Sebenza vs. William Henry resale value etc. ?

[freq18hz]

Folks,

The addiction continues...


I'm buying a small Sebenza, or a William Henry Spearpoint with the tungsten carbide coated blade.


Questions:

1. How does resale value compare between the two?

2. After searching it seems that people find both to be durable, but what about the finish? The WH looks like it may scratch easily.

3. What's a good price for either a Sebenza or a WH Spearpoint, new from a dealer. Who is the preferred seller?


MSRP's of the knives I've been looking at:

- $330 Small plain Sebenza 21
- $400 Small leather inlay Sebenza 21
- $460 Small classic (discontinued version) Sebenza with unique graphic

Also curious about any additional knife related thoughts you have regarding any of these knives.


Thanks!


-Freq

 

[molly's survival]

I think it all depends on how much the person buying will pay... I saw a bg42 large sebenza sell on feebay for around 5 bills not too long ago. and the price you pay for a new sebbie will be the same anywhere you look, dealers cannot discount the knives.

I've never owned a wh so not much I can say about those.

 

[molly's survival]

oh and to answer your ? the sebenza is an awesome piece of usable art I've been rock'n a small for 12 years and never looked back, best knife ive ever owned and used

 

[freq18hz]

I'm pretty sold on it. I do however love the blade on the WH.

As far as the Sebenza goes, it looks like its going to be a 6-8 week wait time to order the one I want.

It's a tough decision to make, since the different inlays/woods/graphics have a different feel to them. I played with a leather inlayed one, it felt really nice.

-Freq

 

[mmarkh]

Folks,

The addiction continues...


I'm buying a small Sebenza, or a William Henry Spearpoint with the tungsten carbide coated blade.


Questions:

1. How does resale value compare between the two?

2. After searching it seems that people find both to be durable, but what about the finish? The WH looks like it may scratch easily.

3. What's a good price for either a Sebenza or a WH Spearpoint, new from a dealer. Who is the preferred seller?


MSRP's of the knives I've been looking at:

- $330 Small plain Sebenza 21
- $400 Small leather inlay Sebenza 21
- $460 Small classic (discontinued version) Sebenza with unique graphic

Also curious about any additional knife related thoughts you have regarding any of these knives.


Thanks!


-Freq

Why so worried about resale? The Seb you will not lose much at all. Not so sure about the WH. I really prefered the large Seb but that's just me. It really disappears in your pocket.

 

[Noddy]

WH are dressier than sebs, I think, and lighter

I had a Spearpoint (jigged bone with a satin finished blade) and loved it but found I didn't use it much. Sold it but wish I hadn't - so damned pretty

Sebs really keep their prices - and are much better users I find, personally

Had a few. Sell them when I need the cash, pick up others later. Don't like the inserts much at all - got a plain regular (large and small - BG42) and a plain small classic.
Currently wondering about getting a large 21 at the moment. The large plain classic silver stud is the one I really shouldn't have sold

 

[Mark J]

My experience is that Sebbies will hold more of their resale value than WHs. The one exception to this might be the discontinued WH knives.

- Mark

 

[viva la]

My experience is that Sebbies will hold more of their resale value than WHs. The one exception to this might be the discontinued WH knives.

- Mark

Which eventually the Spearpoint will be. All WH's are done in batches of 500 or less. Once gone they are discontinued and a new model replaces it. And looking around online for WHs they look like they hold their value just fine.

But IMO the OP shouldn't be looking to buy based on resale value. and the WH and CRK are very different knives.

 

[DallasSTB]

WH's seem to hold their value fine, but Sebenza's have a broader following (at least in these parts) and you can sell them pretty fast if you need too. Both are good knives, but I favor the usability of my seb.

 

[freq18hz]

Which eventually the Spearpoint will be. All WH's are done in batches of 500 or less. Once gone they are discontinued and a new model replaces it. And looking around online for WHs they look like they hold their value just fine.

But IMO the OP shouldn't be looking to buy based on resale value. and the WH and CRK are very different knives.

I'm not merely looking at resale value. As stated in my above questions, I'm also curious about the durability of the finish and blades, and trying to figure out what a good price is / where to buy from.

