Took the plunge. . .

BP Green

BP Green

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Oct 23, 2010
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OK, so I finally did it. I purchased my first Sebenza from our own Gunsmoke16610 the other day. So my question is: What should I expect? Will the heavens part and will angels sing when it arrives and I first open it up? :p

Yes I'm kidding, but I'll be brutally blunt. This will sound like heresy to many of you on this site, but I don't particularly care for the looks of the Sebenza. I am hoping that the fit, finish and function of the knife will be so good that it will win me over and I will learn to like it.

It's already starting to. I find myself appreciating the design a little more each time I look at the knife; but I'm not there 100% and I've yet to see or handle one in person.

Some might wonder why I bothered to buy it if I don't really care for it that much. Good question but I think it has to do with all the hype that surrounds it. I figure there must be something to a knife with a reputation like that and I don't want to miss out if it's all true?

So what do you think? Have I set myself up for disapointment or will it be love a first sight? :confused: ;)
 
I regret selling mine and I'm attempting to sell of a bit of my collection to buy another. After taking the knife apart and putting it back together I truly appreciated the craftsmanship that goes into these fine pieces of cutlery.

I think you'll greatly appreciate your Sebenza, if not let me know! :p
 
I think the biggest issue most people have is buyers remorse - once they get the knife in their hands they start looking for reasons to "not like it" because of the price.

If you can keep that from happening, I think you see all the reasons that the Sebenza is so well liked by the knife world.

The fit and finish is great - check out the jimping on the spine, check out the chamfering around the edges of the scales, check out how tight the tolerances are between the blade and scales. Look at the rounded and smoothed blade spine.

The lanyard pin design is really good IMO, and the blade shape is very utilitarian. Cut some cardboard and check out how good of a slicer the knife is.

Take it apart and see how simplistic the over all design is and how easy it is to reassemble. If you have a newer model, check out the perforated washers that hold lube longer.

Look at the pocket clip and see how there is the second "bump" that also makes contact with your pants pocket.

Take in the blue anodizing on the thumbstud, lanyard pin and backspacer - and see how that little bit of color really adds to the knifes overall appearance.

Compare it to your current favorite production knife - see what the differences are.

Sebenzas aren't for everyone - and sometimes it takes a second try before you appreciate what the knife has to offer. That's what happened to me - I was quick to judge and sold my first one, only to buy a second a few months later.

There's hype for a reason - and almost without exception - most of the knives that are praised on this forum are done so for legitimate reasons.

Put it through some paces, edc it for a few weeks, and let us know what you think.:thumbup:
 
I guess I am on the odd side. I liked the 'zaan more than the Sebbies - just not enough to spring - until the Wilson Combat StarTac variant was out. Finally, a CRK I 'had to have'! Oh, and the pea shooter shown aint too shabby, either - even if did cost 2.1 times that 'zaan's cost!

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My second CRK listed for just over haf a 'zaan - and was a great Christmas gift - a Nyala fb:

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Of course - WC lists now a small Sebbie with a handle similar to my 'zaan - when they make the large Sebbie like that, I may just get my third CRK!

Now to my 'different' feelings... I don't feel 'worthy' - seriously!

Stainz
 
I have the Umnumzaan and I love it. When you hold the knife, the first thing that comes to mind is precision. I have new Lg. micarta Sebenza on the way. I hope that lives up to my expectations too.
 
It is not uncommon to be somewhat underwhelmed by a Seb the first time you handle one. The heavens don't open, light doesn't shine down from above, angles don't sing, and electric shocks don't run down your spine. I mean, how could knife with so few parts and such a generic design be so fantabulous?

Then you use it for awhile. If you do decide to keep it, you'll find that somehow it keeps finding it's way into your pocket, day after day. When you disassemble it for cleaning and have the whole thing back together in 10 minutes, appreciation for the engineering and design will grow. And if you ever need to send it in for a "lube and tune" or any other CR treatment, their service will treat you like a customer wants to be treated.

I've tried just about every "mid-tech" out there, but when it's time to put my hard-earned money down I keep coming back to CR knives. Funny that.
 
Exactly what DallasSTB said - to the letter!

And remember: Sebenzas aren't designed to be admired from looking; they're designed to be appreciated from using!

So have at it, and please share your thoughts with us . . . on day one, on day 100, and on day 1,000!
 
BP Green said:
OK, so I finally did it. I purchased my first Sebenza from our own Gunsmoke16610 the other day. So my question is: What should I expect? Will the heavens part and will angels sing when it arrives and I first open it up?

