To get a Sebenza or not?

I have 5 CRKs, less than some, more than others. Of the five, the ones I like to carry and use are my large Insingo and my small Inkosi. IMO, they are great knives. As much as I like them, I would never tell someone they "need" to get one. Because everybody and their opinions are different. What may amaze some will disappoint others. I also like and use other knife brands as well.

Not everyone needs the latest bells and whistles; the latest new locking mechanism, super steels, etc., etc.

The only CRK that hurt my thumb initially is my Umnumzaan. And it wasn't the thumb stud but unlocking it. I eventually conditioned to it, but never felt as comfortable with it as my Sebbies. None of my Sebbies' thumb studs ever hurt my thumb, and none ever felt difficult or unnatural to open.

Just because someone likes and uses CRK knives does not necessarily equate with being a "fanboy".

The fact that there are so many choices at this price level means that if you don't like CRK knives, you have many other options. Simply put, if you like them and can afford it, buy one. If you don't like them or aren't interested, then don't buy one. Nobody 'has to' buy any brand of knife; the decision is entirely up to you.

My own main criticism of CRK is their convex factory edge bevels. They would cut MUCH better out of the box, as well as resharpen easier, with standard "V" edge bevels. V bevels would better complement CRK's tall, thin primary blade grinds much better, IMO. There always seems to be SOMEthing that keeps a knife from being 'perfect'.

Again, others will feel differently. And that's great, too. Life would be boring as hell if everyone thought exactly the same.

Jim
 
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video of the large inkosi and sebenza 25 disassembled...

The seb 21 and seb 25 have different pivot bushings and as you can see in the video the inkosi has the same pivot bushing as a seb 25...

I am not sure why wtlj is saying the inkosi does not have a pivot bushing when clearly it does... Perhaps I am not understanding what he is saying....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-PbKqHj8fo
 
ti lock said:
video of the large inkosi and sebenza 25 disassembled...

The seb 21 and seb 25 have different pivot bushings and as you can see in the video the inkosi has the same pivot bushing as a seb 25...

I am not sure why wtlj is saying the inkosi does not have a pivot bushing when clearly it does... Perhaps I am not understanding what he is saying....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-PbKqHj8fo
Click to expand...

As I mentioned earlier, the 25, Umnumzaan and all Inkosi's do not have a pivot bushing. Look at a 21 disassembly ti lock if you want to see what a pivot bushing is. It is a separate "barrel" that the blade and washers ride on, which is "sandwiched" by the scales. It is not the pivot screw & nut, which is what is present in the Umnumzaan, Inkosi and 25. On any of those models, if you tighten the pivot "all the way" down, the blade will be rendered immobile, whereas the 21 is made to be snugged tight. And that is a functional difference between a (real) Sebenza and virtually any other folder.
 
Officer's Match said:
As I mentioned earlier, the 25, Umnumzaan and all Inkosi's do not have a pivot bushing. Look at a 21 disassembly ti lock if you want to see what a pivot bushing is. It is a separate "barrel" that the blade and washers ride on, which is "sandwiched" by the scales. It is not the pivot screw & nut, which is what is present in the Umnumzaan, Inkosi and 25. On any of those models, if you tighten the pivot "all the way" down, the blade will be rendered immobile, whereas the 21 is made to be snugged tight. And that is a functional difference between a (real) Sebenza and virtually any other folder.
Click to expand...

are you referring to the backspacer?

http://www.gpknives.com/chris-reeve-backspacer-small-sebenza21-gold.html
 
ti lock said:
are you referring to the backspacer?

http://www.gpknives.com/chris-reeve-backspacer-small-sebenza21-gold.html
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No, I am talking about the pivot. In the pic below, the 21 bushing can be seen on the assembly on the far left. The middle is the 25 and the right is the (old pivot) Umnumzaan. Only the 21 on the left has a cylindrical bushing independent of the screw & nut.



The bushing on the 21 pivot is sized (by hand) to be the same length as the thickness of the blade and two bronze washer, which fit onto the bushing and are sandwiched between the scales such that, when tightened down, the pivot works to perfection. As I've said, snug the pivot tight on practically any other folder, and it won't be able to open.
 
I will take apart my EDC large sebenza 21 and will post a few pics of that bushing when i get a few minutes to kill....
 
Well if youve got $500 of disposable income and you can buy a knife with that money guilt free then of course you should get one. I have a few microtechs, ZT's, several spydercos and some other nice folders, and if I lost my Sebenza 21 I would immediately sell as many of those as it took to replace it. So yes they are worth it IMO. Besides all the other things that make them great folders, the pivot bushing is one of my favorite aspects, as well as the fact that the screws holding it together are the same, so you literally cant mess it up when you take it apart and clean it, lube etc. You break it down, clean it, screw everything back tight and everything is perfect, its beautiful. Plus, the grind on the 21 make it an excellent slicer, and Im not really sure why people are making out s35VN to be butter soft, because its not. I use mine in a warehouse at work to break down tons of cardboard and I can tell you it holds an edge well.
 
