What's with the CR Sebenza?

[salty141]

Well if I had a situation where I had to cut an aluminum can I would try to find a proper tool for the job, but if I had nothing but my sebbie, then I would use it.
I think their is no reason to have a regular sebenza, and not use it! Why collect a factory produced knife? Their are many just like it, unless they are damscus, or unique graphic. So anyone buying a run of the mill sebenza should use it.

 

[Wyoming Shooter]

Early this fall, I visited the CRK factory in Boise. We arrived at closing time on Friday afternoon. Keith asked if we could return Saturday morning. We did and Keith gave us a full factory tour. The CRK work space is stuffed with all sorts of cool high-tech tools. Equally impressive was the highly skilled hand work put into each knife. The CRK devotion to customer service was obvious. In any event, I now own both a small classic and large tanto Sebenza. I've proudly drunk the CRK koolaid and I'm not looking back. The Pacific is next...

 

[Rich357]

I've asked this before but since this thread is getting a fair amount of attention from actual users I will ask again.

Suppose someone is interested in actually getting a Sebbie for the first time, maybe as the one and only shot in this lifetime. Large or small, that's probably mostly an individual reaction depending on your one out of six billion plus uniquely sized and shaped hands, not to mention brain lobes.

But what about regular versus classic? Is this like Coca-Cola, a matter of personal taste, or are there identifiable differences in actual usage? For those fortunates who can afford both, what difference in real world use does it make whether you have the old classic original blade shape or the supposedly new and improved regular model.

Classic or regular, which one would you take to the desert island? Which one goes into your pocket on the way to work at the warehouse? Which one would you like in your pocket on the way home from church or a movie? Which one goes into your bug out bag? And if you know why, that would be helpful. Thanks.

Which model is better? As you say, it's a matter of personal taste. I prefer the classic in the large Sebenza. I'm pretty much even on two styles when it comes to the small Sebenza.

If I was on a desert island? Of the different Sebenzas I'd go for a large classic. I like the look of the large classic blade and I feel like my hand would be less likely to slip if I had to thrust the Sebenza into something.

 

[cutlerylover]

adjective, not noun

ok :foot:... Whatever, lol...I think that most people on the forum and in the knife industry consider a custom knife something that was made by hand, and not with the assistance from machines like a CNC machine...Obviosuly a knife maker needs to use certain machines like a drill press and so forth, but I am talking about machines that can pump out parts with no effort...I DO NOT think a custom knife has to be a one of a kind...thats what I am trying to say...What does everyone else think?

 

[hardheart]

that's actually a really old argument that used to get extremely heated. Personally, I'm with Allen, custom means made to order. AFAIK, pretty much all folders are assembled by hand/handheld tools, and nobody is calling the majority of modern folders by Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco, etc. customs.

Plus, some makers make extensive use of modern equipment like CNC machining or abrasivejet. So you can get something made to order (custom designed) with a heck of a lot of machine work, and you can get production knives with a lot of handwork.

 

[cutlerylover]

well thats a good point, I guess there is no real black and white answer to that question...But Ill save that argument for another thread, lol...but I can see your point of view and you do make a good valid point...I stand corrected...

 

[jvan]

Mr. Reeve's may well think that this is a $90.00 knife, I don't know, why wouldn't he charge whatever the market will bear? I certainly would.

When I said that it was a nice $200.00 knife that was just the value that I placed on it, someone else may think it's a great deal beacause they consider it to be a super $500.00 knife. To each his own.

 

[cutlerylover]

To each his own.

EXACTLY...

 

[allenC]

ok :foot:... Whatever, lol...I think that most people on the forum and in the knife industry consider a custom knife something that was made by hand, and not with the assistance from machines like a CNC machine...Obviosuly a knife maker needs to use certain machines like a drill press and so forth, but I am talking about machines that can pump out parts with no effort...I DO NOT think a custom knife has to be a one of a kind...thats what I am trying to say...What does everyone else think?

I think that you are confusing "hand made" with "custom made"....they are not the same.

If you found a craftsman who made custom jewelry, and you paid him to make your wife a custom neckless, you would not expect to see that same neckless on a thousand other women would you?

How the craftsman makes the neckless is really not that important (with his hands, with power-tools, with a computer guided machine, or with a team of elves), it only matters that you are paying him to create a unique piece of jewelry for your wife.

I see custom knives the same way.

 

[KeithAM]

While the rest of you have been wasting your time with the "blah blah blah" tit for tat, I've come up with the ultimate solution to the question whether Sebenzas are worth what they cost:

TRIAL BY COMBAT

That's right, a champion from each side will fight to the death to determine once and for all who's right.

In this corner, we have ALLEN C -- the ultimate Sebenza naysayer. He's been dogging this issue for years! Sure, he's got a big drawer full of $100 knives he doesn't need, but he'll continue needling people who've been impractical enough to buy a Sebenza til his last breath! He'll be battling with his custom shop Buck 110 with genuine stag handles.

In the other corner, DAVE H. -- Sebenzanista on steriods. He wishes his Sebenzas cut as well as a Spyderco Calypso, Jr., but even though they don't, it's CRK or nothing! He'll be battling with his mammoth bark ivory handled large Sebenza, of course.

Notice they both have highly creative user names comprised of their first names and their last initials! (Me too )

WHO WILL WIN? WHO CARES? BUT AT LEAST IN THE END WE'LL KNOW THE TRUTH!

 

[monkfish4]

I think it is a status symbol kind of thing. Like people driving Hummers. No one "needs" a Hummer, and in reality it is a white elephant, but it costs a lot to buy and maintain. If the people like pissing away money, they will. It makes them feel superior to "the rest of us".

