Seeking advice from more experienced owners on which Sebenza to get?

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caldwelr

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Hello all,

I've really been craving a Sebenza for quite some time now, and my wife has indicated that she would like to gift one to me for our upcoming anniversary! I am very excited about the prospect of owning and using a Sebenza, but I am unsure about which model to get! I know that I would like a large Sebenza, but can't make up my mind between a 21 and a 25. I was hoping that by posting here, more experienced Chris Reeve owners would be able to give me some advice about which one is the better knife in general and for my uses... My intentions if I were to get this knife is to make it my true EDC, and not carry a single other knife. Therefore, I will be using it for mundane tasks such as cutting strings and cardboard, opening packages, cutting up an apple or other food when in the outdoors, and whittling. I am also an avid fishermen, hunter, and outdoorsman and would use the knife to gut out and dress fish and game, and for other field tasks. Lastly, I serve in the active duty military and will carry this knife constantly while in uniform, especially while in the field. Based on this information, is one model better for my uses than the other?

Thanks ahead of time for the recommendations!
 
Perhaps you could give an indication of the size you would like?
From your request, I can kind of guess that you would like a large? If it were me, I quite like the 25. The blade is a little thicker than the 21..Although, the 21 is easier to field service.
If one has more importance as far as cleaning goes, then your answer would be the 21.

Do you live in an area where you have access to get one in your hand? If so, I would go handle them as it's largely a personal choice; My personal choice is the 25,..but that is my choice.
 
Yes, I would like the large size. I do like to take apart my knives occasionally, so that would be a plus for the 21 then. I don't have the opportunity to handle one, unfortunately. The blade is thicker on the 25... Have you noticed a difference in cutting ability between the 21 and the 25? Is it easier to make deep cuts with the 21 due to the thinner blade? I've never had an issue with breaking a blade, so thinner blades have never concerned me or posed an issue to my uses. However, thicker blades have given me an issue with wedging when cutting through thicker materials in the past... I'm wondering if this is the case here?
 
Ive used both extensively and the 21 is a better knife as far as piercing and cutting all round for me. I also prefer the build and function of this knife.
If you want to sacrifice a little cutting performance for a bit of thickness. Then grab a 25.
The 21 is also a great kitchen knife as well as a utility knife and I prefer the titanium lock up v/s ceramic ball. That is just a preference.
The 25 will do all the same things just differently. And the 25 handle was also very comfortable as well. If you watch a few unbiased youtube videos I am sure that will help you choose because I am leaning in one direction.

Happy Anniversary. I just picked up mine the week of my anniversary as well. Always a good feeling.
Best of luck. Since this is a gift . Make a good choice cuz you cant sell it. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
BellaBlades said:
Ive used both extensively and the 21 is a better knife as far as piercing and cutting all round for me. I also prefer the build and function of this knife.
If you want to sacrifice a little cutting performance for a bit of thickness. Then grab a 25.
The 21 is also a great kitchen knife as well as a utility knife and I prefer the titanium lock up v/s ceramic ball. That is just a preference.
The 25 will do all the same things just differently. And the 25 handle was also very comfortable as well. If you watch a few unbiased youtube videos I am sure that will help you choose because I am leaning in one direction.

Happy Anniversary. I just picked up mine the week of my anniversary as well. Always a good feeling.
Best of luck. Since this is a gift . Make a good choice cuz you cant sell it. :thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughtful input! I do tend to agree with you, in that I prefer a better cutting blade than a thicker blade. I've been watching some youtube videos, and I am currently leaning towards the 21... but as of yet I am undecided!

I appreciate the well wishes! And you're right, this is definitely not going to be a knife that I'll ever be getting rid of. How does one get a 21 with a double thumbstud... I can't find any like that for sale online, though I have seen them picture before on bladeforums... Is this something that you have to go direct with the manufacturer for? If I do go for the 21, which blade shape is superior in performance? I've heard that the insigno blade is a very aggressive cutter and slicer, though it would seem to be at a slight disadvantage for field dressing purposes. Any experiences as far as that goes?
 
