Having found this forum through my friends at candlepowers I quickly fell under the spell of high quality knives. Two weeeks ago I bought an African Blackwood Mnandi and am totally in love with it. Given my circumstance it is just about my perfect EDC. So, I am ready for another (probably box elder). But, I keep looking at the small classic Sebenza. The question is this, it might look like too much knife for my office mates. They ooh and ahh at the mnandi, but i'm afraid they would look at a Sebenza as just "carrying a knife." is the small Sebenza much thinner than a Mnandi, is the blade profile that much more robust? What do you guys think. Thanks in advance, heading out for church and will read replies when I return. Happy Father's Day to all.
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Talk me into my first Sebbie
- Thread starter bobg2
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My EDC is a large regular Sebenza. I work in a typical Fortune 500 office setting, and I get no raised eyebrows . . . but I'm in Idaho. I have friends in office environments that carry a small Sebenza with no issues whatsoever. Handle and blade are not that much longer than that of the Mnandi, but the other blade dimensions -- width and depth -- say "beefy" relative to the Mnandi's gracefulness. The small Sebenza obviously looks more utilitarian.
Personally, I would own one of each before I owned two of either model. For small sebenza office carry, I would go with either a wood inlay, or a graphic design. My office mates tend to notice the unique graphic on my Sebenza before they even notice that it's a knife.
Personally, I would own one of each before I owned two of either model. For small sebenza office carry, I would go with either a wood inlay, or a graphic design. My office mates tend to notice the unique graphic on my Sebenza before they even notice that it's a knife.
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I carry a small micarta sebenza everywhere I go. I also have a mnandi that I use when I need to get dressed up. I keep the small sebenza clipped to my right front pocket, so you can obviously see it poking up from there. I've never had anyone comment on the knife. And I live in Silicon Valley, home of the knife and gun fearing sheeple people.
The Sebenza is a significantly more robust knife than the Mnandi. The blade is both thicker and wider than the Mnandi, and the handle (which is titanium) fills your hand a lot more than the Mnandi.
I very much prefer the Sebenza over the Mnandi for daily carry. But I suspect this preference is purely an issue of personal preference.
My only problem is, I'd like to add a large Sebenza to the mix, but I can't afford it right now!
I hope this helps.
The Sebenza is a significantly more robust knife than the Mnandi. The blade is both thicker and wider than the Mnandi, and the handle (which is titanium) fills your hand a lot more than the Mnandi.
I very much prefer the Sebenza over the Mnandi for daily carry. But I suspect this preference is purely an issue of personal preference.
My only problem is, I'd like to add a large Sebenza to the mix, but I can't afford it right now!
I hope this helps.
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From the limited time that I have carried my Sebenzas, I don't see a problem arising out of carrying a small Classic. Like someone said earlier, if you get one with a design on it, the majority of the people will notice the artwork first and will most likely not consider it to be a weapon but a nice utilitarian knife. The small Sebenza's make excellent EDC without being intimidating.
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They gave good advice. I carry a Mnandi with slacks and a small Sebbie in Levis at the office here in Los Angeles. While the Sebbie sometimes gets glances, it is probably one of the least threatening looking folders out there.
Try one and see. If nothing else, use it as an after-hours/weekend EDC.
Try one and see. If nothing else, use it as an after-hours/weekend EDC.
silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
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I bought two Sebs, one small and one large, both micarta. I have moved most of my Benchmades and Spydercos, and once I get over the thought of damaging a 450 dollar knife, I will start carrying my Sebs every day, instead of just special occassions. I am also looking at a Mnandi and Mountaineer II.
And more Sebs
.
And more Sebs
.
Bobby B
No more Mr. Knife-guy
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- May 18, 2001
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Look no further...
I put in some change to show relative size.I would say my Mnandi has been my favourite EDC for about 3 years now...
I love the small, the large will be my camping folder (though I may get a micarta instead (more likely = as well...
