True blue? Or try new?

Wild Willie

Wild Willie

Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Messages
4,378
So, I've been EDCing a Douk Douk for over a year... I recently (as in yesterday) received my first crk small sebenza. I picked the one in question up off the exchange here, and actually have one on order directly from Chris Reeve. I know this is like comparing a Honda Civic to a beemer, but I'd like to see what some of you would do. The Douk Douk has been a great every day driver so to speak, it's always gotten me where I need to be, and with it's own charm and character. This sebenza feels like hopping behind the wheel of a tricked out sports car. What do you folks think, stick with the true blue? Or give the sebenza a try for a while? I'd like to see pictures of some pocket worn Chris Reeves, just to see if they develop the character that I enjoy seeing.

Here's a side by side...16009763923991691679896.jpg
 
I think you may be the first person ever to own a Douk-Douk and be hesitant about switching to a Sebenza. :D

While I've never been in this exact spot, I know when I first branch out from an "old friend" tool, book, game, or whatever it might be, I experience a bit of that same hesitation. What if I like the new thing more?

Over the years I've found that sometimes the new thing fires the old thing, and I'm wistful about the old thing but recognize that the new thing really is better for me. Sometimes I return to the old thing, having discovered that I still prefer it. Sometimes I just enjoy them both. I get how you feel, at least a little bit, and IMO you should try the Sebenza. If you try it and don't love it, you shouldn't have much trouble recouping nearly its full asking price.

This is also perhaps a good spot for my favorite Bob Loveless quote: "A knife is a tool, and if we don't treat our tools with a certain familiar contempt, we lose perspective."

On the well-worn Sebenza front, you're in luck: There's a whole thread with three years of content for exactly that! :)
 
hhmoore said:
Did you buy the small 21 to use? If so, use it.
The real question is what you are going to do about the pending order with CRK....
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I fully intend to fulfill my end of the bargain with crk. I don't do something and not follow through. We're talking 9-12 months here. Plenty of time to come up with 400 bucks. I do intend to use it, I use anything that gets slipped in my pocket. It's not going to be a safe queen. I guess I thought I'd see if anyone else ever had reservations about switching from something they've used longish term, and something new.
 
Dadpool said:
I think you may be the first person ever to own a Douk-Douk and be hesitant about switching to a Sebenza. :D
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I had honestly hoped that wasn't the case, it really is a great knife. The sebenza is the first modern folder I've bout in 8 or 9 years. It too is absolutely an excellent tool... I've got it torn apart now getting aquatinted.
 
One thing in favor of the Douk-Douk...it's got a much better grind for slicing firm materials like vegetables, potatoes, apples, etc. I just can't cut up an apple with a Sebenza without wishing it had a higher grind that wedged less.
 
If I've liked something enough to carry it regularly for an extended period, I don't have great expectations for new knives... most of the time, I stick with what I like. That doesn't prevent me from trying, though. Generally, the new one will get set aside quickly; but I'll grab it occasionally to try again. Sometimes, one of those random pocketings will click, and I'll start carrying the knife regularly (that's what happened with my Hoback A15).l
 
I usually start pocketing a new traditional folder and a new modern folder in the fall each year. Old folders still get used, but not everyday.

This year I am switching my modern from a Buck 110 Pro Slim S30V to a Spyderco Shaman Rex 45.

The Buck 110 Pro Slim is a great knife. Maybe in the top 3 folders of all time for me. Thin, light, strong, has held a great edge though I have used it in the kitchen a lot. It will be still be used hiking and camping.

The Spyderco Shaman is a little larger knife and a different type of lock and pivot so it will be good to see if it can hold up to my normal abuse!

If you dont try new things, how will you know what works best for you and what you like?

DD6C232F-76AB-40AC-825D-5BE2BC2F9BE2.png
 
Wild Willie said:
I fully intend to fulfill my end of the bargain with crk. I don't do something and not follow through. We're talking 9-12 months here. Plenty of time to come up with 400 bucks. I do intend to use it, I use anything that gets slipped in my pocket. It's not going to be a safe queen. I guess I thought I'd see if anyone else ever had reservations about switching from something they've used longish term, and something new.
Click to expand...

I'm trying my first Spyderco out now. It has a different opening, locking and profile from any other knife I've used and carried. I just like trying new things.

Give it a shot and you will probably love it.
 
Rock that Sebenza, OP! :cool::thumbsup:

I'd also recommend picking up an alox SAK to ride shotgun. It'll have that same thin-and-slicey quality you love in your Douk Douk and give you a few other tool options to boot. The silver alox variants are amazing at hiding wear-and-tear. My favourites are the Cadet, Pioneer, and Farmer models.

Been saying it for a long time now: I've found no better carry combo than a CRK Seb 21 and an alox SAK. Give it a try!

regularcarry.jpg

Good luck, OP!
 
After years of more or less raising my eyebrows at the Douk Douk, I was gifted one yesterday.

Whoa!

This knife is for real. I know that isn't news to all the people who have been saying that for years but for anyone who has not tried one, you should. It's more comfortable in the hand than a lot of Spyderco's I own. And I love Spyderco's. Super slicey blade, solid, cool knife!

For years I've been reading that every collection should have a SAK and a Douk Douk. I was all on board the former but never the latter. I was wrong.

I'm not in any way trying to make a build-quality comparison but I am saying that from a pure cutting, ergonomics, and utilitarian perspective, I get why the OP asked the question.

As cheap and weird as it presents, the Douk Douk is a genuinely viable cutting tool. As, again, so many people have been saying for so many years.
 
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