long time lurker, first time caller! wondering what make the sebenza worth the money?(could name this thread-trying to get the balls to order a sebenza!) really, though-could i get some feedback from sebenza users- does it ride well, keep an edge, ect -likes and dislikes- just looking for a good looking(read that- non tactical, non sheeple scaring) good quality knife that performs well. also- were is the best place to order one from, are there many used ones floating around, or is $295 a decent deal? thanks much...jordan
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
sebenza
- Thread starter jordanb
- Start date
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- Mar 28, 2001
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- 4,616
Welcome to the forums.
If you do a search you will see the millions of reasons why people buy Sebs and the millions of reasons people don't
I like Sebs so I'll give you the pro's...
- Very close to a fixed blade when open. Arguably the best lock on the market.
- Quality equal to or exceeding custom makers.
- Extremely precise manufacturing.
- Lifetime Warranty and a company that will back it up.
- Excellent blade steels.
- Can be disassembled and cleaned without voiding warranty, they even give you the tools to do it.
- The design has been time tested and a proven. Not pretty at first and has been nick named the "grey ****" but it's style and functionality grows on you fast the more you use it.
Have fun reading because you're sure to get a lot of responses.
The one thing I would recommend is keeping in mind that there are a ton of Sebenza Bashers out there, but there is a huge silent majority who love the knives and carry them daily. IMO it comes mainly from people who have never owned one.
If you do a search you will see the millions of reasons why people buy Sebs and the millions of reasons people don't
I like Sebs so I'll give you the pro's...
- Very close to a fixed blade when open. Arguably the best lock on the market.
- Quality equal to or exceeding custom makers.
- Extremely precise manufacturing.
- Lifetime Warranty and a company that will back it up.
- Excellent blade steels.
- Can be disassembled and cleaned without voiding warranty, they even give you the tools to do it.
- The design has been time tested and a proven. Not pretty at first and has been nick named the "grey ****" but it's style and functionality grows on you fast the more you use it.
Have fun reading because you're sure to get a lot of responses.
The one thing I would recommend is keeping in mind that there are a ton of Sebenza Bashers out there, but there is a huge silent majority who love the knives and carry them daily. IMO it comes mainly from people who have never owned one.
Buzzbait
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,697
I carry a large classic Sebenza every day. It's the best folder I've ever carried, and excels in a number of areas. If you ask me, the Sebenza optimizes the hard working folder. I cant say enough good things about it.
But..... I wouldn't exactly call my Sebenza sheeple friendly. It scares the crap out of many bystanders. Offhand, I can think of many large folders that are much friendlier looking than a large plain Sebenza. They don't have the fit and finish, and often not the performance of a Sebenza, but they are much more sheeple friendly.
But..... I wouldn't exactly call my Sebenza sheeple friendly. It scares the crap out of many bystanders. Offhand, I can think of many large folders that are much friendlier looking than a large plain Sebenza. They don't have the fit and finish, and often not the performance of a Sebenza, but they are much more sheeple friendly.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
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- 12,249
I already did, this past summer. Only 4 people signed up.
To be fair, I did want $20 to go to the LED Museum though from each participant. So I guess the $20 discouraged wider participation. ( Edit: I only left it up for a few days, so that probably hurt too)
If I get some more telemarketer money though, who knows what might happen.
BurkStar, yah, here's the link
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2002
- Messages
- 710
Jordanb,
I suggest that you look in the knife exchange for one. You'll probably get a good deal. I did, (a couple of times.) If you're like me you would be better off just getting one because you won't be happy until you do. You may not think that the Sebbies are "All That" at first, but the more you use and carry it you'll understand.
Best of luck,
Jason
I suggest that you look in the knife exchange for one. You'll probably get a good deal. I did, (a couple of times.) If you're like me you would be better off just getting one because you won't be happy until you do. You may not think that the Sebbies are "All That" at first, but the more you use and carry it you'll understand.
Best of luck,
Jason
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
buzz --
Why the classic? Handle shape and sharper point? What do you think of that thumb stud?
I've considered the large Sebenza for a long time, for reasons of that great edge geometry and blade shape. For a few dollars, you can send the knife back to Reeves and he'll mill some slots into the handle to lighten it a bit, which is what I'd do with mine.
Joe
Why the classic? Handle shape and sharper point? What do you think of that thumb stud?
I've considered the large Sebenza for a long time, for reasons of that great edge geometry and blade shape. For a few dollars, you can send the knife back to Reeves and he'll mill some slots into the handle to lighten it a bit, which is what I'd do with mine.
Joe
Buzzbait
Gold Member
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- 6,697
Joe My decision on the Classic was purely due to the blade shape. I like a nice pointy tip on my utility knives. I dont do any prying with my knives, so a thinner tip is actually a plus in my book. I also dont do any skinning with my folders, so there really isnt a downside to a pointy tip in my case. I might as well get as much of the fine tip advantage that a smaller slipjoint often possesses, if Im spending the big bucks on a blade meant to be carried by itself. The only even minor problem that I can think of, specific to the Classic, is that the blade might be a little harder to sharpen while maintaining that nice sharp point. As an example, Ive always found drop points to be easier to sharpen than clip points, especially on a SharpMaker 204. But I hear that youre not so shabby with your sharpening, so its probably a moot point in your case. 
