Sebenza's vs Zero Tolerance

B

BaconButcher

Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
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Hey everyone. Here, I am asking your opinions on these two different knives. Recommendations are welcome, but what I am looking for is your opinion with facts on which is best to you. You can also talk about knife steels, ZT's use a lot of Elmax steel, which is a extremely strong steel, and Sebenza utilize soley S35VN steels, which is an equally powerful steel. I am also looking for an idea on which to buy. Regards :cool:
 
This may not work for everyone, but a Sebenza was on my "must have" list for years, and I've handled them for years in stores trying to push myself to spend that much on a knife, but I have to admit, when I got a ZT0561, it knocked the Sebenza off its pedestal for me.

Sebenzas are great, but for me, they don't seem enough better, to justify the cost difference of a ZT560 series.
 
I assume you have the budget for either; I'd say it's just a matter of preference. Both are good companies. CRK is the yardstick of lock blades. Both have excellent CS.

What are you looking for in a knife?
Does blade shape matter?
What's your expected use?
Flipper?
 
The_Knife_Man said:
I assume you have the budget for either; I'd say it's just a matter of preference. Both are good companies. CRK is the yardstick of lock blades. Both have excellent CS.

What are you looking for in a knife?
Does blade shape matter?
What's your expected use?
Flipper?
Click to expand...

Looking for S35VN steel
Standard blade shape
Dressing wild game/Cutting thick meats/cutting vegetables/cutting thin wood branches/whittling or carving dense wood
And yes, flipper.
 
I'd opt for a Sebenza if your budget allows. There's nothing wrong with a ZT, but I could go on and on about why I like sebenzas better.

Regarding blade steel, CRK heat treats their S35VN a little softer so it's pretty easy to sharpen. It's pretty resistant to chipping as well IMO. I love how how I can give it a few swipes on a pocket stone and bring its edge back quickly on the go.
 
BaconButcher said:
Looking for S35VN steel
Standard blade shape
Dressing wild game/Cutting thick meats/cutting vegetables/cutting thin wood branches/whittling or carving dense wood
And yes, flipper.
Click to expand...

I am not a hunter, but wouldn't it be much better to use a fixed blade for skinning? If you want a flipper, then sebenza is out of question. Sebenza is easier to disassemble to clean.
 
In terms of build quality and fit and finish the sebenza wins hands down. Every genuine sebbie I have seen in person sets the bar. But from a value standpoint I believe ZT has the edge. They offer many options that you simply cant get in any chris reeve let alone a sebenza. I am a flipper/bearings guy. I can even live without the flipper but I need a bearing system or I just wont use it.
 
I've had both the Sebenza and the Umnuzman both great knives. Neither of them are flippers and CR states that flipping them open is a no no. I prefer the ZT's fit and finish while really good is not as good as any knife made by CR he is just the best. In use, the zt works very well and holds an edge longer than CR's do. Both strong well made knives, one just costs double the other and whether thats worth it is up to you.
 
If you want a quality flipper (CRK doesn't make flippers) get a ZT 0562CF with M390 steel which is a distinct step above S35VN and Elmax. They're just tough to find due to very limited supplies but hang in there since you get a lot for $240.
 
BaconButcher said:
ZT 0560 series or Sebenza 21/25 series. Choose.
Click to expand...

Out of those, I'd take a Sebenza 21. Just because the 0560 is my least favourite ZT (I still like it, though). However, I use my 0550 a lot more than my Sebenza.

ZT makes excellent knives and, considering the materials and features, they are well priced. A Sebenza is going to be more expensive (twice as expensive than most ZTs!), fit and finish is spotless but performance isn't going to be twice as good as a 200 dollar knife.

Most ZTs are a bit bulky and have a lot of bells and whistles (flippers, assisted opening or bearings, lock inserts, overtravel stops, etc.), Sebenzas are super simple and elegant. I like that about them. Since you say you'll use it to dress game, the Sebenza's simplicity and ease of disassembly would be advantages.

Sorry, not much of an answer. I consider myself a ZT folder fan, but I'm also quite happy that I decided to get a Sebenza.
 
The Sebenza is the better knife. I think you will find it better for hunting too.
 
It comes down to personal and budget preference. Both will cut stuff and both are quality knives.

I think the ZTs are more modern (materials, flipper, designs), and the CRKs less so. It all depends on what you want.
 
I've had a ZT 0301, 0560, 0561, and 0551 for a while now, and have used them for most tasks one would use a knife. Not chopping, or batoning, but cutting stuff, sometimes pretty tough stuff. They have always worked, and worked well. For the money I paid the quality is excellent, and they do stand behind their products. That being said I finally have a Sebenza 25 arriving tomorrow, so I will be able to compare, and contrast. The Sebbie cost me over double what my ZT's cost as I bought most of them on the Exchange LNIB. I am looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about, and expect a very smooth, high quality folder. I am sure I won't be disappointed.
 
BaconButcher said:
Looking for S35VN steel
Standard blade shape
Dressing wild game/Cutting thick meats/cutting vegetables/cutting thin wood branches/whittling or carving dense wood
And yes, flipper.
Click to expand...

You'll have to compromise...
No ZT I know of comes in in s35vn.
And no sebenza comes with a flipper.

ZT can come in m390; which is holds a better edge than s35vn
Senenza will be a breeze to take apart to clean after skinning an animal

So it comes down to what you like more.
Or get both if you got it like that.
 
Been doing some research, and the results have been overwhelmingly in favor of M390 steels. Might try out a ZT 0562CF M390 steel with a "slicing" grind. S35VN is also incredibly good, but how is the edge retention on them compared to M390?
 
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