Sebenza, Sng, and Xm-18 still the trio to get?

O

olanda2

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Dec 12, 2016
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I got out of the knife hobby for a little while. While I was in the thick of it, benchmades weren't overpriced and hinderers were going upwards of 700 dollars. I remember knowing I wanted to own a sebenza, an sng, and an xm-18. Those were in my mind, the top knives to get in that higher end production knife price range. Have things changed?
 
The more things change...
Here we go> Spyderco, SnG and a back-up CQC7.
I love the Sebenza but not enough to get another. The Hinderer just doesn't do it, for me.
rolf
 
That ship has sailed... I'll sum up the previous 5 years in a nutshell.
Hinderer: Once the market got flooded and the masses realized the XM was a "Flipper" that doesn't actually flip they tanked. They sell for between $275-$350 on the exchange now.

Strider: Although they've mostly worked out the lock rock and stick issues Mick Strider is still a jag off. Most choose not to support the liar.

Crk: Chris no longer owns the company. Chris and Anne divorced and the company is now run by Anne and her son Tim. They are still tried and true without caving in to the "what's hot" fads of today.


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I would definetely still call CRK as being one of the knives most strive for. It's one of those brands that's been going strong and very consistent for years and years and they aren't showing any signs to give me any indication that will change anytime soon. Their quality and excellent customer service is extremely consistent which is what helps keep them on top.

As for Strider I don't see those as being part of anything special now. Strider seems to be fading pretty quickly as competition grows around them offering similar products in that "overbuilt" category. They used to be in a league of their own but now with companies like Medford and others coming into that big heavy folding knife market, people just don't seem to chatter about them as much now a days.

Hinderer seems to be one of those knives that everyone has to try at some point, but few are impressed and hang onto them. The prices have settled and will probably continue to drop just a bit more because of piss poor quality control and the hype being pretty much over. You can only make a bad product for so long and have people pay too much because of your name.
 
I agree with wtlj and mjpgolf1. I've had multiples of all 3 and have none of any of them now. I'd actually suggest starting at square one again and checking out what's available. Then deciding which ones you're interested in trying based on what you like and what your cutting needs are.
 
I would say yes with the XM-18. If you look around there are some extremely popular XM-18 threads. Rick Hinderer has improved the flipping action and they're now running about $425 -$465 new. I have no experience with the other 2 knives, but I would say the Sebenza also is still high regarded from reading comments/threads about them. But, I would say Zero Tolerance has become the one of the favorite higher end production companies. Great materials, good QC, for what you get great pricing.
 
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I if I were going with my current top 3 brands right now in terms of quality, consistency, and availability -
1-Chris Reeve
2- Zero Tolerance (Kershaw)
3- Olamic

Olamic is still building up thier brand, but I've been very impressed with the pieces that pass through my hands. I've had good and not-so-good examples of Hinderer and Strider in the past year.

All this is just IMHO.
 
Why people always complain about BM is overpriced while they buy Hinderer or Sebenza for $500?
 
I still love the three, but search out discontinued XM-18 non flippers rather than the flippers he makes today. Of the other 2 the SnG is just a great design IMO and certainly at the top of my knife picks and the Sebenza is an excellently made EDC. There may be new comers, but I have stuck mainly with them. It should be noted that I am not the most open person to change ,especially when I find something that works, and not a fan of flippers.
2 SnG's
1 3" xm-18 non flipper
10 Sebenza's small & Large, Regular, Classic MM & 21's
Make up the bulk of my knives
 
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ourgon said:
Why people always complain about BM is overpriced while they buy Hinderer or Sebenza for $500?
Click to expand...

