The Sebenza of 5-7" fixed blades?

Geode

Geode

Joined
May 12, 2001
Messages
2,946
I have appreciated all of your opinions and now have a question for the group.

There is shared feeling among many members that the Sebenza is the ultimate pocket knife. I am now in the market for a nice fixed blade 5 - 7" at $225 or less, and want to know what folks feel is available at that price point which is Sebenza like in bang for the buck (if there is even such a knife).

The blade will be used for cutting type camp chores mostly, but it would be nice if push comes to shove that the knife could do heavier work.

Thanks in advance for your replies

 
Dozier knives. D2 steel, ergonomic handles, good prices for high quality items:

Dozier knives at KnifeArt

Also look at GenO Dennings knives for something just a little prettier:

Geno Denning knives at RCC

The great thing about small custom fixed blades is that outstanding quality can be purchased for less than $200. Happy shopping!

Paracelsus
 
Ditto Dozier Knives. I have a Buckhunter folder and an Agent fixed blade with, what else, D-2 blades. Check out Bobs web site at

www.dozierknives.com and then check out knifeart and see what Larry has available. I have found that a lot of makers have several models on hand prior to big shows and the biggest of the big is less than 2 weeks away so you might get lucky and get what you want delivered immediately instead of a 6 to 9 month wait or longer!

Art

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
You might give Brett Bennett a call. Cant find his email addy now, but his forum name is kaos. Do a search for that name and you can find his contact info. Really nice quality knives with first rate fit and finish. They are also very pretty knives to show off and look at while you are not using them.

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You might also check out a Busse Basic in 5" or 7". You can really get brutal with 'em and they are very comfortable. The 7" is also good for some chopping chores, and sports a slightly larger handle than the 5"- if you have larger hands.
 
Busse Natural Outlaw

Busse also has another new 6" model-check out the Busse forum.
 
The Sebenza is a great folder. I have a couple myself. Titanium, BG 42, integral/frame lock: rock solid and attention to quality. But it's not the ultimate, by any stretch of the imagination.
The Busses are wonderful working knives. They are probably better in comparison to other fixed blades than the Sebbies are in comparison to other folders because the Busses use a proprietary metal, Infi or modified Infi, which is outstanding, as opposed to BG 42, which is used by many other folders. Infi beats BG 42 in almost every respect. The assymetrical edge is also uncommon [and I thing it performs great], and Jerry is as fanatical about quality as Chris Reeves, I think. And the Busse warranty is probably the best in the business. Speed of delivery, however, can be a problem.
You won't go wrong with a Busse for heavy use, but you might find them a bit too heavy- bladed for fine work and kitchen duty. The Natural Outlaw and Steelheart II are two of the best performers you'll find at any price, for heavy use, and I think with the new finishes they are also beautiful. The Basics are similar in performance and design, but maybe a step below, which is still a couple of steps above most other knives.
But there are other very good fixed blades in your price range. That's the particular advantage of fixed blades over folders - many more customs available at lower price points.
Check out the Canadian Knifemakers Guild website and see the members pages. Check out a few like George Tichbourne, Murray St Amour, Eric Elson and Kirby Lambert, to name a few. In the USA the selection is huge. Many of the best are frequent members here. Also check out Jerry Hossom's knives, available in CPM 3V, and Trace Rinaldi. Great prices for what you get. And then there's talonite, which has some qualities no steel has. Our own Dr. Lathe [Niel Blackwood] makes beauties. Although some of the knives may be a bit over your budgeted price point, they are worth it.
Anyway, if you are daunted by all the options, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a Busse for a heavy use knife, IMHO.
Have fun!

[This message has been edited by HJK (edited 05-28-2001).]
 
Also, look up John Greco's custom offerings. Much less expensive than your range, often made of A2 tool steel, and very thick, hefty construction well suited for hard use. He offers models in 3,5, and 7 inch sizes, most of the five inchers are around 100 from blade art. Good luck!


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William Callahan

"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without
hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd
never expect it."
-Jack Handey

I'm one of those wierdos who likes Zytel.
 
The Chris Reeve One Piece Range is the perfect fixed blade compliment to the Sebenza. If you choose not to purchase a CRK One Piece then I would suggest the Busse Basic #5 or #7 and echo the comments above. I would also suggest the new Busse 6" model or the badger Attack or the Natural Outlaw.

I am not slighted against Dozier, I am just not familiar with them.
 
Can't add much to the list so I'll just chime in:
Dozier Professional Guides Knife
Busse Natural Outlaw
One of Chris Reeves one-piece knives (although I don't own one myself so can't give a personal opinion but TOO many people swear by these knives to ignore them)

Lots of customs out there in your price range too.

