What are the Competitors to the Chris Reeve SEBENZA? Are there any?

[Ironbut]

If it's a Sebenza you want, then you should get a Sebenza. If you get anything else you'll be second guessing yourself forever. If you're not satisfied with it, then selling it should be easy enough.

 

[Ed G]

Not an expert by any measure, just a guy who went through the gamut of CRK‘s, Hinderer’s, and a couple other comparable maker’s offerings in search of “the” knife … while I understand where you’re coming from, IMO you’re asking an impossible question for anyone but yourself to answer. Specifications won’t tell the story, YouTube videos won’t tell the story, other users won’t tell your story, at the end of the day you have to handle the knives (sometimes even carry them for a while), and see what fits you best … clearly all the brands under discussion have viable characteristics and capabilities to offer … which is best for you, only you can determine … I know it’s cliché but it’s cliché for a reason.
btw, I landed on the small 21 Insingo as the ’perfect’ CRK for me … but I also have hinderers, spydercos, and benchmades in my EDC rotation, so there’s that …
If I had to choose one knife to keep, the small Insingo would definitely be in the running, probably be the one, but that’s me.

 

[Chefget]

Had several CRK's, sold them all.

Not fun to open or close. Handle is kinda uncomfortable. Been looking at the same design for many, many years. You can get different engraving on the handle (oh boy).

Need a knife you can pound with a brick and still use, consider a CRK.

Life is too short not to use a more interesting knife

 

[ScarFoot]

Check out the Hinderer Firetac. It’s the same thickness (or very close to it) as my XM-18 skinny and has better action than any other Hinderer I’ve handled. As others have recommended, try to hold the knives you think you might like before you buy. I’ve seen a few I thought I would like on the internet that just didn’t work when I handled them. Holding them saved me a lot of money.

 

[madcap_magician]

Unfortunately I think Randall relies on their name alone at this point. CRK at least updates their steel and comes out with new products.

I think Randall is more market-driven. As long as they've got five years' of orders in the queue and no limit on dealers and individuals wanting their knives, I mean... why change anything? No need to modernize their materials or improve their fit and finish when they can already sell more than they can make.

CRK does do regular quality improvement, I agree, they're just very conservative and not prone to jumping on the latest fads, even if those fads turn into actual trends.

EDIT: Actually the Hinderer Firetac is a great comparison. It's more on the 'tactical folder' and less on the 'gent's folder' than CRK, but they're both simple manual openers at similar price points.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

I think the short answer to that is no. I don’t think there is a blade made in the USA for less than $500 that can compete with a Sebenza and the lifetime warranty that comes with being the original owner.

If you’re looking for something close to the Sebenza (with all titanium construction and frame lock) that is less than $500, I would look closely at the Spyderco Ti models (Spydiechef, and Swayback). These models are made in Taiwan, but belong to an elite group of folders produced by an American company with the same lifetime warranty offered by CRK.

 

[ferider]

Ti Spyderco Militaries are made in Colorado, outstanding knives.

I understand being a fan of a brand. But limiting ourselves to a single brand is just silly. CRK knives are kind of the Buck 110 of frame locks. Cool knives, deserve their praise as such, but certainly not the only game in town

 

[sgt1372]

WTF? No one has mentioned Olamic yet?

I've never handled a CRK but just based on appearance and price, I certainly think that it's certainly "competitive" w/CRK.

Here's a (very poor) pic of my 3 Ti framleock Olamics. The Rainmaker and Wayfarer 247 (top and bottom) were made w/ M390 steel (as marked). The blade of the Swish (center) is unmarked but was probably made w/Bohler Elmax because that's how most Swish knives for sale are described in their specs.

IMO, M390 and Elmax are better (or at least "worth more") than the S35VN used by CRK in making its knives but you can call it a "push" if you like.

I also think that it's a "push" as far as the Ti and quality of construction from what I've seen/read about CRKs but Olamic is far superior to CRK in terms of design options which just makes CRKs look BORING in comparison.

For more and better pics of what Olamic has to offer, see this BF Olamic owners thread, here. Or just go to Olamic's website.

PS: I own (and have owned) quite a few Spyderco Ti knives with both frame and integral locks and while they are nice, they are very hard to come by and, like CRKs, are kinda boring in comparison based strictly on appearance and design, although I am particularly fond of my Nirvana, Drunken.and fluted Ti Millie.

 

[pvicenzi]

Les George

 

[DMG]

I think the short answer to that is no. I don’t think there is a blade made in the USA for less than $500 that can compete with a Sebenza and the lifetime warranty that comes with being the original owner.

If you’re looking for something close to the Sebenza (with all titanium construction and frame lock) that is less than $500, I would look closely at the Spyderco Ti models (Spydiechef, and Swayback). These models are made in Taiwan, but belong to an elite group of folders produced by an American company with the same lifetime warranty offered by CRK.

I thnk the Farid K2 was a competitor too. It is an amazing knife

 

[Jacques Mi]

Post deleted, wrong thread...

 

[Wvmntr]

Hey all.

Since reading more and watching more videos on knives I have grown to appreciate more those knives that before I would’ve never looked a second time at.

