Sebenza

S

sirgrumps

Joined
Oct 12, 1999
Messages
53
I am probably going to get a lot of grief for this question, but..... What is so special about the sebenza? I have seen a couple of picture and they do look very nice. But I would feel real stupid using such a nice piece of art for every day use. If I lose, damage, break or ruin a production knife, big deal get another one the next day. But I would be afraid of using a $400 knife every day. It may get scratched. So much time and effort in put in to make these things cosmetically perfect, one scratch and it's ruined.
 
I don't know how to break this to you... Sebenza is a "production" knife.
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A high end one at that. But the majority of its owners swear loyalty to it, just like those who love the Speedtech and William Henry. It's one of those things, you handle one and you love or leave it.

BTW, most sebenza owners love their knife BECAUSE they use it.

sing

AKTI #A000356

 
A scratched Sebenza, unless it's a Gold Coin Sebenza is in NO way "ruined." These knives are made to be USED, and used hard.

-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322
 
I feel that there is a great misconception around carrying expensive knives. "What if you lose it?" is the most common one I hear. My reply is generally, "when was the last time you lost $300?" Like I am any more likely to lose, much less damage a $300 knife than they are their wallet or watch. If by chance I were to lose my Sebenza, I would beg, borrow or steal until one resided back in my pocket. They are just that kind of knife.

[This message has been edited by blademan 13 (edited 02-16-2000).]
 
Originally posted by Jackyl:
These knives are made to be USED, and used hard.
Click to expand...

And that, my friend, says it all. These are tools we are talking about, some of the finest made. Tough, reliable, sharp and easy to maintain.

Custom? No, just the best made.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
When I've held Sebenzas they didn't really ring my bells, but I have yet to find an owner who thought it wasn't worth it. Everyone seems to love their Sebbies. I've been told to buy one, if I didn't like it, I could always sell or trade it at a very small loss. I'm just not ready to lay down $325...yet
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Try reading through all the Sebenza threads. People love this knife.

~Mitch
 
I handled a large Sebenza at a show this last weekend. I don't think a scratch or two would phase it much. Well made?, oh yeah. Robust and sturdy?, positively. Did it excite me?, no. Find someplace where you can put one in your hand and see what you think. If you like it, buy it. If not, keep looking. Buy what suits your needs.
 
I should clarify my statement a bit. To say the knife is ruined due to a scratch or two was overstating it a bit. I have seen one or two up close. I would consider the Sebenza to be much closer to an art piece than a work knife. Kind of like the presetation grade Freedom Arms 454 Casull. Very nice gun, but I would want to shoot it or clean it afterwards. The nice nice finish may get damages. That's why the started making a field grade gun. Something a bit less expensive since a lot let effort went in to final finish. I don't duppose that Chris Reeves has a field grade Sebenza?
 
Standard model ($325) with the beadblasted handle and tumbled blade is definitely a field model. Were the ones you looked at the decorated? If so, they are surely beautiful but would still make great users. Hope to get a small decorated someday for daily carry.
 
Interesting observations and I feel just about everyone is right. Let me explain:
I got my Sebbie about a year ago and when I ordered it, I ordered it because everyone said how great it was and I, naturally wanted one.

I never held one before I got mine.

When it came in the mail, I was very excited and I opened my new, engraved (my name) knife and was expecting thunder and lightening....well it just didn't happen....for a while.

After using it a bit I decided that it was a good knife but I wasn't carrying it that much and I was afraid to scratch it. After a while something started to tell me that the knife was actually good....very good and my other knives couldn't compare to edge holding, locking ability and overall functioning. I then realized that for me, the love of this knive was an aquired taste.

After a year I think it is the best folder I have every held, used or carried and those scratches? Let 'em come, I could care less. Like my friends Jackyl and James said, this is a user's knife

To the guys who have only had a cursory glance or a limited time with this knife, I think you guys make sense. Use this knife for a month and I guarantee you will love it. Own one and not use it and you are missing out on an excellent opportunity of one of the finest production folders out there.

Regards,

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska

 
Originally posted by Kodiak PA:

To the guys who have only had a cursory glance or a limited time with this knife, I think you guys make sense. Use this knife for a month and I guarantee you will love it. Own one and not use it and you are missing out on an excellent opportunity of one of the finest production folders out there.
Click to expand...

Very well said and it could not be more true. If you own one and you don't use it, you are definetely missing out.

Scratches on titanium look nothing like scratches on steel. Titanium scratches are dull and do not by any means make the knife look ugly. And don't forget that you can send the knife back to CRK to have the knife refurbished for 20 dollars.

-Johnny

 
I guess I better take another look at the Sebenza

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Sir Grumps Alot

I hate Mondays!!!
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Kodiak,
Thank you for the honest opinions and observations. Some knives I put in my hand and think "wow this is so cool! I gotta get one" But when I held the Sebenza I thought "all that hype was just hype...I don't get it!?!?!"

Now I understand that perhaps the Sebenza like many other fine things is an "aquired taste." I was thinking I might get one, but the knives I do have never get very much hard use, so maybe I'd be better off spending that money on something else.
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I dunno...eventually I'll have to try it.

~Mitch
 
There are many of us who can vouch for the quality of sebenzas (myself included...though I prefer a small to a large for everyday carry)...

One thing that has not been mentioned that I think is very important when you consider USING a knife...service. Part of that chunky change we fork up for sebenzas is for top notch service. If anything goes wrong with that knife...I mean anything...just send it to CRK and it comes back brand new. For a small fee, they will buff out any scratches, dings, etc. and your knife will look brand new. I don't know of any other production company that exceeds CRK in service to its customers.
 
Don't get me wrong folks, I love the Sebenza.
I also hold Chris, Anne and the crew that I have gotten to meet in very high esteem. Am even considering a custom from one of the guys in the shop.
Lets try to keep this forum geared towards customs.


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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
 
The lock is what makes this knife a great piece. I have never heard of an accident with a Sebenza. The service is great , and the rest of the product line is also very well done. Most all unexpected lock failures, are recorded by liner locks. The choice of steel BG-42 offers a tough steel that sharpens with ease, and hold an edge. There is a down side to every thing, the first Sebenzas, with ATS-34 blades would not hold an edge. Chris saw the light and corrected that quite a ways back.If you use your knife hard,and safety is important, the Sebenza is the way to go.

Floyd
 
Jackyl said it all.
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I carry a "Fly "decorated Sebenza and it has a couple of "owies'.I don"t think it is ruined,just has a little character.

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have a"knife"day
 
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