Sebenza v Griptilian

[ras]

looks kinda like a sebenza

Close, but not quite. The Sebenza has a great blade too, but the RSK is lighter and more comfortable in the hand. YMMV

One thing I prefer about the Sebenza is that it was designed to be disassembled/reassembled by the user. Benchmade doesn't even want you swapping grip panels and from what I hear won't sell you parts for field repairs.

 

[DGG]

The Sebbie is a great knife. However in a recent test of large folders posted in the British Blades Forum, the Spyderco Manix kicked the heinies of both the Sebbie and the Strider in cutting tests. You might take a look at this test. There are a number of great large folders available from very good knife makers.

One of our fellow forumites has a CRKT S-2 he wants to trade. This is a great knife with ATS34 steel, Titanium handles, etc.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403611

 

[KeithAM]

The Sebbie is a great knife. However in a recent test of large folders posted in the British Blades Forum, the Spyderco Manix kicked the heinies of both the Sebbie and the Strider in cutting tests. You might take a look at this test.

Would you please post a link to that British Blades review? I looked at it briefly but I don't recall whether all of the blades were new, whether they had been similarly sharpened, etc.

 

[ras]

http://www.britishblades.com/

 

[Daniel Moore]

Honestly, I'd feel safer using a Griptilian (or any axis lock folder) than any framelock or linerlock just because I've never been impressed by having or handling them, although I've never held one as nice as a Sebenza. I'm not interested in buying a Sebenza because of the simple fact that I haven't been able to find somewhere where my Griptilian has fallen short and where I feel like I need to spend more money. I would say that Sebenzas are as much about aesthetics, styling, and class as they are about practicality. I have a hard time believing that the lock would be stronger or the handles more ergonomic, but I have no doubt that they have extremely high build quality. Maybe a Benchmade isn't as refined, but it's a lot cheaper and I would argue more practical.

With that said, I guess I can't second the Ritter Grip suggestions because I personally prefer opening holes to thumbstuds, so I'd go with a 440C 550. If you'd rather have a thumbstud, then go for the improved steel and nicer blade shape of the Ritter Grip blade over the standard thumbstud blade. Good luck!

 

[MD13]

I think a more fair comparison in a similar price range would be a standard vs. a RSK griptilian.

I have regular grips, a full size RSK, and a sebbie. I never got the sebenza mystique until I bought mine. My view of it changed slightly(more in favor of it and justifying the high price tag), and it's one of my favorite knives. I just love the feel of it, and it hasn't left my side yet. I don't regret spending the money on it one bit.

Now, I also like my Ritter grip quite a bit, and prefer the blade shape over the standard grip. The only thin I don't like about my BM's, is the axis lock. Now don't get me wrong, the axis is super strong imo, but a major weak point for me is the omega springs. I'd rather keep it simple. Springs are just one more thing to break (Albiet, there's not many occurances of this from what I can tell) I just can't get past that fact.

For me, I like them both. They both have pros and cons. It all falls down to what you prefer. I'll bet at some point, you end up with both. Most of us usually do.

My advice, get the Ritter grip and use it. At some point in the future if you have the money, get a seb. Best part about a seb, is that you can usually get back most of your investment on the secondary market if you decide you don't like it.

 

[DaveH]

What you really need is a "Suspenza":

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375461

 

[allenC]

Now that's funny!!!

Now don't get me wrong, the axis is super strong imo, but a major weak point for me is the omega springs. I'd rather keep it simple. Springs are just one more thing to break (Albiet, there's not many occurances of this from what I can tell) I just can't get past that fact.

I have a good friend who felt the same way.
One day I asked him "If you had to go to combat tonight, what two weapons would you take?".
He replied "Glock 17 and Galil".
I asked him why he chose those particular weapons and he answered "Because they go BANG every single time".
I then said "You do know that they both rely upon springs to work, right?"
I can't repeat what he said then.

 

[powernoodle]

I find the mini Grip easier to open and close

I bought a small Sebenza, and returned it because I found it difficult to open. Had something to do with the placement of the thumb stud. I was used to the lowly Delica which opens like butter.

I still appreciate the quality of the Sebenzas, and recognize that I am in the minority on the opening issue. I'd like to get my hands on a large sebenza and give it a try.

cheers

 

[Trout Tamer]

To be honest I haven't found any noticable difference between the three yet.

I think you'd have to use your knives a lot to see a difference.

Thanks for the reply; I'm not too surprised that they're all pretty comparable.

