What other folders compare to the Sebenza?

[Cougar Allen]

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[jryan76]

Ooops......My bad, I should have know better(hanging my head in shame)....Sorry

 

[allenC]

To answer the original question:

Hey guys, I am new to this site, and I just wanted some opinions from Chris Reeve Sebenza Owners. I am currently saving up for my first Chris Reeve Knife (Large Classic Sebenza), as a graduation gift to myself.

Just out of curiousity, what other folders stack up to the Sebenza in terms quality and reliability?

If you mean to ask how many other titanium framelock folders compare to the Sebenza, then there are not too many production ones:
Benchmade Skirmish
Buck Mayo TNT
Kershaw Ken Onion Bump

But if you mean to ask how many other folders compare to the quality and reliability of the Sebenza, regardless of the locking mechanism and handle materials, then there are too many to count.

 

[Nathan S]

But if you mean to ask how many other folders compare to the quality and reliability of the Sebenza, regardless of the locking mechanism and handle materials, then there are too many to count.

Really? OK, name me one that is held together with two screws, can be easily field stripped, does not have its warranty voided by dissassembly, and which uses a pivot bushing to allow permanent perfect pivot adjustment with absolutely no blade play.

 

[razorsdescent]

Emerson Hd and stirders compare but its alread been stated that the tactical look is trying to be avoided. In truth there is only one Sebenza.

 

[u812]

Really? OK, name me one that is held together with two screws, can be easily field stripped, does not have its warranty voided by dissassembly, and which uses a pivot bushing to allow permanent perfect pivot adjustment with absolutely no blade play.

My thoughts as well.

 

[bigdog]

Thank You, Nathan S - I couldn't agree more.
There are other fine qualities about these great knives, but this makes them stand alone. Once I disassembeled it, I was sold.

 

[allenC]

Really? OK, name me one that is held together with two screws, can be easily field stripped, does not have its warranty voided by dissassembly, and which uses a pivot bushing to allow permanent perfect pivot adjustment with absolutely no blade play.

Re-read the original post.
He asked what knives compared to the Sebenza in terms of quality and reliability.

Just because a knife can be disassembled that does not mean that it's more reliable.
In fact, it can easily be argued that a knife held together with screws is inherently less reliable than a riveted knife.
Screws are not always the answer...ever notice how many planes are riveted together vs those that are screwed together?
Sometimes, screws are not the answer.
And if I were taking one folder with me into the wilderness, and not packing any other tools (screwdrivers), I would choose a knife that is riveted or pinned.
The last thing you need while deep in the woods is a loose screw waiting to fall out.

BTW, A Spyderco Police is every bit as reliable as a Sebenza, and the quality of the knife is certainly just as high as the Sebenza.

They are both good, just different.

 

[Nathan S]

Re-read the original post.
He asked what knives compared to the Sebenza in terms of quality and reliability.

Just because a knife can be disassembled that does not mean that it's more reliable.
In fact, it can easily be argued that a knife held together with screws is inherently less reliable than a riveted knife.
Screws are not always the answer...ever notice how many planes are riveted together vs those that are screwed together?
Sometimes, screws are not the answer.
And if I were taking one folder with me into the wilderness, and not packing any other tools (screwdrivers), I would choose a knife that is riveted or pinned.
The last thing you need while deep in the woods is a loose screw waiting to fall out.

BTW, A Spyderco Police is every bit as reliable as a Sebenza, and the quality of the knife is certainly just as high as the Sebenza.

They are both good, just different.

I can read, thanks. You went off on a tangent, about screws, the wilderness and not packing tools, and didn't really answer my question. My post was relevant both to the quality and the reliability of the Sebenza. I stated why the Sebenza is a quality knife. Not just because I like it, but because it has features like that of no other production knife.

The Police, while certainly a fine knife, is not in the Sebenza's class. What are the features of the Police that put it on par with the Sebenza? You don't mention any, except the rivets. And that, frankly, is a little hard to accept. Do you really believe that rivets are a sign of superior quality?

 

[allenC]

I can read, thanks.

Well, don't get your panties in a wad, I never said you could not read.

But when you talk about the ability to disassemble a knife, and the useage of a pivot bushing, you are not really addressing the original question concerning quality and reliability.

After all, the Buck 110 uses a pivot bushing too--big deal.
I've have seen no evidence whatsoever that a pivot bushing makes for a superior knife in regards to quality or reliability.

The Gerber Para-Frame is a frame-lock that can be disassembled--but again, I don't see how that makes it of higher quality or more reliable than any other knife?
The same is true of the Kershaw Leek...I had a Leek with a broken torsion-bar and Kershaw mailed me another one so that I could replace it myself.

You went off on a tangent, about screws, the wilderness and not packing tools, and didn't really answer my question.