So what do you think? Have I set myself up for disappointment or will it be love a first sight?
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I vote disappointment and probably so much so, if I were you I wouldn't even open it, I'd simply re-mail it to me for half of what you paid for it. That sounds like a very cheap alternative way of overcoming years of physiotherapy and its great cost. I know it will be hard on me but I'm will to do it just for you because I'm that kinda guy!
 
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LOL @ some responses.

Anyway, here's my experiences and I feel you will have the same.

My first Sebenza I bought was a Sm. Sebenza (MSRP with tax) for around $350. Now I couldn't believe how much I just spent on a knife, so I had immense buyer's remorse. However, I started carrying it around, trying my best not to scratch it up so I can resell it. I found that the more I carried it around, the more I loved it. Eventually, I wanted to get a Large Sebenza (cause the small just wasn't comfortable in my hands).

I eventually traded the Small for a Large, and at this point, I was in bliss. Note, that the Large Sebenza I got was a used one so I had no regret about making this knife a hard user.

After using this knife for a couple months at my job, I have to say this is by far my FAVORITE knife. It has permanently become my EDC (along with my Umnumzaan). Now I'm not saying that you should abuse your Sebenza, but the only way you'll grow to appreciate it and love it is if you USE IT. I'm taking a look at my knife and I'm proud of the chips and scratches it has all across its body. The way it feels in my hand and the gorgeous blue accented annodizing makes me love the knives.

I suppose I sound like a Sebenza fanboy, but with good reason. It's awesome to use a knife and never have to worry about ever getting blade play or it failing somehow.

Good luck on your new knife.

BTW, I hated the way the Sebenza looked at first too. It just grows on you.
 
No not likely to be love at first site but to appreciate the precision and functionality of the knife you need you hold it and use it and take it apart, clean it and put it back together again. It's a thing of beauty. The tolerances are incredible, it took a few times for me to get the hang of the taking apart and putting back together thing but once I did it was very satisfying. And if you screw up you can send it back to Idaho and they will be happy to put it in brand new condition (for a small fee of course;)). Congrats yeah they can be rather plain in apperance but they shine with function and use. A true lifetime knife if ever there was such a thing.:thumbup::cool::D
 
Well I appreciate the input guys and rest assured I intend to give this knife a fair shake when it arrives. It grows on me more the more I research it.

It will have some competition as I am expecting a brand new XM-18 within the next week or two. But it will definately get equal pocket time.

I'll report on my findings once I feel comfortable doing so.

Thanks again to all who responded. . .

BP Green
 
I was not blown away at first, but as many here have already stated it is a gained appreciation through time and use.

One of my FAVORITE parts of owning a CRK is the EXTREME ease of disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling within 10 minutes and everything fits back perfectly 110%.
 
BP Green said:
..
It will have some competition as I am expecting a brand new XM-18 within the next week or two. But it will definately get equal pocket time....

BP Green
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Please do keep us in the loop. Rick's knives are amazing tools in their own right, but built for a different purpose that Sebenzas. They are tanks built made with the precision of BMW's. I've had a couple pass through my hands because I just don't need a tank in my pocket that often, but I can carry (and use) a Seb every day.

HOWEVER, when and if I ever see a decently priced XM with a slicer grind come available, all bets are off. That looks like an EDC keeper.
 
Carried a knife since I was 12 and the Sebenza is the best knife on the market. The tolerances and workmanship are incredible. Call them and they go above and beyond to help you with an order or any concerns you may have with one of your CR's. You will not regret your purchase. Wecome to the Obsession for CR knives.
 
I ordered my first Sebenza (first CRK) last night myself. Looking forward to the mojo :D
 
Large plain :D As much as I respect CRK and the Sebenza, I'm not too into the "beautified" Sebenzas. The pure, clean lines of the plain are what really attract me . . .

I also got mine while Knife Center had 10% off on everything plus the shipping credit so I got mine for $347.90 delivered . . . I think that goes through today actually.

charlOOsi said:
Congrats! Plain one? Small? Large?
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Reeek said:
Large plain :D As much as I respect CRK and the Sebenza, I'm not too into the "beautified" Sebenzas. The pure, clean lines of the plain are what really attract me . . .

I also got mine while Knife Center had 10% off on everything plus the shipping credit so I got mine for $347.90 delivered . . . I think that goes through today actually.
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Wow GREAT deal for a NIB Sebbie!
Hope to see pictures of the flawless wonder. ;)
 
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