Sebenza tough?

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PoundHound

Joined
Jul 13, 2007
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Hey, how's it goin'?

So....due to location, i cannot see or handle a small Sebenza before purchasing...they look awesome and i hear pretty much nothing but good things about them...so my question to you all is how tough for edc is a small Sebenza?:confused:

I am definately a stickler for good fit n' finish (which i know these knives are known for), but i want an edc that is able to handle anything i throw at it, maybe even b.o.b. worthy...

The only other folder i am presently considering is a Strider Pt or Sng. (Smf looks a little to big for edc...)

I am NOT looking to start a war here:o; i am just looking for a tough, reliable edc.

...and how important is pivot screw size in all of this?

Thanks in advance.
 
Funny you shoud ask. This evening we went out for dinner, and I was carrying my small decorated Sebenza. As we were driving home, we passed a stand of Bamboo in a vacant, for sale, trailer park. Well I've been thinking of growing some bamboo for poles and whatnot. (we've got twelve acres, always wanted a stand of bamboo) Bamboo is actually a grass and grows on really thick underground runners. I found the end of one and pulled up about three feet, and since it was the knife I brought, I hacked through the thick runner. Then I decide I needed a couple of the larger diameter poles for projects. (2 inch diameter or so) Yes, my hand was sore after I cut them, (A Machete would have been ideal) but the 'benza is no worse for wear... just due for a cleaning after cutting roots. Some people use 'em. Later Ray
 
hmm, my feeling is if a seb can't handle it, you need a fixed blade anyway.

I also don't think pivot size matter that much in the real world. Having owned a Strider PT, it's a sturdy feeling knife for sure, so if you like that one, I think it would be fine too.
 
"Tough" is not something I really associate with folders, regardless of lineage. Makes a little more sense to use a knife that "don't come from the maker broke" (a fixed blade) if you want tough.

That said, the Strider and Reeve products are certainly stout as folders go. IMO, the Striders are a little sturdier and the Reeves are more practically usable.

I'll put it this way: If you need a tougher EDC folder than a Sebenza, you need a fixed blade. Anything you gain in toughness over the 'Benza is likely to be lost in utility. Of course this is just my opinion, and YMMV.

As far as fit quality goes, the Sebenzas I've seen have all been better than the Striders I've seen. Reeve is just very, very good with that. Once you get used to the lock-up of a Sebenza, ANY sort of blade play at all is just simply not acceptable – period.
 
You really can't make a bad choice here. I own both the small Sebenza and the PT. The PT is the clear winner for toughness, but I do agree that the Sebbie will handle most anything you can throw at it.
 
PoundHound said:
Hey, how's it goin'?

So....due to location, i cannot see or handle a small Sebenza before purchasing...they look awesome and i hear pretty much nothing but good things about them...so my question to you all is how tough for edc is a small Sebenza?:confused:

I am definately a stickler for good fit n' finish (which i know these knives are known for), but i want an edc that is able to handle anything i throw at it, maybe even b.o.b. worthy...

The only other folder i am presently considering is a Strider Pt or Sng. (Smf looks a little to big for edc...)

I am NOT looking to start a war here:o; i am just looking for a tough, reliable edc.

...and how important is pivot screw size in all of this?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I have an SnG & 2 sebenzas and for fit/finish I like the CR best. BTW, have you ever tried to get a hold of anyone at Strider? ... good luck.
 
The knife is lighter on the CRK and I like the blade geometry better. Light is nice when you are talking about an EDC. The fit and finish lasts indefinitely and the folks at CRK are good people...I don't know too much about Strider. The Sebenza will take anything you can throw at it, yet it has a 'cute' look that doesn't scare too many people. I dare say a CRK will stand side by side with a Strider.
 
People always say if you want a tough knife go for Strider but the way I see it is the Sebenza should be able to handle anything you throw at it except for prying. You'd probably only lose the nice pointy tip as the Seb is built pretty tough for its size but I wouldn't risk it. F&F on the Sebenza is higher but if you really want the Strider I like the PT-CC over the regular model as it feels more refined and is more comfortable to hold.
 
tsiloics said:
"Tough" is not something I really associate with folders, regardless of lineage. Makes a little more sense to use a knife that "don't come from the maker broke" (a fixed blade) if you want tough.

That said, the Strider and Reeve products are certainly stout as folders go. IMO, the Striders are a little sturdier and the Reeves are more practically usable.

I'll put it this way: If you need a tougher EDC folder than a Sebenza, you need a fixed blade. Anything you gain in toughness over the 'Benza is likely to be lost in utility. Of course this is just my opinion, and YMMV.

As far as fit quality goes, the Sebenzas I've seen have all been better than the Striders I've seen. Reeve is just very, very good with that. Once you get used to the lock-up of a Sebenza, ANY sort of blade play at all is just simply not acceptable – period.
Click to expand...

Couldn't say it any better.
 
From my personal experience, I haven't done anything with a knife that any one of my Sebenza (I have 3) couldn't handle. They've gone from campsite to trail to warehouse to home and garden work and they've never had a problem doing whatever I needed to do.

Folders are all I use any more... don't carry a FB at all. I still hike, camp, and do the same kinds of warehouse stuff I've done for many years and my Sebbies and Spydercos have always held up well... even after being dropped onto a concrete warehouse floor from 10 feet or so up in the racks.

I've never had a Strider so I can't speak about them, but I don't think a Sebenza will let you down if a folder is what you want to carry.
 
A simple design, limited in parts with no bells and whistles. This is a winning design no matter what area of production you look into. Survival of the fittest is the idea of the Sebenza. I've been down the Strider and custom path several times in my life and not many knives can stand up to a CRK product in a consistent way. Hope this helps and report back when you decide.
 
I agree, the simplest machine is always the strongest. The Sebenza is testament to this.
With most folding knives, you only have to look them over once or twice before you can point out one or two significant structural liabilities; someplace where the metal is too thin, or a rivet too soft - whatever. You know some some knives are still made with skeletonized liner locks? Yeesh.
This is not so with the Sebenza. It's an elegantly simple piece of machinery; rife with subtle innovations, but fundamentally still just a very basic cutting tool. This is its greatest strength.
 
Toughness is easy to vouch for. Holding one is what is amazing and sometimes difficult. Many dealers have a policy that would allow you to order one and return it if it is not for you. I am certain you would not return it!!
 
Thanks for all the info, i appreciate it!:)
So which blade design has tougher tip strength would you say, or is there even a difference in performance between the classic or regular models?:confused:
 
I fall into the camp of actually using both my large and small sebanza. I have used both for tough jobs but not abused them. They have never failed to perform perfectly with no blade or tip deformation or chipping.
A Sebenza looks best with scratches on the handle afterall!!!
 
PoundHound said:
Thanks for all the info, i appreciate it!:)
So which blade design has tougher tip strength would you say, or is there even a difference in performance between the classic or regular models?:confused:
Click to expand...

Tip strength for what, prying? It's a utility knife, not a prybar. As for the classic and regular, there is a slight difference in blade profile. Blade thickness and grind are essentially the same.
 
Tip Strength?

Neither, get the limited edition Tanto, or buy a strdier.
 
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