True blue? Or try new?

A perspective from the opposite end. Here's my small Sebenza, carried it for years as my only edc and still do often in rotation. A great, reliable, solid edc is an understatement for this knife IMHO. No punches pulled, use it for any task I think a knife should handle, cutting all manner of things, acting as a stand in tool and popping off non twist off beer caps being high on the list (that last one being with the handle, not the blade, I'm liberal but not reckless with it). I recently noticed when comparing it to a newer inlay version I picked up, just how much steel I've taken off the blade through so many sharpening sessions. This knife definitely shows its miles in the TI but, for me that looks much nicer than brand new.
Next to it a brand new Douk Douk, mint, have had it for years but, have never carried it. No particular reason why, I guess the Seb and others just pushed off the opportunity.
Well, I don't have any issue trying new blades and I've certainly tried plenty but, after seeing this thread, the positive comments above, seeing WValtakis WValtakis sporting his recently in the edc thread and the inspirational comment from @Dadpool , I'll be carrying it tomorrow for the first time.

kHVSKs6.jpg

4JaoOdx.jpg
 
timberweasel said:
I'd also recommend picking up an alox SAK
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I actually already have a pioneer that rides lfp with a pair of knipex pliers...16010238247111258805761.jpg

I am indeed a huge fan of the alox!
Eli Chaps said:
After years of more or less raising my eyebrows at the Douk Douk, I was gifted one yesterday.
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Congratulations :thumbsup: I know that they aren't the sexiest knives out there, but like you said they work.

My biggest issue (if one could actually call it an issue) is the propensity of pocket clips to snag on bucket harnesses and climbing saddles, something than I'm in and out of all day (My brother, dad, and I run a small tree service). This isn't pure speculation either, I've witnessed it with many of my former co-workers at my last job. I personally had solved the issue by using a short fob with a carabiner attached to a belt loop. Again this is no fault of the knife, but if I lose we're to lose a 25 dollar knife, I'd be pissed, then just order another one. Now a 400 dollar sebenza...:eek:
 
Keyopp said:
A perspective from the opposite end. Here's my small Sebenza, carried it for years as my only edc and still do often in rotation. A great, reliable, solid edc is an understatement for this knife IMHO. No punches pulled, use it for any task I think a knife should handle, cutting all manner of things, acting as a stand in tool and popping off non twist off beer caps being high on the list (that last one being with the handle, not the blade, I'm liberal but not reckless with it). I recently noticed when comparing it to a newer inlay version I picked up, just how much steel I've taken off the blade through so many sharpening sessions. This knife definitely shows its miles in the TI but, for me that looks much nicer than brand new.
Next to it a brand new Douk Douk, mint, have had it for years but, have never carried it. No particular reason why, I guess the Seb and others just pushed off the opportunity.
Well, I don't have any issue trying new blades and I've certainly tried plenty but, after seeing this thread, the positive comments above, seeing WValtakis WValtakis sporting his recently in the edc thread and the inspirational comment from @Dadpool , I'll be carrying it tomorrow for the first time.

kHVSKs6.jpg

4JaoOdx.jpg
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It appears that we'll be together in sporting a new knife! I would suggest having some way to keep it upright in your pocket, especially since you're probably accustomed to a clip. I found that if the Douk Douk gets turned sideways in mine it isn't very comfortable16010249408341771416440.jpg
My solution... Actually this same setup was how I formerly carried my Spydercos and a Benchmade like I said in my previous post. Still trying to work out those little details with the sebbie.
 
And thanks for the input guys, I'm glad I'm not the only one hesitate to switch out a tried and proven blade. Although I feel like this sebenza was the right move for my foray back into modern folders... I just hope I can keep a satisfactory edge on this s35vn.
 
Carried the sebenza today, didn't have much call for a knife. Opened a few parts boxes, cut some cardboard. It does knifey things like a knife should. I took the clip off, wish there was a way to fill that small hollow without the screw impinging on the blade, but it definitely carries nicely.
 
Wild Willie said:
Carried the sebenza today, didn't have much call for a knife. Opened a few parts boxes, cut some cardboard. It does knifey things like a knife should. I took the clip off, wish there was a way to fill that small hollow without the screw impinging on the blade, but it definitely carries nicely.
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“It does knifey things like a knife should” was my experience as well.