One of these knives is the Chris Reeve Knives SEBENZA in the LARGE size. I don’t own any expensive knives, but I do own and carry some nice folders, all factory stuff though.

I am saving a bit here and there to one day soon buy one of these “grail” knives. What I am wanting to know is what other folders out there would be considered competitors to the large SEBENZA. Folders of the same quality and workmanship, size and price. I like bigger blades. Maybe competitors is the wrong word. I guess a better way to phrase it would be knives that are thought of and looked at like the SEBENZA is.

Right now the ones I have on my list are:

1. Chris Reeve Knives large SEBENZA
2. Chris Reeve Knives UMNUMZAAN
3. Microtech SOCOM BRAVO
4. Freeman 451


So far those are all I have. I would like to keep the price at $500. I simply cannot afford to spend the money it takes to get one of these incredible customs.
I haven’t decided yet on whether to add autos to my list. Maybe I’ll work on the folder/flipper first and after I get that, I can start a new one for autos.

What other folder/flipper knives should be on my list? What knives do you consider to be equal to or maybe better than the SEBENZA?

My plan is to get a list of possibles, visit some shops and handle each one and then decide on which one to buy. The one I pick will go in my pocket immediately and will be carried and used prolly the rest of my time here.



Any suggestions or info you care to share is appreciated.
Thank you for your help and time.

MUHerd

Dont sleep on the Demko ad20.5 with 3V and ti handles. It is an amazing knife. Ive got a sebenza 31 and the ad20.5 and right now my fav is the Demko.

 

[Rufus1949]

WTF? No one has mentioned Olamic yet?

I've never handled a CRK but just based on appearance and price, I certainly think that it's certainly "competitive" w/CRK.

Here's a (very poor) pic of my 3 Ti framleock Olamics. The Rainmaker and Wayfarer 247 (top and bottom) were made w/ M390 steel (as marked). The blade of the Swish (center) is unmarked but was probably made w/Bohler Elmax because that's how most Swish knives for sale are described in their specs.

IMO, M390 and Elmax are better (or at least "worth more") than the S35VN used by CRK in making its knives but you can call it a "push" if you like.

I also think that it's a "push" as far as the Ti and quality of construction from what I've seen/read about CRKs but Olamic is far superior to CRK in terms of design options which just makes CRKs look BORING in comparison.

For more and better pics of what Olamic has to offer, see this BF Olamic owners thread, here. Or just go to Olamic's website.

PS: I own (and have owned) quite a few Spyderco Ti knives with both frame and integral locks and while they are nice, they are very hard to come by and, like CRKs, are kinda boring in comparison based strictly on appearance and design, although I am particularly fond of my Nirvana, Drunken.and fluted Ti Millie.

I am in your court. I own both CRK and Olamics. I don't hesitate to carry an Olamic. I did not bring them up because the cost is higher. They offer different steels, blade shapes and you design them.
My first choice.
Edit: not a competition just a different flavor.
View attachment 1851911

 

[sgt1372]

I am in your court. I own both CRK and Olamics. I don't hesitate to carry an Olamic. I did not bring them up because the cost is higher. They offer different steels, blade shapes and you design them.

FWIW, while the list price for Olamics is in the $700+ range, I didn't pay any more than $425 for any of mine which is less than the asking price of most of the CRKs that I've seen for sale on the Exchange and elsewhere.

While they were technically "used," the all looked "like new" and came w/the case, COA and a tool like any Olamic that is purchased new.

 

[BTTLBRN]

I doubt you would be disappointed with a Sebenza, but as far as similar substitutes that are in the same price range I would suggest either the Spartan Harsey or Medford Slim Midi.

The Spartan is like a CRK and Hinderer had a love child, and the team at Spartan consulted with CRK during its design phase. Built like a tank, on washers and thumb stud opening - albeit a bit more fidget friendly than even a CRK.

https://imgur.com/a/vXPBKya

The Slim Midi is an absolutely fantastic EDC choice as well. Titanium frame lock, the new ones are on bearings, and arguably more “slicey” than the Sebenza. They are sized comparably as well.

https://imgur.com/a/CyWRwdL

That said, I don’t know if pressed that I would take either over a Sebenza (21 that is, I personally don’t have any experience with the 31); the tough call for me would be Sebenza or Inkosi, and I own multiples of each.

 

[Landshark99]

FWIW, while the list price for Olamics is in the $700+ range, I didn't pay any more than $425 for any of mine which is iess than the asking price of most of the CRKs that I've seen for sale on the Exchange and elsewhere.

I have both Olamics and CRKs, I like them both but your post brought up an interesting point that even though the Olamics can be more expensive new, have more interesting designs, more playful action and have more steel options, they do not hold their value as well in the exchange

 

[Rufus1949]

A very valid point if you buy and sell. I only buy ..yet have given two CRK's away to friends but not any Olamics because they are personal designs.
Op should focus on what he wants...if it's a Sebenza go for it.

 

[Bob Denman]

CRK's Large Inkosi, Hinderer's XM-18 3.5, and Olamic's Wayfarer 247...

 

[XL883N]

Has Chavez been mentioned?

 

[RBB2]

McNees PM Mac 2 3.5"

https://imgur.com/IgODDdC