Sebenza's... for wilderness and survival

There are lots of knives out there now that compare to a Sebenza, from Darrel Ralph customs to Strider folders to the Griptilians, especially the Ritter grip.

Chris Reeve showed them the way. Framelock, utilitarian design, S30V. Of course they've learned from him and their knives are also good. Different knives may be better in their own way for particular tasks. Take a Sebenza and a Victorinox Ranger and then tell me what you can't do with those two. :)
 
I also seemed to have missed out on the notice that Sebenzas are not users.

Been using mine regularly for all sorts of things for years now and it still works as well as it ever did with absolutely no maintenance except occasional sharpening and a bit of cleaning. Never taken it apart, never needed to, pivot works as well today as it did when it was new and the lock is still rock solid.

There are people who have owned them and sold them again, doesn't suit them, fine. If you want opinions listen to those who have owned them, good or bad, and ignore people who obviously never have.
 
Are Sebenzas great folders? Sure. Are they usefull outdoors? Of course. If I had the money or I already owned a Sebenza would it be my first choice for taking it hiking or climbing? Nope. Chances are it will get lost or broken beyond repair.

I wouldn't hesitate it to use it in a daily basis as an EDC, neither to use it if I find miself in need of carving notches or whitling but it wouldn't be my first tool of choice.

Mikel
 
I got mine out of the safe a couple of weeks ago. I've been letting it mingle with the the other knives, and let the regular knives get to know the Sebbie. So far they seem to be getting along so far. ;)
Seriously, I've already looked at my Sebenza as a last ditch, chips are down, high reliability knife, but finally I realized I was missing out enjoying it by keeping it "on ice" for the last 14 to 16 years. Time to make up for lost time.
 
I was always looking for an EDC that was a bit better than what I already had. After buying my Sebenza I have not looked again. It has been in my pocket every day. It was a huge investment for a middle-class working man but I have never regretted it. If I had bought one sooner it would have probably saved me money that I spent on the other blades. Is it the best folder I own? Hell yes! Should it be carried ever day? Definitely!
 
Speculation:

Would I want to use one in the woods? Nope, not particularly. I have a preference for fixed blades for a start, and I don't think the handle of a Seb looks especially comfy for extended use. I think even my EKA Big Swede has a better handle for extended use than a Seb. By the same token I think it looks piggin' uncomfortable if one was to use it for several hours straight in the manner of a Stanly knife cutting carpet or something. I believe there are loads of economical or even bargain bucket sh1te knives that would have it beat in this respect even if the blade portion of said sh1te knife was fashioned from lead.

On the other hand, as an EDC, that protracted use thing isn't an issue, and I love the simple design execution of the Seb that allows the engineering to speak for itself. If I could EDC one here without aggro I wouldn't hesitate to have it on the list with a couple of Spydies I also covet for the same role. It is also my understanding that the properties of the Seb allows one to take the blade down real thin if one is not doing to do something dim with it, and it will hold that edge well. And that's the direction I'd enjoy mine in I'm sure.
 
If I could keep one folder it would be the my Small Classic with Micarta inlays. Second would probably be the Mini Ritter Grip. I prefer the Sebenza because it is the execution of what I consider an ideal single blade folder. The shape of the blade is foremost utilitarian. In this humid, wet environment, the steel is ideal for a pocket knife, good corrosion resistance for the edge holding. The handle, while comfy, is tough and secure. The open design makes cleaning blood and goo out of it easier than the Grip. The lock is incredible, pushing mud and crap out of the way and locking the blade with authority. While the lock on the Grip is smoother and silkier, it is more complex and has more points for failure. The over all quality of the Grip, from tolerances to materials, is not up to that of the Sebenza. The Grip is a great knife, but not a Sebbie. I edc the Sebbie, and use it heavily. For most edc and outdoor chores, from fishing to camping to hunting, I can get by my Leatherman Charge and the Sebbie or the Ritter Grip. The Grip usaully gets the nod when boating or canoeing. The Sebbie most other times. Get one and use the hell out it, that is what it was designed for.

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Now my blood's up. I'm deliberately going to use my small plain Sebenza to spread peanut butter.

That'll show you.:eek:
 
The small reg Seb, and the Fallkniven F1 micarta go with me into the woods every day.
I didn't buy the Seb to worry about losing it or using it. They are extremely rugged folders, and I highly recommend them for wilderness & survival, especially if they are carried with something like a Fallkniven.
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I carried a large Sebenza (BG42 version) for a couple of years as an EDC/Hiking knife. It never cut wood the way I wanted, at least, not till I really got heavy handed and re-ground the edge. It was also far too un comfortable in the hand for extended heavy use. Very sad.

I moved on to using a Combat Elite RRF, S30V, (early version). MUCH better handle shape, better edge geometry, faster deployment, rather spoilt by the fact that the blade wobbled laterally, almost from day one. Not something that could be fixed even by sending it back. The wobble was annoying, but everything else about it put it ahead of the Seb.

Next I tried the larger Ritter Grip. Good shape, good blade geometry, fast, sure, deployment, good lock, shame that it won't hold an edge worth a damn. Nothing I have done has either got it as sharp as my other knives, nor got it to hold what edge it will take. Three friends with Ritters bought at different times have found the same thing. All three have also had chunks chip out of the edge. This has made me a little leary.

Current carry is a Kershaw EnerG2. 13C26. There are some issues with the handle, it is over optimised for a saber grip, and the hi-grip panels are wearing my pocket, not as good ergonomics as the RRF, but the sharpness and edge holding of the steel is fantastic. It carves better than any of the other knives, opens very fast, is secure in the pocket and locks up without a wobble. It is also the cheapest of the four! The only problems are that the blade stains and the opening system is prone to dirt/fluff contamination.

They are all users, but all have strengths and weaknesses. The Sebenza was definitely a user. I have never lost a knife (come close with my SAK a couple times :rolleyes:) and I don't break tools, so the cost doesn't really matter so much as the performance and for me the Sebenza just didn't add up to the sum of its parts.

Next purchase for an oudoor knife? Rockstead make some NICE folders! :D
 
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