I guess you failed to understand that I was addressing your own tangent about how the ability to disassemble a knife does not equal "better quality or reliability".

My post was relevant both to the quality and the reliability of the Sebenza.

If it was relevant in your mind, then great.
But I was trying to explain that (again, for the third time) the ability to disassemble a knife has nothing to do with the quality or the reliability of that knife.

The Police, while certainly a fine knife, is not in the Sebenza's class. What are the features of the Police that put it on par with the Sebenza? You don't mention any, except the rivets. And that, frankly, is a little hard to accept. Do you really believe that rivets are a sign of superior quality?

I am surprized that you don't consider the Police to be "on par" with the Sebenza?

They both have extremely strong locks.
They both are virtually indestructable if used for their intended puposes.
They both have excellent blade-steels.
They both are very well designed and have been proven effective for many years by many knife users.
They are both from companies with outstanding customer service.
They both offer one-hand operation.
They both have pocket-clips.
They both have excellent fit-and-finish.

Places where the Police excells IMO:
I prefer the thumb-hole over the Sebenza's thumb-stud.
I think that the Police carries better in the pocket.
I think the Police has a more comfortable handle.
I prefer VG-10 over S30V.

And yes, the pinned construction of the Police is an advantage IMO.
I've carried many pinned and riveted knives, and I've carried many knives with screw construction--the pinned and riveted ones have never given me any problems.
As for the screw constucted ones....can you say "Loc-Tite"!

I guess you could say that the Sebenza has its own advantages:
It lighter in weight (by about 1.5 oz).
It has a higher resale value.

Allen.

 

[Nathan S]

Well, don't get your panties in a wad, I never said you could not read.

I don't wear panties but, if I did, fear not, there'd be no way they'd get themselves in a wad for likes of you.

After all, the Buck 110 uses a pivot bushing too--big deal.
I've have seen no evidence whatsoever that a pivot bushing makes for a superior knife in regards to quality or reliability.

Really? I guess you've never used a Sebenza. If you had, there's no way on God's green earth you'd be comparing one to a Buck 110. The CRK bushing allows for perfect pivot adjustment and no blade play under any circumstances. Something that you sure as heck can't say about the 110. Maybe that's not a quality issue for you, but maybe you like bladeplay, too.

The Gerber Para-Frame is a frame-lock that can be disassembled--but again, I don't see how that makes it of higher quality or more reliable than any other knife?The same is true of the Kershaw Leek...I had a Leek with a broken torsion-bar and Kershaw mailed me another one so that I could replace it myself.

I don't know anything about Gerbers or Kershaws. I'm addressing the Sebenza. Again, I regard easy disassembly (and hence easy maintainance), without the risk of voiding the warranty, as a mark of quality. You don't? Fine, I like to take my knives apart, but maybe not everyone does.

I guess you failed to understand that I was addressing your own tangent about how the ability to disassemble a knife does not equal "better quality or reliability".

See above. And note that the pivot bushing, together with the framelock, confer a very high degree of reliability to the Sebenza's lock-up. I've used all the most popular locking systems, and consider the CRK framelock to be extremely reliable. I've used my Sebenzas hard, for tasks that would have destroyed the locks on other, quality, production folders. No problem.

But I was trying to explain that (again, for the third time) the ability to disassemble a knife has nothing to do with the quality or the reliability of that knife.

Blah blah blah. See above.

I am surprized that you don't consider the Police to be "on par" with the Sebenza?

.

I didn't say the Police was a bad knife, just that it's not in the same league as the Sebenza. And justly so, given the price difference. I think the Police is an excellent buy, price for quality. And I agree with you about the opening hole, definitely preferable to thumbstuds. The steel question is debatable, but, personally, I prefer the BG42 Sebenzas. However, the overall quality of the Sebenza, fit, finish, tolerances, etc., is superior to the Police, and the Sebenza is also quite a bit stronger. Sure, in a pure cutting tool, strength might be a secondary consideration. But these are "tactical" (Gawd, I hate that word) folders, and so strength definitely has to be factored in.

And yes, the pinned construction of the Police is an advantage IMO.I've carried many pinned and riveted knives, and I've carried many knives with screw construction--the pinned and riveted ones have never given me any problems.
As for the screw constucted ones....can you say "Loc-Tite"!

Well, if you prefer pinned construction, that is certainly your prerogative, although I don't think many would share this view. It certainly is not the first thing that springs to mind when speaking of "quality". In any case, you may have carried other knives with screw construction, but, I repeat my question: have you carried, and used a Sebenza? It ain't the same thing. I'm glad you haven't had any problems with your riveted/pinned knives, though I have a hard time believing that you haven't had any problems with blade play. Just for the record, I haven't had any problem with my Sebenzas, either, though, as I mentioned, I have used them for tasks that for any other folder would be considered abuse.

