What A Waste Of Money!!!

[WorkForALiving]

I just bought a small plain Sebenza.

Now I carry the Sebenza exclusively and my collection of Benchmades and Spydercos sit in the drawer. What a waste of money.

I should have just bought the Sebbie first and avoided all but the top-of-the line BM's and Spydies. I'm sure that the top BM and Spydies will still see some use, but the lower cost items will probably never do anything more demanding than opening the mail.

Live and learn.

When it comes to tools, only buy the best.
If you need a tool, you should buy the best that you can afford.

 

[Richard K]

Well, I bought a small Sebenza, thought it was too small so I sold it. Bought a large Sebenza. Thought it to be too big, sold it. In my quest to find the perfect EDC, I've bought, sold, traded MANY Benchmades, MTs, MODs, Spydercos, Kershaws etc. Just acquired a small Pheasant Tail (thanks Professor) and could'nt be happier with it. My quest has ended. Now what do I do to occupy my spare time, I know! More Sebenzas! Nice job CRK!

 

[DaveH]

bought the Sebbie first and avoided all but the top-of-the line BM's and Spydies

Well it doesn't put a stop to buying new knives, but it really helps.

Just ask yourself "Is this knife I'm thinking about buying going to be better or will I be more happy with it than my sebenza?"

97% of the time you'll probably say no.

 

[komondor]

Originally posted by WorkForALiving
When it comes to tools, only buy the best.
If you need a tool, you should buy the best that you can afford.

So you are saying that a Sebenza can cut tape better, cut open boxes better, cut open mail better, etc. than a Spyderco Delica, or a Benchmade Griptilian? That as far as applying the aspect of "tool" to the job, the Sebenza outperforms the other two knives?

I doubt that.

The Sebenza is a nicer knife than the Spyderco and Benchmades. Better fit and finish. Better materials for the most part. But these qualities do not improve the workability of the knife as "tool."

 

[buylow]

Normally I go right past a thread like this because it seems so dumb to argue some points. Obviously any knife will cut tape...even a butter knife will cut tape. My opinion is that people should buy what ever they darn well want and/or need. You may "want" a $300 knife but only "need" a $20 knife for the job. That said, if you can afford (and want)the $300 knife and only have a $20 knife job, go buy it. If it makes no difference for the job or your enjoyment, then save your money for something you "need" and buy the $20 knife. Part of my enjoyment of knives is the appreciation of the knife design, materials, workmanship, feel in the hand, etc. There are probably not many people who own a Sebenza that put it to the test of the knife's abilities.

 

[WorkForALiving]

Please allow me to clarify. The Sebenza is a better tool than the $20/$50 knives because the materials of construction are superior, the design is better thought-out (example--the pointed thumb stud of the CRK is much easier to grip and rotate than the BM stud) and the assebly is better (the parts fit together better and tighter than my Delica, for instance) . I love a great design and I believe that better designs will last longer.
It has been my experience that a one dollar screwdriver will bend and chip during its life while a $10 screwdriver won't. All IMHO, of course.

Bottom line---I was afraid to commit to a Sebenza, but once I got it I realized that it is a GREAT tool.

Sorry to cause any confusion/consternation.

 

[Oku]

There is a certain joy for some of us in the use of a well made tool. There is also the knowledge that the well made tool can be more adaptable.

I tend to use my folders for more than just cutting. I tighten screws, pry out staples (big ones) scrape the crud off of various items and generally misuse and abuse the knife I carry. A $20 or even $60 knife will not tolerate this stuff and survive more than about a month on average without significant damage (notching of the blade etc). I've learned that spending the dough to get a well made tool will save you $ in the long run.

More food for thought: One of the greatest satisfactions for a craftsman is to know that his/her product is being used and that it holds up under "extreem conditions".

 

[GigOne]

Congrat's on your new addition WorkForALiving !

I've owned quite a few Sebenza's (large and small) over the years and they definitely make great users !

And they're not restricted to performing administrative tasks like cutting tape, cutting cardboard, opening envelops, slicing paper, etc....

Some of us have actually used them in the field and they definitely outperform most if not all the knives that have been mentioned.

