Sebenza style knives?

J

jeffreyliu838

Joined
Oct 7, 2007
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332
I really like the look of the Sebenza, but I seriously can't justify 400 bucks for a knife, especially a folder, so I've decided to go for a Sebenza rip off (sorry...). Are there any suggestions? Thanks.
 
What actually is your price range?

You can get a Bill Dance seb ripoff for $6 or a Buck Mayo TNT for @ $150
 
There's a lot of nice titanium framelocks out there but you won't win friends around here talking about wanting a ripoff. :)
 
AR fan said:
Bradley Alias II, Mini Skirmish?
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Those are two good ones. High quality, good blade steel, and have the same understated looks of the Sebenza for a fraction of the price.

The SOG Twitch II, although a different animal (assisted opening, lock back, aluminum scales) has the same look. A good EDC IMHO.
 
I wanted a Seb for a long time, have fifteen or twenty BM's... I bought the mini Skirmish as a nice substitute, and have fallen in love with the thing - so much so that I am looking again for a Seb for variety and am willing to give three of my BM's for one.

It's a slippery slope. The titanium open frame and good steel in the Skirmish, Aliases, etc will get you...

Here is a pic of my skirmish with a Novatac 120T light, these guys have become the kings of my EDC rotation:

Novatac_skirmish_450.jpg
 
The Bill Dance one looks like the Sebenza, if my memory serves. I'd say it probably cuts as well for a while. It costs like $6.00. You could probably get 40 or 60 of them for the price of one Sebenza. You could have them all over your house and in your car and pockets and out of 50 or so, you'd probably have a few that would be nearly as tightly built and last as long.

ps, I can't find an image. I think I say it in a BPS sale mailout. Maybe they quit making them, which would be a good thing.

If you could afford it, get the real thing.
 
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cockroachfarm said:
(In the watch forum I belong to, a "rip-off" is politely referred to as an "homage". ....)
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To me, a true homage is an also-pricey, high-quality piece that takes it's design cues from a great original. Not quite as slimy as a rip-off! :p
 
It's fairly apparent that anyone who buys a Bill Dance Outdoors knife isn't going to be taking any money out of Chris Reeve's pocket. In fact, after they realize that they like the knife's style, but not the cheap construction, they may decide to get a real Sebenza.

Sebenzas aren't tactical knives; they're simply elegant little pocket knives. One poster here recently complained that the large Sebenza had a handle that was perfect, but that the blade was larger than he needed or wanted. I've personally never understood how a knife as small as the "large" Sebenza could have a blade that was too much for someone, but each person has their own likes and dislikes.

I've known people who have real Rolexes, but they wear immitation Rolexes because they fear the real one will be stolen. And there have been women who have worn imitation jewelry because they keep their originals in a safe. I'm not suggesting that Sebenzas quite fit that category, but I do understand someone liking the basic design but not being able or willing to buy the real thing.

A more practical knife is one I've developed quite a liking for, and that's the discontinued CRKT S-2 in two sizes. I like the one with the 4-inch blade.


FRBD107.jpg


Bill Dance Outdoors, by Frost Cutlery, is an inexpensive
lookalike.


doukcoldsteel.gif


The Cold Steel Pocket Bushman also is similar in overall
design, but it retails for about thirty bucks.


CRKTS-2_1.jpg


The CRKT S-2, which features a very nice titanium frame.


CRKTS-2_Sm.jpg


CRKT S-2, large.
 
The closest "homage" knife I know is a Vtech 13100 from New Graham. It is not S30V, not titanium, not a framelock, and not $400. Almost any "homage," "ripoff," or blatant copy I've bought - authorized or not - is not anything like the original except in looks.

The material differences are just that - S30V doesn't dull or need sharpening like most 400 steels, a titanium handle doesn't grip, scratch or handle like ano aluminum or FRN, a framelock isn't as prone to malfunction like poorly designed linerlocks. The only thing you get from a lookalike are the looks, and sometimes, the ergonomics. You don't get the actual performance.

A kit nose on a VW doesn't make it a Rolls. A Sebenza is a lot more than it's looks.

Did I just say something nice about a Sebenza?
 
I highly recommend the Buck/Mayo TNT, or if you're looking for something a bit smaller, the Buck/Mayo Waimea. Lightweight titanium framelock handles and an S30V blade with the great Paul Bos heat treat. I have both the TNT and Waimea and they end up in my pocket more often than my small inlaid classic Sebenza does.

bu172.jpg
bu171.jpg
 
I looked for the Vtech 13100, but can't find it.

The reason I want a "homage" (I like this word :)) is because I don't want to care if I damage it while EDC'ing it. A knife, for me, is a hard use item. No matter how good a sebenza is, it will end up receiving damage.

What I'm looking for isn't a good titanium framelock folder. I'm looking for a Sebenza homage. I'm really just caring about the looks. Of course, I want quality and reliability, but for this EDC, looks come first.

I guess my budget is like...20 bucks? Just a number I threw out. If there's a good Sebenza homage, I wouldn't mind paying more for it. Definitely not over 100 though.
 
I don't understand the "can't justify the expense, ESPECIALLY for a folder" idea.
I can spend $79 and get a Scrapyard that will take anything I can give it. Folders are much more complicated and it costs money to make a good one. I carry a Sebenza every day and don't hold back when a job needs to be done. It's not jewellery, it's a quality tool, simple as that.

When I bought my Seb I was a little scared to carry it at first, or to use it fully, but I got over how much I paid for it when I realized how good it was, and what was the point of having it if I didn't use it as much as possible.
 
tapedeck74 said:
I don't understand the "can't justify the expense, ESPECIALLY for a folder" idea.
I can spend $79 and get a Scrapyard that will take anything I can give it. Folders are much more complicated and it costs money to make a good one. I carry a Sebenza every day and don't hold back when a job needs to be done. It's not jewellery, it's a quality tool, simple as that.

When I bought my Seb I was a little scared to carry it at first, or to use it fully, but I got over how much I paid for it when I realized how good it was, and what was the point of having it if I didn't use it as much as possible.
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My point is a 100 dollar knife will do the job just as well as a sebenza well, but under heavy abuse, both knives will break. I'd rather break 100 bucks than 400.
 
All I can say is that if you bought a real Sebenza I'm pretty sure you would love it and use it. They are meant to be used. I bought a couple "homages" and cheap look-a-likes and was never happy with them. Get the real thing.

Also the Bradley Alias are sort of knockoffs but they are very high quality and built with care so i don't fault them for looking similar. They are a good choice as well.
 
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