Hello, all. Been lurking here for a while, off and on, but this is my first post; I think.
Be forewarned; This is a long post, and for that, I apologize.
First I'd like to thank everyone for such a cool community and a great knowledge base.
Here's my story -
After having seen photos of Sebenzas in years past I never had much interest. The first Sebenzas I saw were graphics and inlays that didn't really appeal. Also, I've never been an "up-scale" knife guy. Having been raised on Old Timers and Bucks, spending 300-400 bucks on a pocket knife seemed a long way to go fo a ham sandwich.
I recently decided I wanted to get a good, all-purpose EDC knife and I was willing to pay up to $250. So, I started researching my options and every time I turned around, everywhere I looked, I kept hearing what a great knife the Sebenza is. So, I decided to look back into them.
Immediately the Plain Sebenzas appealed to me. I recognized the elegance and beauty inherent in the simplicity of design and purpose. I was especially drawn to the Regular models and decided that, despite the hefty price tag, I needed to at least try one out and see what all the fuss was about.
So I went down to a local shop that deals in Chris Reeve Knives and was astounded by a 40% mark up. (That's right; FORTY percent!; Clearly I wouldn't be buying here). Well I held my breath and hefted a Small Regular. And then a Large Regular.
Nice. Really Nice. Really Bloody Nice. Wow.
But, truly all I need is a Benchmade 940 or similar; that'll work. Right?
Right!. I couldn't get those damn Sebenzas out of my head. Okay, back to the shop to try and pick the thing apart and justify to myself that its an over-priced, over rated letter opener.
Crap! These things must be made of Kryptonite. It made my knees week and and my chin quiver.
I realized I had to have one. Nothing else would do and anything else would just be a sad substitute and a delaying of the inevitable.
With my mind made up that I had to have a Sebenza the next dilemma started. Which model; which size.
The model part was pretty easy. The Regular spoke to me from the beginning. I love the sleek lines and the aggressive scallops, and the blade shape is just about perfect in my estimation. So that left size.
The Small sure felt good, and fit the pocket really well. But the Large is nice too. Substantial and of commanding presence. Fits my big meat hooks perfectly.
Too bad there isn't a Medium, I mused.
You see where this is going, right?
Oh yeah.... You guessed it. I need both.
Now I've really blown my $250 budget. Alright I think, I can dig a little deeper and get the small now and save a bit for the Large. After all, it's only an $80 difference. No big deal. (The justifications came in waves).
And then - Disaster!
I hop on good old BladeForums to get my fix and to my complete and lasting horror I read that the Regular is being DISCONTINUED!
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Over?!
Economics 101 came rushing back. Dwindling Supply=Increased Demand=$$$$
Okay, act now, act fast. Make it happen before it's too late.
Clear the obstacles and get some Regular Sebenzas in here stat.
Obviously I cant go to the knuckleheads who want $540 for a Large. So, hit the CRK site to find a local dealer if possible. (I like to support local business when I can).
I find a guy about 50 miles away who has both knives in stock and we arrange to meet the following weekend at a gun show. Before I can get there he sold the Large. DAMMIT!
Okay, get the small. At least get the small.
...He does have a Large Classic as well. Okay, let me see it. Not Bad.
Screw it! I'll take it.
Whew. I went from zero to two in about 4 seconds. Damn.
You know though, I really want a Large Regular. Wonder if someone will swap. A couple phone calls and... Someone will!
Large Classic sent, Large Regular on the way
In the meantime. My palms are getting hairy from all the Knifesturabation I've been doing with the Small Reg.
But the best part is this. After beating my head against the tight CRK tolerances for 3 days I got the courage to take apart and clean this bad boy and let me tell you it is like butter. So THIS is what a Sebenza is supposed to be.
And finally I REALLY know what all the fuss was about.
Sweet, sweet Sebenza goodness. Thanks Chris Reeve.
UURYS
Be forewarned; This is a long post, and for that, I apologize.
First I'd like to thank everyone for such a cool community and a great knowledge base.
Here's my story -
After having seen photos of Sebenzas in years past I never had much interest. The first Sebenzas I saw were graphics and inlays that didn't really appeal. Also, I've never been an "up-scale" knife guy. Having been raised on Old Timers and Bucks, spending 300-400 bucks on a pocket knife seemed a long way to go fo a ham sandwich.
I recently decided I wanted to get a good, all-purpose EDC knife and I was willing to pay up to $250. So, I started researching my options and every time I turned around, everywhere I looked, I kept hearing what a great knife the Sebenza is. So, I decided to look back into them.
Immediately the Plain Sebenzas appealed to me. I recognized the elegance and beauty inherent in the simplicity of design and purpose. I was especially drawn to the Regular models and decided that, despite the hefty price tag, I needed to at least try one out and see what all the fuss was about.
So I went down to a local shop that deals in Chris Reeve Knives and was astounded by a 40% mark up. (That's right; FORTY percent!; Clearly I wouldn't be buying here). Well I held my breath and hefted a Small Regular. And then a Large Regular.
Nice. Really Nice. Really Bloody Nice. Wow.
But, truly all I need is a Benchmade 940 or similar; that'll work. Right?
Right!. I couldn't get those damn Sebenzas out of my head. Okay, back to the shop to try and pick the thing apart and justify to myself that its an over-priced, over rated letter opener.
Crap! These things must be made of Kryptonite. It made my knees week and and my chin quiver.
I realized I had to have one. Nothing else would do and anything else would just be a sad substitute and a delaying of the inevitable.
With my mind made up that I had to have a Sebenza the next dilemma started. Which model; which size.
The model part was pretty easy. The Regular spoke to me from the beginning. I love the sleek lines and the aggressive scallops, and the blade shape is just about perfect in my estimation. So that left size.
The Small sure felt good, and fit the pocket really well. But the Large is nice too. Substantial and of commanding presence. Fits my big meat hooks perfectly.
Too bad there isn't a Medium, I mused.
You see where this is going, right?
Oh yeah.... You guessed it. I need both.
Now I've really blown my $250 budget. Alright I think, I can dig a little deeper and get the small now and save a bit for the Large. After all, it's only an $80 difference. No big deal. (The justifications came in waves).
And then - Disaster!
I hop on good old BladeForums to get my fix and to my complete and lasting horror I read that the Regular is being DISCONTINUED!
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Over?!
Economics 101 came rushing back. Dwindling Supply=Increased Demand=$$$$
Okay, act now, act fast. Make it happen before it's too late.
Clear the obstacles and get some Regular Sebenzas in here stat.
Obviously I cant go to the knuckleheads who want $540 for a Large. So, hit the CRK site to find a local dealer if possible. (I like to support local business when I can).
I find a guy about 50 miles away who has both knives in stock and we arrange to meet the following weekend at a gun show. Before I can get there he sold the Large. DAMMIT!
Okay, get the small. At least get the small.
...He does have a Large Classic as well. Okay, let me see it. Not Bad.
Screw it! I'll take it.
Whew. I went from zero to two in about 4 seconds. Damn.
You know though, I really want a Large Regular. Wonder if someone will swap. A couple phone calls and... Someone will!
Large Classic sent, Large Regular on the way
In the meantime. My palms are getting hairy from all the Knifesturabation I've been doing with the Small Reg.
But the best part is this. After beating my head against the tight CRK tolerances for 3 days I got the courage to take apart and clean this bad boy and let me tell you it is like butter. So THIS is what a Sebenza is supposed to be.
And finally I REALLY know what all the fuss was about.
Sweet, sweet Sebenza goodness. Thanks Chris Reeve.
UURYS