But, don't let your other knives accumulate dust. There are quite a few people who do the rotational carry. For example. . .here's mine:

- Microtech UT-6
- Carson small M4
- Sebenza ( modified large regular )
- Jason Jacks Tactical
- Benchmade 690
- Terzuola Ti ATCF
- Microtech LCC DA
- DDR EDC
- Microtech SOCOM MA
- Chew Covert
- Duncan Framelock
- Kershaw Double Cross
- Terzuola cf ATCF
- Kershaw Random Task
- Microtech Amphibian
- Carson medium Model 4
- Inlay Sebenza
- DeVillier ADVocate Mark II
- Mayonized Sebenza (large plain)

 

[Steve-O]

My CP says that I haven't been here for close to a year...I have been concentrating on firearms and reloading.

I haven't looked at or purchased a knife in that time...well, maybe looked.

I have though, carried and used my only Sebenza every day. I always have another knife with me...just in case...it rarely gets used.

I too was reluctant to spend the money the money for a Sebenza but now I am glad I did. If I keep using it as I do now...I will have to start thinking about who I will it to.

Great product that is getting better, never HAD to take it apart so far (though I have), and the Ti frame gets better looking every day!



Steve-O

 

[The General]

Yes, out of the box the Sebi does cut tape better.

Convex edge...

Since getting into CRK's I find I have bought far fewer blades. Other products just don't exite me any more.

 

[Scott Dog]

I think that most of us have been there and done that. I've spent a fortune on sydercos and benchmades before I found CRK. Now I've been collecting customs but my Sebenza always seems to find its way back in my pocket. Hmmm I guess I don't learn. I remember venturing into the custom section at my local B and M knife store and marveling at the high priced knives. Then I asked to see one. Thank god I'm left handed or I'd really be poor! All the nice stuff is made for right handers. Most makers will make a lefty but they have to be special ordered, not much impulse buying for me. At Blade Show West I bought a limited edition small black walnut inlay with ladder patern damascus and a small silver contrast stars and stripes with the new S30V which seems to be getting a lot of pocket time lately. My favorite inlay is the california redwood. Life is good! Oh yeah and Wayne is right, I look at a lot less stuff now and yeah a cheap knife will cut tape but once you've gotten used to the quality of a Seb and the outstanding customer service, I don't think you'll look back. In fact the Sebenza is actually a bargain.

 

[Nathan S]

I've certainly bought fewer knives since I acquired my first Sebenza. It's no real savings, though, because most of the knives I've bought since then have also been Sebenzas (or CRK integrals). Yeah, I consider the Sebenza to be pretty close to the max, but I'll still buy other brands if something looks interesting. Plus, I guess sooner or later I'll take the plunge and get into customs.

 

[Erasmus]

I was happy to read the advice here at Bladeforums about knife quality.

Now, I've got a Sebenza in my pocket, and am very happy. I have scuffed the handle pretty well(honourable wear), but the blade still looks great. What I personally do is use cheap knives for ordinary, dirty jobs, secure in the knowledge that my Sebbie is there if I need it for backup. It's also useful in hunting situations.

Yes, I'm glad I didn't waste 100 or 200 bucks on some lesser folder that would eventually die in a couple of years. Better to have gone right to the top and gotten a quality, lasting folder. (I had to have a quality folder. "It's not a weapon , it's a tool.")

I still have a weakness for the cheaper knives, though. But now, I know the difference between quality and "not-quality".

My lifelong knife-using experiment continues apace,

Cheers

 

[Professor]

That said, if knives are a big part of your life like they are mine, you want to carry the best you can afford. I'm no rich man, but the Sebenza is the platform if you will, the bare minimum in quality that I personally will accept for an edc piece. Yes, it is all that, and yes, it is expensive. And while I, and many of us, own custom folders costing CONSIDERABLY more, the Sebenza enjoys the unique quality of being higher quality than many of them, covering both ends of the spectrum in essence.

I was a doubter too. Then I took the Sebenza Challenge in Nov. '01, and have never looked back. My edc small looks like a war-torn Oreo cookie, but still performs like a mommajomma.

Professor.