Sebenza vs Hinderer? (Old Thread)

Hinderer XM18 or Sebenza 21 Large

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Aquaholicc

Aquaholicc

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Alright guys I'm sure most of you are tired of seeing my post but before I make a Sebenza purchase I've gotta ask if a Hinderer XM 18 is a "better choice"?

My guess is there is no right or wrong answer to this. I figure it's like asking if Chevy is better than Ford lol.

So I ask all of you without getting into a all out war ..which would you choose to blow 400 bucks on..
I'm not asking to compare the two, as I've done extensive research on both. A simple
"Hinderer" or "Sebenza" will suffice.
(I'll even make a poll for the ease of not wasting anyone's time, but feel free to elloborate on your selection)
Thanks again BF!

Edit: I'm partial to the Sebenza as it stands.
 
Don't you have 2 other threads where you half trash Sebenza then want to be talked out of getting one. Just go buy a Sebenza. I really think Hinderers and Sebenza's are after totally different crowds so if you're considering either one, get both. Just buy something.
 
bt93 said:
Don't you have 2 other threads where you half trash Sebenza then want to be talked out of getting one. Just go buy a Sebenza. I really think Hinderers and Sebenza's are after totally different crowds so if you're considering either one, get both. Just buy something.
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I didn't trash the Sebenza lol. I was looking for real time reviews on the knife other than biased stuff on YouTube and whatnot.
 
I gotta say I really like both, and I'm sick of titanium framelock folders. If a flipper with a soft lockbar but solid lockup and construction sounds good to you, get the Hinderer. If a smooth, but slow opener with incredible tolerances appeals, get the CRK. They are both great choices but most importantly for you they both hold their value incredibly well. If you are patient you can try them both using that same $400 dollars.

No offense, but it's no use trying to find the perfect knife -- it doesn't exist.
 
SpySmasher said:
I gotta say I really like both, and I'm sick of titanium framelock folders. If a flipper with a soft lockbar but solid lockup and construction sounds good to you, get the Hinderer. If a smooth, but slow opener with incredible tolerances appeals, get the CRK. They are both great choices but most importantly for you they both hold their value incredibly well. If you are patient you can try them both using that same $400 dollars.
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Awesome, thanks for the reply man. Sadly patience is not something I'm fond of lol.
 
I have(and have had many of) both and they are both top quality knives, but very different. I believe the Sebenza makes for the better all around user, whereas the Hinderer is a heavy duty use knife. If your doing normal daily chores a Sebenza works best. If your activities include prying or cutting through heavy duty material the Hinderer comes to mind. Most Hinderers are being made as flippers-not a flipper fan, so I buy Hinderer non-flippers. No Sebenza flippers. The 3.5" Hinderer is also fairly heavy compared to the Lg Sebenza(which is at about my max. preferred weight).
I like the 3" non-flipper Hinderer(love the way XM's open) as well as the sm & Lg Sebenza. I like the 3.5" XM-18, but just too heavy for my taste.
They are both worthy of a try-voted Sebenza
 
Aquaholicc said:
Alright guys I'm sure most of you are tired of seeing my post but before I make a Sebenza purchase I've gotta ask if a Hinderer XM 18 is a "better choice"?

My guess is there is no right or wrong answer to this. I figure it's like asking if Chevy is better than Ford lol.

So I ask all of you without getting into a all out war ..which would you choose to blow 400 bucks on..
I'm not asking to compare the two, as I've done extensive research on both. A simple
"Hinderer" or "Sebenza" will suffice.
(I'll even make a poll for the ease of not wasting anyone's time, but feel free to elloborate on your selection)
Thanks again BF!

Edit: I'm partial to the Sebenza as it stands.
Click to expand...

^ Personally, I've actually enjoyed seeing the excitement you've shown here, cause we've all been there before. :) Besides, it's really hard justifying, pulling the trigger on $400+ knife!

With that said, I really like both CRK Sebenza's, and the Hinderer XM-18 models. But if I were to recommend only one of these model's, it would have to be the no frills, CRK Sebenza.

Good luck, and please post pictures when you finally get whatever it is you decide. :thumbsup:


Ajack60 said:
They may be in the same price range, but they're two different style of knives.
Besides this horse has been beaten so much, it should be a piñata by now.
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^ No kidding! :D

I can still remember a GKD thread a couple of years ago, debating between Strider, CRK and Hinderer. If my memory serves me correctly, that thread almost started BFWWIII, and had to be closed down in a hurry.
 
I have tried both and there is no doubt that both are top notch folding knives in the ~$400 range. With that being said, FOR ME Hinderer XM-18 is a better choice because:

1. Hinderer looks better
2. Hinderer is fun to flip open (you really can't flip open a Sebenza)
3. Hinderer can be customized in many different ways
4. Hinderer has more different grinds to chose from
5. Hinderer is beefier

