Why Sebenza vs other customs knives?

[KenM K]

I have never owned a sebbie but have read several people who have not been satisfied with the heat treat on their sebbie. For the price tag mixed reviews are not a good sign to me. I have a couple ZT's that are cheaper and i have no fear of them ever failing. They do not look as nice as a sebbie May not feel as nice in the hand even. But i do not see how a sebbie can be any tougher of a knife then they are. So i have to call BS on everyone that buys one for the quality mats used to make one. When you can buy a comparable one in quality for less money that are production knives with good customer service. I think the cultism of them plays a huge part in the price. Besides look and feel someone tell me what makes a sebbie a better knife then my ZT-300. No one really is stating facts on what makes a sebbie better it is just subjective to opinions. I am not knocking anyone that owns one if the art aspect of a knife warrants double the price tag in your opinion then it's you choice. I have handled and seen a sebbie and have came close to buying one but in the end it did not add up. It is a quality well made knife just not worth the extra price tag for me when i can get one that is just as well made and tough for half the price.

 

[KerSogTilian]

So, let's see If this thread can be salvaged, Because I think David asks a good question. I agree with most about the subjectivity of what makes a knife good for that person. David, I had this question running laps around my head, while at my local knife shop, trying to rationalize getting a Sebbie. I could have bought a very nice Lightfoot Thresher, or an Elishewitz, but I went for Glockman's Sebbie of choice; a large, classic, with micarta inlays.

This was almost three times more, than I had paid for a knife previously. I've edc'd this think for several months; taken it apart and cleaning it 5 times, because it's so easy, and i pamper the knife. Since I got by Sebbie I have purchased 3 custom makers: Dav Winch, Kirby Lambert, and Tom Mayo. My Sebbie still gets the most pocket time. The The opening and closing of the Blade is sooo smooth.

Enough rambling: Here's a few knives in the Sebbie $ range worth considering: Strider SNG- Solid badass knife (less sheeple friendly)
Hinderer XM-18- if you can find one, this is the best bang for buck!

I hope this was helpful!

 

[nozh2002]

I think mind play some tricks to the people how have hard time to admit that they pay way too much. I noticed this myself, getting overexcited on some knife just bought - for example this Friction Forged D2, it take me some time to admit to myself that yes I did overpay a lot and probably should spend that money on two-three other knives. But once I got it out of the box I was jumping around, holding my breath etc...

Thanks, Vassili.

Yes, I was on several shows and handle different knives. Most impressive were Elishevitz folders, really (far not Sebenzas).

 

[aj1985]

disclaimer: I've never held a sebenza

Yeah, yeah, sebeza is precision milled etc. Tolerances are light years above other knives etc. It's fairly classy, yes. But are such details really noticeable to a user? Can you really tell the difference between some other good knife and a sebenza?

I'm sure lots of people will chime in and say 'of course you can!' -- but then again, lots of people have told me they 'can see the difference' when using Monster Cables and similar products. I have to wonder if the same thing is going on with the Sebbie, which definitely seems fetishised around here.

Firstly go hold a Sebenza and then start posting. Don't believe everything you hear from forumites since everyone has their own views. When you have a sebbie in your hand you will realize the difference.

aj

p.s I bought a used sebbie and it's one of the best knives I have ever bought. Large regular dual thumb stud BG 42

 

[Bushman5]

I'm sure i will branded as a heretic and have a tire put around my neck, doused in gas and lit on fire for saying this, but i just dont like the Sebenza folders. No offense to the designer, but i find the Sebenzas reminds me of the cheap colt, Buck or kershaw folders, they look, well, plain, gaudy and just not very appealing to me.

If i'm going to fork out that kind of dough, i want a knife that is VERY unique looking (like the Spyderco Captain, Chinook or similar) , beefy and not technicolor..... plain ol steel color and black please.....

Again, NO OFFENSE to the designer or the company, or to anyone that likes Sebbies - this is just my own personal opinion, and liek the proverbial 'hole, everyone has one. I realize the sebbies are machined with incredibly tight tolerances and as such are worth the bucks, but.....looks wise, weight wise, size wise it does'nt do it for me...esp looks..if i dont like the look of a knife, i wont use it an for me thats a waste of money.

sorry/.

btw, yes i have handled them in person

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

Besides look and feel someone tell me what makes a sebbie a better knife then my ZT-300

I actually find the ZT 0300 to be a better looking knife than a Seb and by far more comfortable to hold than a Seb...again at 1/2 the price.

 

[knarfeng]

I'm sure i will branded as a heretic and have a tire put around my neck, doused in gas and lit on fire for saying this, but i just dont like the Sebenza folders. No offense to the designer, but i find the Sebenzas reminds me of the cheap colt, Buck or kershaw folders, they look, well, plain, gaudy and just not very appealing to me.

If i'm going to fork out that kind of dough, i want a knife that is VERY unique looking (like the Spyderco Captain, Chinook or similar) , beefy and not technicolor..... plain ol steel color and black please.....

Again

Buying knife is a subjective decision. If everyone liked exactly the same thing there would not be many kinds of knives.