Hehehehe
The handles on both the Classic and regular Sebenzas are quite similar, IMHO, so shape wasnt much of a concern to me. I dont find either to be all that ergonomic and comfortable, in contrast to something like Darrel Ralphs excellent EDC, but Ive held a lot worse. The Sebenza does provide a very secure grip though, which is what really matters when youre making a cut. You can get a vise-like grip on the Sebenza, with even less slippage than a knife as good as the BM710. Okay, I might have found the opening to be a little easier on the large Classic than the large regular, but that might just be due to the particular size and shape of my hand.
Im not terribly picky about thumb studs, disks and holes. I generally dont have a problem with any of them on larger folders. Smaller knives can be a bit tricky if not well designed, but the extra grip afforded by a larger handle makes things much easier. You also get used to opening a knife that youve been using it for a decently long time. You kind of get accustomed to the feel of the stud and the exact grip you need to open the knife. I dont think Ive used a halfway well-made folder that I couldnt get used to opening over time. I will admit though, that the Spyderco Military stands out in my collection, as the undisputed champion in ease of opening. That knifes ergonomics are incredible.
And the Sebenza is definitely a long term carry. You learn to subconsciously love it over time, where many great features just arent apparent at first glance and use. Chris Reeve managed to completely mask many good things about the Sebenza, where other knives have instantly recognizable traits. The knife is a bit of an oddity here. It works very well, but I cant seem to pin down exactly why is works so well for me, if that makes any sense whatsoever. When using the Seb, the focus is what youre cutting, not the knife itself. I know that probably makes no sense, but it seems to be true. The Sebenza is just a very reliable beater that you tend not to notice. You put in your pocket and take it out to use it. If you decide that you like it over time, you just take it for granted. Some people dont like that, especially knife nuts, which I totally understand. The knife doesnt strike you as being particularly impressive in any substantial number of ways. Theres nothing particularly flashy or exciting about it. It just becomes like a comfortable old shoe, which you hate to be without.
Oh yah. Mill slots in the handle? Youve been talking to Mayo now, havent you!!!
Thats actually a great idea. Why not make the knife as light as possible? If slots like the Camillus EDC could be machined into the handle
it might even further secure the grip, as well as allow the handle to be wrapped with paracord. Hmmmm
HeheheheThe handles on both the Classic and regular Sebenzas are quite similar, IMHO, so shape wasnt much of a concern to me. I dont find either to be all that ergonomic and comfortable, in contrast to something like Darrel Ralphs excellent EDC, but Ive held a lot worse. The Sebenza does provide a very secure grip though, which is what really matters when youre making a cut. You can get a vise-like grip on the Sebenza, with even less slippage than a knife as good as the BM710. Okay, I might have found the opening to be a little easier on the large Classic than the large regular, but that might just be due to the particular size and shape of my hand.
Im not terribly picky about thumb studs, disks and holes. I generally dont have a problem with any of them on larger folders. Smaller knives can be a bit tricky if not well designed, but the extra grip afforded by a larger handle makes things much easier. You also get used to opening a knife that youve been using it for a decently long time. You kind of get accustomed to the feel of the stud and the exact grip you need to open the knife. I dont think Ive used a halfway well-made folder that I couldnt get used to opening over time. I will admit though, that the Spyderco Military stands out in my collection, as the undisputed champion in ease of opening. That knifes ergonomics are incredible.
And the Sebenza is definitely a long term carry. You learn to subconsciously love it over time, where many great features just arent apparent at first glance and use. Chris Reeve managed to completely mask many good things about the Sebenza, where other knives have instantly recognizable traits. The knife is a bit of an oddity here. It works very well, but I cant seem to pin down exactly why is works so well for me, if that makes any sense whatsoever. When using the Seb, the focus is what youre cutting, not the knife itself. I know that probably makes no sense, but it seems to be true. The Sebenza is just a very reliable beater that you tend not to notice. You put in your pocket and take it out to use it. If you decide that you like it over time, you just take it for granted. Some people dont like that, especially knife nuts, which I totally understand. The knife doesnt strike you as being particularly impressive in any substantial number of ways. Theres nothing particularly flashy or exciting about it. It just becomes like a comfortable old shoe, which you hate to be without.
Oh yah. Mill slots in the handle? Youve been talking to Mayo now, havent you!!!
Thats actually a great idea. Why not make the knife as light as possible? If slots like the Camillus EDC could be machined into the handle
it might even further secure the grip, as well as allow the handle to be wrapped with paracord. Hmmmm
I carry a small regular Sebenza everyday. I carry an Umfaan for a "dress" knife. My next knife purchase will be a small Classic Sebenza. I guess you could say I like the Sebenza design 
.
The Sebbie just feels good and works great in my hand. The blade/edge profile cuts the way I like a knife to cut. BG-42 takes and holds a GREAT edge. The new S-30-V seems to surpass BG-42 in performance, at least by the reviews so far.
Paul
.The Sebbie just feels good and works great in my hand. The blade/edge profile cuts the way I like a knife to cut. BG-42 takes and holds a GREAT edge. The new S-30-V seems to surpass BG-42 in performance, at least by the reviews so far.
Paul
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2001
- Messages
- 843
It is hard to explain but you can't go wrong with a Sebenza. If you get one and decide you don't like it you can always sell it very quickly. It took a little while for my small classic Sebenza to grow on me. Now it is my "go to" pocket knife when I leave the house and only need a small knife. (For the record my SERE 2000 is my big pocket knife "go to").