For light cutting tasks such as peeling apple or opening mails, however, I will choose neither. A SAK or a FFG Spyderco Delica works better than both.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
I have(and have had many of) both and they are both top quality knives, but very different. I believe the Sebenza makes for the better all around user, whereas the Hinderer is a heavy duty use knife. If your doing normal daily chores a Sebenza works best. If your activities include prying or cutting through heavy duty material the Hinderer comes to mind. Most Hinderers are being made as flippers-not a flipper fan, so I buy Hinderer non-flippers. No Sebenza flippers. The 3.5" Hinderer is also fairly heavy compared to the Lg Sebenza(which is at about my max. preferred weight).
I like the 3" non-flipper Hinderer(love the way XM's open) as well as the sm & Lg Sebenza. I like the 3.5" XM-18, but just too heavy for my taste.
They are both worthy of a try-voted Sebenza
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That's a good point the Hinderer is a bit heavier huh? I like it when a knife just sort of disappears in the pocket but it's heavy enough for you to know it's still readily available ? Lol.
 
sharp_edge said:
I have tried both and there is no doubt that both are top notch folding knives in the ~$400 range. With that being said, FOR ME Hinderer XM-18 is a better choice because:

1. Hinderer looks better
2. Hinderer is fun to flip open (you really can't flip open a Sebenza)
3. Hinderer can be customized in many different ways
4. Hinderer has more different grinds to chose from
5. Hinderer is beefier

For light cutting tasks such as peeling apple or opening mails, however, I will choose neither. A SAK or a FFG Spyderco Delica works better than both.
Click to expand...
I'm glad to have someone speak their mind about the Hinderer. Much appreciated my friend ! I'll take all the above points into consideration.
 
KELAMA said:
^ Personally, I've actually enjoyed seeing the excitement you've shown here, cause we've all been there before. :) Besides, it's really hard justifying, pulling the trigger on $400+ knife!

With that said, I really like both CRK Sebenza's, and the Hinderer XM-18 models. But if I were to recommend only one of these model's, it would have to be the no frills, CRK Sebenza.

Good luck, and please post pictures when you finally get whatever it is you decide. :thumbsup:




^ No kidding! :D

I can still remember a GKD thread a couple of years ago, debating between Strider, CRK and Hinderer. If my memory serves me correctly, that thread almost started BFWWIII, and had to be closed down in a hurry.
Click to expand...
I'll be sure to post pictures. I found a knife shop in Jacksonville that sells CRKs so at least I'll be able to fondle with one before I make the leap..if I choose to go that route lol.
 
I've noticed a number of people who post on the forums that Sebenzas are slow to open. I can flick my large 21 Insingo open as fast as any other knife I own. I generally do not flick it because there 's no real need to, but I can easily do so if I choose to. Sure, there's no wave or flipper, but once in hand, I find it very easy and instinctual to open.

Some others imply that Sebenzas are somehow 'delicate' or 'safe queens', which is far from the truth. Sebenzas work very well as so-called 'hard use' knives, as long as they are used as knives, with an understanding of the limitations inherent in ALL folding knives.

If I want to do some light prying with my pocketknife, I can use the large screwdriver/cap lifter on my Victorinox Pioneer that cost me less than $30. Otherwise I'll use an appropriate tool for the job, if available.

Jim
 
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Aquaholicc said:
That's a good point the Hinderer is a bit heavier huh? I like it when a knife just sort of disappears in the pocket but it's heavy enough for you to know it's still readily available ? Lol.
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I am in S. Fl. and live in cargo shorts for all but the 3 or 4 cool days of winter. My knives ride in the front right cargo pocket. At about 5.6oz. vs 4.7 for the Sebenza, the Hinderer starts to drag down my shorts :). Even my normal carry Lg. Sebenza has a custom scale bring it in at about 3.8 oz. Though PJ Sebenza does carry fine. Also like the SnG for it's weight to size, but that's another can of worms. Closer to around 4 oz. is my size to weight sweet spot. With jeans this is not as big a factor, and for some weight isn't an issue.
Of course all this is personal opinion.
 
If you have the time and energy you might take a trip to Atlanta and Blade show. Both Co.'s along with many others will be there-could be fun.
 
James Y said:
I've noticed a number of people who post on the forums that Sebenzas are slow to open. I can flick my large 21 Insingo open as fast as any other knife I own. I generally do not flick it because there 's no real need to, but I can easily do so if I choose to. Sure, there's no wave or flipper, but once in hand, I find it very easy and instinctual to open.

Some others imply that Sebenzas are somehow 'delicate' or 'safe queens', which is far from the truth. Sebenzas work very well as so-called 'hard use' knives, as long as they are used as knives, with an understanding of the limitations inherent in ALL folding knives.

If I want to do some light prying with my pocketknife, I can use the large screwdriver/cap lifter on my Victorinox Pioneer that cost me less than $30. Otherwise I'll use an appropriate tool for the job, if available.

Jim
Click to expand...
I agree I've seen multiple videos on "flipping" the Benza with ease. Deployment is the least of my worries with the two. As far as abusing the knives I own, that never happens as I usually have tools strapped to my side anyways. (Electrician by trade)

If I've learned anything from this forum it's that there are MANY people who actually USE their Sebenzas and that was the best news I've read on my previous post lol.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
If you have the time and energy you might take a trip to Atlanta and Blade show. Both Co.'s along with many others will be there-could be fun.
Click to expand...
Hell yah man! I'm in Ormond so it's about a 6 hours drive for me. Me and the wife went to Savanna Georgia last year to bar hop on the river and it took about 4 hours to get there, so another 2 shouldn't be too bad haha.
 
As Willi Shakespeare once said, a picture is worth a dozen words. I trust this will let you know which I prefer in the eternal debate of CRK vs. Hinderer:

ZtSFvnZ.jpg
 
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