To get a Sebenza or not?

[sutherland]

Striders are notorious for lock rock & lock stick, not to mention your supporting a liar & jerk company owner. Hinderer does have good fit and finish if you can get over the fact that it's a flipper that doesn't actually flip [emoji849]. Ive had 4 striders and 3 Hinderers (gen 2,3,4). NO THANKS

I'll stick with my "BORING" yet exceptionally functional sebenza when given the choice.

Just to counter this:
- the Gen 4 Hinderers I have owned flip exceptionally well and require no wrist or preload
- every Strider I have owned has never encountered any lock rock, lock stick was only during the initial break-in (similar break in "woes" experienced with some of the framelock, non-steel inserted Spydercos)

They are all exceptional knives. Pros and Cons with each.

A Sebenza is far from "BORING". It's a well executed quality tool.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

A few Benchmade models are top notch...

I'd skip the sebbie. BORING. Nice quality, but not THE BEST. I prefer a Hinderer or even Strider over the sebbie.

I still own both a Hinderer and a Strider, but sold the sebbie... And I own customs that knock the sebbie out of the park... more hype IMO than anything.. unless you like computer generated graphics etched on your frames..........................................


I'd even say look at a Grayman Dua, not expensive, not custom, but those are very nice quality for the money...

GL!

I like the SnG and XM-18 non flipper, but wouldn't say either are better than the Sebenza. They are both heavier duty knives, which is fine if that is what you are looking for, but I feel the Sebenza fits into normal utility knife use(or at least my belief of what normal is) better. Along with it being well built and easy to break down, makes it the knife I recommend most. I do carry my SnG as much as the Sebenza, and fit the XM-18 in as best I can in the rotation. All fine knives IMO, all worth a look, the decision is yours as to which one if not all is best for you.
Side note-I have owned many a SnG and have never had any of the problems that others refer to. I don't know if it is them or their bad luck. After initial break in they have functioned flawlessly.

 

[palonej]

Don't have and never held a Seb. I do have the 761. Never needed any adjusting, gorgeous blade profile with an excellent steel, unbelievably smooth and fast action..........and on and on and on!! It slices better than almost any knife I have...nice and thin behind the edge and BM put a beautiful and even screaming sharp edge on it.
I'm sure I'll have a Sebbie, or tanto Zaan, sometime soon, but the 761 is an awesome knife....just awesome!!
This thread needs some knife porn.......because!
Joe

 

[highestpoint]

Striders are notorious for lock rock & lock stick, not to mention your supporting a liar & jerk company owner. Hinderer does have good fit and finish if you can get over the fact that it's a flipper that doesn't actually flip [emoji849]. Ive had 4 striders and 3 Hinderers (gen 2,3,4). NO THANKS

I'll stick with my "BORING" yet exceptionally functional sebenza when given the choice.

I'm disappointed you mentioned this. I've been on the fence on getting an SMF, an XM18 or another CRK and I'm having the worst time deciding.

Just to counter this:
- the Gen 4 Hinderers I have owned flip exceptionally well and require no wrist or preload
- every Strider I have owned has never encountered any lock rock, lock stick was only during the initial break-in (similar break in "woes" experienced with some of the framelock, non-steel inserted Spydercos)

They are all exceptional knives. Pros and Cons with each.

A Sebenza is far from "BORING". It's a well executed quality tool.

And then you quote him and say this lol.

 

[wtlj]

Just to counter this:
- the Gen 4 Hinderers I have owned flip exceptionally well and require no wrist or preload
- every Strider I have owned has never encountered any lock rock, lock stick was only during the initial break-in (similar break in "woes" experienced with some of the framelock, non-steel inserted Spydercos)

They are all exceptional knives. Pros and Cons with each.

A Sebenza is far from "BORING". It's a well executed quality tool.

