Something comprable to a Sebenza?

G

Gator

Joined
Jun 19, 1999
Messages
80
I held a Sebenza for the first time today. It's a beautiful thing, and by far the smoothest folder I've ever opened. Everything about it, weight, pocket clip, size, shape, is perfect, except one thing: even online, the price is way out of my range. Is there anything I can get that is comprable in feature? I certainly don't expect the same quality, but it should be decent. Anything up to about $100 is acceptable. The closest thing I found today in the sore, at least in size shape and style, was a Carson M-16. Any thoughts on what could take the place of a Sebenza?

Gator
 
Just get the best knife you can afford for know and save for a Sebenza. For $100 you can get some great Benchmades and Spydercos or Kershaws. If you go for a zytel model, you can even get two or three knives for $100.
 
If you like the size and blade profile, try the Spyderco Wenger model. One of the better production liner lock available.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Gator,
Definitely go with the Benchmade Pinnacle. This is a great knife in your price range and quite comparable to the Sebenza. I've owned both....
I actually like the blade style on the Pinnacle better. The Sebenza is a better finished knife, but not 3X better.
 
Without a doubt the BM 705. Have you ever opened an Axis lock before, it is mind-blowingly smooth. I am not crazy enough to suggest that fit and finish or overall quality are better, but for <$100 on the web,
the BM705 cannot be beat.

Bucky
 
I think you should go with your first thought and just save for the sebenza. Thats what i ended up doing it took me a few months but i am very happy i waited!!!!
 
Wait/save for the Sebenza, not much else is in the same class.

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"I'm out there Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!"--Kramer
 
If you can budget a bit more than $100 you have more choices, though in an orderly universe none of them are quite as much knife as the Sebenza.

Looking at hollow-ground liner locks ...

The Spyderco Wegner is one good choice. Also, the Spyderco Starmate. For a smaller "gentleperson's knife," the William Henry International S05 spearpoint. The S07 likewise, but it's a wharncliffe type blade - very different shape.

For a titanium frame lock, the flat-ground Benchmade 750 is a very good knife, though it's a flat-ground recurve type blade. For a super-strong silky-smooth action, any of the Benchmade Axis Lock series is a good choice, though again none of them are the same type blade as the Sebenza. The closest of the bunch in function is probably the 720.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
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Tom,

I thought you'd be announcing the "$100 TNT" after that smiling face...
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Maybe next year...
 
Gator,

I know that feeling you have - I agonized for months about the cost, trying out lots of other knives too. Basically I was looking for a $100 Sebenza and IMHO there is no such thing
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Some of the best knives i tried out (and eventually bought) were the Benchmade 710 and 705. While I don't know if the Sebenza is 3x the knife, I really wanted it anyway, even at 3x the cost. Yesterday, I sent my check over to NW Cutlery for the small Sebenza. Hell, I can always earn more money... at least that's what I told my fiancee
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I'd say the closest you could get would be the Benchmade 720. For the money you saved over the Sebenza (because you will eventually buy one, no matter what) you're getting similar size, one of the most innovative locking mechanisms on the market which is stronger than the seneza's lock, a flat ground blade vs the sebenza's hollow, fit and finish average for the $100 price range, a lesser blade steel (ATS-34 vs BG-42), tip down carry vs the sebenza's tip up and arguably better ergonomics.

After that I'd go for the Starmate. Here you're getting a weaker lock(?), arguably better ergonomics, arguably better steel (CPM 440v), a hollow grind like the sebenza's, a more "tactical" look, a blade hole for easier opening, very good fit and finish, a light almost "hollow" feel when the liner snaps into place vs the sebenza's bank vault-like lock mechanism, and tip down carry.

My two cents...

Jon
 
Arizona Custom Knives

http://www.arizonacustomknives.com

Has several Sebbies, and they do lay away.
You have an eye for fine things, now you should develop the patience that is required to own them, rather than settling for less.

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AKTI Member #A000832

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
 
Gator,

Why spend more money than you need to, in order to get a GOOD knife?

CRKT Crawford/Kasper.
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.

(I bought my 1st one for only $30, shipped!).

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
For an extra $25 you could get an Al Mar SERE2000 which is getting rave reviews as a heavy duty folder. Trouble is they're hard to find.

I have been carrying mine more than my Sebbie but the Sebenza is still kind IMO.

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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
 
I think you should narrow down exactly what attributes of the Sebenza you like so much: the size, limited parts, materials used, locking mechanism, etc.

If it's just the fact that it's a Sebenza, you're going to be hard-pressed, and ultimately disappointed with any choice you make. Like a Porsche, there is no substitute for the real thing.

If you like the locking system, then BM 750 Pinnacle is the only way to go. They are almost Sebenza clones. They MSRP for about $150 for the most basic model but there are cheaper to be had by doing some bargain hunting.

Otherwise, you have a wide range of good choices for $100. You might not get BG42 steel/ti-handles, but you can sure get ATS-34 or 55, and titanium liners.
 
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