Grabbed the Douk Douk this morning for its maiden voyage. I noticed it wasn’t sharp but, a few passes on a Sharpmaker fixed that right up. Easy to sharpen, off to a good start, in the pocket it went.

Like you suspected, I am very accustomed to a clip and that was different. I do carry some traditional slip joints occasionally but, most are smaller than the Douk so falling sideways in the pocket is not as bad with those. I was concerned about this as it’s longer and did feel odd when I purposely put it that way. However, by some magic knife wizardry, I always seemed to find it upright along the inside edge of my pocket when I reached for it during the day. I’m up and down a fair bit at work so I think it just righted itself into that position on its own. Not sure but it worked out today anyway.

It handled all cutting tasks fine, no less capable than my Sebenza. It was a light task day though, no real tough tests. On a few food items it did show off its slicing prowess quite well.

I do prefer a knife that offers one hand opening so that’s a bit of a negative. As mentioned, I do carry slip joints occasionally so not a deal breaker here, just a preference. Although I have to say, you do get a workout opening and closing this thing. I’ve only ever handled mine but guessing its super strong pull is typical.

All in all it was a positive experience. I for sure have a better appreciation for this knife now then I had yesterday. Is it going to be my new daily EDC, well no but, it may find its way into my pocket now and then, rather than forgotten about in a drawer. Lastly, giving it a chance did somehow change my visual perception of it. Yesterday it was a weird looking knife but, today I see it differently and have found an aesthetic appreciation that was not there before.

Wild Willie Wild Willie thanks for this thread. You may not have introduced me to this knife but, you did prompt me to give it the closer look it deserves.
 
Wild Willie said:
Carried the sebenza today, didn't have much call for a knife. Opened a few parts boxes, cut some cardboard. It does knifey things like a knife should. I took the clip off, wish there was a way to fill that small hollow without the screw impinging on the blade, but it definitely carries nicely.
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CRK sells a filler tab:thumbsup:
 
Keyopp said:
“It does knifey things like a knife should” was my experience as well.

Grabbed the Douk Douk this morning for its maiden voyage. I noticed it wasn’t sharp but, a few passes on a Sharpmaker fixed that right up. Easy to sharpen, off to a good start, in the pocket it went.

Like you suspected, I am very accustomed to a clip and that was different. I do carry some traditional slip joints occasionally but, most are smaller than the Douk so falling sideways in the pocket is not as bad with those. I was concerned about this as it’s longer and did feel odd when I purposely put it that way. However, by some magic knife wizardry, I always seemed to find it upright along the inside edge of my pocket when I reached for it during the day. I’m up and down a fair bit at work so I think it just righted itself into that position on its own. Not sure but it worked out today anyway.

It handled all cutting tasks fine, no less capable than my Sebenza. It was a light task day though, no real tough tests. On a few food items it did show off its slicing prowess quite well.

I do prefer a knife that offers one hand opening so that’s a bit of a negative. As mentioned, I do carry slip joints occasionally so not a deal breaker here, just a preference. Although I have to say, you do get a workout opening and closing this thing. I’ve only ever handled mine but guessing its super strong pull is typical.

All in all it was a positive experience. I for sure have a better appreciation for this knife now then I had yesterday. Is it going to be my new daily EDC, well no but, it may find its way into my pocket now and then, rather than forgotten about in a drawer. Lastly, giving it a chance did somehow change my visual perception of it. Yesterday it was a weird looking knife but, today I see it differently and have found an aesthetic appreciation that was not there before.

Wild Willie Wild Willie thanks for this thread. You may not have introduced me to this knife but, you did prompt me to give it the closer look it deserves.
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I'm glad you found it as capable as I do. Mine had a super strong pull when I first started carrying it, it's still stout buy it has lightened a bit with use.

WValtakis said:
CRK sells a filler tab:thumbsup:
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Thanks! I'll be looking for one later today.

Edited to add: Filler tab has been ordered... Thanks. :thumbsup:
 
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I don't have much to contribute that hasn't been said already, except to speculate that variety and contrast aren't just fun and interesting, they're essential to mental health. So using and carrying all sorts of different knives can offset the sameness in other parts of your life. Though, you should have other hobbies too, otherwise you end up spending all your time on the Internet looking for knives you've never seen before, and sighing when you see that the price is higher than your can justify to yourself......
 
