Todd Begg Steelcraft Mini Bodega vs Small Sebenza 21 Micarta Insingo

Ravenbrook

Ravenbrook

Joined
Mar 21, 2015
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I'm looking for a small EDC and I've narrowed it down to these two. I own a Large 21 Sebenza with Box Elder Burl and I like and appreciate the work CRK puts into their knives. I have never handled a Mini Bodega but all the reviews I read and all the YouTube Videos seem pretty positive. Do any of you own both and can comment on the differences other than one being a flipper and one not? Price is within $20 so that will not be a factor in my decision.

Thanks,

Rick
 
I own both, mini bodega and plain jane insingo small.

Fit and finish, both are pretty much perfect. Smooth action on both, no bladeplay, every edge and corner of the knife is finished superbly with no rough spots. The bodega especially, seeing it has so much more intricacy in the handle design. Reate executed it perfectly. IMO, the bodega is much better looking than sebenza :P

Comfort: I like the bodega more in terms of comfort as it has a slightly longer and thicker handle that is rounded, and the knurling pattern adds a lot of extra grip. I have small - medium hands, so both are pretty comfortable, but I prefer the bodega due to it's slightly beefier handle. I also like the finger choil on the bodega. The sebenza is also very comfortable, and functionally I like the sebenza pocket clip more, i think the sebenza has the perfect pocket clip design. The bodega has a prettier clip, but it is harder to get in/out of the pocket since it has much more tension than the sebenza.

Action/deployment: Bodega has a great flipping action, fires like a rocket or an auto knife. Once you get past the detent, the knife shoots out. Great detent. My insingo is smoother though compared to the bodega - that sebenza smoothness everyone talks about.

Both are fantastic knives for EDC/collection, I dont know if I could choose one over the other! Good luck buddy in your search :D let me know if you have any questions
 
Two great knives, that's for sure.

I own the Mini Bodega and the small Seb 21, Insingo and Inkosi (which I slightly prefer.)

One thing I like about the Mini Bodega is that I can slide open the blade with my thumb. I like being able to manually open a flipper. (I can do the same with another favorite, the Spyderco Positron flipper.)

I have a question and a suggestion for you:

Would you carry the Mini Bodega? I haven't yet -- it's too pretty!

And the suggestion: Buy from a dealer with a liberal return policy. These two folders are so different, you're really going to want to try them.
 
My only gripe on the bodega is the price. But then again its a much more intricate design than the sebbie so the seb isn't exactlya bargain either. But I don't think either would let you down. Reate makes a darn good knife. And I would assume Todd is handling warranty claims on that one so it really to me just comes down to personal preference.
 
I just have the mini Bodega, which I really love. Only one downside in my opinion : it's not very pocket friendly of you carry it using the clip. The clip is quite hard and the texture of the handle make it a little bit difficult to put it in/out the pocket (compared to other very pocket friendly knives like the ZT562 or Reate Torrent).

But if you dont carry it with the clip, you dont care about that point.
 
I've also had both and recommend the Sebenza over the Mini Bodega. The Sebenza is EDC perfection, whereas the Bodega is more of a pretty knife, but has a lot of ergonomic sacrifices.
 
Sebenza is tried and true with best in class QC. The design is somewhat understated. That could be a positive or a slight negative.

Mini Bodega also has top-notch quality with a lot of detailed milling. Warranty and service is handled by Todd Begg Knives.

Undoubtedly, you need to personally handle both.

My personal preference is Mini Bodega simply because it has great looks and a flipper opening mechanism.
 
I would say that it would come down to personal taste. I myself like the simplicity of the Sebenza, it is my edc carry. Plus the fact that it is made in Idaho, puts it over the top
 
onojoe said:
I would say that it would come down to personal taste. I myself like the simplicity of the Sebenza, it is my edc carry. Plus the fact that it is made in Idaho, puts it over the top
Click to expand...

I must admit that Made in America does have an appeal to me but only as long as the quality is where it needs to be. And of course CRK is there for sure.

Thanks everyone for their input.
 
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