Somebody talk me out of a Sebenza

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You don’t need to buy one, but you might consider it because the Sebenza has been around a long time and has become a common reference point for attributes like smoothness and build quality for knife enthusiasts. I’m not saying it’s the smoothest knife out there, or has the highest build quality, just that other knives are often compared to the Sebenza on those dimensions. Getting one will give a sense of what other people are referring to. That said, once you’ve experienced it, it’s up to you whether you decide to keep it or resell it at a slight loss as a cheap lesson.
 
buy one new or used and give it a try. If you like it, keep it and buy more. Otherwise, sell it and move on. Sebenzas retain good value and by selling them you will not lose much money. This is sth that few other knives can match. Take Hinderer as an example. It is an immediate nearly $100 off if you want to sell one LNIB standard XM-18 (even though between the two I like Hinderer more).
 
I would say that the Sebenza is an excellent stepping stone to higher end knives.

Sure, at some point, you don't need anything more than say, a Spyderco Stretch in ZDP-189, or maybe a ZT of whatever flavor. But, CRK was doing that level of fit and finish back when it was nearly unheard of in the folding knife world (with a long string of awards to prove it). Nowadays, you can get something from We or any number of other places with a similar/close level of fit and finish for less. But that's not really what they're about. They're great knives, and those who love them, REALLY love them. Ditto for those who dislike them. I have a Sebenza and an Umnumzaan. I like them both, and both are special knives (one was an Anniversary gift several years ago and the other has my birthdate) so I'd never part with them, but will say that I don't carry them much these days because they were gateway knives. So, now I tend to carry higher end stuff that cost a lot more. Like others have said, get one used on the Exchange, that way you can pretty much get your loot back if you end up not liking it.
 
I have two Chris Reeves knives & they're as good as everybody says they are. They're well made, with tight tolerances & with a good, all around, easily maintained blade steel; as opposed to constantly jumping on the latest super steel bandwagon. From a practical point of view, my Spydercos will cut anything that my CRKs cut.

In the end though, it's all about what makes you smile. If you want to try a CRK, then you may as well pick one & fork over the money, because nothing else will do.
 
if you dont, I will - eventually.

quality materials, quality made - I enjoy the elegant simplicity of it.

I look it at like top end fishing gear, shoes, watches, etc.
I can do the same thing with an ugly stick, new balance or timex...
but for something that I enjoy, I see no reason to not spend the extra on a quality piece to be used.

with two kids away at school, its not in my near term future - but I suspect once the first one graduates, we will both have a sebenza in our pocket
 
I find myself in a place similar to OP. There's nothing about the Sebenza that grabs me and any thoughts I've had about buying one have been based on a desire to just see what the hype is about. That's a good enough reason to buy one, if I don't have something else on which I'd rather spend the money. So far there always has been such a thing. Never say never... (and I'd almost certainly go with an Umnumzaan).
 
I’ve got a plain large Insingo and and a black micarta small drop point, both lefty. They are both great knives.
-negative- The pivot on my small requires lock tight, I’ve almost lost the pivot screw twice! I had to sand the handle on my large at the butt end, as it has a terrible hot spot in my palm for my large-Xl hand.
-positive- I was a little worried at first because folks were complaining about the steel being run soft but after a fair bit of abuse on my large, including cutting through a bunch of metal downspout and some accidental scrapes on stucco even an 8’ drop onto concrete right on the tip! Requiring nothing more than a good sharpening afterwards, (no major edge damage, a couple small chips and a very dull tip that didn’t break) I’m convinced it’s just right.
 
Kaibab270 said:
I know....what was I thinking? And my dad has been an aerospace machinist for 40+ years so I can surely appreciate the tolerances and craftsmanship involved in it. But then again I happen to be one of those people that find the Para 2 to be the perfect EDC for me. I'm afraid I'll pay $300+ for a safe queen.
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I was going to give you a good reason not to buy, but you beat me to the punch.

My favorite edc is a PM2 or an American Lawman. Excellent knives, well made, and cost less than half the Sebenza. As an enthusiast, I bought a Sebenza 25 from the CRK table at Blade when it first was offered. Very nice knife, well made. I have found I am not crazy about all metal handles. I know I could use the Sebenza as a work knife, but I have others that are equally as sturdy that fill that role well. So my Sebenza 25 is stored with some other nice knives I have that rarely get used.

