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This or That
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Peter Hartwig
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If you say they are similar in size I am presuming you are talking the 3" XM-18.
They are both well made knives and I have both the small Micarta Sebenza and 3" spanto non flipper XM-18(have previously owned slicers too). The XM-18 is a bit more fun(like the action of them and you can change up the scales and other items to them) , but I feel the Sebenza is more practical. It is a hard call, so just pick the one that appeals to your eye. You really can't go wrong. Of course if you want a flipper or don't like flippers the choice gets a little simpler.
They are both well made knives and I have both the small Micarta Sebenza and 3" spanto non flipper XM-18(have previously owned slicers too). The XM-18 is a bit more fun(like the action of them and you can change up the scales and other items to them) , but I feel the Sebenza is more practical. It is a hard call, so just pick the one that appeals to your eye. You really can't go wrong. Of course if you want a flipper or don't like flippers the choice gets a little simpler.
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Both are very good but both are also very different
IMO it depends on the style of knife you are looking for
If you want something that has some tacticool to it the small XM18 will be better
If you want something that has some classy-dressy flavour the small Sebenza is better
As the Sebenza will be discontinued at the end of the week you may go for it now and latter in pick an xm18
NB: I like both but for these particular models I think their 3.5 versions are better representations of what those models really are about
So I would consider “going big”.
IMO it depends on the style of knife you are looking for
If you want something that has some tacticool to it the small XM18 will be better
If you want something that has some classy-dressy flavour the small Sebenza is better
As the Sebenza will be discontinued at the end of the week you may go for it now and latter in pick an xm18
NB: I like both but for these particular models I think their 3.5 versions are better representations of what those models really are about
So I would consider “going big”.
ScooterG
You mean Ireland? Yeah, it’s mine.
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Peter Hartwig
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Check out the CRK forum-in June(I believe ) they are discontinuing the 21 and moving to the 31, but there still is a Sebenza
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Word on the street is the 21 is being discontinued
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/introducing-the-sebenza-31-21-is-being-discontinued.1665460/To address the OP's question. Hinderer for hard use and Sebenza for EDC
Cheers
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Tim Reeve has announced in a video on FB that the sebenza 31 will be introduced on bladeshow and in the same time the 21 will be discontinued
IMO the 31 looks interesting and you can move to a small 31
But if you want to have the opportunity to get a small 21 m then you have to move quick
IMO the 31 looks interesting and you can move to a small 31
But if you want to have the opportunity to get a small 21 m then you have to move quick
Comeuppance
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Assuming you're not particularly open to alternative suggestions, I would have to say Sebenza. From a purely practical standpoint, it's the better option.
Hinderer XM-18s are well-built, but the design is chunky and you lose a significant amount of cutting edge to a finger-choil of contestable value on a 3-inch blade.
DLT Trading is an exclusive(?) vendor of choil-less XM-18s, though, so there is that option. That said, I would still choose a Sebenza just because of the better cutting geometry, warranty service, ease of maintenance, weight, percentage of usable blade, pocket real-estate, etc. Basically everything about the Sebenza has a practical superiority over the XM series.
...This is the part where I also say I wouldn't choose either because the value you get for $400+ is really kinda poor given the current knife market, and I would suggest spending that money on a nice Spyderco, Reate, WE, or Cold Steel knife. Or two. You're looking at a $200+ hype and reputation fee with either brand.
Hinderer XM-18s are well-built, but the design is chunky and you lose a significant amount of cutting edge to a finger-choil of contestable value on a 3-inch blade.
DLT Trading is an exclusive(?) vendor of choil-less XM-18s, though, so there is that option. That said, I would still choose a Sebenza just because of the better cutting geometry, warranty service, ease of maintenance, weight, percentage of usable blade, pocket real-estate, etc. Basically everything about the Sebenza has a practical superiority over the XM series.
...This is the part where I also say I wouldn't choose either because the value you get for $400+ is really kinda poor given the current knife market, and I would suggest spending that money on a nice Spyderco, Reate, WE, or Cold Steel knife. Or two. You're looking at a $200+ hype and reputation fee with either brand.