Thinking about buying a small Sebenza, need some convincing.

S

Spydiefan04

Joined
Jan 8, 2005
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I know I will probably be flamed to death for this one, but are the small sebenzas any better than Spyderco Delica and if so, how? I've been a FRN plain edge Delica fan for years, just wish is were flat ground. How does Chris Reeve S30V stack up to Spyderco VG10? I don't mind thumbstuds, but prefer a hole, also I've never seen a framelock the could be quickly and easliy opened like a liner or lockback, of course I've never seen or help a sebenza. Also how do the standard and classic models differ is one any tougher or more comfortable than the other. I've thought about buying a small sebenza, but I want some reassurance before spending that kind of money on a knife I have no experience now. Thanks in advance for the advice.
 
Spidie, I owned a Delica for a few years as my EDC and now I have a small Sebbie woody that has taken over. Let me simply put it this way - comparing those two knives is like comparing a Timex and a Rolex. Yes, some people couldn't appreciate the difference and others, if they could, wouldn't want to spend the money. That's why there is something for everyone.

Find a Sebby and handle it for a while. I have a couple and play with one or the other all day long.
 
I used to collect knives, i dont anymore; now i carry a small sebenza. If that isnt enough for you..you could read thru all the posts about how much we all love our sebenzas.
 
Buy it, play with it for a while, appreciate it's exceptional quality and then, if you're not completely satisfied, advertise it for sale here. You are just about guaranteed to get back most of what you paid for it. Somehow though, I don't think you'll be doing that.

What have you got to lose?
 
Is it superior to the delica funcionally as well as asthetically is what probably should have been my orig. question. Also could someone please expalin the differences btn the two sebenza types, aside from handles in the pics I've seen they look identical, I really don't notice a difference in blade design.
 
Personaly I feel that the Classic is the more comfortable of the two.

Titainium is a much better handle material than FRN. More durible, stronger, still 100% corrosion resistance.

The frame lock is very strong and opens just as easyly as a liner lock.

Absoulutly NO blade play. This knife feels like a fixed blade when open.

There is a period of time when the knife is being broken in. Just open and close it a whole bunch of times and it will get smoother as you do. If you want it to have a glossy slick action like a benchmade you can switch the lube to Militec 1 synthethic metal conditioner.
 
Buy a used one in good condition, and you're dead certain to be able to sell it back without loosing any money.
 
So, you guys are saying that with the sebenza it IS possilble to have a frame lock that is as easy, fast to open as a Spyderco lockback or Benchmade Axis? I've always been put off by the crappy opening friction, speed of framelocks, but maybe the sebenza is different. Still unsure of which small model to buy. Also can anyone tell me a good fair price for a used one and where to possibly buy one.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
I know I will probably be flamed to death for this one, but are the small sebenzas any better than Spyderco Delica and if so, how?
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It's much stronger in every way-handle, lock, blade, tip. The edge is straight until it sweeps to the tip which makes for better performance in longer or harder cuts. The quality, and fit/finish is far, far (FAR!) better. It's narrower in the pocket, and I think it carries better than similarly sized Spydercos with their "humped" blades.
The Delica has a pointier, more useful tip, and is lighter. VG-10 is great, so I wouldn't nitpick over steel choices.
The Delica is a good useful knife at a great price. The small Sebenza has a wider range of uses, will handle much harder use, and should last a lot longer as well.
For a light use folder, the Delica is just as good or better, IMO, though I prefer the Calypso Jr. ltwt over it.
For a "general purpose" folder, it's hard to beat the small Sebenza in a knife this size. I think the drop point is one of the best all-around blade designs you will find, and the Sebenza definitely has the highest quality of construction I've seen, production or custom.
The plain vs. Classic handles is personal, IMO. The cutout on the Classics just doesn't "feel right" to me, so I don't really like them-that doesn't mean you won't.
 
I agree with all of the above, and I own both an frn Delica and a small regular Sebenza.