-Freq

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

and the WH and CRK are very different knives.

I agree. With regard to the durability question, the WH knives are very nice, but they are very light & thin compared to the CRK Sebenza. I think you're looking at two completely different classes of knives here. The Sebbie has a much 'beefier' feel & weight to it, and would be well-suited as a hard user, compared to the very light, elegant feel of the WH knives, which are more suited as a true 'gentleman's knife', so to speak. Very elegant, but you'd need to be very careful with the blade. They're ground (high hollow) VERY THIN at the edge. Great slicer, but don't try to pry anything with it. The Sebbie is also a hollow grind, but significantly thicker at the edge.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I have had several Sebs, and now own small and large micarta classics, and one Umnumzaan. They are great users, and if I could get over my fear of losing them, the small and large micartas would be my EDC's. The best folders I have ever carried.

I've seen and handled William Henry's at several stores, and while they are really nice knives, they are too thin in profile for me. I think they would make a great gentleman's carry knife, but they are too thin for my bear paws to comfortably manipulate. For the money, I would go with micarta Sebs for users, and wood inlay for gentlemen's carry.

As for resale value, my Sebs have held their value well. I've traded everything from LNIB to well used but not abused. Unless you are looking for something special, like an LE, or hard to find inlay, I would get mine off the Exchange. You will have to hunt for one, you will have to post and email an "I'll take it" before everyone else. But, I've found it's more fun on the forums.

I've never really looked for WH's on the Exchange, but I'm sure some will pop up, at less than MSRP .

 

[freq18hz]

I agree. With regard to the durability question, the WH knives are very nice, but they are very light & thin compared to the CRK Sebenza. I think you're looking at two completely different classes of knives here. The Sebbie has a much 'beefier' feel & weight to it, and would be well-suited as a hard user, compared to the very light, elegant feel of the WH knives, which are more suited as a true 'gentleman's knife', so to speak. Very elegant, but you'd need to be very careful with the blade. They're ground (high hollow) VERY THIN at the edge. Great slicer, but don't try to pry anything with it. The Sebbie is also a hollow grind, but significantly thicker at the edge.

This definitely makes sense. I wonder how scratch resistant the tungsten carbide coating on the WH Spearpoint is. I've never seen a knife with the same coating.

I have had several Sebs, and now own small and large micarta classics, and one Umnumzaan. They are great users, and if I could get over my fear of losing them, the small and large micartas would be my EDC's. The best folders I have ever carried.

I've seen and handled William Henry's at several stores, and while they are really nice knives, they are too thin in profile for me. I think they would make a great gentleman's carry knife, but they are too thin for my bear paws to comfortably manipulate. For the money, I would go with micarta Sebs for users, and wood inlay for gentlemen's carry.

In regards to the Sebenza, that brings up another issue in that each Sebenza configuration has a different feel. Since I'll most likely be ordering online, its hard to know what to expect. I handled a leather inlay Sebenza, it felt good to the touch, but I'm on the fence when it comes to the looks compared to wood/graphics.

The seagrass CG Sebenza has really caught my eye.


-Freq

 

[silenthunterstudios]

This definitely makes sense. I wonder how scratch resistant the tungsten carbide coating on the WH Spearpoint is. I've never seen a knife with the same coating.



In regards to the Sebenza, that brings up another issue in that each Sebenza configuration has a different feel. Since I'll most likely be ordering online, its hard to know what to expect. I handled a leather inlay Sebenza, it felt good to the touch, but I'm on the fence when it comes to the looks compared to wood/graphics.

The seagrass CG Sebenza has really caught my eye.


-Freq

Time for a roadtrip. I would find a local knife shop (where is Plaza Cutlery?), and handle several. Sebenzas are great knives, but for the money, I would want to handle one before buying, not sight unseen.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

This definitely makes sense. I wonder how scratch resistant the tungsten carbide coating on the WH Spearpoint is. I've never seen a knife with the same coating.



In regards to the Sebenza, that brings up another issue in that each Sebenza configuration has a different feel. Since I'll most likely be ordering online, its hard to know what to expect. I handled a leather inlay Sebenza, it felt good to the touch, but I'm on the fence when it comes to the looks compared to wood/graphics.

