Sm. Sebenza replacement ideas needed

J

J. MacDonald

Joined
Jun 8, 2000
Messages
3,140
Since the tragic loss of my small Sebenza a few weeks ago, I've been in a quandry about what to do. I have a three knife EDC rotation, depending on dress for the day. I love my BM 941D2CF and my Socom Elite but I need a knife with a 3" blade for certain times when the other two EDCs are inappropriate. THe little Sebbie filled that niche perfectly, although I was always a little dissapointed about how plain it looked.

For it's replacement, I considered just getting another one, but the plainness bugs me. I've looked at decorated ones, but I don't really like any of the stock patterns. This leaves only a unique decorated model or a knife from somebody else. Unfortunately, the price of a unique decorated sm. Sebenza starts getting into an area where you can get a pretty nice custom. A small TNT would probably fit the bill, but Tom's not taking orders and I can't afford the secondary market pricing for a TNT for an EDC.

Here's my general knife preferences:

I prefer:

drop point or clip point blades

Tip up carry, but for the right knife would consider tip down

D2 or S30V or BG42 steel

Titanium

Carbon Fiber

Low ride pocket clip, if it's pretty but strong, that's a plus (like my Socom E)

My favorite locks in order are:

1) Frame lock like Sebenza

2) Microbar like Socom Elite

3) Axis lock

Sleek but incredibly strong overall design with visual sheeple appeal.

Things I don't want:

Tanto

Chisel grind blade

Serrations

Teflon coated blade

Bone or wood scales/inlays

I have a Benchmade 705 but want something that's thinner and not as rough overall (don't like the G10 scales). I want something nicer than that, a very sturdy gentleman's/small tactical knife. THe smaller William Henry's are too small as is the Benchmade 77x series to me.

What do you guys think?

jmx
 
Buy the Obenauf Mini Model 2 that's on sale here or order the framelock version from Mike.

The latter is The Perfect Sebenza alternative.
 
I like my Darrell Ralph custom EDC. I got a three-inch D2 blade -- essentially, it's a Camillus EDC in size but with the multicolor anodized titanium handle slabs. You might go for the Camillus and see if you like it; the DDR is pretty expensive if you pay retail. A.G.Russell has an exclusive on the D2 version.
 
The Mayo Buck is about to be out( they have announced the first 25 are shipping in the week), and is the size of a medium TNT....
 
JW. Smith makes an incredible little 3" recurve folder thats sort of tactical and yet not at all "dangerous" looking. Made every bit as well as a Sebenza and priced only slightly higher. A perfect knife for what youre looking for, a sleek, smooth gentleman's folder, but strong and capable too.

Blade-Art has some.

I just picked up the bigger version with a 3.5" recurve and CF overlays and it is one of the smoothest, most beautifully made customs i have ever seen. Remarkable workmanship and it was about $450. The 3" models are probably a bit less.
 
RL- Everyone's a comedian. :)

If you read the full post, youll see i said the JWS i just bought is as well made as any custom ive ever seen, i cant really praise him more than that, and when i said that its made every bit as good as a Sebenza, well 1) I was speaking to the original poster, who was looking to REPLACE a Sebenza, so, i wanted to make sure he knew it would be at least as well made, and 2) Well, frankly, a lot of custom makers would do well to make their knives as flawless as a Sebenza, the Sebenza may be a bit plain looking, and not as flashy as some customs, but i have yet to see one with any sort of flaw and its pretty hard to improve on that.
 
Originally posted by Megalobyte
i wanted to make sure he knew it would be at least as well made....and a lot of custom makers would do well to make their knives as flawless as a Sebenza
Click to expand...

Correction...I am sure JWS and a lot of custom makers will be flattered.

RL
 
Don't know about the rest, but when I told John that the framelock I just got was right up there and every bit the equal of the Sebenza he seemed quite pleased.:D

Btw, the Classic Sebenza has more of a clip point blade and with the wood inserts would make you a nice knife...........since you have already owned and carried a Sebenza you would know what to expect.
 
Originally posted by artsig1
Don't know about the rest, but when I told John that the framelock I just got was right up there and every bit the equal of the Sebenza he seemed quite pleased.:D
Click to expand...

Well, Art, I never would have said such a thing to him...to each his own I guess...but do you really think you are helping John by posting something like that here in public? How "pleased" will be the customers of his $1800 art knives to know that his work is "every bit the equal" as a $300 production knife??? IMHO, it is poor knife etiquette to make such comparisons...that's why it is never done on the custom forum (at least I can't remember the last time somone posted anything along the lines of "hey my new Crawford is almost as good as my Carson".

RL
 
I'm kind of in the same boat, having traded my small, and regretting it. May just get another one.
Originally posted by jsun
Buy the Obenauf Mini Model 2 that's on sale here
Click to expand...
Just in case it's not the same knife, check out the one that I'm asking about in this FS thread.
http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthrea...0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1#Post227669
I have decided not to pursue that knife, mainly because it doesn't have a lanyard hole, but I really like these Obenaufs I'm seeing.
 
Well RL you need to get over whatever problems you have with the Sebenza. The first post I ever saw of yours was on USN where you jumped me about saying the word Sebenza. It is obvious that you do not like the Sebenza, we know that, without any doubt. As far as poor knife etiquette, I don't think it is a problem at all. As I understand it most custom makers do not mind the mechanical comparision of their framelocks to the Sebenza. This has nothing more to do with the cost of their knives over the Sebenza's cost. People who buy $2000 art knives do not do so for the lockup. The mechanics of the framelock were first shown in the Sebenza and Chris Reeve has worked on this design to make it the best it can be. Whether you like it or not a framelock can only be so good before they level out and several framelocks are at the same point of mechanical excellence. The John W. Smith framelock I just got is every bit as good as the Sebenza.

Sorry but that is the way it is and that is the way I think. I respect your opinions as a knife collector and I think you have a good bit of knowledge about knives, but this thing with the Sebenza is way out there. Bury it, get over it, get on with the knives you like..................and so will I.


I wanted to edit this to say that this is my last say so on the subject. No use in beating a dead horse!
 
DDR Static Maxx!:D I loved mine so much, I've ordered another one. You can choose your blade style as well:)
 
I'm looking for something with a 3" (legal everywhere) blade.

Maxxes are definitely out for this application.

jmx
 
Get another small Sebbie and have it "Mayonized"

I would also suggest the Darrel Ralph EDC if you want to go custom.
 
What is Mayonized? CAn Tom do that even with his full schedule?

I looked at knifeart.com and didn't see a Static Maxx. I did see a couple mini Maxxes but don't want a dagger style blade.

DDR Ti EDC with TNT looks pretty cool. I wonder if he'd do the clip for tip up carry? That's way at the high end of what I'd consider spending for an EDC. Probably too much.

The Buck Mayo sounds good, but I can't find much info on it. Any links?

jmx
 
And here is what a Mayonized Sebenza is like:

MayoSebbie.jpg
 
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