sebenza

C

c-it-all

Joined
Aug 19, 2000
Messages
14
a newbie question:
what percentage of the $300.00 is name and image and what percent is actual worth as a carried pocket knife?
 
I have a small plain sebenza and i feel it is all in the quality. There is nothing weakly put into the knife The lock is fantastic, extremely strong. I am glad i made this investment it is a real workhorse.
 
Not a newbie question at all. That's a very good question.

No, I don't think the cost of the material is worth $325 if that's what you are asking. However, you are paying for the meticulous care and time that it takes to produce a single knife.

Obviously Chris Reeve Knives -- being much smaller than, say, Benchmade -- does not have the economy of mass production so a single knife is more expensive to produce: more time and effort.

In addition, there is his reputation and he can command a higher price. Just like any high-end product.

Is it worth $325? Depends on the individual.


 
Excellent quality knife. Is it worth $300 to me? No. To some it is, but not to me.

------------------
Dennis Bible
 
Get your hands on one and decide for yourself, that is the only way to know.

------------------
James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
All quality--get ahold of one and you'll know what I mean.

------------------
"I'm out there Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!"--Kramer
 
To me, its not worth the money. But then I have no use for a $300 dollar knife, when I know thers a good chance of me breaking it or losing it, and there are similar knives on the market for $100 or less on all the knife store websites that sell below msrp.
If you take a look around, all the production frame locks will be around $100, that covers CRKT's S2,Mirage Ti, and the Benchmade 750. If you look at these knives side by side, you will notice that theres alot of extra attention to detail put into the sebenza thats not necesarily there on the other knives.But all the other knives are very functional still. And if you ask me, the CRKT Mirage in Ti is a much nicer looking knife than the sebenza, and would be a better choice if your looking for a small one handed frame lock.
MIRAGETI.JPG

And the pinnacle by benchmade is pretty much designed to be a work horse and nothing else. And my vote would go to it for a larger frame lock.
BM750.JPG

The sebenza is a nice knife witha good design, but to me its not worth $300

Sorry about the huge pictures, they're off the manufacturer's websites.
------------------
It'll feel better when it stops hurting.

[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 08-25-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 08-25-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 08-25-2000).]
 
I love the Sebenza in all of its versions and they my favorite carry knives along with Spyderco. That said, I think the Sebenza is a bit overpriced. To me, a plain Sebenza ought to be about $100 cheaper than it is. Afterall, I don't think the quality of a Microtech Socom is anyway inferior to Sebenza but they are about $200 or so.
 
Yeah, if the Sebenzas were cheaper by $100 or so, I might buy one. Right now, I guess I'll just have to be satisfied with Darrel Ralph's EDC, which just showed up on my doorstep for $450, and I consider a much better 'value' (quality, options for the money) than the Sebenza. With only a $100-or-so price difference, I'll just shell out a little more for the custom. Of course, to each his own, so you can make your own choice.

--JB

P.S. Hey, Darrel, I never gave you my hand measurements, and I have weird-sized hands, so either you're psychic, or you have a very well-designed handle shape which fits many different sizes of hands. Sweet knife.

------------------
e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Gee C, you been here a week and you're moving up to Sebenzas already? It's good not to waste time, huh?
I've heard so many good things about the Benza, it may be the best knife out there for the money, I sure don't know. What I do know is that I've handled them, met Chris and talked to him, and even had his personal carry knife in my hand. Great knife, great guy, and a great company. Try as I might to like them, I just don't want one, but then again the toughest thing I cut is a day old bagel. I'm really into looks, and the Benza don't do it for me.

------------------
"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
C,

You have asked a very good question.

IMHO, they are simple perfection.

Is that worth $325 plus?

I think so.

I have the Z3, a small wood inlay (Redwood Burl) on order and can't decide whether to get the small CGG Solar Wind or a small unique design with Iolite insert.

I will probably get them both.

------------------
RICK - Left Handers Unite

[This message has been edited by RGRAY (edited 08-26-2000).]
 