)...I'd love a bloodwood Mnandi!:thumbup:
I sharpened the pic, so you can see there are some marks on the wood of the Mnandi, but... it's 3 years!:thumbup:
Hope it helps.
Rob
PS Someone please send me an Umfaan so I can add it to the picture...
I suggest getting one of the small wood inlay Sebenzas, to help dispel the "weapon" perception your co-workers may have. I was using my plain small Classic at work the other day and got an odd look from a young lady. I felt like I had to emphasize "this is an excellent tool for the job here" to her. As it is, the plain Ti scales can look a little bit "tactical" to some, whereas the wood scales are more "pretty" and seem to be less threatening.
As far as being a tough work knife, you absolutely can't go wrong with one.
As far as being a tough work knife, you absolutely can't go wrong with one.
If you can, pick each one up and decide by its feel. Both are great choices. I like both but I liked the inlays if you get the Classic. I got the micarta on my large Classic (it seemed to give a better grip).
I guess I'm about to find out how good of a user the Sebenzas are. Not long ago, I lost my long beloved favorite custom EDC. I have several nice drawer queens, but they are either auto's ,or too big to use for EDC. At first I resolved not to carry any more expensive knives, for fear of loss or damage. I set a $120 limit, put my Large Stars & Stripes Sebenza and a Microtech auto up for sale and started surfing the net looking for reviews and reccomendations. Pretty soon I ran into "If you're willing to go just XX dollars more..... this ones a lot better!" Etc....Etc....Ad nausium. :jerkit: The best offer I got on the NIB decorative sebie was $300, and I decided I'd as soon keep her for that. Then I thought what if I just carry it? I've been carrying it to work with me for a week now. It's a much larger knife than I'm used to, and I haven't needed it for much more than opening packages, but while no one has said anything, I have noticed every time I pull it out and flick the big shiney blade open, everyone around me, their eyes get a little wider, and gravitate in my direction. While the big sebie will be great for the weekends and off time, I need a smaller knife to use in public.
As I surfed the net, and went store to store trying to get a feel for various Spyderco's, Benchmade's, Kershaw's, etc... I could narrow it down to a few that came close, but just couldn't decide on "THE ONE!" I was about to order two, to see wich I liked better, when It dawned on me that what I kept looking for was something like a smaller version of my Sebenza, at l/3 the price. So I decided instead of buying two or three similar knives, to say the hell with the self imposed price limit, find the best price I could on a used small Sebie, and accept that I was going to commit both the large and small to being users, and accept that I may never resell or recoup any of their value. I just agreed to buy a used small regular for $260.
As I surfed the net, and went store to store trying to get a feel for various Spyderco's, Benchmade's, Kershaw's, etc... I could narrow it down to a few that came close, but just couldn't decide on "THE ONE!" I was about to order two, to see wich I liked better, when It dawned on me that what I kept looking for was something like a smaller version of my Sebenza, at l/3 the price. So I decided instead of buying two or three similar knives, to say the hell with the self imposed price limit, find the best price I could on a used small Sebie, and accept that I was going to commit both the large and small to being users, and accept that I may never resell or recoup any of their value. I just agreed to buy a used small regular for $260.
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Look no further...
I would say my Mnandi has been my favourite EDC for about 3 years now...
I'd love a bloodwood Mnandi!:thumbup:
I sharpened the pic, so you can see there are some marks on the wood of the Mnandi, but... it's 3 years!:thumbup:
Hope it helps.
Rob
PS Someone please send me an Umfaan so I can add it to the picture...
The one in the middle is a small leather inlay correct?
If so how do you like it and how durable does it seem? Would it be good for edc?
I've been thinking about getting one for awhile, just the funds haven't been right.
Capt. Carl
Gold Member
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- Jun 16, 2006
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Madagascar Rosewood correct?
I have heard that the leather is nice but doesn't give as much grip as the micarta.
I have heard that the leather is nice but doesn't give as much grip as the micarta.