I cant say much about the blades, as you can see the insignio is popular.
But the insignio is ugly IMO and sliced close to the same. The more rounded tip did not pierce as well as the regular blade. But like I said cutting ability is close. But I like more belly and a finer tip for a utility knife.
As far as the thumb studs. I have seen them from a few retailers, but they are special order from what I have seen. When I open left handed I just pull the stud with my pointer finger, it has become send nature, although. I never need to , I just do it when I fiddle around.
I enjoyed the 25 more than the insignio and the standard 21 more than the 25. The insignio and 25 were not mine. Just borrowed.
 
All great advice from above members^^

I think(not sure) True North Knives is the only disributor that has the "double stud" option. Good luck on deciding which to get. I LOVE the 25, but the 21 design(pivot family), to most, represents what a TRUE definition of a Sebenza is.
 
This is a very good question. Not just for you, but everyone considering a 21 or 25. It is very difficult and subjective to pick just one.

Some things to consider:

-The 25 is a little thicker. So, if you have smaller hands, you might want the 21. If you have bigger hands; vice-versa.
-The 25 has a standard pivot. You get loc-tite to keep it from loosening. The 21 has the awesome pivot bushing system. The 21 wins here in my opinion.
-Both are easy to clean, but the 25 is a little easier.
-I find the 21 a little more gentlemanly and elegant for EDC. (aka-better for sheeple)
-More options at this time for the 21 to look even more sophisticated.
-Adding a normal paracord lanyard is a little more tricky with the 25 and it kind of gets in the way. 21 wins here.
-The finger grooves are on the small size for me. So, if you have large hands like me, the 21 wins here.
-Both are silky smooth, but the 25 can be made smoother than the 21 by keeping the pivot looser.
-I love micarta inlays and the 21 carries them better.

So, if I had to pick ONLY one to keep, it would be the 21 with micarta. I love the classic, simple design more than the slightly more tactical look of the 25.

Comparison pic:
IMAG0162 by BiggestJon, on Flickr
 
Thanks all! It really seems like the 21 is the way to go. At the risk of raising ire, as I know this has been beat to death by some, how well does the S35VN from Chris Reeve hold up? In my research, I have come across many complaints of the edge retention of the steel... I'm sure much of it is overblown, but is it? Any issues with the steel? I don't have to have a steel that holds it's edge forever, but I like to be able to go awhile between sharpenings when busy.
 
I'm partial to the 21. I like it's simplicity... Both asthetically and functionally. Very easy to maintain and rock solid. The choil on the 25 kinda turns me off and I hear they are a bit heavier. I have XL hands and own both small and large 21's and both are quite comfortable. The smalls get a little more pocket time and are much more capable than they are sometimes given credit for. For what it's woth I started with a large 21 and now own 3 regulars (large and small) and 4 21's (large, small and inlaid). Since you will not be able to stop at just one, like the rest of us, start with a large 21 then maybe a 25 try an inlaid a small an insingo.... You get the idea. Good luck, whatever you get you're gonna love it!!
 
The steel complaints are from people that dont know how to sharpen a knife. And they usually carry a ZDP dragonfly. :D But it is durable steel all day long.
I used mine to do food prep, electrical, woodwork you name it for two weeks. One sharpening. I mean if your not cutting tires and soda cans all day it should be fine.

If you own a strop that also helps. I just used the green oxide / fine side for up keep and it was wonderful.
 
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Great advice here your in good hands as I have recently reached for help trying to decide as you are.
I'm sure you've noticed your getting very sound advice here from many good folks !
Wish I could be some help to you but theres not much I can add especially being a new Sebenza owner myself except when I went down to pick mine out the 21 felt slightly better in my hand and I like the sleek look of the blade and how thin it was . Seemed like the action was better on the 21 but as mentioned the 25 can be dialed in to your liking .
Needless to say I liked the 21 more because that's what I left with .
On a side note as many have mentioned be prepared to want more of them because I'm already trying to figure out if the next will be another large 21 or small lol . Good luck on your choice and you should be happier with either of your choices there both works of art and functionally just as pleasing 👍
 
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I'll offer my opinion. I carried and used a plain 21 everyday for a year. Performance and functionality are top notch. It is a great knife, however, it just couldnt keep me interested. Seemed to lack character if that makes any sense. So I sold it off. A few months back I started to gain interest in the 25. Had to try it. I got the micarta version and so far I like it a lot. Its not better than the 21, just a little different. It seems to have the character that the 21 was missing. I know knives are not people but maybe Chris just put more of himself into the design. Just my opinion. Take it for what its worth.
 
