Small Sebenza vs Spyderco Sage II

Small Sebenza vs Sage II

  • Small Sebenza

    Votes: 2 33.3%

  • Sage II

    Votes: 3 50.0%

  • These two knives aren't even in the same class and shouldn't be directly compared.

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • Total voters
    6
I had to vote for the sebenza by voting "not in the same class". I have owned and used spyderco but these days carry either a large or small sebenza depending on what I am doing.

Nothing wrong with Spyderco but they are not comparable to CRK. To my eye the Sebenza is the pinnacle of folder design in every way.
 
I had never gotten my hands on either...but from all that I have read, as well as my experience with Spyderco knives, I will say this:

The Spyderco knife may be and for many likely is the superior tool, the better cutting instrument, and the design that suits the ELU better, but it will probably not match the "knife experience" of a Sebenza. (By "knife experience" I mostly refer to the feeling created by the attention to detail and top class build quality of the Sebi, as opposed to the materials or design. For example, the immaculate tolerances of the pivot bushing-a part which Spyderco has also utilised in knives such as the Manix2 and the upcoming Paramilitary 2, but with problems such as excessive blade play caused by tolerances that simply weren't up to CRK standard.)

A better way to describe the "knife experience" would perhaps be the "blow me away" feeling that some people get. I know I felt it the first time I snapped open my Delica4-it was my first high-end knife. Everything about it seemed transcendental-the materials, the ergonomy, the smooth opening, the razor-edge. I assume that the same feeling would be replicated if I were to take the "next step up" and hit the Sebi-that of handling something over and beyond anything I have ever tried in my life. I know I felt that when handling a custom knife at a dealer here.

Then agaiiin...Never handled a Sebenza before. Might be like that, might be not. Feel free to flame away if I'm wrong, cause it's presumptuous BS :)
 
I only own a sage 2. I would like to get a small seb one day (get through college first though), but I honestly don't know if I would use it that much.

The Sage has the benefit for me being very ergonomic, and makes a great strong user knife. I have no reservations using mine when I need to. If I get a seb, I don't think I would be able to make it a 'go to' edc folder. Maybe when I wear a suit, but it would be relegated to lighter tasks just as I would relegate a really nice watch.
 
Since this thread was started, I purchased a Sage II. I stand by my original comment, that the Sebenza doesn't do anything better (except smaller in pocket) and is a luxury/jewelry item like my Omega watch.

But oh what an item! Nothing matches the feel of a Sebenza. There are many cars that perform as well as a Ferrari, yet nothing feels like a Ferrari. As long as you know you are paying for the feel etc.

In the end, I prefer both. Why choose one when you can have two? =D


-Freq
 
I voted for the Sebenza but to be honest I also have a Sage II. I carry it more simply because the wire clip and smooth scales are very easy on my pants pocket. I have chipped the edge twice but it was pretty easy to repair with my Sharpmaker. None of my Reeve knives are safe queens and get used harder than the Sage II since that is typically my office EDC.
 
I've been carrying my Sage 2 since last Sunday 6/20 and it's grown on me quickly. Great knife...already see on the chamfered edge of the Ti scales a tiny bit of marks from my pocket, but it's the way of Ti. Stropped the edge of the S30V blade and it's truly razor sharp.

I like it so well that I just ordered the Sage 1, and can't wait to get it later this week.

Most of my knives are Benchmades but these are worth owning too. On the difference between the Sage 2 and Sebbie, the Sage wins out in quality for the price I want to pay.
 
arjung said:
I only own a sage 2. I would like to get a small seb one day (get through college first though), but I honestly don't know if I would use it that much.

The Sage has the benefit for me being very ergonomic, and makes a great strong user knife. I have no reservations using mine when I need to. If I get a seb, I don't think I would be able to make it a 'go to' edc folder. Maybe when I wear a suit, but it would be relegated to lighter tasks just as I would relegate a really nice watch.
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Did you know that Sebenza means "work" in Zulu? It is made to work. They make them fancy but I am not afraid to use my Sebenza hard.
 
Im pretty surprised by all the "Sage II is preferred" replies.

Owned both and it only takes a few seconds in hand to determine that the Sebenza is clearly the better tool.

Hey, I liked the Sage II but its not in the same class.

Be honest here...I lay both out on a table and say "pick one, it's your's".

Uh huh...:D
 
mmarkh said:
Did you know that Sebenza means "work" in Zulu? It is made to work. They make them fancy but I am not afraid to use my Sebenza hard.
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My post wasn't commenting on the Sebenza's inability to do the needed tasks, but more on the fact that it's not a cheap knife and I would have difficulty making a 'hard user' of it. My use is quite average so I have no inhibitions on it's ability to hold up to my tasks.

However until the day actually comes that I can spare the cash for one I'll just stick to my Sage 2. It's a good knife and works great.
 
if you ask me the Sage II is probably the superior knife. I have read that spydercos S30V / S35VN out performs CRK. I haven't been convienced that there is anything about the Sebenza that make it worth 3 to 4 times what a Sage II costs. All the videos I watch say, "fit and finish" and basically its a bunch of stuff you would never notice. if thats the case then who cares.

Having said that,...being a collector I will probably someday own a Sebenza and maybe then I will get it, but right now I'm just not that impressed. It looks pretty underwhelming to me. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I think I will be happier with something that comes in M390 or S90V
 
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Not even sure why the third option exists. Both knives. Both fold. Both one-handed. Both with clips. Both S30V. Both titanium. Both frame locks. It's like saying two cars are not comparable because one has extra cupholders, but both have the same horsepower, top speed, fuel economy, and interior layout.
 