You can buy a Sebenza for much less than $500 but I'll play along here. one example of "overpriced" is the secondary resale market. Look at what a LNIB Sebenza sells for vs what a LNIB Benchmade sells for. The Sebenza will retain most of its value while Benchmades drop dramatically. That right there is just one reason why folks think Benchmade is overpriced. Not to mention the cheap plastic scales they put on knives costing more than $100, the horrible quality control (blade play, off center blades, screws poking thru the inside of the scales on knives costing $200+) just to name a few. They do make some nice knives and I've owned lots of Benchmades over the years. However companies like Spyderco and others are putting out knives with superior materials with excellent quality control at a more competitive price which raises the bar and brings attention to those companies who aren't keeping up.
 
CRK is still great. My only complaint is the new packaging. Bulky for no real reason. I currently have 3 CRK knives.

Strider seems much more interested in making high priced customs these days. I'm continually surprised they put out so little production supply. I currently have 3 Strider knives.

Hinderer is still great . . . and arguably greater. The increased production capability has translated into more supply, much lower prices, and frequent new models and variants. I have observed no reduction in quality, and most people appreciate the stronger detents. Hinderer changes have been quite positive and I think keeps them solidly in the top 3. I currently have 6 RHK knives.
 
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ourgon said:
Why people always complain about BM is overpriced while they buy Hinderer or Sebenza for $500?
Click to expand...
Benchmades that are actually something other than steel liner G10 construction aren't much cheaper than a Hinderer or Chris Reeve. Just look at the price of an Anthem.
 
CRK and Hinderer, yes. If you dare to venture into that price range, everyone should try at least one of each to see if it's for you. As far as Strider goes, I've never owned one...probably never will. They just look hideous to me, and I've heard many times over that Mick is a pice of work.
 
wtlj said:
You can't compare an apple with an orange.
Click to expand...

Google Sekai Ichi Apples. ;)

IMO any American knife brand now is overpriced, not only Benchmade.

Sebenza is very nice knife but even $450 for it is a lot of money. Because fit and finish? I've $30 flipper finished better than many USA made knives I've or I had. The more I experience the less I want new knives from USA for such $$$.
 
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ourgon said:
Google Sekai Ichi Apples. ;)

IMO any American knife brand now is overpriced, not only Benchmade.

Sebenza is very nice knife but even $450 for it is a lot of money.
Click to expand...

They sure don't have a problem selling them. [emoji38]
We as buyers set the prices anyway. The makers set the prices at what the market will pay.
 
The improvements made to the heat treat of the Sebenza's S35-VN, the tang cut angle of the SnG, and the detent of the XM18 are very important in the functionality of these knives, and address each of the knives' most significant shortcoming. In my view, all three knives currently represent excellent choices in 2017 for daily carry and use.
 
I've never believed in that "you have to own this knife" buzz. If it doesn't suit your budget or needs, then no, you don't.

The ability for just about anyone that can run CAD and afford a Haas machine can start making mid-tech titanium knives now.
What makes one knife better than the other? Materials? Couldn't be, as most of these companies use Titanium and S35VN. While S35VN is a great steel, you can get very high quality knives in Titanium in M4, M390, etc for less, sometimes far less (ZT, WE, Rike, Reate, etc). Once you get to the point where you are paying $500 for a knife, you aren't buying it because it's a superior knife, but either for exclusivity, to be part of "the club" or maybe an appreciation for the engineering and/or the design. Let's be honest, a $80 Cold Steel or $200 ZT can do everything a that a $500 XM18, SnG or Sebenza does, and sometimes better.

All that being said, these designs are known and copied for a reason, whether it's the detail to precision (CRK), being a "tough guy" (XM/SnG), a major design innovation (Ti Frame Lock, Flipper, durability to weight ratio, etc).. they have all give reason for all the attention. If these guys want to stay at the top, they need to do it with customer service and quality, because the market is filled with competition.

For me, I do care for CRK's. I love the precision behind the knife and the overall classic and simplistic nature of the knife. Hinderer knives have never really done anything for me, especially since ZT has arrived. Striders, not sure.. I'd like to check one out but have never pulled the trigger.

Thanks just my take, not that it's right, just my perspective.
 
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