you to post a picture of the large and small Sebbies beside the Mnandi and the Umfaan? I think I saw a similar pic on the CRK Forum and it seemed to be very helpful for folks to see them all side by side.
 
The small Sebbie should be more than enough knife for EDC. I have both the regular and classic and love one just as much as the other.

Paul
 
Why carry just one? There is hardly a day that I don't carry at least two sebs! The beauty of these knives is that they are easy to carry.I'm fortunate enough to own dozens of custom made folders but my choice for edc is still a lg and sm seb.
 
I carry a small for my EDC and find it the perfect size. I've tried larger and smaller knives and have found that something with an approximately 3" blade is perfect for an EDC for my needs. I carry either a small Sebenza or a Dozier Straight Personal which are both about the same size with the Sebenza opened. I've never tried the large, but I don't think I would find it any more usual for my daily tasks then the small. I also really appreciate how easily carried the small is. I don't get any strange looks at all when I pull it out either.
 
I started with a small reg, thinking the large reg was too big. Then I traded for the large reg and loved it for a day, and then decided it was too big for EDC, so I traded for a small classic wich is now my edc and I love it! I wish I could afford to own both...
One will never do better than a Sebenza!
 
They'll get used to your large Sebbie, my coworkers did. I give them a rest now and then by carrying the slightly smaller J.W. Smith mini-Scimitar (3" blade).
A lot of it is in the presentation. If it's one of those "let me cut that for you" situations, it's best not to execute your fastest pocket draw and thumb sweep. :)
Once I even opened slipjoint style. The only problem is, people come and get you instead of ripping a box open with their keys, etc. :)
 
Thanks for all your great advise. I hate to carry something else, I really love my Sebbie.

I was at a party last weekend and a buddy of mine ask me what I had clipped in my pocket, I answered that it was a knife and I showed it to him. He thought that it was too big to carry and asked me what I paid for it, I told him and he said "why would you pay that much for a knife", I said "you want the best you got to pay for the best." He just laughed and said that that was a lot for a knife, I preceeded to tell him what an Onion or a Mayo would cost him and he dropped his beer, that made me laugh.
 
I agree with jhokie, don't give in just because people are being stupid. If you think you would prefer the small, then by all means, go for it, but otherwise stick with the small and tell them to go shove their narrow minded opinion. Well, don't actually do that, but keep using your Seb until they get used to it. JMO. BTW, great choice, Sebs are awesome, I wish I could afford one.
 
For me, the Small and the Large Sebenza are both able to do the same tasks. I just have a better grip with the longer Large handle, so I use it for hard works (in the field per example). The Small is effectively more discreet : the relevant knife for urban EDC !!!
 
I'm a very lucky guy in that here in KY where I live people don't mind what you carry as they don't consider it a weapon just a tool!
I'll stay here in the country!
 
I hae a few CRK one-pieces, also. I keep the 12" blade Sable on display but I use the 4" Sable III in the kitchen. Bigger is not always better, and in neither case do I care who's watching. The small Sebenza is not to placate sheeple. It is more convenient to carry and use. Of course in any area where the law involved makes a larger knife a problem, it doesn't hurt to keep out of jail. :p
 
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