The Delica is a good knife for about $40. If you subject it to moderate use every day it will maybe last you about 10 years. A small Sebenza, on the other hand, will probably last at least a couple generations of daily use if not more. It's a long-term investment in quality.

Get the Sebbie.
 
if you are not in a hurry, then I'd wait until I saw a used sebbie for $250 to $270. Once in a great while you'll see them as low as $220 .
 
A small Sebbie could and would be the only EDC you'll ever need again if you choose to get one. They are built to the highest standards in terms of fit/finish and materials. The Sebbie is a triumph in simplistic elegance and reliability. ;)
 
trane fan said:
A small Sebbie could and would be the only EDC you'll ever need again if you choose to get one. They are built to the highest standards in terms of fit/finish and materials. The Sebbie is very simply a triumph in simplistic elegance and reliability. ;)
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Since I got my two Sebbies a few months ago I've just given up on 20+ years of knife collecting and looking. I'm even thinking of selling off some of my varied collection. From the funds I need just one more Sebby. Yes that's right, just one more. Honest.
 
The only things the Delica and Sebenza have in common are they both have handles and blades. Beyond that there is simply no comparison. The Sebenza is that good.
The Delica is a great knife at it's price point.

Paul
 
I went through the same soul searching last summer. My EDC was a Spyderco Calypso Jr. with SS handles. It's a great knife, super sharp, super tough, etc. I wondered how a Sebenza could be that different.

Well, I took the plunge, and after 6 months, I rarely carry the Spydie anymore. The Sebbie is just perfect. It truly feels like a better knife, and it keeps growing on you. Careful about the fast opening though. My Calypso Jr. still opens better and quicker than the Sebbie, but with good lube the Sebbie isn't bad either.

It's hard to describe, but I think Zozzie's comparison between Timex and Rolex just about hits it on the nail.

Guy
 
I would always blow by the knife counter at my local Sportsmans' Warehouse to drool over the Spydies, Benchmades, and other quality built knives.

Since I got my large classic sebbies about a month ago, I no longer have the urge to spend more on "the next best thing". I own the "best thing", so what's the point?

I guess you can look at it this way. If you buy a sebbie, you'll save money, because other than the SAK, hatchets, multitools, or specialty stuff, you won't be interested in buying any other knife. You'll actually SAVE money! :D
 
Only on Bladeforums could an over $300 knife be touted as a money saver ;) , you guys are doing a good job of convincing. How does it compare in weight to a SS delica, and can it be opened relatively fast, I'm spoiled by my Spydercos and Axis Locks, I'm not really interested in a knife that doesn't fly into action (manual that is).
 
I have Delicas, Native, BM 705, BM 710, Sere 2K and what they say is true, since I got my small classic lefty the only other one I carry is the large contemporary lefty model purchased two weeks.

One key point on openning is that you 'push' the blade open with your thumb, not press down on the thumb stub. I was having a little problem with 'Sebbie thumb' until I read another thread about 'convince me to keep my Sebbie' and the guy that started that thread was doing that and someone mentioned this. It really helped! :)

For me it opens as fast as the Spidies (I never 'flick' open a knife) almost as fast as the axis, and faster than the SERE 2K.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
So, you guys are saying that with the sebenza it IS possilble to have a frame lock that is as easy, fast to open as a Spyderco lockback or Benchmade Axis? I've always been put off by the crappy opening friction, speed of framelocks, but maybe the sebenza is different. Still unsure of which small model to buy. Also can anyone tell me a good fair price for a used one and where to possibly buy one.
Click to expand...

IMO, a thumbstud is always a design compromise. It allows for generally more compact builds on folders than a thumbhole or slot. I have had Sebenza's in every configuration, but have never been satisfied with the blade profiles or the thumbstuds. Thus, I got and still carry a Mnandi, which has the thinner blade stock like the Delica, a milled thumb "nick" and is smaller, easier to carry and has a much better clip design than the Sebenza. You can pick one up on Ebay or on the forums for right around $250 - $275.

Unless you really larger blade profile, I would get a Mnandi. You might find, like I did, that the grip design is more comfortable than on the Sebenza's.
 
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