Sebenza vs Custom

Unless you abuse your blades and need something very tough, I personally think money is better spent in a custom. I nearly bought a Fehrman knife when I realized I could have a rather nice custom Bowie in 5160 steel with a differential temper for about the same price. It's not quite as wear resistant as the Fehrman, but I can sharpen it on a rock in the field. And the fiery/curly maple handle and blued/heat colored bowie blade give it a much more aesthetically pleasing aspect. Since then I stopped buying knives and started to make my own Bowies, too, I was so inspired.

WYK
 
How long does it take to have a firetac made? Are there places online with these knives in stock. Sounds like a great knife, certainly worth looking into.
 
I think the lag time on my last one was around 4 months. I very seldomly see them for sale on the net but it seems like steeladdictionknives.com might have one still. They go pretty fast when available.

oily

Just checked Steel Addiction, they have a Hinderer prototype right now but no FireTacs. I'll look around some more and see if I can't find one for sale.
 
I gotta agree with everyone here. The Sebenza is simply an outstanding knife and you just can't go wrong with one....however I currently carry nothing but my Firetac. This knife is one of the only customs I have seen that matches the Sebenza for and fit and finish quality (other being JWS) and I actually like some of the design elements more. Price wise it is right in there and Rick couldn't be a nicer guy to deal with.
 
I love my Sebbies, but for $450 I would go custom. You can get into an R.J. Martin for that price range.
 
I love Sebenzas, but if we're talking about the $500 range, well, you can get a Mayo TNT directly from the man himself for about that amount. Sure, you need to be on your toes, because he doesn't post them often, but it can be done.
 
question for owners of both -- who does better F&F, RJ martin or rick hinderer? i'm asking about bottom line quality of workmanship & attention to the most minute details. thanks in advance.
 
Garlic said:
question for owners of both -- who does better F&F, RJ martin or rick hinderer? i'm asking about bottom line quality of workmanship & attention to the most minute details. thanks in advance.
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Flip a coin. You can't go wrong with either. Seriously.
 
This is a toughie. I have the two Hinderer Firetac Extremes and a Martin Devastator. They all have good points and no bad points! I feel comfortable with either one. The Martin knives are wider, due to the overlays. The Martin knife is also smoother to open....not by much, but smoother due to the bearing system it rolls on. When you start looking, the handles on both are similar with the downward curving back strap. The grip is more handfilling on the Martin due to its wideness and the finger grooves........which make the devastator a PLEASURE to grip! RJ Martin puts an edge on a knife like no one else can, the Devastator is the sharpest custom knife I think I've ever received. This is a big and sturdy folder made to take what you dish out!

The Extremes are better finished with the inlaid G10 and CF, and the texturing on the scales. When you hold one of these you KNOW you are holding a solid knife. Rick also gives you the option of tip down or tip up carry. The way the edges are rounded on the titanium frame and the way the grip is shaped at the bottom makes this one a pleasure to hold also. What amazes me is that you get this level of fit and finish for $100 to $150 LESS than the Devastator!! You'll just have to try and find someway to check out a Firetac to see what I mean. It is a refined piece of cutlery that is as every bit as tough as the Devastator.

My $.02 worth!! :D :D :D
 
Just got my first Martin today and I agree that it's a toss up. The model I got is a Contender with extra glow in the dark overlays and it seems like a very nice, well built knife that's maybe just a touch bigger than a small Sebbie. I really like it's size and looks for wearing with dress pants.
I also sent Rick an email last night about a flipper Flashover with a Tanto tip. They also look like they'd be good in dress pants situations which is just about every day for me. Shouldn't scare anyone either. I want.. I want... I WANT... :D

later,

oily
 
I own customs, I own Sebanzas....I switch carry off on all of them and am just as happy with the customs as with the Sebenza, I am more inclined to use the Sebenza hard though since it easier to replace.
 
art - it's tough to believe they both are equal in terms of execution, but i'll put my faith in your judgement. i guess i'll have to save up (or earn up) for BOTH.
 
Great....now I gotta save up for something at the NYC Show before I leave for college....(RJ Martin's folders are SMOOTHER than glass)
 
Another custom knife to look at is the Lochsa by Scott Cook.

Scott was making sebenza shaped fixed blades before the sebenza existed. He later worked for Chris Reeve as the foreman and ground most of the sebenza blades.

I think of the Lochsa as the sebenza taken to a new level. The Lochsa also redefined the term "Integral" for folding knives.
 
Garlic said:
question for owners of both -- who does better F&F, RJ martin or rick hinderer? i'm asking about bottom line quality of workmanship & attention to the most minute details. thanks in advance.
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The R. J. Martin knives are nice. If you are concerned with “bottom line quality of workmanship & attention to the most minute details”, the Rick Hinderer knives are definitely superior.
 
Chuck Bybee said:
Another custom knife to look at is the Lochsa by Scott Cook.

Scott was making sebenza shaped fixed blades before the sebenza existed. He later worked for Chris Reeve as the foreman and ground most of the sebenza blades.

I think of the Lochsa as the sebenza taken to a new level. The Lochsa also redefined the term "Integral" for folding knives.
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i firmly believe that the lochsa is way too nice to use, lol.

& thanks for the input about rick & RJ, guys.
 
Danbo said:
I love my Sebbies, but for $450 I would go custom. You can get into an R.J. Martin for that price range.
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RJ is a really cool dude and takes good care of his customers too! I dont have any experience with Hinderer, but those look damn fine too!

*I have several Sebenzas and still think theyre all awesome, so go with what you know or looks best- unless you can physically hold each and every different one, youll never know until you "jump in" , headfirst!

WOOT WOOT
 
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