Recommendation? Sebenza "Replacement"?

[J.G]

Thank you everyone for your recommendations, I'll take a look at each an every one of them...Well, half of them are the SHF 3.25 so I know which one comes first lol

 

[J.G]

Well, back in January @zippifish (post just above) sold me a Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 with M4 blade and aftermarket micarta scales. It's a great knife and would, imho, be a very nice replacement for a Sebenza at a fraction of the price.

Here's a picture of it taken with two Sebenza 31s:

View attachment 2236893

Although I was aware of the GB2, I hadn't realized how close it was to the regular sebenza. How does it feel in the hand? I always thought the oversized liners would be uncomfortable but maybe I was wrong

 

[Kettleman]

My favorite non Sebenza at the moment is the Spartan SHF 3.25. Retail is right around $400 but pre-owned ones seem to go for quite a bit less.

View attachment 2236865

Ive heard this from several people.

 

[Blues]

Although I was aware of the GB2, I hadn't realized how close it was to the regular sebenza. How does it feel in the hand? I always thought the oversized liners would be uncomfortable but maybe I was wrong

It feels great with the aftermarket scales. I've never put the OEM scales on. (I have heard the complaint about the liners in the past.)

 

[LimpCroissant]

It depends how picky you are. Now that you've experienced a Sebenza, and if you're somebody who pays close attention to fit and finish and all the perfectly smooth and even chamfers and what not, it's hard to find another knife with the same level. I've had many a knife and really the only two that I can say are in the same boat (speaking fit and finish here, there are a ton of super amazing other knives, but just fit and finish) are #1 the Arno Bernard Imamba, and the Spartan SHF. The iMamba fits inside the blade size that you mentioned. It's pretty much equal in being legendary next to the Sebenza in my vision. The SHF is also an amazing knife. Their fit and finish is also really damn good, and you might be able to get a used one with one of their cool engravings for around the price you mentioned. I do wish that there was a "medium" sized SHF though, because it feels like a rather large difference in size between the 3.25 and full size. That's another beautiful thing about the iMamba, is people have been wanting a "medium sized Sebenza forever and the Imamba ticks that size constraint.

 

[Blade Lab]

I'd second the iMamba, and also throw in the Les George ESV if you want to stick with an American make with tank-like build.

 

[TC]

I've never had one in hand, but I really like the look of some of the Monterey Bay Knives models... (Ray Laconico designs)

 

[woodysone]

I’ll put thirds on the iMamba, it makes a great alternative for Sebenza, although the high polish makes it kind of hard to cut up cardboard

 

[Therom]

The spartan SHF 3.25 is IMO one of the best small sebenza replacement

If you can find one second hand, I like the Hinderer xm18 3” non flipper

The quiet carry waypoint looks like a good alternative too

 

[ShitsInaBush]

As much as I want an A.B Imamba with blue bone inlays, his knives look way too much like Chris Reeve. If knives were humans the Imamba would be a cousin to the Sebenza.

 

[pholder]

Well, back in January @zippifish (post just above) sold me a Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 with M4 blade and aftermarket micarta scales. It's a great knife and would, imho, be a very nice replacement for a Sebenza at a fraction of the price.

Here's a picture of it taken with two Sebenza 31s:

View attachment 2236893

This

 

[pholder]

Arno Bernard iMamba

Yes sir, this right here if you want the fit and finish, bigger than the small Sebenza, smaller than the big Sebenza. Just right

 

[pholder]

Although I was aware of the GB2, I hadn't realized how close it was to the regular sebenza. How does it feel in the hand? I always thought the oversized liners would be uncomfortable but maybe I was wrong

Very comfortable, you won’t notice the proud liners

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I’m a vote for the iMamba as well…although kinda biased.
I love the GB2 as well. Lot’s of good options posted in this thread.

To add, I have tried to like the SHF from Spartan 2 times now…it just doesn’t work for me. They look sexy as anything…don’t get me wrong…just neither size feels comfortable to me in hand.

Do I need to try for a third time??!!

Good luck in your search!
(i-mam-ba, i-mam-ba!) haha

 

[SVTFreak]

I’m gonna go different. I have a CF and s90v bugout that I like a lot. Different enough to give a different feeling when carrying but still a great knife. But it’s no sebenza im feeling.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Hard to go wrong with the GB2.

 

[K.O.D.]

I haven't held a GB2, but I've had my GB1, well it will be 10 years in August. It was my first Spyderco and the first knife I bought upon joining bladeforums. It's my weekend handle anything knife, and it's been through a lot. It's scratched up good, CPM-M4 takes a wicked edge and holds it a good long time

I actually carried it today.

I don't like thumbstuds, and sold all but one of my thumbstud only knives. That would be the Southern Grind Spider Monkey, though I am contemplating selling it.

 

[WedgeAntilles]

Zt 0470 is a great little knife. Slicey, and feels like a medium sebenza as a flipper. Premium steel too.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Here's another recommendation if you want to try something a little more away from the norm. It's an A.G. Russell Acies 2, titanium framelock with ZDP-189 blade. Kershaw/ZT made them for AG, they're pretty awesome. Looks like there are 2 versions, this one is the USA made version, then there is another version made in Taiwan. I've never handled the Taiwanese version so I don't know how it compares, I'd imagine it's pretty similar, however this american made version is really pretty dang nice.

 

[Lenny]

I'll switch it up a little bit.
How about the Vero Engineering Synapse.
I absolutely love mine.
Very high quality, exceptional fit and finish, amazing low profile flipper tab, M390 Steel, and super smooth action.