 

[MD13]

I have a good friend who felt the same way.
One day I asked him "If you had to go to combat tonight, what two weapons would you take?".
He replied "Glock 17 and Galil".
I asked him why he chose those particular weapons and he answered "Because they go BANG every single time".
I then said "You do know that they both rely upon springs to work, right?"
I can't repeat what he said then.

Now that's funny!:thumbup:

 

[ginshun]

Axis lock is more fun to play with than the frame lock.

That said, I never liked the FRN hadles on the Grip. If I was going to get an AXIS lock, it wouldn't be a Griptilian, it would be a 710 or a 720. Possiblly one of the 940's or 920's. The ritter grip just doesn't seem like a very good deal to me. What other $100+ dollar knives can you think of that have FRN handles? Regardless of steel. When they were both available, you could buy a 710 in M2 for the same or less than a M2 Ritter grip. The 710 is a way better knife.

The grip is a fine knife, but I think there are btter choices out there. In and out of the BM lineup. The minigrip probably is the cheapest AXIS lock to if you just want one to try that, then its probably worth it, but if you are planning to spend $100 or more, i'd try something else.

All that being said, Sebenzas rock.

 

[Steven Andrews]

The 710 is a way better knife.

The 710 is a fine looking (and feeling) knife, but I wouldn't say that is is a better knife than the Ritter Grip.

The Noryl GTX scales of the Grips are frowned upon by people because they are "cheap", "hollow" and "plasticcy" but has anyone here broken a Griptilian handle?

 

[Daniel Moore]

The best part about the zytel handles is that you don't wind up with uncomfortable, boring patterns like you do with G10, and you can get a more ergonomic and durable knife for less money. No brainer

 

[SpyderJon]

The 710 is a fine looking (and feeling) knife, but I wouldn't say that is is a better knife than the Ritter Grip.

The Noryl GTX scales of the Grips are frowned upon by people because they are "cheap", "hollow" and "plasticcy" but has anyone here broken a Griptilian handle?

Cliff? You out there???

 

[Hair]

The best part about the zytel handles is that you don't wind up with uncomfortable, boring patterns like you do with G10, and you can get a more ergonomic and durable knife for less money. No brainer

Actually, you get a less comfortable and less durable knife.

G-10 is stronger and while ergonomics and feel are subjective, most prefer the better grip and less "cheap" feel of G-10.

FRN isn't bad stuff, but I much prefer G-10. It is stronger and feels far better. Many people agree.

 

[Vivi]

I've never liked the feel of FRN but it is a practical choice for knives considering cost, manufacturing ability and weight.

 

[allenC]

What other $100+ dollar knives can you think of that have FRN handles? Regardless of steel.

That might be the MSRP, but you can easily find the Griptilians for about $65.00 dollars.
Check out Newgraham knives.

There is also the performance factor to consider--I have owned a 710, a 720, and a 722, and to be totally honest the Griptilians simply cut better in my opinion.

 

[Daniel Moore]

G-10 is stronger and while ergonomics and feel are subjective, most prefer the better grip and less "cheap" feel of G-10.

I don't think the ergonomics thing is very subjective in this case- I'm not referring to the texture or feel of the material, but you can't put palm swells on G10- it's too expensive to machine. And as far as durability, every G10 knife I've owned or seen has had a lot of scuffing on the handles, whereas I've never seen any scuffing on Zytel, and I've dropped it on pavement, wood, concrete, and tile.

And, as AllenC's extreme knife testing showed:

Benchmade 722:
The knife still functions and the Axis-lock is still rock-solid (and passed the spine-whack test too).
This knife opened on one impact but not the other two.
However,the G-10 scales did'nt fare so well.
On the butt end the one scale has a sizable "chip" right at one of the nuts that hold the scales together.
And at the pivot end, that same scale has developed a split, as if two of the G-10 layers are separating.

Benchmade 556:
The Axis-lock came through with flying (literally) colors.
After all three drops, the lock works fine.
OTOH, the handles did suffered some damage.
Scuffs all over the edges at the butt and pivot ends.
And a small split occured at the pivot end on one side right above the liner.
The back of the handle is also separating and, with the blade open, light can be seen through the back of the handle.
But the knife is still 100% functional and passed the spine-whack-test.

 

[shark tooth]

I've carried alot of upper end BM, although they are all very nice I would never give up my sebenza. I have a alot of knives, but I always seem to grab my sebenza for daily use. I fing it's worth every pennie.