Small Sebenza vs Spyderco Sage II

[Humint]

I have a hard time picking between the 2

 

[Kwon Kwang]

I would rather a kukri than either for this zombie thread....

Okay, I'll be constructive. Sage 2, hands down, all day every day. Better ergonomics, better value, Spyderhole and wire clip. It's a no brainer for me. How ironic that the knife designed to be an ode to another is far superior in my eyes than the original.

 

[Officer's Match]

Not close for me, the Sebenza by a mile. Hollow ground blade doesn't thicken every sharpening (secondary bevel actually decreased on a Sebenza for quite a ways up), allows access to your pocket around the knife (nice as the Sage is in hand, it is a pocket hawg), includes both the tool and the manufacturer's blessing to disassemble for maintenance, bushing pivot for the ultimate ease of previous point, ceramic detent ball (lasts pretty much forever).

If you want a knife (rather than a collection) and you are more interested in having the best than you are bang4the$, then it is a pretty easy choice.

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

I don't get the hating of thread resurrection. If the person OPd a new thread then they'd be criticized and told use the search function.

Anywho, a vote for sage 2. When I handled a sebenza I was unimpressed. It's like showing an HD TV to a person with blurry vision. But for those with a keener eye maybe it's worth it.

 

[T.K.C.]

I personally prefer the Sebenza.

 

[Nap]

I think the Sage 2 does everything the Sebenza does for less money, and is a much better buy.

But then the Sage 1 does everything the Sage 2 does, if you just want the same blade (as the Sage 2), manufacturing standards, company backup, etc.

And then the Kizer Gemini also does everything the Sebenza does for less money, if you just want a Titanium framelock with an S35VN blade.

I own all three, but is a Sebenza worth trading the lot? I don't think so, but it would take at least that to get one.

 

[full flat grind]

The Sage 2 is more ergonomic, IMO. I way prefer the Spydie hole to the pointy little thumb stud on the Sebbie.

It costs less, too.

 

[red mag]

I prefer the shape of the Sebenza.
I tried to compare the 2 knives and found a clear preference for the narrow blade.
Own both use the small Sebenza.
Such an old thread, but then sometimes I take out both knives and compare them - that's what makes me a knife-knut.
red mag

 

[GronK]

Love both companies but voted CRK because of my contrarian tendencies versus your opening totally slanted post. Oh yeah, and USA, USA, USA!

 

[Hackenslash]

Sebenza all day, every day! There really isn't a comparison. I don't have a Sage 2, but I have a Sage 1 and 3 and neither can hold a candle to the basic, knife-tool-perfection that is the Sebenza. Neither of my Sages are in my EDC rotation, two CRK's are...

 

[nickj79]

Sage II
For me money was not a deciding factor. I was very intrigued by the Sebenza and read about its superior craftsmanship etc. Then I stumbled upon the Spyderco Sage2. It was the perfect combo of aesthetics and quality. So I pulled the trigger and purchased the Sage 2. I could not be happier. Aside from being a great looking, premium knife; it feels great in the hand. I have since had the opportunity to handle a Sebenza. And while a great knife, it simply does not operate as conveniently as the Sage 2. The thumb stud of the Sebenza is sharp and awkward while the Spyderco thumb hole is very comfortable and easy to use. I did like the profile of the Sebenza for my pockets but not enough to trade in my Sage.

 

[fielder]

One thing I really don't like is wide knives. The leaf blade Spyderco knives are so wide in the pocket. So I vote Sebenza for its lovely narrow profile.

 

[RX-79G]

Greetings:
Regarding the price and other considerations of a Chris Reeve knife. OldDude1

A Quote by Sal Glesser from post #24 of this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=513653&highlight=price&page=2

"More profit is usually associated with higher price. That's normal. Profit is usually a percentage of sales price. To think that a high priced auto should garner the same proft as a low priced auto is not in accord with business. It might be the same percentage, but being more expensive, it will be more profit.

Unless you are a manufacturer, familiar with close tolerance manufacturing of heat treated steel & Titanium parts, you are not likely to be able to see all of the differences between one of Chris' knives and others. For example; CRK keeps 0.0005 tolerance on surface grinding. That's one sixth the thickness of a hair. Do you have the knowledsge and equipment to discover that tolerance?

In the end, it's all about trust. CRK took many years to build and maintain their repuation. Built with consistent focus. Even those trying to make a "cheaper" version must "leave out processes" or "soften their tolerance", or they will cost as much.

Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bullshit sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for."

sal

-----------------------------------------------------

"Just because you can't see the difference doesn't mean it isn't there, it just means you can't see it."

I wouldn't refute any of that, but as you hear now and then about Sebenzas that have some flaw or other, it isn't possible that every product that leaves the CRK facility is machined to 0.0005" tolerance. I'm not being critical of CRK, just that it wouldn't be terribly hard to find examples to don't meet this standard.


As far as the original question, which knife do you like the looks of better? They're pretty different, and I certainly like the way one looks much more than the other.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Everyone voting for the Seb is talking about refinement and tolerance. I think it just boils down to preference and how the Seb can make you feel better about yourself more than anything. Yes, this holds true with value priced knives too (they will all cut). I just want to hear better reasons for picking the Seb besides "refined" and "tolerance", design preference aside. It's a cutting tool not a Space Shuttle. As far as the warranty argument: Sebenza owners pay for that warranty up front with the price... Plus Spa is not 100% free..shipping return shipping and bells and whistles like manicure the finish. Blah I've been drinking, I usually keep to myself

 

[strategy9]

When the founder of the company that makes the sage says himself the CRK is in a class by themselves, it pretty much ends the argument, if if others still "think" this or that.... As he also mentioned, most folks don't have the instruments to measure, or appreciate the differences in tolerances, but that's not to say they aren't there.
0.0005
Could someone even notice the difference if it was 0.005 instead? From an engineering stance, that is a huge difference, but one would be hard pressed to really "feel" it or see it with the naked eye.

Not to say the Sage isn't great, but end game, regardless which one an individual may prefer, from a manufacturing stance, Sebbie and Sage are not in the same class.

 

[FA Tre]

I've owned both and both are really good knives. I ended up selling the Sage II as I just didn't like it's pocket profile as much.

At the end of the day, the Sage is a homage to the Sebenza and is a wonderful representation of what the Sebenza would have been if it would have been a Spyderco knife. Take that as you will.

The other observation is that people reference the Sage II as a great value for money relative to the Sebenza. However, a used Sebenza can be had for not that much more that the price of a new Sage II.