The seagrass CG Sebenza has really caught my eye.


-Freq

I have two of the small Sebenzas (and one large). Of the smaller ones, I have one with a graphic on the handle, and the other is one of the annual (I think it's a 2003) knives with full ironwood inlay. They both feel great in the hand, and both are BEAUTIFUL. I'm betting if you liked the feel of the leather inlay Sebenza, you'll also like (or LOVE) the other configurations. Some folks think the smooth Ti handles are too slick, but that's a matter of personal preference. With any kind of graphic engraved/lasered into the handle, that'll give a little more 'grip' anyway.

I also have one of the older Spearpoint WH knives (T12) with ironwood scales. The blade is either 154CM or ATS-34 (I forget, it's been stashed away for some time). The blade is uncoated. It's also beautiful, but as I mentioned, much more 'delicate' feeling than the Sebenza. The last time I handled it, it was almost shocking to me in regard to how light it felt in my hand (very thin titanium liners & bolsters, thin blade).

I'd imagine the tungsten carbide coating on the newer knives is pretty durable. I just can't see WH cutting corners with this, it'd be counter to their otherwise top-notch attention to detail. I don't think I'd be too worried about it, personally.

 

[freq18hz]

Yes, handling both knives they feel completely different.

Both really nice, and totally different.

I think I am probably leaning towards the Sebenza. But every time I pick up the WH, I think the opposite. I'm probably going to have to get both, the question now is in which order, and which Sebenza to get. I wish I could see one of the Seagrass GC's small Sebenza's in person. The wood inlay ones are also very nice looking IMO.

-Freq

 

[Ramm9]

I'm not merely looking at resale value. As stated in my above questions, I'm also curious about the durability of the finish and blades, and trying to figure out what a good price is / where to buy from.

-Freq

Still struggling with the Sebenza decision I see. It's been fun to watch.

Don't know how the inlays and graphics on the Sebenza hold up. I do know if you carry a plain one in your pocket with keys and change the scales will show superficial surface scratches.

Have you gone to the exchange here and on the bay and searched "Sebenza" and looked at the past sales. That will give you an idea of the resale values and time it takes to sell.

Just like custom knives with elaborate engraving, I get the impression that reselling anything other than a plain Sebenza takes a bit longer unless you cut the price. You have to wait for a customer with deeper pockets plus one that likes the particular inlay or unique graphic. So for the first purchase, a plain Sebenza especially 2nd hand is still my recommendation.

CRK only makes about a thousand or so of each size Sebenza every year so they have pretty good control over their dealers. Finding a dealer on the net selling below MSP is pretty unlikely and may be less than legitimate if you do come across one.

Just to confuse matters, have you looked at AG Russell's Acies. I wouldn't consider it instead of a Sebenza but in addition to a Sebenza.

Also, what store did you buy the WH and see the leather inlay Sebenza?

 

[freq18hz]

Still struggling with the Sebenza decision I see. It's been fun to watch.

Don't know how the inlays and graphics on the Sebenza hold up. I do know if you carry a plain one in your pocket with keys and change the scales will show superficial surface scratches.

Have you gone to the exchange here and on the bay and searched "Sebenza" and looked at the past sales. That will give you an idea of the resale values and time it takes to sell.

Just like custom knives with elaborate engraving, I get the impression that reselling anything other than a plain Sebenza takes a bit longer unless you cut the price. You have to wait for a customer with deeper pockets plus one that likes the particular inlay or unique graphic. So for the first purchase, a plain Sebenza especially 2nd hand is still my recommendation.

CRK only makes about a thousand or so of each size Sebenza every year so they have pretty good control over their dealers. Finding a dealer on the net selling below MSP is pretty unlikely and may be less than legitimate if you do come across one.

Just to confuse matters, have you looked at AG Russell's Acies. I wouldn't consider it instead of a Sebenza but in addition to a Sebenza.

Also, what store did you buy the WH and see the leather inlay Sebenza?

Armor-Geddon in Cupertino. Very knowledgeable and nice, but not a large selection of WH or CRK.

Plain Sebenza is definitely an option. I really didn't want to like these knives due to the price, but really the feel is just incredible.

-Freq