Sebenza's Equivalent?

TheBleedingEdge said:
You own a Sebenza to say that you own a Sebenza. Then you use your Kershaw Leek to open the box it shipped in.
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Well, I used my SmF to open the Umnumzaan box, and used both to cut fiberglass insulation.
I've also used both to cut 1/4" thick armour grade leather to make a sheth, scraped the insulation off of copper wires, and used the SmF to scrape rust off some steel I was working with.
Needless to say, neither are "mint" now, and have been sharpened quite a few times.

Generalizing guarantees being wrong.;)
 
That Bull Gareth looks very interesting, how does it open, it looks thumbstud/thumholess ? Maybe I just can not see the other side.
 
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it opens using the jimped edge of the tang, using a kind of rolling motion with the thumb, like flipping open a zippo lighter.
 
gooeytek said:
it opens using the jimped edge of the tang, using a kind of rolling motion with the thumb, like flipping open a zippo lighter.
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Very nice, almost a steal if you do indeed get that entire kit for 400. Lot of personalization of the knife is always a plus+
 
stabman said:
Well, I used my SmF to open the Umnumzaan box, and used both to cut fiberglass insulation.
I've also used both to cut 1/4" thick armour grade leather to make a sheth, scraped the insulation off of copper wires, and used the SmF to scrape rust off some steel I was working with.
Needless to say, neither are "mint" now, and have been sharpened quite a few times.

Generalizing guarantees being wrong.;)
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Indeed. I've EDCed a Sebenza for years because I'm anal about small details and how many production knives get loose with long term use. It's one of only two knives that I carry, and I use it for everything. It's scuffed to hell, has a bent up pocket clip and has been completely resharpened a few times. It's also as tight as the day I bought it and the way the pieces fit together delights me every time I take it down to clean it out.
 
Buying a Sebenza is much like buying a Rolex, it's a wonderful product that delivers consistently day in and day out. However 50% of what you are paying for is the name, there are other offerings that perform equally for half the price. I have owned a Sebenza and also a Spyderco Sage 2, the Spyderco was way smoother, easier to open and actually had perfect fit and finish compared to the Sebbie that had a off-center blade.
 
Spydieguy4 said:
Buying a Sebenza is much like buying a Rolex, it's a wonderful product that delivers consistently day in and day out. However 50% of what you are paying for is the name, there are other offerings that perform equally for half the price. I have owned a Sebenza and also a Spyderco Sage 2, the Spyderco was way smoother, easier to open and actually had perfect fit and finish compared to the Sebbie that had a off-center blade.
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As the owner of a used Rolex GMT Master II, I'd say it's more accurate to compare it to a Rockstead when comparing price and materials. The $400 price tag might give some pause, but the $3000+ price of a Rockstead makes me raise an eyebrow.

It's interesting you bring up Spyderco as Sal himself has said that if they were to make a knife with the equivalent fit and finish of the Sebenza, it would be very similar in price. Thus I'm not sure the name has that much to do with anything.
 
I don't see any room on my Sebenzas for an off center blade!
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When I first came here in 2006 I remember the threads about Sebenzas and the back and forth about, the price, if they are worth it, what's as good.

The fact that these threads continue on and on, shows me that they are outstanding knives and there is something about them, to stir up so much discussion on and on, year after year.
 
jill jackson said:
When I first came here in 2006 I remember the threads about Sebenzas and the back and forth about, the price, if they are worth it, what's as good.

The fact that these threads continue on and on, shows me that they are outstanding knives and there is something about them, to stir up so much discussion on and on, year after year.
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Not to mention the word Sebenza looks nice and sounds very elegant when spoken aloud. ^ ^
 
V
TheBleedingEdge said:
You own a Sebenza to say that you own a Sebenza. Then you use your Kershaw Leek to open the box it shipped.
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I know a lot of Sebenza owners will disagree with this comment, but it's exactly my mindset and the reason I can't bring myself to spend above a certain (but growing) price point.
 
Cynic2701 said:
Yes, some blades can attain higher hardnesses, some blades are more corrosion resistant, some blades are tougher. How many are made for left handed people?
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I guess the ones with reversible pocket clips, no pocket clips, dual thumb studs, dual nail nicks, a thumb disc, an opening hole, a wave, lockbacks, tail locks, triad locks, ball bearing locks, axis locks, arc locks, stud locks, Crawford one hand locks, self locks, axial locks, virolocs, and some more I don't know.
 
It's funny that someone who thinks they know about knives assumes the Spyderco Sage2 is really comparable to the Seb. They have the same materials but it stops there. I have a few Spydies & Benchmades... A few Striders... and a few CRKs. I've been a member here since 2001... when I bought my first Sebenza. I've been through MANY knives. Trust me I've been looking, and there IS no higher quality folding knife than the CRK Sebenza. Blade awards speak for themselves, fellas!! That said... We all have our biases & folks can be pretty convinced when they listen to the all mighty dollar. I carry my Striders more than my Sebs.
 