That's great to hear, and I'm not being sarcastic...I've handled 3 of the Gen 4 XM-18's. One was mine and 2 friends of mine from BF that I did local trades with. None of the 3 could flip without perfect preload and/or wrist action. Perhaps they weren't "tuned" properly or were less than perfect examples?
As for the striders all mine were well used and broken in. Having said that it was over a year ago since I've had one. Mick might be spending less time lying to his customers and more time producing quality knives these days.

 

[evilgreg]

Just to counter this:
- the Gen 4 Hinderers I have owned flip exceptionally well and require no wrist or preload
- every Strider I have owned has never encountered any lock rock, lock stick was only during the initial break-in (similar break in "woes" experienced with some of the framelock, non-steel inserted Spydercos)

A couple of years ago I handled four SnGs (new at a dealer) and three of the four had lock rock, one so bad it made a clicking noise, so it's not completely unknown with them.

A Sebenza is far from "BORING". It's a well executed quality tool.

Agree to disagree on that one. I found the new Sebenza I purchased to be altogether ho-hum. Obviously many folks love them to death, some of them possibly because they love the knife, and others because they love the cult membership that comes with every Sebenza

They're definitely very nice knives in any case, even if I find them meh personally. It's the cult of CRK that's obnoxious, not the knives.

 

[ti lock]

my own personal carry large seb 21 opens so easily and closes so easily with just one hand why would i want a flipper

 

[sutherland]

That's great to hear, and I'm not being sarcastic...I've handled 3 of the Gen 4 XM-18's. One was mine and 2 friends of mine from BF that I did local trades with. None of the 3 could flip without perfect preload and/or wrist action. Perhaps they weren't "tuned" properly or were less than perfect examples?
As for the striders all mine were well used and broken in. Having said that it was over a year ago since I've had one. Mick might be spending less time lying to his customers and more time producing quality knives these days.

I have heard/read that the earlier Gen 4s still had a softer detent. I have owned far too many Hinderers than I care to admit, all of which were purchased in the last year or so. Each did require break-in outside of the box, but I always bypassed that step by slightly loosening the pivot (as they all ship from the ranch WAY too tight). The "Fatty" models are much snappier as there is a bit more weight on the blade.

Striders, if buying used, I make sure they have the new lock geometry. The QC on Striders, especially the ones you buy new today, are SO much better in fit and finish than previous year/gen models. I have a CC in PSF27 (purchased from MonkeyEdge a few months ago) and I noticed they bulked up the G10 side considerably (as thick as the Lego G10).

This is just a theory, but I think one of the reasons why newer lock geometry Striders are prone to lock stick is due the size of the pivot and how close in proxy it is lockbar. It is just too easy for grease/oil to wander to the lockbar interface.

 

[Planterz]

Okay that's understandable. If you've tried it and still don't like it I can understand. I get how you don't like that your finger has to be in the way of the blade and I do agree but I've used them so long I don't even think about it anymore.

You should try the Ti-Lock

Maybe if they made in the Insingo style. I like a tip-forward profile.

 

[Ratman79]

That's great to hear, and I'm not being sarcastic...I've handled 3 of the Gen 4 XM-18's. One was mine and 2 friends of mine from BF that I did local trades with. None of the 3 could flip without perfect preload and/or wrist action. Perhaps they weren't "tuned" properly or were less than perfect examples?
As for the striders all mine were well used and broken in. Having said that it was over a year ago since I've had one. Mick might be spending less time lying to his customers and more time producing quality knives these days.

It sure is frustrating when a flipper won't flip! Having handled several xm18 gen4s and owning 2 currently, you are spot on about the tuning. For me, at least, it is still a technique that requires a good amount of time to get right. I'm sure that'll change as I get better at it. I have found from owning and learning about these knives, that the difference between a perfect, slick and smooth flip and a terrible one can sometimes be an almost imperceptible adjustment of the pivot screw. Once you have it though-- it is one of the nicest flippers in its price range. If you wanted one and were on the fence, I'd say go for it!