Same logic goes with the Sebenza cult. They can afford $350+ for a knife and it makes them feel good.

 

[allenC]

He'll be battling with his custom shop Buck 110 with genuine stag handles.

Actually, it doesn't have stag handles, it has water-buffalo horn scales.

And I never pass up an opportunity to post a picture of it....cause it's puuuuuurty.

 

[405dave]

Cool thing about a Seb is you buy it and don't like it you can sale it and not lose money. Try that with almost any other folder and you lose money.

 

[DaveH]

In the other corner, DAVE H. -- Sebenzanista on steriods. He wishes his Sebenzas cut as well as a Spyderco Calypso, Jr., but even though they don't

Heh, they do now! I've been sending them to Tom Krein.

 

[cutlerylover]

I think that you are confusing "hand made" with "custom made"....they are not the same.

If you found a craftsman who made custom jewelry, and you paid him to make your wife a custom neckless, you would not expect to see that same neckless on a thousand other women would you?

How the craftsman makes the neckless is really not that important (with his hands, with power-tools, with a computer guided machine, or with a team of elves), it only matters that you are paying him to create a unique piece of jewelry for your wife.

I see custom knives the same way.

You could be right...Perhaps thats what I meant...And just put the wrong title on it...That makes more sense, thanks for clearing that up...I can agree wiuth what you said! Hey Im only human...but I am man enough to admit I was wrong or in this case confused, lol...

 

[jimbo@stn23]

I think it is a status symbol kind of thing. Like people driving Hummers. No one "needs" a Hummer, and in reality it is a white elephant, but it costs a lot to buy and maintain. If the people like pissing away money, they will. It makes them feel superior to "the rest of us".

Same logic goes with the Sebenza cult. They can afford $350+ for a knife and it makes them feel good.

I guess you could look at it this way, I don't however.

I'm not going to try and explain it's "worth" because when I didn't get it about 3 years ago there was only 3 years less threads to read about why it was worth it, or not. I thought it was an overpriced, plain, well made pocket knife and nothing on bulletin boards could change my opinion. I finally wanted to see what the fuss was about, now I know.

Yesterday I took delivery of a very well built hand made knife from a very respected custom maker. It will become very dear to me, but it isn't a Sebenza. I almost wish I put that money to a Seb, would have been cheaper, but again, now I know. Go ahead though and buy multiples of whatever Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, blah blah, you want that do whatever just as well as ....you know the rest. Whatever makes yer bum hum. You and I can get "x" Delicas for the price of ..........and so on.

The Sebenza, as is true of any of Chris Reeves offerings that I own, is an exceptionally well built knife. Worth every penny to me.

 

[cutlerylover]

Whatever makes yer bum hum.

lol, that about the funniest thing I read all day...hahahaha

The Sebenza, as is true of any of Chris Reeves offerings that I own, is an exceptionally well built knife. Worth every penny to me.

I am on the same page as you there.....

Each person is different, and just because alot of us like them does not mean that everyone should...or would...

 

[allenC]

Cool thing about a Seb is you buy it and don't like it you can sale it and not lose money. Try that with almost any other folder and you lose money.

I can't argue with this statement.
It is absolutely true that Sebbies have great re-sale value.

 

[Fool4Blades]

While the rest of you have been wasting your time with the "blah blah blah" tit for tat, I've come up with the ultimate solution to the question whether Sebenzas are worth what they cost:

TRIAL BY COMBAT

That's right, a champion from each side will fight to the death to determine once and for all who's right.

In this corner, we have ALLEN C -- the ultimate Sebenza naysayer. He's been dogging this issue for years! Sure, he's got a big drawer full of $100 knives he doesn't need, but he'll continue needling people who've been impractical enough to buy a Sebenza til his last breath! He'll be battling with his custom shop Buck 110 with genuine stag handles.

In the other corner, DAVE H. -- Sebenzanista on steriods. He wishes his Sebenzas cut as well as a Spyderco Calypso, Jr., but even though they don't, it's CRK or nothing! He'll be battling with his mammoth

bark ivory handled large Sebenza, of course.

Notice they both have highly creative user names comprised of their first names and their last initials! (Me too )

WHO WILL WIN? WHO CARES? BUT AT LEAST IN THE END WE'LL KNOW THE TRUTH!

That is the FUNNIEST thing I have read here in a loooong time! :thumbup:

And I think the REAL reason some knife-lovers decide they don't like the Sebenza is because that would mean they have no reason to own/carry the rest of their knives!

 

[theonew]

That is classic ... Thanks for the laugh

While the rest of you have been wasting your time with the "blah blah blah" tit for tat, I've come up with the ultimate solution to the question whether Sebenzas are worth what they cost:

TRIAL BY COMBAT

That's right, a champion from each side will fight to the death to determine once and for all who's right.

In this corner, we have ALLEN C -- the ultimate Sebenza naysayer. He's been dogging this issue for years! Sure, he's got a big drawer full of $100 knives he doesn't need, but he'll continue needling people who've been impractical enough to buy a Sebenza til his last breath! He'll be battling with his custom shop Buck 110 with genuine stag handles.

In the other corner, DAVE H. -- Sebenzanista on steriods. He wishes his Sebenzas cut as well as a Spyderco Calypso, Jr., but even though they don't, it's CRK or nothing! He'll be battling with his mammoth bark ivory handled large Sebenza, of course.

Notice they both have highly creative user names comprised of their first names and their last initials! (Me too )

WHO WILL WIN? WHO CARES? BUT AT LEAST IN THE END WE'LL KNOW THE TRUTH!