The "Sebenza" effect

[Comeuppance]

I keep seeing the same thing from a lot of different people - "I stopped carrying all my other knives after I got a Sebenza" "My Sebenza stopped my knife-buying frenzy" etc etc etc

I know the reputation very well at this point. Glassy smooth pivot, perfect lockup, super tight tolerance (and some concerns about the heat treatment being too soft) - is that what did it for you? Was it the overall feel of the handle? Please, tell me, as best you can, why (or if) your Sebenza(s) changed your carry / purchasing habits.

Also, my main reason for making this thread - do those same sentiments regarding the knife immediately becoming your favored knife long-term also apply to the Umnumzaan? I have one coming in through a trade.

 

[HwangJino]

It made me a knife snob

Now I look for all items that are of similar quality, no Walmart style items.

 

[91a2jettavr6]

Removed due to double post.

 

[Cereal_killer]

I'm one of the people you've seen say that, not only have I stopped carrying most of my other knives I actually sold off my previous favorite (G10 Sage 3) and several other often rotated EDC's.

The reasoning isn't exactly clear cut, it's not just cause of the lock-up (I have other knives with bank vault lock up) or just cause of the smoothness (I have other knives that are glassy smooth) or any single trait, it's the total package of the Sebenza. It's something that can't be described as a single feature of the knife. To me the small 21 CF was my grail but its more than a grail, it's the perfect user on top of that. For me the size is perfect, the blade shape, the handle feel in hand, everything about it.

I was always a one knife guy for years, then one day I got more into the hobby and started to pick up more and more knives to try out and rotate them out as my EDC, I had fun doing so but when I finally got my Sebenza I almost immediately went back to being a one knife guy.

Another thing my Sebenza did, after a week or so of carrying it I had a serious look at my "list". I cut it down by 75%, it used to be pretty long, every knife I was ever slightly interested in I put down as something I would want to try out, now I've realized I love the Sebenza so much I'm not going to carry another knife that isn't near perfect, I took a good look at my list and most of the knives on it were just knives I wanted to try. Now the list only contains knives I could assign a dedicated purpose; SD, a specific use, designed for one purpose or another. My list used to contain 25-35 knives at any given time and when I was ready to make a purchase I would buy any knife off that list, now (I have yet to make another purchase) my list has 9 folders and 3 fixed blades and they're arranged in a specific order based on need instead of random order or based on want.

 

[91a2jettavr6]

While I would NOT say that a Sebenza will ever be my only knife, I WILL say that the Sebenza 25 is the CRK I'll likely keep for years. It is, for me, the perfect combination of the large 21 and Umnumzaan (with the added benefit of a fantastic heat treat). I feel a similar sense of satisfaction when I carry (and yes, use) my Direware Hyper 90...and even my Spyderco Tuff and lowly little Manix 2, believe it or not. I would place the Hyper 90 and Sebenza 25 in categories by themselves, though. I have owned much more expensive knives that left me feeling neutral...they are all gone now and I haven't been wanting anything else (aside from a Shirogorov model 95 with S90V and the MRBS).

 

[Kreyzhorse]

I own a small lefty Sebenza and it is my favorite knife. The ergonomics of the knife are fantastic and even though I have large hands, it fits well. I'm very impressed with the amount of blade that is packed into a small handle. The tolerances and fit and finish are incredible and aesthetically, it's a joy to look at and use.

That said, I still enjoy my Spydercos and ZTs. The Sebenza is a different class in fit and finish but it doesn't perform any better than my Sage and I enjoy variety. Your Sebenza might become your favorite, but I might not be your only and it won't be your last.

 

[bpeezer]

I think the same can be said for many high end knives, Sebenzas are just the most popular (and most readily available). When I got my Hinderer, most of my other knives seemed almost laughable by comparison. Just like Cereal_killer, my list is very small and specific now. I still look at nice knives and add them to the list, but it is shrinking faster than it is growing.

 

[Quillan]

I thought about buying a Sebenza, but instead I bought 20 Moras.

 

[jstn]

I'll chime in with a different perspective. I had a Sebenza for a while and never really warmed up to it, so I eventually sold it off. It was certainly excellent quality and I didn't have any complaints. It was pretty much as flawless as can be in terms of fit and finish. It just didn't really do much for me. I own and have owned many knives from high end customs to midtechs etc. and I suppose there is just too much out there for me to try out to.

 

[Cynic2701]

I keep seeing the same thing from a lot of different people - "I stopped carrying all my other knives after I got a Sebenza" "My Sebenza stopped my knife-buying frenzy" etc etc etc

I know the reputation very well at this point. Glassy smooth pivot, perfect lockup, super tight tolerance (and some concerns about the heat treatment being too soft) - is that what did it for you? Was it the overall feel of the handle? Please, tell me, as best you can, why (or if) your Sebenza(s) changed your carry / purchasing habits.

Also, my main reason for making this thread - do those same sentiments regarding the knife immediately becoming your favored knife long-term also apply to the Umnumzaan? I have one coming in through a trade.