 

[pwrdbycotn]

It sure is frustrating when a flipper won't flip! Having handled several xm18 gen4s and owning 2 currently, you are spot on about the tuning. For me, at least, it is still a technique that requires a good amount of time to get right. I'm sure that'll change as I get better at it. I have found from owning and learning about these knives, that the difference between a perfect, slick and smooth flip and a terrible one can sometimes be an almost imperceptible adjustment of the pivot screw. Once you have it though-- it is one of the nicest flippers in its price range. If you wanted one and were on the fence, I'd say go for it!

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, and I'd like to think I am, you spend $400 or more and have to "imperceptibly" adjust the pivot to make it actually flip? Is this like the old argument that unless you're a firefighter then you can't possibly understand a Hinderer? This is a crazy idea, but I think maybe some of the Hinderer fans could appreciate it.....why not just make the "imperceptible" adjustments at the ranch factory? I had two Gen 4 Hinderers. I bought them because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I don't care how you spin it or cut it, they wouldn't flip. Not only that, the blade would pop open if the wind was blowing. What was funny, is that when I had the Hinderers, the ZT0392's hit the market. Those ZT's would flip like a rocket headed for a sand hut that was fired from a US Navy ship in the Persian gulf. The Hinderer was like a gang-banger holding his pistol sideways...it looked kinda cool but never hit the target.

As far as Strider is concerned, I couldn't care less. I wouldn't give the valor-stealing moron a dime of my money.

CRK has plenty of my money and will continue to receive it, along with some other makers. For a sebenza to have an issue is extremely uncommon, and when they do it is always taken care of by the best customer service in the industry. Sure, some people may not view them as the prettiest knife or having the most up-to-date blade steel, but from day 1 they work, cut and serve their owners extremely well and will continue to do that for decades.

 

[wtlj]

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, and I'd like to think I am, you spend $400 or more and have to "imperceptibly" adjust the pivot to make it actually flip? Is this like the old argument that unless you're a firefighter then you can't possibly understand a Hinderer? This is a crazy idea, but I think maybe some of the Hinderer fans could appreciate it.....why not just make the "imperceptible" adjustments at the ranch factory? I had two Gen 4 Hinderers. I bought them because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I don't care how you spin it or cut it, they wouldn't flip. Not only that, the blade would pop open if the wind was blowing. What was funny, is that when I had the Hinderers, the ZT0392's hit the market. Those ZT's would flip like a rocket headed for a sand hut that was fired from a US Navy ship in the Persian gulf. The Hinderer was like a gang-banger holding his pistol sideways...it looked kinda cool but never hit the target.

As far as Strider is concerned, I couldn't care less. I wouldn't give the valor-stealing moron a dime of my money.

CRK has plenty of my money and will continue to receive it, along with some other makers. For a sebenza to have an issue is extremely uncommon, and when they do it is always taken care of by the best customer service in the industry. Sure, some people may not view them as the prettiest knife or having the most up-to-date blade steel, but from day 1 they work, cut and serve their owners extremely well and will continue to do that for decades.

[emoji1319]


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[Ratman79]

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, and I'd like to think I am, you spend $400 or more and have to "imperceptibly" adjust the pivot to make it actually flip? Is this like the old argument that unless you're a firefighter then you can't possibly understand a Hinderer? This is a crazy idea, but I think maybe some of the Hinderer fans could appreciate it.....why not just make the "imperceptible" adjustments at the ranch factory? I had two Gen 4 Hinderers. I bought them because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I don't care how you spin it or cut it, they wouldn't flip. Not only that, the blade would pop open if the wind was blowing. What was funny, is that when I had the Hinderers, the ZT0392's hit the market. Those ZT's would flip like a rocket headed for a sand hut that was fired from a US Navy ship in the Persian gulf. The Hinderer was like a gang-banger holding his pistol sideways...it looked kinda cool but never hit the target.

As far as Strider is concerned, I couldn't care less. I wouldn't give the valor-stealing moron a dime of my money.