Good pic! What does the mnandi use?
Officer's Match said:
No, I am talking about the pivot. In the pic below, the 21 bushing can be seen on the assembly on the far left. The middle is the 25 and the right is the (old pivot) Umnumzaan. Only the 21 on the left has a cylindrical bushing independent of the screw & nut.



The bushing on the 21 pivot is sized (by hand) to be the same length as the thickness of the blade and two bronze washer, which fit onto the bushing and are sandwiched between the scales such that, when tightened down, the pivot works to perfection. As I've said, snug the pivot tight on practically any other folder, and it won't be able to open.
Click to expand...
 
Every time I see a sexy Sebenza with inlayed handles, unique graphics, etc, I have to remind myself how much I hate framelocks.
 
Officer's Match said:
No, I am talking about the pivot. In the pic below, the 21 bushing can be seen on the assembly on the far left. The middle is the 25 and the right is the (old pivot) Umnumzaan. Only the 21 on the left has a cylindrical bushing independent of the screw & nut.



The bushing on the 21 pivot is sized (by hand) to be the same length as the thickness of the blade and two bronze washer, which fit onto the bushing and are sandwiched between the scales such that, when tightened down, the pivot works to perfection. As I've said, snug the pivot tight on practically any other folder, and it won't be able to open.
Click to expand...

Great picture. Thanks!~
 
Planterz said:
Every time I see a sexy Sebenza with inlayed handles, unique graphics, etc, I have to remind myself how much I hate framelocks.
Click to expand...

I'll let you know what I think of this small when it arrives. I've never owned a frame lock and never owned a Sebenza. Should make for an interesting experience over the traditional knives I'm accustomed to.

5003683ddc934f9de01162424593f841.jpg
 
wtlj said:
Your getting a pivot bushing and pivot screw mixed up.
This should clear it up for you...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...spelling-some-myths-about-CRK-folders-(maybe)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Yes i understand that the back spacer has nothing to do with this discussion... my bad on that...

I like the fact on the seb 21s that you simply tighten down the pivot screw and there is no need for loctite.... a big plus as far as 21s are concerned....
Some folks prefer the 21 and some prefer the inkosi ... So if a customer can find a local dealer to handle the knives first hand it gives them a definite advantage in making their decision.
 
jasonbroni said:
I'm falling out of love with my small 21. I prefer flat grinds and a slightly smaller blade.
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Its quite easily to do with any knife. Suddenly you wake up and want to try something different. Its the reason I rotate my knives every 6 months or so; different for each person. I was using an Opinel 8 the other week and wondered why I needed anything else, it cut stuff so well. But then it was obvious the turn lock is just so rubbish and blade so thin.
Fall out of love then give it a rest and give something else a go. You'll fall back in love again sometime. Bit like when they play the same song for weeks again and again on the radio; can kill a good song. Goes with all my knives.
 
I could not decide between the 21, 25 and Zan. Ended up buying one of each used from the ex (out here unless you know someone that owns them already you can't just handle them to see) and like all three, somewhat different knives with +/- for each. If made to choose (got rue that day) I would be torn between the 21 and Zan with the 25 a little down the list. I would probably come down on the Zan but it would be a tough choice. All that said if the ONLY folding knife I could own was the 25 I would not be left upset.
 
I was sold on needing a Zaan until for some reason today I just ordered a large Seb 21. The Zaan lines do nothing for me and there's all sorts of options for the 21.
 
Planterz said:
Every time I see a sexy Sebenza with inlayed handles, unique graphics, etc, I have to remind myself how much I hate framelocks.
Click to expand...

Just curious what brand of framelocks have you tried?

Have you ever owned a CRK Framelock? If not you should definitely try one.
 
highestpoint said:
Just curious what brand of framelocks have you tried?

Have you ever owned a CRK Framelock? If not you should definitely try one.
Click to expand...

Owned? No. I participated in the Sebenza passaround many years ago, and once again several years later.

I've owned a couple Kerslaw Leeks, a rainbow one which I used for years, and a Ti/ZDP-189 one that I never used. And a Cutters Knife and Tool D/A framelock auto, considered to be the Sebenza of switchblades.

In other passarounds I've used a variety of framelocks.

I've also owned and tried many various linerlocks over the years. Spyderco, Kershaw, ZT, Microtech,, etc. I can't remember them all.

It's not a quality thing. I just don't like the mechanics. I don't like that a frame or linerlock requires you to put your thumb in the path of the blade. I prefer the AXIS lock, compression lock, or even the basic backlock (as Spyderco does it).

A small Insigno with micarta inlays (or snakewood, if they did that) would be nearly the perfect knife for me, if it had an AXIS lock.
 
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