What's with the CR Sebenza?

allenC said:
No. The Sebenza is not a custom made knife.

If one man hand-assembled a Toyota Camry, it would still just be a Toyota Camry, and not a custom built car.
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Wait, are we still fighting over custom vs non-custom thing?

If I put together a knife kit, is that a custom knife? :confused:
 
darthsoaker said:
Wait, are we still fighting over custom vs non-custom thing?

If I put together a knife kit, is that a custom knife? :confused:
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No.... But then again if you were the guy who actually created all of the components in the kit, and then put the kit together; then yes.... that's a custom knife.
 
Monocrom said:
No.... But then again if you were the guy who actually created all of the components in the kit, and then put the kit together; then yes.... that's a custom knife.
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How is it custom? Doesn't custom mean customized? I could pop out 15 of them, all the same, but hand made.

If so, whats the diff between a hand-made knife, and a "custom"?
 
The the Sebenza isn't custom in the strictest sence of the word. It's just an extremely high quality production folder. Almost any folding knife can be said to be hand made as I believe they all have to have some hand work done on them, how they are classified depends on whose hands those are.:eek:
I took apart and cleaned and regreased my large Micarta Inlay. Taking it apart makes me really appreciate the precision that is designed into this knife.
IMO one of my best knives and worth every penny!:p
 
darthsoaker said:
How is it custom? Doesn't custom mean customized? I could pop out 15 of them, all the same, but hand made.

If so, whats the diff between a hand-made knife, and a "custom"?
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This is where I got a bit confused...I think the definition of custom knife, or hand made knife is subject to interpretation...Obviously there are definitions for these terms, but for the forum sake and discussion some people think differently about each term...I know I thought about it a bit differently...

I considered the original sebenzas custom made because each parts was made by hand and assembled by hand, I didn't know or realize that most people think that just measn ahnd made, and not custom made...I think alot of people consider a custom made piece to be a one of a kind? But what if lets say only 2 were made...still custom? If so where do you draw the line, you know?

I alwasy considered a production knife to be a certain model that was made in a factory of sotrs and 500 - 10,000 knives were made...But considerign what goes into making a sebenza, even if there were 10,000 made, the way they are made to me, and the process in which they are made still screams semi-custom knife...But thats just me...
 
I have 3 CR sebenza's and they are the best. However gone is the day that we spend "booKoo" amount for "superior blade steel" todays "commercial" knife makers are now turning out great blades if not the same quality for far less than the "custom" makers. After all most "commercial" makers have always borrowed off of "custom" makers designs to give you a knife that replicates with a few shortcomings for a "affordable price". However that is not the case now for technology has caught up with us. You and I can obtain a knife for $100.00 that is equal to if not superior to a $400.00 blade. and the proof is in the pudding any hardcore knife user will tell you this. My own personal proof came one day between my CR Sebenza and my CS Recon1 my father and I processed 2 deer with just these knives and the CS Recon1 did not only hold its own but stayed on par with the CR Sebenza at a $315.00 difference. I rest my case.
 
I have 3 CR sebenza's and they are the best. However gone is the day that we spend "booKoo" amount for "superior blade steel" todays "commercial" knife makers are now turning out great blades if not the same quality for far less than the "custom" makers. After all most "commercial" makers have always borrowed off of "custom" makers designs to give you a knife that replicates with a few shortcomings for a "affordable price". However that is not the case now for technology has caught up with us. You and I can obtain a knife for $100.00 that is equal to if not superior to a $400.00 blade. and the proof is in the pudding any hardcore knife user will tell you this. My own personal proof came one day between my CR Sebenza and my CS Recon1 my father and I processed 2 deer with just these knives and the CS Recon1 did not only hold its own but stayed on par with the CR Sebenza at a $315.00 difference. I rest my case.
 
truecarbon said:
I have 3 CR sebenza's and they are the best. However gone is the day that we spend "booKoo" amount for "superior blade steel" todays "commercial" knife makers are now turning out great blades if not the same quality for far less than the "custom" makers. After all most "commercial" makers have always borrowed off of "custom" makers designs to give you a knife that replicates with a few shortcomings for a "affordable price". However that is not the case now for technology has caught up with us. You and I can obtain a knife for $100.00 that is equal to if not superior to a $400.00 blade. and the proof is in the pudding any hardcore knife user will tell you this. My own personal proof came one day between my CR Sebenza and my CS Recon1 my father and I processed 2 deer with just these knives and the CS Recon1 did not only hold its own but stayed on par with the CR Sebenza at a $315.00 difference. I rest my case.
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I believe every word you said, but now that you just said a Cold Steel knife performed beter than your sebenza, you might be in for a few responses, lol...But I see what your saying...again, everyone just has their own opinion as to what is good and what is not good enough, so there is no real answer like this is better than that...I don't see it like that anyway...its just what works for each individual purchase...
 
truecarbon said:
I have 3 CR sebenza's and they are the best. However gone is the day that we spend "booKoo" amount for "superior blade steel" todays "commercial" knife makers are now turning out great blades if not the same quality for far less than the "custom" makers. After all most "commercial" makers have always borrowed off of "custom" makers designs to give you a knife that replicates with a few shortcomings for a "affordable price". However that is not the case now for technology has caught up with us. You and I can obtain a knife for $100.00 that is equal to if not superior to a $400.00 blade. and the proof is in the pudding any hardcore knife user will tell you this. My own personal proof came one day between my CR Sebenza and my CS Recon1 my father and I processed 2 deer with just these knives and the CS Recon1 did not only hold its own but stayed on par with the CR Sebenza at a $315.00 difference. I rest my case.
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Do that a few seasons & see which one's still tight & working great...