CRK has plenty of my money and will continue to receive it, along with some other makers. For a sebenza to have an issue is extremely uncommon, and when they do it is always taken care of by the best customer service in the industry. Sure, some people may not view them as the prettiest knife or having the most up-to-date blade steel, but from day 1 they work, cut and serve their owners extremely well and will continue to do that for decades.

Keep your shirt on.

I don't know why you are picking a fight. I own 2 CRKs also. I like them as well. I also like the XM. And no, I don't have a problem making minor adjustments to a knife. Part of life.

Who are *you* to give me lip service and tell me I'm "spinning" anything?

 

[rexromic]

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, and I'd like to think I am, you spend $400 or more and have to "imperceptibly" adjust the pivot to make it actually flip? Is this like the old argument that unless you're a firefighter then you can't possibly understand a Hinderer? This is a crazy idea, but I think maybe some of the Hinderer fans could appreciate it.....why not just make the "imperceptible" adjustments at the ranch factory? I had two Gen 4 Hinderers. I bought them because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I don't care how you spin it or cut it, they wouldn't flip. Not only that, the blade would pop open if the wind was blowing. What was funny, is that when I had the Hinderers, the ZT0392's hit the market. Those ZT's would flip like a rocket headed for a sand hut that was fired from a US Navy ship in the Persian gulf. The Hinderer was like a gang-banger holding his pistol sideways...it looked kinda cool but never hit the target.

As far as Strider is concerned, I couldn't care less. I wouldn't give the valor-stealing moron a dime of my money.

CRK has plenty of my money and will continue to receive it, along with some other makers. For a sebenza to have an issue is extremely uncommon, and when they do it is always taken care of by the best customer service in the industry. Sure, some people may not view them as the prettiest knife or having the most up-to-date blade steel, but from day 1 they work, cut and serve their owners extremely well and will continue to do that for decades.

:thumbup:

 

[wtlj]

Keep your shirt on.

I don't know why you are picking a fight. I own 2 CRKs also. I like them as well. I also like the XM. And no, I don't have a problem making minor adjustments to a knife. Part of life.

Who are *you* to give me lip service and tell me I'm "spinning" anything?

Some questions just aren't worth answering...


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[Krav]

Get the CRK.....thats my 10 cents cause my 2 cents is free....

 

[Peter Hartwig]

As was mentioned earlier, not having to make adjustments is one of the advantages of the Sebenza pivot bushing. Tighten it down and good to go. Knives without it may need a little tweeking(from blade action to centering). It's not a lot of work, but it's nice to have a folder you can take apart and it's right when put back together. I rarely take my other folders apart
Maybe worth mentioning-the Sebenza comes with the take down tool(allen wrench), Hinderer and Strider do not(you have to buy the tool or make one).
Just another area where the Sebenza is simple. Loose your tool, go to the hardware store and get another.

 

[D-der]

I've gotta say, I've read every post on these 8 pages and and found the thread very enlightening.
I've done a good amount of other home work as well on CRK / Sebenza's.
I really couldn't care less about being a "fan boy" in some club...
but if you've got something in common, maybe that constitutes a club.
I appreciate Snap On Tool's, Dan Wesson 1911's and other things built with precision and pride to be used.
I'm not sure if I'll test the water with a large 21 or an Inkosi, I'd guess availability / the right deal will play a factor
but which ever it turns out to be, it's gonna get used and worked as it should, not sit on a shelf to look at.
Thanks Blade Forum, for all the ongoing information and discussion!

 

[Sonnydaze]

I buy/sell/trade a lot of nice knives. I've owned about 30 Sebenzas and Zaans. Make sure your hand size will fit the closed length of the small Sebbie; for me it's too small to hold onto.
CRK is pretty well at the top of the heap...darned near any heap. Great product.
Try one from the Exchange, used. If you don't like it, you can sell it again and lose very little money.

 

[evilgreg]

I'd suggest trying an insingo blade model. After this thread I decided to buy myself another one. This time I switched everything up, getting a small, carbon fiber, insingo blade model.

It's still nothing exciting, just a basic, simple albeit well executed knife, but this version is just enough more interesting to keep, I think.