To get a Sebenza or not?

[jwh720]

So I have $500 to spend and am thinking about a sebenza, but I keep looking at them and I'm not sure I see "it". I also have been looking at the benchmade monolock 765 and 761. I have benchmades already and like them, but will there be a noticeable difference between the CRK and benchmade?

 

[HwangJino]

Don't get the sebenza unless you want one.

Benchmade will never even be close to sebenza, we'll at least not yet.
I've handled plenty of them, will never buy a Benchmade. They feel cheap for the money.

 

[stabman]

The Sebenza is made really well, but if the design isn't grabbing you, buy something that does.

For me, I like the Umnumzaan more than the Sebenza (my Umnumzaan is pretty great ), but there are other knives I like more than it for the same or less money.

 

[stabman]

I've handled plenty of them, will never buy a Benchmade. They feel cheap for the money.

That really depends on which model you're handling.
I was unimpressed with many of them, so I did not get them.
I WAS impressed a bunch by some others, so I got them.
They have a wide variety of models to choose from, so you could likely find one that does meet your standards if you found a place with a large enough selection.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Hard to appreciate the Chris Reeve's fully until you handle one. I echo stabman on the umnumzaan recommendation.

 

[Zidfeldts]

I have a 21, a 25 and a couple of Benchmades. If you are thinking of buying a Sebenza you will buy one. If you buy a user the value on it will never go down. I have never tried the Benchmades in question but if their quality is anything like my 940-1 it should be a nice knife.

 

[stabman]

Hard to appreciate the Chris Reeve's fully until you handle one. I echo stabman on the umnumzaan recommendation.

The Umnumzaan impressed the head lab tech at the lab I was working at for a while.
He was not a knife guy at all (used scissors folded back to open boxes), but he could see why it would cost a bunch of money.
He could appreciate the precision and the elegance of design, even though he would never buy one himself.

He probably would have happily accepted one as a gift though, and used it to open boxes instead of the scissors.

 

[Ratman79]

In a word--Yes!

Sebenzas and related are *very* nice. To me at least. Their elegance is in their simplicity. Every good thing you have heard is true. I finally had the spare change to get one several months ago (not technically a Sebenza--a "large Inkosi," but these are supposedly the next iteration of the Sebenza 25). Previous to it, the only other CRK I owned was the Umnumzaan--another masterpiece.

Definitely check out those three--four including the Sebenza 21--and see what suits your taste.

 

[BilboBaggins]

The Umnumzaan impressed the head lab tech at the lab I was working at for a while.
He was not a knife guy at all (used scissors folded back to open boxes), but he could see why it would cost a bunch of money.
He could appreciate the precision and the elegance of design, even though he would never buy one himself.

He probably would have happily accepted one as a gift though, and used it to open boxes instead of the scissors.

I'm actually glad I didn't get the zaan until after I had gotten back into the hobby and had already bought a half dozen or so quality modern folders. If it had been my first purchase, I know I would not have appreciated it to the same degree.

 

[whitty]

I find once you start asking if you should buy a Sebenza you are already to the point where it is an itch you will have to eventually scratch.

 

[Lycosa]

Get the Seb. You need to experience that folder. Then, you will know.
rolf

 

[Grandmaster]

The zaan or the Large Inkosi CF inlays, CRK has to be handled to be appreciated

 

[SaoDavi]

I've got a Benchmade 940-1 and a small Sebenza. They're not even in the same league.

It's hard to explain. The Sebenza is a simply-designed, straight forward knife. It's not fancy, doesn't have bearings, fall-shut closing, exotic steels, etc. It's just a rock-solid build that just feels right in the hand.

You owe it to yourself to pick up a CRK of some sort. If you don't like it, they're easy to flip.

Personally, I'm planning on getting a Zaan in the next month or so.

 

[jwh720]

Other than the Blade and handle thickness what is the biggest difference between the 21 and the zaan.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Other than the Blade and handle thickness what is the biggest difference between the 21 and the zaan.

Zaan has a ceramic ball for a lock interface. Also has the external blade stops/thumb studs. It opens very differently than most thumb stud knives.

 

[FullMetalJackass]

My 50 cents (I'm feeling generous today):

Sebenzas are the least appealing knives when you buy them, especially if you start collecting.

You'll get buyer's remorse for a month, wondering why you spent that much on a very simple looking knife, borderline dull, with as much personality as a block of ice. And that is not that sharp out of the box.

You'll keep it aside then one day you'll give it a try, and eventually use it as EDC. And eventually dull it.

Then you'll feel cocky and grind it, and you'll realize how good the blade design is, and that you can get a laser out of it.
Then you'll want to take it apart, and will realize that it will keep being centered after putting it back together, no matter how many times you take it apart.
Then it won't leave your pocket, and you'll use it with a big smile on your face, and then you'll want to buy some other CRK...
They have a fantastic way of aging out and look nice when well worn.

I'd suggest a 21 Insingo, a 25 or a newer Inkosi, all in large, as your first CRK.

I don't like my Zaan at all, as the opening system is, for me, very unpractical. It's the only knife I own that I have issues to open.

Some Benchmades are really good too, but they are not at all the same concept/design/aesthetics/target audience. My fave are Contego and 950.

 

[Apec]

I've owned quite a few $4-500+ knives and never bought a Sebenza. I've been interested in the gold lug/ebony or damascus ones, but it's low on the list. There are plenty of more interesting knives IMO.

 

[Ajack60]

A CRK takes some time to get used to. It has a break in period because of the tight tolerances.
If you're not willing to do that, then don't get one.
I'll echo what's already been said, you'll have to have one in hand to know if its for you. The only way to find out is to buy/borrow one

 

[jwh720]

Thanks for your input. I am leaning towards the plain 21 as I plan on using it for edc.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Some people can appreciate the fit and finishing of a well-made knife, some cannot. I like the BM Mini-Grip, and I like Mnandis. Completely different knives and I appreciate each for its own characteristics.

If you can't notice the exceptional tolerances of a CRK, then don't waste your money. They are not for everyone.