With regard to loctite, what you're doing is effectly pinning your screw construction knife. Again, not my idea of quality.

 

[DaveH]

've have seen no evidence whatsoever that a pivot bushing makes for a superior knife in regards to quality or reliability.

That's funny, usually once a week there are threads about blade play, lock up problems etc. blade play and lockup are central to the definition of quality.

I've owned several spyderco police models, decent knives sure. But the items you mention that makes them superior are subjective.

 

[vjb.knife]

I carry the Sebenza most days but to say that there is nothing out there that compares to it is pretty far fetched. I like it a lot but I also regularly carry a few others as well i.e. Microtech LCC & Amphibian, Combat Elite RRF all of which I think are in the same league though not quite there with the Sebenza. I do a lot of camping, hunting and fishing and teach wilderness survival especially in winter conditions. When I go into the field my Sebenza and those others stay at home. I have had each of them in the field and they are not bad but I would rather have the Strider SMF out there paired with a Victorinox Ranger. The best production knife I have yet to find for strength of lock, edge retention, and just down right being the toughest is the Strider SMF. It is sharper and easier to sharpen, bigger, tougher, better to grip (especially with gloves on) and just more useful. You can practically use it like a hatchet on small tree limbs. But it is too large to carry on a daily basis so that is why I use the others as well.

Vince

 

[Nathan S]

I like the SMF, good design, good ergos. I don't think it's any stronger than the Sebenza, but it's plenty strong, that's for sure. Personally, though, I prefer a Sebenza for camping and hiking because it's so easy to disassemble and clean.

 

[razorsdescent]

I carry the Sebenza most days but to say that there is nothing out there that compares to it is pretty far fetched. I like it a lot but I also regularly carry a few others as well i.e. Microtech LCC & Amphibian, Combat Elite RRF all of which I think are in the same league though not quite there with the Sebenza. I do a lot of camping, hunting and fishing and teach wilderness survival especially in winter conditions. When I go into the field my Sebenza and those others stay at home. I have had each of them in the field and they are not bad but I would rather have the Strider SMF out there paired with a Victorinox Ranger. The best production knife I have yet to find for strength of lock, edge retention, and just down right being the toughest is the Strider SMF. It is sharper and easier to sharpen, bigger, tougher, better to grip (especially with gloves on) and just more useful. You can practically use it like a hatchet on small tree limbs. But it is too large to carry on a daily basis so that is why I use the others as well.

Vince

Thank you.

Striders are probably the toughest. Followed by hd emersons. To say that there is nothing in the same league as a sebenza is just not right.

To say that the police is in the same league is also not right. That idea just scares the heck out of me. I dont beleive that you can beleive that.


I love the sebenza and acknowledge it as a great knife. But the striders and hd emerson do compare. You dont void the warranty by taking apart emersons or striders. Emersons use a flat head screw for on the fly adjustment. most of these things that people are arguing about are personal preference.

 

[DANTHEMAN123]

i took my small leather apart yesterday using the ted voorde pics.

twas very simple and easy to do.

ive now noticed that the pivot is so smooth that if i flick the thumb stud with a little extra force, it opens like an assisted opener.
....really fast and easy.

but yeah, that bushing is wicked, totally different to opening my 520.

is the skirmish opening more similar in feeling to open to the 520 or seb? i should have one tommorow.it does seem weird that everyone doesnt use the bushing..or do they?
its hardly rocket science..or expensive.

 

[BlackEnd]

Ease of maintainance and cleaning is why the Sebenza comes with the allen wrench to disassemble, the open framed design helps as well. Simplicity is the name of the game here. This IS the folder I would and do use in the field. Framelock with screws is fine(BTW 3 screws to hold it together). The Sebenza's that I've had will NOT come unscrewed. I torque down the screws as tight as I can without overdoing it and the blade is always butter smooth. I don't think the Seb's pivot pin screw is meant to be loosened at all for adjustment.
Chris Reeve won Blade Shows manufacturing quaility award several years running now for a reason. Hard to compare to other factory/production knives based on this. I have to agree that though different in style, the Emerson HD is pretty sweet and as tuff as the Seb. I've had(sold em) a couple of Strider's and don't feel the same about these. I think they are over priced and undermade; Mick and his crew have got a pretty good gimmick going with what they're offering. I won't buy another one

 

[allenC]

To say that the police is in the same league is also not right. That idea just scares the heck out of me. I dont beleive that you can beleive that.

Why does that scare you?

 

[rosconey]

what aboot a hinderer-
im selling my stuff so i can get one-want a small xm18

 

[DANTHEMAN123]

scared cos if the police is a good youve been had over? i just got my 625 blue lmt edition. hell its nice, but dont come close to the ti frame lock or anything else of by sebenza. the frame lock on it doesnt feel like it was made for this knife asduch as the sebs does.
it bends really far past its pre-bend position.