I think they are worth the money. When I look at my collection, I realize I don't have a better knife for less money. There are a lot of great knives out there for less money but IMO, not a better folder for what I use folders for. Therefore, they are worth the price to me. You get what you pay for in quality and performance. I have the small Sebenza and am planning on buying a large one.

------------------
Hoodoo

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

The Merchant of Venice, Act IV. Scene I.
 
Old accounting principle:

"The value of a thing is what that thing will bring"

CRK sells lots of 'Benzas, so apparently what they cost is what they're worth.

------------------
AKTI Member #A000832

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
 
In terms of the high quality of fitting and materials, in addition to the incredible way they hold their value, I think they are well worth the price. Simply do a search for "Sebenza" on the For Sale forum and see how long they last. I'll bet you could advertise "Small Sebenza...beat all to hell, $190.00" and it would be gone in 24 hours.
Bottom line: get your hands around one and decide for yourself.
 

I'll bet you could advertise "Small Sebenza...beat all to hell, $190.00" and it would be gone in 24 hours.
Bottom line: get your hands around one and decide for yourself. [/QUOTE]
I'll take.........
The Sebenza is a wonderful knife, smooth as silk, super strong lock up, great design, craftsmanship and materials. Although I have never needed it CRK customer service is supposed to be top notch, this is priceless,
with refurbishing and sharpening service.
It is sad that mine sits unused in a gunsafe,
but Spyderco's and Livesay's manage to handle all my cutting tasks.
Is it worth 325.00, absolutely. Why? Because a few hundred dollars is pretty cheap just for the peace of mind that comes from owning "the best".
View




------------------
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
"Those who hold the thin blue line keep order, and insure that anarchy and chaos will not prevail."
 
I don't think that the quality or great design of the Sebenza are in question; I have the entire Zulu trio and they are my favorite carry knives. What is being questioned is the price. They are CNC cut just like other factory knives and it is agreed that the integral lock is a very simple design. If William Henry and Microtech can make great knives for less than $300, why can't CRK? At least the plain models, I can image that inlays, anodizing,damascus etc.would make the price escalate.
 
I don't know how to answer your question other than my own experience.
First, I purchased a large plain Sebenza-love at first sight.
Next, I purchased a small plain Sebenza followed by a zig-zag pattern Umfaan.
I eventually sent all three back to Reeves' to get them engraved with my name. At the same time, I had the zig-zag Umfaan converted to plain,
The end result is fully identical knives that are personalized with a value that would cause a demerit if sold. I just like them. They are made better and with better materials than the rest of my collection.
My plan is to hand them dowm and (hopefully), start a tradition.
Bill
BTW... I carry the Umfaan most.

[This message has been edited by Bill McWilliams (edited 08-27-2000).]
 
I think the Sebenza is easily worth the money you pay for it. Materials are great and craftsmanship is excellent.
I have ordered a wood inlay Sebenza (large) which sells for $525.00 and to me it is cheap at the price.
 
I've never yet gotten the chance to handle one. They don't LOOK comfortable, but they do look GOOD!
Does anyone use theirs hard enough to know if the grip is truly friendly to the hand?
I've wanted one for a long time, but refuse to shell out the $$$ without at least handling one first.


------------------
I cut it, and I cut it, and it's STILL too short!


 
I hate to keep saying this, but I think a Sebenza is worth $325U.S. only to those people who appreciate it for $325U.S.

FOR ME:

1. I like variety. I don't think I could like one particular knife forever, and ever. I don't think I'd want it as "the only knife I'll ever need." Besides, I expect some advances in folding knives in my lifetime.

2. Most good knives, properly cared for, will also last a lifetime. They need not be $325.

3. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Hate to say this but as much as I admire the Sebenza's simple is best philosophy, the basic models are butt-ugly. I paraphrase a former Sebenza owner, "as good a knife as it is...it is still two slabs of titanium."

I think what most non-Sebenza owners are dubious about is that it may be 3 times as much as, say, a good Spyderco. However, is it 3 times as good?


[This message has been edited by Full Tang Clan (edited 08-27-2000).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top