I hear a lot about "softness" in CRK's. Here's a thread with actual HRC values that were independently tested on other production knives. Note the HRC values for other S30V knives (ZT 0350, Kershaw Leek, Spyderco Military, and Buck Vantage Pro).

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...of-a-sampling-of-production-and-custom-knives

To answer your question, I think that a Sebenza or an Umnumzaan overshadows other knives because of how many small details come together into one package. These details frequently aren't realized until a person actually carries and uses the knife, so sometimes people seem to overlook them when they only keep them as safe queens or trade/sell them off without carrying it.

 

[goldie]

I had a few sebenzas & finally got a star tac version, which i had electro anodized by ti survival. that one finally became my keeper.My 1st zaan i guess i got bored with, & didnt realize how cool it was. i bought one off the exchange that had stonewashed handles,& once again it became a keeper. i also got a wilson combat version that was also electro anodized like the sebenza. i could never see getting rid of these versions that have a personal touch that i felt they needed.I think the handles on these knives should come stonewashed or anodized from the factory,the finish it comes with was my only real gripe...

 

[Comeuppance]

I hear a lot about "softness" in CRK's. Here's a thread with actual HRC values that were independently tested on other production knives. Note the HRC values for other S30V knives (ZT 0350, Kershaw Leek, Spyderco Military, and Buck Vantage Pro).

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...of-a-sampling-of-production-and-custom-knives

To answer your question, I think that a Sebenza or an Umnumzaan overshadows other knives because of how many small details come together into one package. These details frequently aren't realized until a person actually carries and uses the knife, so sometimes people seem to overlook them when they only keep them as safe queens or trade/sell them off without carrying it.

Therein lies a concern. Once I start using it, if I end up not liking it, just testing it makes it lose a lot of its resale value. I know it's not super drastic, but I don't make a heck of a lot of money right now. Most of my money is tied up in investments and assisting my parents with their debt. Gotta have something nice, though, if I'm going to be eating microwavable garbage for a while.

 

[Comeuppance]

I had a few sebenzas & finally got a star tac version, which i had electro anodized by ti survival. that one finally became my keeper.My 1st zaan i guess i got bored with, & didnt realize how cool it was. i bought one off the exchange that had stonewashed handles,& once again it became a keeper. i also got a wilson combat version that was also electro anodized like the sebenza. i could never see getting rid of these versions that have a personal touch that i felt they needed.I think the handles on these knives should come stonewashed or anodized from the factory,the finish it comes with was my only real gripe...

I've been eyehumping the "Geometric" CGG, but I'd be worried about anno wear longterm.

 

[gpo1956]

I'll chime in with a different perspective. I had a Sebenza for a while and never really warmed up to it, so I eventually sold it off. It was certainly excellent quality and I didn't have any complaints. It was pretty much as flawless as can be in terms of fit and finish. It just didn't really do much for me. I own and have owned many knives from high end customs to midtechs etc. and I suppose there is just too much out there for me to try out to.

This has been pretty much my epxerience. I'm still trying to "get it", but so far its just not there.

 

[hatchetjack]

I have a couple of them but still carry other makers as well.

 

[jazub]

Aftet purchasing new, I carried a large 21 for 5-6 months. It got smooth to open but never really gave me a knife "high". The soft steel didn't help me fall in love with that price point, either. I sold mine for about a $100 loss and haven't looked back.

The main "effect" it had was to put the value of other American made brands into context for me. I get more of a kick out of the Axis lock so it has helped me to justify a titanium scale mod purchase for my titanium fix.

Cool that other people enjoy them. The 25 is a beautiful looking design.

 

[jkwithawave]

A Zaan is on the short list of folders I want this year. Gen 2 Manix 2 and the M390 Emerson/ZT might complete my folder purchases for the time being. Then on to the Knife Makers market for some fixed blades.

A small Sebenza was on my list but i think the Zaan is more my style. Plus my Skyline has my slim carry knife covered.

 

[goldie]

(I'd be worried about anno wear longterm) electro anodizing is much better than just plain solid color anodizing. it comes out kind of like the rainbow effect you see when oil is in water.Its almost like its burned into the finish,not coated.Ive also found with regular anodizing that the edges,like where the top & side would meet,are the 1st to wear,especially sharp corners & edges that are close to pocket material.Thats why i dont get anything anodized anymore except this electro process.

 

[evanPGH]

I don't like the zaan at all. I find the opening action to be awkward and slippery and the ergos are below average at best.

I liked my sebbie a little bit more, but not nearly enough to keep it. The opening was slightly easier and smoother but I still didn't find the overall feel that impressive. I'd take something running on IKBS in the same price bracket any day.

Both of my CRKs did not hold an edge well at all, but did sharpen easily.

I have a custom in S35VN that is run harder and performs wonderfully all around. I do not find CRKs ht of that particular steel to be optimal.

CRKs are very well built knives with top shelf f&f, tolerances, everything. No arguing that. But for me they miss the mark, maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from or maybe you'll love yours. You'll find out soon enough!

Have fun!

 

[Kowan]

I have a large 21 with inlays.
I also have a Ti-Lock.
A large Wilson Combat will be shipped to me
on Monday.
They will get their turn in EDC.
My XM-18s are hogging the rotation ATM.