IMO, the Dozier would be the best for most camp chores if you camp like me. Cut rope, whittle sticks, clean fish, slice up meat and veges. Probably even better at this stuff would be a Trace Rinaldi TTKK. Actually, my favorite food prep knife is an Opinel #12. It always goes with me when I'm camping (except backpacking.) But if you want to try your hand at mostly chopping chores like you might encounter in primitive/survival camping, the bigger chopper like the Outlaw or a Steelheart or a One Piece would likely better serve you. If you want to fashion a fireboard or make a flatbow or build a leanto, the bigger knife will make your life easier.

Personally, I'm getting kind of tired of the one knife does it all scenario [unless you are talking primarily a survival knife] because there is no one knife optimized to do everything. There will always be tradeoffs. But if I had to choose a knife for a one knife scenario, it just makes sense to me to choose a rugged knife that is intermediate in size, one capable of being hammered on using a wooden baton for chopping and also small enough to handle light chores.

The closest knife I've seen that fits this bill is this one (way pricey, though, imo): http://www.raymears.com/kit/kit11.html

Also, a Busse Lean Mean Street comes pretty darn close. I wish Jerry would make more of his blades out of 3/16" stock.

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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 05-28-2001).]
 
Trace Rinaldi TTKK should be considered very seriously. I love mine. For a kitchen and camp knife, hard to beat.

The Busse, CRK and, Dozier have their place in this thread for good reason. The Busse and CRK One Piece line will take anything you can throw at them. They are seriously stout knives but, for lighter camp work, not the best choice. Dozier makes a good working knife that lacks nothing in terms of performance but, I personally find other makers more pleasing to the eye. Both my Geno Dennings knives are simply stunning.

Stay Sharp,
Sid
 
Several months ago, one of the magazines, pretty sure it was Blade, had an article on using fixed blades for less than $100. All or most were smaller than the size of which you speak, but think it likely that somewhat larger knives ougt by those makers ought also to fit within your budget.

If you've the time, would suggest you search for relatively new makers, particularly any burgeoning forgers. Just finished Ed Fowler's book, which thoroughly convinced me that forged knives done properly are capable of much higher performance than most stock removal/stamping/CNC milling. A serious young smith might have, or could make, just what you need.

Also, in the realm of manufactured knives, I think you could do a whole lot worse than Fallkniven or Grohmann knives. Save yourself some money, and have a fine knife in the process. Many dealers carry Fallkniven, and Tom Marshmann at http://www.marshmanbrothers.com/index.html
is the most frequently mentioned American dealer.

I'd also suggest you run some searches on the review forum. Cliff Stamp -- sorry, Cliff(??Just had another brain fart) has a quite recent review of the cutting ability of a Running Dog knife, while most of his reviews he takes the knife to destruction.

Also, most outdoorsmen, other than semi-extreme backpackers, take along saws and axes to do the firewood workup, and most camp knives are used more for food prep than most other chores combined. Yes, it would be great to have a knife you could rely on when the chips are down. But, since you're dealing, most chips down situations simply don't arise.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs

[This message has been edited by Bugs3x (edited 05-29-2001).]
 
Interesting how many of us say Dozier or Busse! You pick the one that appeals to you and don't look back!You absolutely can't go wrong with either, in my experience.

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AKTI Member #A000934
"Always just one knife short of perfection!"
 
Roughly in order of my preference based on what you mentioned:

Steve Mullin Camp Knife in D2 at 7" is hard to beat. Search for Pack River Knives, and wait until Fall when he takes orders again.

Dozier, in D2 or A2 for toughness (A2 is custom order)

Busse Basic stuff, 7".

Fallkniven. VG-10 is decent.

Used Reeve one piece (to get price down). A2. Wrap handle w/ tennis racquet grip tape.

Allen Blade Patrol Bowie stuff.

Maybe a used Newt Livesay for a beater.

SOG Recondo X42. Just kidding. Don't drop the glass knife!

Rekat Sifu.
wink.gif


I can't think of anything else I guess.

Ciao.

[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 05-29-2001).]
 
I would choose either a Busse fixed or a Reeve fixed. There are a couple of different sizes from both maker and if your looking for the best quaility and durability go eith either. Jeff
 
To add to my last post, If I were looking for a seven incher for chopping I would go with the Busse steel heart. If I were looking for a five incher I would go for the Reeve shadow iv. Jeff
 
Guys,

Thank you! I am narrowing it down to the following:

Busse Basic 7
Chris Reeve Sable
Dozier

I don't recall anyone mentioning the Sable, but the idea about the tennis racket tape on the handle is excellent. To be honest, the handle was one of my main concerns with CRK. I have a cheap Taiwanese (knife that is) and it is hollow handled. Keeping it to practice sharpening techniques, but boy is it harsh after a while of handling it.

About the other suggestions: Trace Rinaldi says there is a 6-9 month wait on the TTKK, though there is a 4.5" in D2 at blade art, (unless one of you picked it up!)

John Greco looks neat, but having never handled it, I am a bit shy to pick one up because it is so inexpensive. Blade Art is clearing out the Campanion for $69.95!

The other suggested knives have been pretty cool also and warrant closer looking at when cash allows.

Thanks - Geode

 
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