 

[Bushman5]

ayup!

 

[T.K.C.]

To each his own! I am glad that we all don't like the same knife, as it would darn near impossible for ME to get the knives I LOVE!!

 

[JTR357]

I don't own a Sebenza or a custom,nor have I even held either.
The sebbie is a little plain looking,with no fancy scales IMO,but It's clearly a knife meant to be used,rather than admired,judging by it's looks & materials.

Most customs & WH's are more of conversation pieces & bragging knives.That's the feeling I get from them anyway.I'm not saying that WH's are not usable.They probably do a better than average job than the same size knife would,but would you pay 10X more for "better than average?"..Not me.Not unless I hit the lotto or some rich relative leaves me a bunch a dough.

If I was looking to spend $400-$500 on a knife,I'd more than likely get a Large Sebenza with some nice scales as opposed to a plain jane WH(for that price anyway),or a Strider.

I don't have too much knowledge about customs,so there's not much I can really add to that topic.

 

[ToyKnife]

This is not news to anyone here. Once you get to a higher quality price point all the knives are basically the same. Makers, generally, use the same build material and machining tolerances but have different designs.

 

[pholder]

i have to chime in on simplicity, it's simple, those who have a sebenza simply understand it's simplicity, those who simply don't have one, simply don't understand it's simplicity,
you see, it's that simple.

 

[Kaizen1]

There's nothing wrong with Sebbies, but there are too many other customs that I would go for before getting one.

 

[Lycosa]

Good Post, Pholder. Sebenzas and Glocks---Simple.

 

[Confederate]

People definitely buy what they can afford, what they like and what they feel comfortable with. Many discussions on the Sebenza get a little hot for some reason, and it may be that the differences among people who know a great deal about knives tend to come out more.

Regarding performance and tolerances, enough knowledgeable people like Sebenzas that they can't be casually dismissed. My passion tends more towards firearms, especially handguns, so when I see a knife that costs as much as a handgun, I tend to wonder what I'm missing. I'm also strapped enough for cash that investing in a Sebenza (or a gun for that matter) is out of the question. And if a Sebenza fell into my lap, I'd probably put it in a safe and be terrified to use it.

When people talk performance, I'm not sure what criteria they're using. With a gun, you can say it's more accurate or more durable (or both), but when using a small pocket knife, where do the more expensive knives excel? If I bought an exquisite Damascus steel bladed knife, with inlaid gold or silver and burnished grips, I could say I bought it because it was well made and beautiful. But I would be hard pressed to say that the performance was any greater than a more inexpensive knife with a fine blade. A beautiful knife that's not well made is junk, and a well made knife that isn't beautiful is a question mark unless it cuts through bone and sinew like a light saber.

So when you say knives excel in performance, how so?

 

[Confederate]

I'm sure i will branded as a heretic...but i find the Sebenzas...look, well, plain, gaudy and just not very appealing to me.

Just out of curiosity, how can a knife be gaudy and plain at the same time? I mean, I agree about them looking plain, but if they were more gaudy, I'd probably find them more appealing.

 

[Bushman5]

some of them are plain, some are gaudy is what i meant.

 

[nozh2002]

So when you say knives excel in performance, how so?

Simpole - comfortable handle, comfortable carrying, solid reliable lock, durability, easy to sharpen (I mean straight edge - recurved is pain to sharpen). But of course most important edge holding.

My favorite knife for long time now Yuna Hard II. And I use it on 100% - I cut everything with it - drywall, stubs, grass, boxes, wood etc - whatever I need to cut. I also cut out splinters out of my fingers - I keep it hair whittling sharp and can do this without drawing blood... It is ideal knife to me now.

It is not excellent performer, but looking way better then Sebenza - more sophisticated I guess, but I like it.

Before my favorite was ZT-302:

Also good performer, excellent slicer because of fine grind. And nice looking as well.

And nice looking not because of decorative stripes but as whole piece!

And before ZT-302, I was carrying MOD Mark II for few years. Not as good in edge holding, but unbeatable in terms of usability to this point in time handle design.

Sabenza is just one knife among many others, to my opinion.

And I have very simple model as well:

Also excellent performers with Shirogami steel and hamon... And for some reason this simple knife which can left NASA crying behind in simplicity contest cost just $15-$20!

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Confederate]

Wow. I like the looks of the Yuna Hard II, but you said it was not an excellent performer? What's the blade material? It certainly is easy on the eyes. It'd be great if they offered the knife with a Damascus blade.

 

[nozh2002]

Wow. I like the looks of the Yuna Hard II, but you said it was not an excellent performer? What's the blade material? It certainly is easy on the eyes. It'd be great if they offered the knife with a Damascus blade.

When did I say it? No at all, it is excellent performer - best performer for me, with ZDP189 laminated blade (ATS34 on sides). This is custom and I ask for this red+orange G10 (titanium on other side) - benefit of dealing with craftsman, you may ask for what you want, and it turns out pretty well...

Second knife I carry is JYDII Ti+SG2 - it has very thin blade and I use it when I need accuracy rather then power. Also excellent performer in many respects:

Thanks, Vassili.