So the only need that a Sebenza would satisfy is the need to own a really fine knife that is somewhat rare because of its price. As far as satisfying a functional need, there are many options to take care of that need that are 90% as well made for half the cost.

I m not selling my Sebenza, but I m not getting another.
 
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Kaibab270 said:
I feel like as a knife enthusiast I have an obligation to myself to have a Sebenza in the collection. I dont question that it's a very well built knife and has beautiful aesthetics. But for that hefty price tag what am I really getting that I dont already have in my other knives? I have titanium framelocks and plenty of S35VN. Is it the knife itself as a whole that warrants such a price or is it the name engraved on it?
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I am a knife enthusiast and I will NEVER buy a Sebenza. What a waste of money for a little folding knife you might drop while walking. Can you imagine losing 450 dollars all of a sudden? Because that is what happens if you lose the knife. I've had a couple of knives stolen from me at work and I'm very careful with my stuff but I'm still human and prone to mistakes so I will never buy an EDC worth more than 100 dollars. Hell, I might keep it below 50 dollars. You might as well buy a sword for that $450 price IMO.
 
My Sebenza was the last of my 3 CRKs. My Umnumzaan is the easiest to open. My (small) Inkosi is the easiest to carry due to its size. My Sebenza is the easiest to look at because of its upgrades. I don't regret any but realize I get more joy from whichever one I'm more apt to use, which is not the fancy Sebenza. Like a woman, can't live with it, can't live without it.

 
Legendary_Jarl said:
I am a knife enthusiast and I will NEVER buy a Sebenza. What a waste of money for a little folding knife you might drop while walking. Can you imagine losing 450 dollars all of a sudden? Because that is what happens if you lose the knife. I've had a couple of knives stolen from me at work and I'm very careful with my stuff but I'm still human and prone to mistakes so I will never buy an EDC worth more than 100 dollars. Hell, I might keep it below 50 dollars. You might as well buy a sword for that $450 price IMO.
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My S35VN sprint Para 2 got stolen at work. It bothered me so bad I had to get another. So essentially I paid $300 for a para 2.....one of my valid concerns with a CRK...

Lotmom said:
Don't buy a Sebenza?
:confused:
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Well, you tried and that's all that counts.
 
sharp_edge said:
buy one new or used and give it a try. If you like it, keep it and buy more. Otherwise, sell it and move on. Sebenzas retain good value and by selling them you will not lose much money. This is sth that few other knives can match. Take Hinderer as an example. It is an immediate nearly $100 off if you want to sell one LNIB standard XM-18 (even though between the two I like Hinderer more).
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I think it's fair to say they both lose some $$ on a resale. I've seen some pretty good deals on CRK's here and on Reddit. Like that 25 for $175!!! Can't say I've seen a Hinderer that low yet. It does seem like there are a lot of CRK's on the secondary market.

BTW I did mention I have a umnumzaan and will be keeping it. I have a lot more Hinderers :)
 
If I werent a steel snob, I would've had one by now. If you're in the market for impeccable fit and finish, CRK is up there with the best of them.
 
Kaibab270 said:
I feel like as a knife enthusiast I have an obligation to myself to have a Sebenza in the collection. I dont question that it's a very well built knife and has beautiful aesthetics. But for that hefty price tag what am I really getting that I dont already have in my other knives? I have titanium framelocks and plenty of S35VN. Is it the knife itself as a whole that warrants such a price or is it the name engraved on it?
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Dude quit being dramatic and just buy it. If you don’t like it you can sell it for like a $30 loss.
 
Mistman68 said:
I think it's fair to say they both lose some $$ on a resale. I've seen some pretty good deals on CRK's here and on Reddit. Like that 25 for $175!!! Can't say I've seen a Hinderer that low yet. It does seem like there are a lot of CRK's on the secondary market.

BTW I did mention I have a umnumzaan and will be keeping it. I have a lot more Hinderers :)
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Could be a fake sebenza for that a low price ;) A large sebenza 21 is one of the two or three knives that I sold without a loss of $$. A well used but not abused sebenza can be sold easily for $300+. Not the case for Hinderer xm-18.
 
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