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hardheart said:
I guess the ones with reversible pocket clips, no pocket clips, dual thumb studs, dual nail nicks, a thumb disc, an opening hole, a wave, lockbacks, tail locks, triad locks, ball bearing locks, axis locks, arc locks, stud locks, Crawford one hand locks, self locks, axial locks, virolocs, and some more I don't know.
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Perhaps I should have been more specific--I prefer open backed knives. That eliminates a lot of the ambidextrous locks out there. Don't get me wrong, I like a well made lock back (I love my ZDP Stretch and Caly 3), but for my personal uses I end up cutting a lot of fruit; closed backed knives are harder to clean out properly, and take longer to dry.

Like I said before, I've become leery of Axis lock, and Axis lock-styled knives due to personal experiences. I've settled on liner and frame lock knives, and there just aren't that many out there. A lot of lefties here on the forums bemoan the lack of available options for two of the most common and beloved lock styles.

Of course, a fixed blade eliminates all of those worries--as long as you can get the maker to make a left handed sheath!
 
I'm a big Spyderco Military/P2 fan just b/c of the affordability of a fantastic usable blade. If I were moving up, I'd look at the Bradley Alias. From there not sure as I've never really looked realistically into the upper level knives. While I agree the aesthetics of the higher end and custom blades are very nice, the functionality as a tool is no better. That being said, if I could afford more toys, I'd be picking up some of the nice stuff myself and hanging classic Gibson guitars on my wall as art :D. Good luck with your search.

Here is a link on the site that shows the Bradley Alias I and II compared (has flow-through design and TI frame lock):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/809388-Bradley-Alias-II
 
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FWIW (probably not much :)), I've never understood why folks think Seb's are so expensive.

I'm not a rich man by any stretch, but here I am hemming and hawing over purchasing a 32GB iPad 2 since my children have absconded with my laptop. $599 for an iPad 2, something that will be obsolete in two years, and will eventually end up either in my kids' hands, given away, or collecting dust somewhere. I don't NEED it, but would really like something other than my iPhone to check and respond to work and personal emails on when at home or away on business. I always have the option of continuing to use my phone for this task, or using the public access computers that are normally setup in hotels when I travel. Either way, like I said, I don't need an iPad.

My Seb is a far cry from an iPad. It's something that I've carried for close to 10 years now, have no plans of putting down, and something that will eventually end up in my kids' hands, only because I'm in an urn on someone's mantle. My Seb is as much a part of me as my hair or eye color, as many consider something as personal as a pocketknife. I regard it more highly than I do any of my firearms, guitars, etc. It is the material object that I'll leave behind that I'll want to be remembered by.

If there were another production folding knife on the market that came close, I'd certainly give it a look. The Alias is nice, but it's not a CRK; it's a framelocking Benchmade. Other framelocks on the market are nice too, but they were not evolved over 20+ years of refinement via the passion of its creator.

Custom knives are wonderful things, but as someone else has mentioned, I can't readily pull a duplicate custom to that of my EDC out of my gunsafe in the event of loss, etc. and expect the knife to be the same. Customs (and even some mid-tech, semi-customs) can make a Sebenza seem like a bargain price-wise.

Ergonomically and otherwise, the Seb is probably not for everyone. Variety is the spice of life, after all. But the Seb is pretty darned nice from the standpoint of tolerances, simplicity, ease of disassembly, ergos, and as close to perfect as I've found for my needs and wants in my 30+ years of collecting and using knives.

We are the knife elite, and life is way too short. If you love knives, you really owe it to yourself to at least try a Seb in the course of what I'm sure will be many knife purchases in your knife collecting career. It may not be for you, but at least you'll know with certainty.

This is my Seb. IMG_0533[1].jpg There may be a few like it, but this one is uniquely mine. The defense rests. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Prof.
 
Saying a Spyderco has a dead centered closed blade and a Sebenza didn't, strikes me a bit funny, because I've owned and do own dozens of Spydercos and believe me there are some models a centered blade is not the rule with. The old style lock-back Manix was one that seemed plagued by off centered blades. Many Military models I've had were off centered too. In fact Spyderco does not have the best reputation for centered when closed blades period.
 
I've handled a friend's 2003 Snakewood Seb. Yes it was a good knife, but I still prefer my ZT. Got a Shunnarah in BG42 coming soon, so I'll probably have a new favorite.

As for knives similar to the Seb, I've seen the Lochsa mentioned (yeah, custom vs production, what gives). That's a knife I would definitely get, but not at the prices secondhand flippers are commanding these days. Hell, might as well wait till Scott takes your order, and spend what you'd save on another knife or two.

I'd also consider a Hinderer XM-18 with a Ti scale, though from what I've seen all of them are 3D machined. You'd need to find a knife pimper to make a smooth scale.
 
Plus 1 or more, Jill :)

My personal experience is that CRK's are THE most consistently centered production knives I have ever seen. I never worry about a centered blade whan I purchase or trade for a CRK. In fact, CRK is the only production knife that I never worry about the F&F when I am considering acquiring another. Any other knife I buy, centering is always in the back of my mind until I can see a picture of it or until I receive it.


jill jackson said:
Saying a Spyderco has a dead centered closed blade and a Sebenza didn't, strikes me a bit funny, because I've owned and do own dozens of Spydercos and believe me there are some models a centered blade is not the rule with. The old style lock-back Manix was one that seemed plagued by off centered blades. Many Military models I've had were off centered too. In fact Spyderco does not have the best reputation for centered when closed blades period.
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