Which one of the three as my next folder?

Herlock

Herlock

Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
841
Hi there! I’m currently saving up some bucks looking for my next knife purchase :). We’re going through some house refurbishing projects which are sucking up some money and I am also about finalizing a small camping axe purchase, so, likely, this will be a late fall/early winter purchase. But I’d love to build up some more knowledge about and hear some comments! I have narrowed down my list of candidates to these three: TiSpine; Sebenza 21 large; Spydie Chef. Unfortunately, I’m not able to handle the knives before purchasing one of them and this is a bit of limitation.

Intended use is various light-utility EDC, like it is for all my other folders :): some food preparation, cutting different types of industrial/consumers packaging materials, different types of cordages, trivial maintenance work around the house (masking/duct tapes, small electrical cables, minor scraping, textiles, hard/soft plastic packaging, cardboards, etc.) and some minor wood working (carving, whittling, cutting, etc.) when hiking.

In one way, it looks to me, they are rather comparable knives (materials, dimensions, weight, etc.), on the other hand, they look rather different (design, ergos, etc.). The TiSpine I’m dreaming of since it came out. It’s an amazing knife, love the design and, on papers, it looks a very good user. The Sebenza it’s the Sebenza. I think I “need” to get one, sooner or later, to be qualified for the International School of Advanced Knifery here :D. It’s a truly classic. The Spydie Chef really intrigues me for its design :thumbup: and it looks, on paper, a good “dedicated” user for me (I’d say 50% of my knives activities revolve around food prep of sorts).

What do you say? Do you have any first-hand experience with any of these or just an informed opinion? What would you suggest/recommend? Which one of the three would you personally buy? Why or why not? Thanks for kind attention and any support!

Does some of you also have any info about:

• Type of steel used for the pocket clip in the Ti Spine and Spydie Chef?
• Grade of Ti used in Sebenza and Spydie Chef handles?
• Country of origin/production of Spydie Chef?
• Overall thickness (when closed) of Spydie Chef?

Didn’t manage to get these information in a clear way.


Ti Spine
Made in: Italy
Blade: Elmax 59/60HRC
Handle: Ti 6Al4V
Blade lenght: 85 mm.
Blade thickness: 3.5mm.
Closed length: 113 mm.
Overall length: 195 mm.
Overall thickness (closed): 10 mm.
Weight: 100 g.
Lock: Frame Lock
Clip: Inox steel (?)
Price range for new @ reputable dealer: 280 EUR ca.

9bgmtc.jpg



Sebenza 21 large
Made in: USA
Blade: CPM-S30V 58/59HRC
Handle: Ti (?)
Blade length: 90 mm.
Blade thickness: 3 mm.
Closed length: 120 mm.
Overall length: 207 mm.
Overall thickness (closed): 17 mm.
Weight: 125 g.
Lock: Frame Lock
Clip: Ti (ambidextrous)
Price range for new @ reputable dealer: 500 EUR ca.

242idk1.jpg


Spydie Chef
Made in: ?
Blade: LC 200 N (satin finish)
Handle: Ti (?)
Blade length: 84 mm.
Blade thickness: 2.9 mm.
Closed length: 113 mm.
Overall length: 198 mm.
Overall thickness: ?
Weight: 108 g
Lock: Frame Lock
Clip: wire clip (steel ?)
Price range for new @ reputable dealer: 290 EUR ca.

nog6bo.jpg
 
I have both the Sebenza and the TiSpine. They are both great knives and I would gladly buy them both again.
 
Get the spydie chef! Looks so awesome and you'll save some $$$ compared to the ti spine or sebenza. But if you do get any one of these you'll be a happy camper.

I will say it's a bit of a gamble to buy the spydie since it isn't out yet but spydercos track record is solid.
 
You knew the answer and it is Sebenza. Now fans pls do not go after me, but that spyderco looks ugly (I do own several other spydies and they all look great and much better).
 
TiSpine. I have xl thumbs and couldn't grasp my large sebenza's thumbstuds. I l much prefer the spydiehole and similar. Plus, the TiSpine is badass looking. I've had several LionSteel knives, and they all have been high quality.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
I'd suggest the Sebenza. I have one, a small 21 in CF, and I love it! Plus, the Sebenza is an Icon of KnifeKnuttery. You're not really in the club until you have one!

I lusted after the TiSpine when I first saw it advertised, and when I saw one for sale on the Exchange at a great price, I grabbed it. I was profoundly disappointed. I don't know if I got a lemon, or a knife that was abused, but it just feels kind of "un-smooth". The action sucks, the lock sticks and it feels like a knife that should cost a lot less. I'm hesitant to strip it down to see if I can make it perform better due to the monoframe construction. It just lives in my knife cabinet since I tried carrying it a few times and hated it.

The SpydieChef looks interesting and it probably would do awesome at food prep...but daham, it looks like it would suck for almost anything else. Picture trying to pierce with that blade or dig out a splinter.

Yeah, no doubt about it. Grab a Sebbie. If you try it and find it doesn't work for you, you can always quickly resell it with very little loss. If you're into food prep, you might look at the Insingo blade style.
 
Whenever there is a sebenza on your "list" of next knives to buy, get the sebenza. I wish a sebenza was on my list right next to a hinderer xm. My list is the one on the floor you just stepped on. Lol. WhAt? O. Yea. Hmmm
 
You don't need a Sebenza.
Period.
There I said it.
Not owning one does not make you a pariah here.

You sound very much into the TiSpine, and only seem to be considering the Seb because others say you need one.
Get the one you want. You know what works for you better than anyone else.
So yeah, I say get the Lionsteel.
 
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With that price gap, I'd get the TiSpine. Here in the states though, they're much closer in price, so I'd get the Sebenza.
 
Hi! Thank-you all for valuable suggestions and comments :)! Sebenza gets a lot of love! TiSpine has a fair share of supporters but I expected the Spydie Chef to get more enthusiasm :).

@ Hackenslash: Sorry to hear this about your experience with a TiSpine. If I were in your shoes I’d nevertheless give it a try to disassemble and clean it up to see if it gets better. I have generally heard good experiences with this knife from most of the users. Worst case you can have her visiting Italy for a good spa week :D!

@ 115Italian: :) I can tell you, if I’ll get a new Sebenza for that price, that will be very likely the only knife purchase of mine for 2017. Family of five to feed here :) LOL!

@ NorthernSouthpaw: Thanks. Yes, for me it’s not so much about feeling “inferior” in the community if I don’t own a Sebenza :), but it’s a kind of iconic product for me and I would love to be able to have a real first-hand user experience to make my own evaluation (and lots of fun), like it was for me when I decided to buy the Spyderco PM2.

I'll ponder the decision further and I'll keep you posted (you willing or not :D).

Take care!
 
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