Why Sebenza vs other customs knives?

DRider

DRider

Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
597
The Sebenza has a stellar reputation. And I love framelocks. But if you were to have around $500 to spend on a really good folder, which will be a using folder, then what would make you get a Sebenza vs something like a Brian Tighe or a Pat Crawford (just examples, but found both for under $500 on the net today).

I know there's just the matter of taste; different knives appeal to different folks. But the Sebenza has such a very large reputation that I wanted to ask folk who maybe had both a Sebbie and a custom what they felt about it.

I have a whole lot of good factory knives, knives in the $100 to $200 range, but I've always wanted to have a least one really good knife, a custom knife. Like a Lexus rather than a Toyota. I plan on doing this within the year so I'm hoping to get some opinions. ($500 ain't chicken feed for me - I got kids)

Thanks, everybody.
 
ive owned many customs and a few sebenzas.

neither are better than the other. it is absolutely a matter of preference, styling, size, materials, etc.

with the high tolerances and materials of the sebbie, i consider them to be more custom than production. especially when you consider the various graphics and inlays.

some are loyal crk buyers. some have a variety of customs, like tkc's collection (which is quite impressive). i like them all.
 
I have a few custom folders, and I have a few Sebbies & Mnandis. I like all of them. It's impossible to say "this one is better". I like 'em all. So I suggest you go for what you like most.

Edited to add: buy what YOU like, not what everybody tells you to like! Over the years I found it saves you a lot of dissapointment and frustration.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
IMO My small regular sebenza is far superior to any production knife I have ever owned.

I haven't had ant custom knives yet and with how much I like my small sebbie I don't know if I ever will.
 
I find the Sebenzas to be a bit plain jane and would go with a nice custom knife with a fine Damascus blade. As to how far the quality factor goes on a knife is a matter of opinion. Some people pay for the blade, while others pay for the handle. I've often wondered what the payoff was with the Sebenza. How does the quality make it a better knife? Is it comfort, reliability, ability to cut, longevity? It it a status symbol or do people find it breathtakingly beautiful? I honestly don't know. Still, I've seen beautiful Damascus patterns in blades, gorgeous etchings, etc., so perhaps it's taste.


sm-sebenza.jpg



Onyx-b.jpg


A William Henry custom knife. This, I think, has more
enduring beauty, but it's all a matter of taste.

.
 
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fHi Confederate,

That Small Sebenza is $330. How much is the William Henry custom you have pictured above?

Thanks,
Rich
 
The Sebenza is first a working knife. Many have been made with beautiful inlays and damascus blades, but they are all very well made and strudy.

Some brands of gentleman's knives are beautiful but I would be surprised if they are as rugged as a Sebenza.

Rich
 
I bet that WH cost better than $700.:eek:

But seriously, for me the Seb does everything I want in a folder. It's the whole package. The lanyard makes it easy to find and I can draw it easily even while sitting in my car. It goes from my pocket to open in my hand without even having to think about it. The fact that they are easily available in left hand versions is a big plus for me. The quality is consistent and they have options galore. For a user I think it's hard to beat the large classic micarta.:cool: You also might want to wait until the new folder comes out. For a user knife it's hard to beat a sebbie.:thumbup:
 
I think Sal once pointed out that Sebenzas are made with astonishing tolerances, far finer than one would find in other production knives, and — because they're not hand-machined — finer than a custom.

That, their refinement over time, availability of parts, and reasonable price make them a good choice versus a custom IMO.
 
As somebody said, it all comes down to personal choice. Choose what appeals to YOU and you are less likely to go wrong. To some the Sebenza looks plain and boring, to me it's simplicity is appealing, minimalist is the way to go. Some say other knives cut better, maybe in some applications they do, but for me it's about the most universally useful blade I have.

Some will tell you the handle is uncomfortable, I've never had a problem with that.

What is rarely disputed though is the sheer quality of the thing. It looks quality and it feels quality. Mine works as well today as it did when I got it years ago after regular use. It opens smoothly, it locks solidly and there is zero blade play.

Either you appreciate the thing or you don't. If you buy one and don't like it, you will have no difficulty selling it again. Get one. If you like it you will have an exceptional knife. If you don't like it, sell it, what have you lost?
 
