Still as good as ever?

slide13

slide13

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Apr 12, 2001
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So, is the current Sebenza 21 just as good as the old Classic? I used to be way into knives during the early/mid 2000s but lost interest and sold all my stuff. Haven't carried more than a slipjoint in years and even that was rare. But...the bug is biting again and I've had need of a knife again recently. So...are they as I remember them?

My last Seb was probably made in 2006 I'd guess. I've owned lots of customs from Hinderer, Mayo, Scott Cook, JW Smith, Kirby Lambert, Lightfoot, Strider, etc. Lots of nice knives but from a pure quality of construction and performance standpoint the Sebenza stands unbeaten in my experience (matched only by the Lochsa I guess, which was equally solid). I had a half dozen of them over the years and every one was perfect.

Thinking of ordering a 21 tomorrow and just want to make sure nothing has changed. Probably going with a small as those always made my favorite EDCs, but still giving the large some thought.
 
I don't know what a regular or classic is like. But I do know that the 21 is a great knife, with quality craftsmanship and materials. I am positive you'll fall in love all over again! The small is great, but the large is perfect!
 
I have owned Classics, Regulars, 21s, and a 25. The quality is as good now as ever, IMO.
 
I've only owned one Classic. The 21's that passed through my hands were just as nice.

I love my Large 25 but I don't view it as elegant as the others. A superb knife, just not elegant.
 
Great to hear. Thanks! The Classics were may favorite and pretty much my ideal EDC. Probably never should have sold my last one!
 
I have two from 2006, and the only difference that I can tell is the slight design change. (I prefer the "wavey" look on the older model to the cutout on the current) The steel is different of course, and the washers are now perforated. But in use they are pretty much the same. Still rock solid and reliable.
 
Ive had the chance to handle classic 21 25 umnum to pretty much all of them

seb 21 is by far the best one IMO.
 
Classic is still the best! You just cannot beat the rounded lock bar. I prefer the wholesome flat look to the handles as opposed to the tapered ones on the 21. Classic stamp is also a nice touch.
 
I have Sebenzas with dates running from 1996 to 2012. They're all the same as far as production quality goes.
 
With the small extras in styling the classic just seems to be slightly more refined than the 21. My plain 21 is a weekday workhorse, and the Classic with desert ironwood inlays gets weekend and night time duty. I think they are both great knives.
 
I bet if we ran a poll you'd get about 50:50 on Classic vs. 21. They're very, very close.
 
They are so close, the winner is defined only by semantics and Monday morning water cooler debates. I prefer a good Classic or Regular since that's what I cut my teeth on. That said, I have more than a few 21's and they are just as stout, durable and refined. I'm just so use to the Classic MM stamp that the Idaho stamp seems weird sometimes. Nice used Classics are becoming a bit tougher to find at a good price, but not as tough as used Regulars. A used 21 can be found at the low end of the $300's almost any week if you wait 5 minutes...
 
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