Talk me out of buying a small Sebenza

[sweet_hitch-hiker]

i have a small seb. i love it so much. i want a small micarta sooo bad. get one.

 

[bigbadboom]

It is a mere inanimate object. It is of NO importance. Its function as a tool , (being an amplifier of your abilties) , can be obtained at a fraction of this items cost. Remember it is not the tool but the user that is important. Spend the money on obtaining skills you dont already possess.

LOL well I tried ,, enjoy your Sebbie : P

 

[atony]

I say buy an XM, either the 3'' or 3.5'' get the custom spearpoint blade.

 

[molly's survival]

if you "need" to be talked into or out of buying a knife than most likely you shouldn't buy the knife

 

[KeithAM]

I agree with those who say buy used. Get a used one and even if you don't like it you'll get back every penny if you decide to sell. It's a zero risk proposition, provided you don't lose the knife.

 

[unit]

I agree with those who say buy used.

And I disagree...

As an owner of a CRK I can tell you that while they are REALLY nice, some people will fail to understand what all the fuss is about even after buying/owning one.

As others have said this is not about buying a better tool, it is much more about owning something you WANT. I will call BS on anyone that claims that a CRK separates media any better than any other S30V knife with a decent edge (and if you can not put a decent edge on a knife or find someone that can for you...why buy a 350 dollar knife?)

That said, if you are going to commit to buying something that can only be justified by want...go all the way and buy a pristine NIB example. Otherwise you may end up wondering if it is your particular example or EVERY example that fails to hold 350 bucks of value to YOU.

I really do not understand these threads...if you need a forum of people to convince you to buy (or not to buy) something, you probably ought to stick your money in the bank.

To the OP. This knife is fantastic, but the advantages it will offer over what you have are very subtle. Please realize that if you are having a hard time affording this knife you probably put a very high value on 350 dollars...perhaps a substantially higher value than some of the guys that own many knives in this price range (ask a millionaire what 350 means to him, he may respond with something along the lines of, "dinner for his family of 4 at a nice restaurant", but to a working stiff like me it means several weeks of groceries!)

Said another way, you might be adopting VERY high set of expectations for the same 350 bucks that exceed what every other CRK reviewer holds. Realize that there are diminishing returns on your investment (spending 5 times as much does not mean you are going to get a knife that is 5 times better...and it may not make you 5 times as happy...then again, it may)

 

[Ron69]

If you can afford it then what's the problem? IF you can't afford it without taking something away from someone (like your kid's eating), then don't buy one...pretty simple math. There should never be any feelings of guilt/remorse when it comes to buying a knife under those basic conditions.

 

[KeithAM]

And I disagree...

That said, if you are going to commit to buying something that can only be justified by want...go all the way and buy a pristine NIB example. Otherwise you may end up wondering if it is your particular example or EVERY example that fails to hold 350 bucks of value to YOU.
QUOTE]


It's worth noting that if you buy a used Sebenza, CRK will refurbish and tune your knife to virtually like-new condition for a nominal fee.

I've bought several new and used, and I would not hesitate to buy a used one from someone with a good reputation on these forums.

 

[Gator97]

FWIW, owned large sebenza for 3 days, returned it, wan't my thing. Owned small sebenza classic BG-42 for 3 years, or so. Sold it later.
IMHO S30V steel at 58-59HRC is a step down compared to BG-42 at 61HRC, especially in a "slicer" type knife. I have CPMP S30V at 61HRC, in chef's knife, sharpens easy, hold edge well and no problems with chipping.
So, from practical and rational point of view, no, it isn't the knife which will provide its price worth performance.
Then again, for knife enthusiast practicality and rationalism might not be the primary criteria.

 

[bobsiv]

Don't do it. Sweet knife, but not as good for one-handed operation as an axis benchmade. I went back to my 707 sequel after a week and every time I look at my small Sebenza (annual, no less) I think about what else I could have got with that money.

 

[unit]

It's worth noting that if you buy a used Sebenza, CRK will refurbish and tune your knife to virtually like-new condition for a nominal fee.

I will grant you that, but if you are on the fence trying to decide if you ought to spend what seems like a lot of money (to you), and you receive a knife that fails to meet your expectations, then you have to wait and pay shipping and "nominal" fee of

Refurbish handles (sand blast or polish, depending on the model ) for $27.50 and
Polish or retumble blade (depending on the model) and sharpen for $27.50

which is perhaps not all that nominal to some guys....

The joy of the experience may be somewhat diminished. It is philosophical, but if you are spending a "lot" of money (by your standards) on a dream, why take any risk of stopping short on the whole experience...either you can afford it or not...and finding a "deal" that results in additional expense for a "virtually like-new condition" seems like a high potential for disappointment.

The last thing *I* wanted to do was spend more than I ever had on a knife and then sit around and wonder if I really got the full experience or not. Again, it is philosophical...it is cool to disagree.

 

[Modoc ED]

Okay I will talk you out of a small Sebenza. Get a large Sebenza. You will never regret it. It was the best $385 I ever spent. Case closed.

And against the law to carry in many jurisdictions (blade of the large Sebenza is over 3"). Stick with the small Sebenza.

 

[sweet_hitch-hiker]

It is a mere inanimate object. It is of NO importance. Its function as a tool , (being an amplifier of your abilties) , can be obtained at a fraction of this items cost. Remember it is not the tool but the user that is important. Spend the money on obtaining skills you dont already possess.

LOL well I tried ,, enjoy your Sebbie : P

that is one way to look at it, but most people are not completely utilitarian and therefore buying things goes beyond what is necessary but is more focused on want. this could also be said with cars- who needs more than a used base econo box?, tvs- no need for more than a small 13" or need for one at all, houses, clothes, everything! i say go buy it, if you dont youll always wonder.

 

[JNewell]

And against the law to carry in many jurisdictions (blade of the large Sebenza is over 3"). Stick with the small Sebenza.

As long as it's not illegal in the places the OP plans to be, this is not a consideration. The OP should figure out his budget and his knife needs...and then he should buy a small Sebenza. :thumbup:

 

[pvicenzi]

Don't buy a small Sebenza. Buy two of them.

 

[texasflyfisher]

I think it has been said before that if you buy the Sebenza and don't like it, there is a market out there where you can sell it for pretty much what you bought it for (or there used to be).

 

[holst035]

Listen up all Sebenza owners!!!!
Did you stop buying folders after getting a Sebenza? I mean, if it´s the best, what should you get after a Sebenza? Another one?

What I´m trying to say is that I think you will get bored even with a Sebenza, and after a few months (or weeks or days) you will start looking for another folder. The Sebenza is probably a very good knife, but you can get almost as good, or even better knives for half that price.

And would you really use a 400 dollar knife? It could get scratches and it can go dull (and if you sahrpen it it will lose half the market price).

You can get hell of a good knife for $150!!

I bought a Mnandi and nothing else since. Both Mammoth Ivory and daily users! Buy one and don't look back.

Marthijn

 

[jds1]

I agonized over the decision to purchase mine for so long that my wife ended up buying it for me. Maybe that'll work for you.

Jeff

 

[zyhano]

you only live once, always go for quality. besides, isn't this cool?

 

[Kentucky]

And against the law to carry in many jurisdictions (blade of the large Sebenza is over 3"). Stick with the small Sebenza.

Man thats crazy. I feel sorry for folks under such foolish restrictions. Growing up in such a liberal gun/knife state/culture I couldent believe some of the restrictions on knives some states have..