BellaBlades said:
Ive used both extensively and the 21 is a better knife as far as piercing and cutting all round for me. I also prefer the build and function of this knife.
If you want to sacrifice a little cutting performance for a bit of thickness. Then grab a 25.
The 21 is also a great kitchen knife as well as a utility knife and I prefer the titanium lock up v/s ceramic ball. That is just a preference.
The 25 will do all the same things just differently. And the 25 handle was also very comfortable as well. If you watch a few unbiased youtube videos I am sure that will help you choose because I am leaning in one direction.

Happy Anniversary. I just picked up mine the week of my anniversary as well. Always a good feeling.
Best of luck. Since this is a gift . Make a good choice cuz you cant sell it. :thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

I currently own both and don't notice any perceptable difference in cutting ability with the same edge..Perhaps with food like cheese. Don't usually use any of my knives on that ;)
As far as the ceramic ball is concerned,..I think I am going to go with ceramic on steel over Titanium on steel and leave it at that.

BellaBlades said:
The steel complaints are from people that dont know how to sharpen a knife. And they usually carry a ZDP dragonfly. :D But it is durable steel all day long.
I used mine to do food prep, electrical, woodwork you name it for two weeks. One sharpening. I mean if your not cutting tires and soda cans all day it should be fine.

If you own a strop that also helps. I just used the green oxide / fine side for up keep and it was wonderful.
Click to expand...

Totally agree..

johnnytoxin said:
I'll offer my opinion. I carried and used a plain 21 everyday for a year. Performance and functionality are top notch. It is a great knife, however, it just couldnt keep me interested. Seemed to lack character if that makes any sense. So I sold it off. A few months back I started to gain interest in the 25. Had to try it. I got the micarta version and so far I like it a lot. Its not better than the 21, just a little different. It seems to have the character that the 21 was missing. I know knives are not people but maybe Chris just put more of himself into the design. Just my opinion. Take it for what its worth.
Click to expand...

And agree with this..


I do notice that there are alot of people that use the loc-tite. That is interesting,..I have loc-tite that came with my knives,..but have never used it. They have all been taken down at one point or another. Some more than others, but none have needed loc-tite. Perhaps I am just lucky.
Either way, you will likely enjoy one or the other..The only difference you will notice is the ones you note when you pick up the second, third, fourth...
 
Am always more than happy to help out new CRK owners. I think with what you're looking for, and being in the Military, the large 21 micarta clip point would be my recommendation. It'll give you that extra little bit of girth and grip you might want with wet hands when needing to do some serious cutting. I think the simplicity of the design would also be advantageous for you in the field needing only one Allen wrench and no loctite to keep up with. I've taken apart my Umnumzaan and didn't reapply the loctite and it seems perfectly fine.
 
The 21 has a very deep hollow grind that has a relatively thick spine. The 25's spine is only a tiny bit thicker than the 21, hardly enough to notice without a micrometer. As far as one cutting better than the other, it depends on what you are cutting. Deep cutting, like through fruit or cardboard, the 21 is inferior due to the deep hollow grind which causes the thick spine (relative to cutting edge) to bind up in material. The 25 zips through thicker stuff much more easily, I think due to the more gradual change in thickness from the cutting edge to the spine thanks to the shallower hollow grind. Both knives are fine for carving or opening mail.

IMO it's the ceramic ball lock/detent interface that makes the 25 feel heavy duty, it locks open with authority. Nothing else comes close, not even a Strider SnG or SMF, the Umnumzaan/Sebenza 25 are very unique knife in that way.

My favorite outdoors folder is a Micarta inlaid Sebenza 25.
 
From what I hear of your wants, A LARGE 21 STANDARD BLADE should suit your needs.

:D Then after while you may get a SMALL INSINGO 21 in your pocket for when you won't be eviscerating deer or stabing trees.
The Insingo is a sweet slicer, it can do all you want, except the game stuff.

Have fun with it.
 
Wow! Thank you for all the great responses, I've heard some great pros and cons from each side! I appreciate everyone's contributions, and I'll have to mull it over with all the new points that I hadn't thought of before.... unfortunately, I think I am now less sure than before which one to ask for! Haha.

Thanks again everybody.
 
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