Harry Callahan said:
Ergos go to the Spydie by leaps and bounds. There really can't be much of a debate there. Price is also a no-brainer. So Spyderco wins those two categories with ease. What of the finer points? Out of the box sharpness? Smoothness of operation? Ease of deployment? Pocket clip (wire vs stamped titanium)? Stud vs hole? Heat treat and edge holding capability?

In my opinion, the Sage II wins in every single category (quite easily). And I have owned both. The only thing that the Seb has going for it is the fact that it's American made, and in my opinion that's not worth the staggering price difference, especially since it does NOTHING else better than the Sage II. If it had just one or two things going for it.... Maybe it would justify the price diff. But it just doesn't. Oh and relsale value? Um kay. The Seb has better resale value but the Spydie holds it's (admittedly lower) sale value just as strongly. This is uncommon. Think of Japanese motorcycles vs Harleys and resale value. The Japanese bike becomes a give-away once you title it. I've never seen a Sage II sell for under 150.

I'm sure there's other opinions out there. So lets hear em. Who thinks the Seb is better, and why?
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(I apologize for my English but I'm not a native English speaker)
Let's step back two steps. Let's suppose we don't nothing about these two knives and what people have reviewed about them....and someone presents them to us. First impression....for the Seb there is no "wow" feeling....probably neither for Sage...but maybe we could say the Sage could be perceived as more "sexy?"Let's face it...Sebs are like cars in the seventies...powerfull but still squared...Now, you take them in your hand....you close your eyes, you feel each knife in your hand....and then you deploy the blade. Honestly, Sage is way more superior how it feels in hand and in its deployment. You don't need to flip it to deploy it fast. Sebs can even hurt your thumb if you are not used to find the best way to deploy and can easily be droped if you don't practice several times. Deployment feeling? well....probably very much the same....a smooth and velveted feeling for both. They both lock extremely well, no side or up and down play...Clip? just a matter of preferences although the Sage offers less resistance as it presents less surface of contact with the pocket (more design) Sharpening? if you have tried to razor sharp a Seb with the WikedEdge...you know it is not that easy, at least not as easy as the Sage. Unlocking? you know the answer....super fast, supereasy, supersafe....Now, you cut some carboard and both knives perform nicely....first question...which one would you keep? then, once you made your decission, you are told there is lot's of post-sale support, tradition, and manual craftmanship (and Price obviously) in the Seb....would you change your mind? I honestly don't.
 
These are both great knives. I've had quite a few Sebbies, both large and small, inlaid, CF, plain-slabs, and so forth. I have sold all of my small Sebenzas.
I also took this pic recently of my four Sage 2's, NIB. Nobody NEEDS four Sage 2's, but it does illustrate my point.

For my PERSONAL use, I would choose the Sage 2 EVERY TIME. WHY? Because I can hold the grip comfortably in my hand.
The closed length of the Sage 2 is 4.22"
The closed length of the small Seb is 3.94", according to their website.

When I want to close a small Seb, I must slide it forward in my palm a bit in order to reach the lockbar with my thumb...and when I do that, the knife basically slides out of my hand.
Sure, the Sebbie is made with closer specs, tighter tolerances and is wonderful. But if I cannot hang onto it...why carry it?

So, yes...I vote for the Sage 2 every time...
 
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Right. But both knives are still made and the topic keeps coming up, so I see no reason not to resurrect it.
 
I picked "not in the same class" because they're not. The Sage II is a great little knife and is a steal when you consider what it costs for a titanium framelock folder with an S30V blade. I'ts an affordable alternative to the Sebenza, but it's not in the same league as a Sebenza. Does that mean the small Sebenza is better? No. Each knife has it's own positive attributes. I personally find the Sage to be more ergonomic and I love the leaf shaped blade. To me it is just about the perfect size and design for EDC. It's one of the finest Spyderco knives you can get. As for the Sebenza, I love the larger (regular sized) version much more than the small Sebenza. I find the small Sebenza a bit too small for my tastes. The Sage fills the hand better. That said, I own 2 large Sebenzas and love them. I don't have any regrets buying them. But, here's the thing. One doesn't buy a Sebenza because one needs it. One buys a Sebenza because one wants it.
 
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I prefer the jarbenza to either.
 
I just sold my Small Sebenza to get a Sage 2.
To maintain the blade the flat ground and thumb hole on Sage is much easier for me since I use a Lansky Diamond ki.

Then to clean the knife the Sebenza screws/bushings don't stay in place.

Last, the big exposed spyderco hole sticks out a lot and provides great purchase for opening. On the Sebenza I almost always used a 2 hand opening due to lack of purchase



Like comparing Nissan GTR to Porshe 911 Turbo. Almost always people will vote for the 911 route but in reality the cheaper less heritage and soulless GTR beats the 911 almost everywhere
 
The overall shape of the Sage 2 never really did it for me. If they were to make a titanium framelock based on the Chaparral profile, or better yet, the Caly 3 profile, I'd be all over it.

The small Sebenza is great, but I found it a little bit boring after about a year with it. I had the micarta inlay version. However, the quality was definitely higher than that of the Sage 2, which is to be expected on a much more expensive knife.

So, while they're both fine knives, I had both, sold both, and miss neither.
 
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