Seriously, a much less expensive knife can perform as well as a Seb, & I don't think that was the initial point of this thread. I thought it was what makes a Seb "worth" the money when a seemingly similar B/M mini-Skirmish has similar material, performance, & quality, in that the original poster didn't notice the differences when he briefly checked a Sebbie out.

I have other knives that I enjoy, & if money's an issue, then yeah, the Seb's not worth it. What gets me, though, is some of posts making it sound like the Seb is in no way superior in fit, finish, & quality to most other knives. Taking money out of the equation, can someone honestly tell me that they think a CS Recon 1 or even a B/M mini-Skirmish, is a better put together knife?
 
KeithAM said:
Okay everyone, here's what it all boils down to:

"Sebenzas aren't worth it!"

"Yes they are!"

"No they aren't"

"Yes they are!"

"No they aren't"

"Yes they are."

Repeat 500 times and then start a new thread on the same subject about once a month.

Seriously, don't listen to anyone else on this thread!

If you want to know whether a Sebenza is worth it, go for the no risk trial: buy a used one (a nice one just went for $250 on the for sale forum). Carry and use it for a few months. Take it apart, clean it, lube it, and put it back together again. Carefully compare it to all of your less expensive knives.

Then decide FOR YOURSELF whether it's worth it. If you decide it's not, sell it. You'll get every penny back. If you decide it was worth it, you'll know what to do. And if you further decide it would be worth the extra money to get a shinynew one, go for it. Or, have the used one reconditioned to look like new for a nominal fee.

There. Simple.

Now the rest of you go away. ;)
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Thank you KeithAM, in a single post you wiped out all doubts and issues. Didn't we outgrow this in fourth grade?
 
Keith's response should be made a "sticky" and then we can stop the incessant beating of this poor old horse.
 
allenC said:
Anyone who would call a large (or even a small) Sebenza a "pen knife" is a complete idiot and you should not let their opinions influence your choice in knives.
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Unless perhaps he was used to carrying a Blackwood Custom Skirmish ( and yes that is a LARGE Sebby , as it came out of my sheath ).

seb%20vs%20Skirmish.JPG


Ok , someone send him the darn book , who had it last ? I can't find my copy right now..

sebdum.jpg


I no longer have a Sebby , but will get another someday , I have had probably 6 or so over the past few years. Is it worth the price? That is purely subjective to each person.
If you use a knife very little but carry it often , it might not represent a value to you , but if you use it often and break it down to a per use / per cents useage , it is indeed a value. Use it once a day for a year... lets go even and say $1/day...it last for 2 years... 50cents / day.... in 3 yrs 33 cents/day.... in 5 years 20 cents per day..... 10 years later when you are still using it ...10 cents per day.... value heck yeah.
Is it the best value ? maybe , maybe not. Is a Sebby the be all end all of folders ? heck no , it would suck if it would , the hunt would be over ! ;)

Does anyone need a Viper to drive to work when the speed limit is 65 ? Perhaps not , but many want it for what it can do when called upon.

With all that said , I carry a Strider , why ? Just my personal choice , but I will add a large reg Sebenza to the collection again soon ( dont care for the Classic , hmmm perhaps that should be another thread all together ;) ).

Another nice knife that I wish was still made that gave the small Seb a run was the BM Pinnacle.
 
The Sebenza is an excellent knife. I'd say the fit and finish is certainly better than any other factory folder, and many custom knives. Even so, I feel that the price is inflated. For perhaps $100 more, you could purchase a custom knife. If you really like the Sebenza, then buy one and don't worry about the price.
 
sorry I got carried away earlier I did forget to mention that when it comes the benz precision in build is finer than any folder I have handled and they are great for any application. Someone said earlier something about me comparing the recon 1 to the benz that was just a experiece I had I really wasn't trying say the recon 1 was the same or better just saying it stayed on par as far as work goes. I work my knives hard and for the money I think the benz is worth every penny in the end I wouldn't own 3 if that wasn't the case. I just wanted to share not get the forum police on my tail.
 
The difference between the Sebenza and every other knife I've ever owned is its rugedness and durability. The Seb is not only tough as nails, but it's simple to disassemble, clean & lube, and CRK will gladly refurbish it to like-new condition and return it the same day.

While it's true that almost any knife can last a lifetime, the Seb will still be like new after years of hard use. Every other knife I own looks & feels worn out after a few years of hard use. The Seb almost looks better with some wear & tear. Unlike my other good knives, I don't baby the Sebenza. I never think twice about using it hard - that's what it was made for.
 
I AM a fan of the Sebenza. BUT, the Sebbie is not for everyone. If you like it great, if you don't that is fine too. Not everyone appreciates how exquisite the Sebenza is, and that is OK. There is nothing wrong with someone who doesn't like the Sebbie, nor is there something wrong with people who do like the Sebbie.
I am a collector/user of custom knives only, the exception being CRK's. They are marvelous, and worth every penny to ME. I love the knives, the CRK company. I will continue to support CRK.
 
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