I don't know if this counts as thread necromancy, but I feel the need to update things...
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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@hhmore, I just received my new small 31 from crk 2 days ago. Like I said I fulfilled my end of the bargain, despite equipment/vehicle breakdowns, the significant other, and any tax obligations... I sold the small 21 a few weeks ago after getting notification from crk that they were ready to fulfill my order. For some reason the micarta inlays added too much bulk for me to really enjoy carrying that knife despite giving it more than one chance to win me over. I lost (actually it was my old man leaving it on the side of the bucket truck) my black pioneer and replaced it with a regular one. I also put my Douk-douk into semi-retirement status... I made it to a full 2 years of pretty much non stop EDC, and developed far too sentimental an attachment for me to keep carrying it. It was replaced by the pioneer as a primary EDC. I now have all 3 before me and after 2 1/2 days of pocketing a plain Jane sebenza I think I'm sold. I kept the filler tab for the pocket clip, and removed the fob. I haven't done anything yet that couldn't be accomplished with a less spendy blade, but while the 21 was accompanied by a slight case of buyers remorse, the 31 has won a place in my heart already. The pioneer, a sheath knife, and a swisschamp still accompany me on my day to day adventures (not all on my person, but in my bag in the truck). I am really looking forward to how my new companion develops the character of an old friend. 16329634195881032135741.jpg
 
Wild Willie said:
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...View attachment 1425086
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I have them both and carry them both. If I was to fishing, I'd take the Douk...if was to do a lot of hard cutting, say like DCDavis, i'd take the Sebenza. Oh, by the way, my 1992 stock CivicSi has beaten BMWs out of the gate and on the street and can still do it :)
 
Variety is what's important. It's taken me years to refine my tastes. I've tried enough to know I don't really care to spend more than $250 on a folder. I've gone as high as $650 for a custom Brian Tighe. Loved it, sold it to pay the bills my ex-wife racked up. I tell myself I want another if I could ever find the same model in the larger size, though if I actually found one I doubt I'd buy it.

If the Sebenza works for you great. It didn't for me.
 
I know what I'm about to say in heresy around here, but I've had both a small and a large Sebbie that I was told to get by so very many - I hated them both and I beat them to death trying to find the warm creamy center. For me, it just never happened. 😞
 
jlydon said:
I know what I'm about to say in heresy around here, but I've had both a small and a large Sebbie that I was told to get by so very many - I hated them both and I beat them to death trying to find the warm creamy center. For me, it just never happened. 😞
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That was my initial feeling about the micarta small 21. I tried to like it, hell I wanted to like it, it just couldn't find my fancy to give it a tickle...
 
Well the brownshoe Honda Civic comment just makes this thread complete. I’m fairly sure that guy is actually a computer that’s trying to generate human-like responses.

Seriously, this thread is a fun read. I was just looking at Sebenzas yesterday, tempting myself and trying to see if I could spend the money. I’m still not there yet, and maybe the Sebenza just isn’t to my taste, but I think the key to me enjoying any knife purchase over 200 dollars is coming to terms with:
Wild Willie said:
It does knifey things like a knife should.
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and tempering expectations that it’s not going to wildly out perform what I currently have.

Definitely post more as you get more time with it, I’m curious about how you warm up to it!
 
unwisefool said:
What happens when they catch up 30 feet later? Is it awkward?
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Nah, it's on the street, short distances and stoplights. At the next light I let them go. My Si is in excellent mechanical condition, but looks like crap; paint fungus, one side of the rear bumper zipped tied on, active rust on rear 1/4 panels so being snuffed by it is not my embarassment :)
 
EngrSorenson said:
Well the brownshoe Honda Civic comment just makes this thread complete. I’m fairly sure that guy is actually a computer that’s trying to generate human-like responses.

Seriously, this thread is a fun read. I was just looking at Sebenzas yesterday, tempting myself and trying to see if I could spend the money. I’m still not there yet, and maybe the Sebenza just isn’t to my taste, but I think the key to me enjoying any knife purchase over 200 dollars is coming to terms with:

and tempering expectations that it’s not going to wildly out perform what I currently have.

Definitely post more as you get more time with it, I’m curious about how you warm up to it!
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Buy the Douk Douk it's only $ 22.50. Sebenza at $375 is almost double your $200 comfort zone :).
 
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