I had a WH and sold it at a loss without even using it.

I don't envision ever selling my sebenza, the more I use it the more I like it.

I'm more into a solid knife that I could use in any enviroment with out worrying if it will get damaged or scratched.

The button lock didn't seem too strong and the blade although zdp was incredibly thin.

Don't get me wrong if you're looking for a fancy looking knife wh is the way to go...

But to me the simplicity and strength of the sebenza is beautiful.

Anyone can take apart a sebenza and reassemble it with no problem and that's due to the simplicity.
 
DRider said:
The Sebenza has a stellar reputation. And I love framelocks. But if you were to have around $500 to spend on a really good folder, which will be a using folder, then what would make you get a Sebenza vs something like a Brian Tighe or a Pat Crawford (just examples, but found both for under $500 on the net today).

I know there's just the matter of taste; different knives appeal to different folks. But the Sebenza has such a very large reputation that I wanted to ask folk who maybe had both a Sebbie and a custom what they felt about it.

I have a whole lot of good factory knives, knives in the $100 to $200 range, but I've always wanted to have a least one really good knife, a custom knife. Like a Lexus rather than a Toyota. I plan on doing this within the year so I'm hoping to get some opinions. ($500 ain't chicken feed for me - I got kids)

Thanks, everybody.
Click to expand...

Sebanza is not a super performing knife - it is statement. From performance point of view there are many better knives for much less price some Kershaw LEs, Microtech, some MODs. I rather recommend you buy Yuna Hard I-IV for same or little less price, but way better for use in many respects (IMHO).

Thanks, Vassili.

I always hear this simplicity story - Yes, it is true, but I can not understand why to pay so much for simplicity? Should not it be vise versa?
 
nozh2002 said:
Sebanza is not a super performing knife - it is statement. From performance point of view there are many better knives for much less price some Kershaw LEs, Microtech, some MODs. I rather recommend you buy Yuna Hard I-IV for same or little less price, but way better for use in many respects (IMHO).
Click to expand...

... and your statement is rubbish. Are you trying to tell me that you know better than me what my requirements are or what knife might meet those requirements better than another? As I, and others, have pointed out quite clearly, what knife suits YOUR usage and preferences is entirely SUBJECTIVE. If you don't like the knife or you think others are better for you, fine, buy what suits you. You cannot tell me what I think is suitable. To say that the Sebenza is "a statement" is, at best meaningless.

No, the Sebenza will not appeal to, or suit, everyone and no, it is not perfect, nothing is, but it DOES suit a lot of people and if you find that hard to understand, that's your problem.


nozh2002 said:
I always hear this simplicity story - Yes, it is true, but I can not understand why to pay so much for simplicity? Should not it be vise versa?
Click to expand...

Taste and style are also subjective. Are you suggesting that because you think everything expensive should be gaudy and complicated, everyone should think that way?
 
They use a large amount of high end materials in a simplistic way.

Simple is the best design...

Ask nasa they make things as simple as physically possible.

Why?

Because the more complicated a design the more likely it is to have complications.

Take a knife with 4 screws holding it together and change it to 5.

That may have added strength to the overall design but you have also added to the likeliness of design failure.

I recently tried to put a mini grip back together and found a new respect for simplistic designs.
 
gajinoz said:
... and your statement is rubbish. Are you trying to tell me that you know better than me what my requirements are or what knife might meet those requirements better than another? As I, and others, have pointed out quite clearly, what knife suits YOUR usage and preferences is entirely SUBJECTIVE. If you don't like the knife or you think others are better for you, fine, buy what suits you. You cannot tell me what I think is suitable. To say that the Sebenza is "a statement" is, at best meaningless.

No, the Sebenza will not appeal to, or suit, everyone and no, it is not perfect, nothing is, but it DOES suit a lot of people and if you find that hard to understand, that's your problem.

Taste and style are also subjective. Are you suggesting that because you think everything expensive should be gaudy and complicated, everyone should think that way?
Click to expand...

I do not try to tell you anything - I do not care about you, especially when you turn on me personally.

Have a nice day.

Vassili.
 
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