Why sebenza?

[Cliff Stamp]

stjames, interesting information on fhe axis, you don't hear debris jamming on them often, it is a well known drawback of lock backs though and they don't one hand operate as smoothly as liners, little does. Have you used the Benchmade Ti integrals.

Only a government can censor someone.

The english word censor isn't simply defined with respect to the goverment, that is one of the definations but there are others, you can even censor yourself subconsciously through agents in the unconscious.

Other definations include someone who is authorized to censure, such as mods here, or simply one who condems or censures without any authority such as a hacker who deleted posts, or as you noted somone attempting to bully someone into not posting.

-Cliff

 

[stjames]

stjames, interesting information on fhe axis, you don't hear debris jamming on them often, it is a well known drawback of lock backs though and they don't one hand operate as smoothly as liners, little does. Have you used the Benchmade Ti integrals.

-Cliff

Cliff, I have used the 750, 630 and just recieved a 635. It was very hard to find a 750 with solid lockup, the later models had a thinned out lockbar that was prone to movement in a hard grip. The 630 has a good lockup but is simply too large for my everyday use. The 635 is a great size and has a good lockup and nice blade geometry, but the opening hole is too small for use with gloves and the knife lacks a lanyard hole to secure it when working above other people.

Of the other "high end" production ti integral locks I have used I'm most pleased with the Tom Mayo designed Buck 172, just a touch small and the blade is a little thin but good ergos and nice F&F. The Cammilus Dominators assisted opening is too stiff, the Kershaw Bumps blade is a bit thin and the tip is too fine, as well as having a slick handle. The Wilson Tactical Elite has flex in the lockbar. The CRKT S2 has too thin a lockbar, the AG Russell Italian Made Tactical's scales are too thin, and both use ATS-34, no crime but not quite state of the art.

 

[Temper]

I have a $350 Seiko and I bet that a Rolex would break under less stres than my Seiko.

I bet it wouldnt, although I'm not willing to use mine as the test piece

 

[metallicat]

Against my better judgment I will give my $.02. To the original poster I am a lefty and I m with Scott Dog in appreciating that CRK will make a left handed model. The Sebenza is worth it to me just on that basis alone. As for being perfect, if it breaks I can get a replacement blade for $150 ( heck for that amount I can get a damascus steel blade) and the bushing etc. for very little. I appreciate Cliff Stamp's reviews and information but you know I don't believe in testing something to destruction, not my knives nor my watches, or mistreating them. I don't use knives as pry bars or my watches as hammers. etc. I understand Cliff''s reservations about S30v and the heat treat etc. Nonetheless I use my sebenza daily. It does everything I want and I can sharpen it hair popping sharp. I have never had the blade shatter on me (and I am sceptical of Cliff's claim that NIB Sebenza's have had this problem). I carry 3 knives as my edc. If I were in a desperate situation I'd prefer a Busse. But if I wasn't carrying a steel heart or battle mistress I'd probably use my Sebenza first, my MOD CQD MKI next, and my police last. Why? Because my police is a left handed model no longer in production and therefore irreplaceable. So for me the Sebenza is very useable and I use it with confidence. For those of you who think its too expensive great! It reduces my wait time. Ok I've got my bullet proof vest on.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

It was very hard to find a 750 with solid lockup ...

Yeah, lockup was quickly a problem with the first ones which pretty much destroyed any ideas of a Sebenza replacement, you also had Benchmade vs Reeve edge profiles which are fairly different as well. I would have assumed by now they would have got the locks solid.

the Kershaw Bumps blade is a bit thin and the tip is too fine

Concerns about breakage, too much flex in use, or limit grip versatility?

The CRKT S2 has too thin a lockbar

See flex in it in use, or problems with the lockup?

Wealth of information there, thanks.

As for being perfect, if it breaks I can get a replacement blade for $150

Most custom makers would likely charge you less. When a customer on Reeve's forum had to have work done on the luckup and Reeve charged that class of a fee I asked around and several makers noted they would not have charged anything at all, one even made such a public statement.

I understand Cliff''s reservations about S30v and the heat treat etc.

I have no reservations in general, it just isn't where I would put that steel for what I would use that knife for, I would run it much harder as I would see the Sebenza as a highly optomized cutting tool, not a dirt digger, bone scraper, heavy wire cutter, prybar, etc. . Based on what you described it isn't where it should be either.

I am sceptical of Cliff's claim that NIB Sebenza's have had this problem

That was discussed on Reeves forum here, if you ask around, and get into the confidence of makers you will find gross blade failures of even the best blades with the most rigerous QC procedures still happen, especially if there are a lot of them in serious use. There are lots of things beyond maker control. That by the way isn't a negative mark on Reeve, as noted it could happen to anyone, I just used it as an example of why the 100% perfection arguement is fantasy.

-Cliff

 

[stjames]

Cliff, Benchmade has gotten the lockup on the 630 and 635 much better than the 750's were. I had a first generation Bump that had the tip snap off, Kershaw replaced the knife. The CRKT has a lockbar that gets very narrow where it contacts the blade tang, the lockup had a lot of wiggle and moved easily under your grip.

 

[AV8R]

Original poster wanted to know if the Sebenza is left hand friendly. Yes, you can get a left hand model. Are they "that much better than Benchmade"? All anyone can do to answer this one is give their opinion. In the end, it all boils down to what you think. I will try to guide your decision by saying that you should take a good, hard look at the styling, features, etc...of the Sebenza and if it floats your boat, you should look no further and just get one. The reliability, function, sturdiness, warranty...are all there. The price difference, over time, is insignificant. Drink less beer, fewer Starbucks lattes, burn a little less gas, whatever for 6 months and you made up the difference. I've been carrying and using Sebenzas since 1997 and love them for their simplicity, sturdiness, solid function, overall design, quality of materials and blade geometry. They carry well, cut well and work well. CRK knives is tops in customer service. I've never spoken with Chris, but Anne is as nice and helpful as it gets.

Pete

 

[LaBella]

someone please lock all threads with the words "sebenza" in them!


kidding*