Why should I buy a Sebenza?

I got my first Sebenza for free. Roger of KnifeWorks had a 12 knife giveaway, and I got that magic email telling me I had first choice. I got a few more since then and I'm now down to that first combo edge drop point and a tanto, both large BG-42 regulars. I did put a stars & stripes front slab on the drop point.

I have handled others including classics and Umnumzaans, and many with inlays. For ergonomics, I found micarta inlays are the greatest. They really enhance the grip. Many people don't like flat metal handles, and inlays eliminate that problem.
 
JakeSnake said:
Maybe when I am an older guy (I'm 32) I'll drop some cash on a Sebenza.


Hence the almight question of ....Is it worth the money spent?
Click to expand...


I'm not sure why you're asking since you know you don't want one now, and may not when you're older.
But yes, they are worth it. My oldest is a 1999 that got used very hard for ten years. It looked rough and developed a slightly sticky lock when I sent it in for a refurb. It came back with no more stick in the lock and it looked like a brand new knife. I've never had a knife hold up as well as that one. The tight tolerances are the reason for the longevity, and thats what you're paying for.

I also like the straight handle design better than any other.
 
They are popular, so I believe many people feel that they are worth the money spent. That is a personal decision that only you can make. It sounds like you aren't ready to make a purchase of that nature at this time. I know I'm not, but I don't put down people who do make the decision to own one and better yet, use one. I think its cool that such a high quality non-custom knife exists.

Let me give you analogy.... many people find the money to buy the higher quality firearm versus the less expensive and usually lower overall quality. Both shoot. A firearm is seldom used except to practice, where as a knife is often used every single day as a tool. Some make do with the lower quality firearm simply because it still works and performs the assigned task. But some would rather spend more and perhaps feel better about using the tool and just maybe it is a bit better as well.
 
Buy the knives you want. :)
To the depths of hell with other's opinions!

I have $500 knives I feel great about having bought.
I have had $30 knives which I regretted a bunch.

I have loved knives others hated, and hated knives other people love.
 
stabman said:
Buy the knives you want. :)
To the depths of hell with other's opinions!

I have $500 knives I feel great about having bought.
I have had $30 knives which I regretted a bunch.

I have loved knives others hated, and hated knives other people love.
Click to expand...

^^ exactly. If you have the cash try it. You can easily resell for minimal loss. You will never know until it is YOURS for a period of time.
 
Why buy something/anything when you have to go to forums seeking validation? If you can afford it, and you have a desire for it, buy it. We live in a consumer-driven society, 95% of the stuff we have we don't need.
I have a ________ (insert your product) that I don't use everyday, but it make me feels good owning it. That's all I need to know.
 
Sebenzas are like a fine cognac, it's just the basic concept refined and elevated to an art form.

Sure you can use cheap rot gut to get buzz from alcohol or ya can enjoy the finer subtleties of a more refined alcohol and enjoy the ride there.

Sure any knife will cut but a Sebenza does it with grace and style, reminds me of what Buzz light year said about flying, "...it's not flying, is falling with style..." there's no letting a Sebenza grow on you, you either love it or you don't.

Mr, I love it, the only other knives I ever lived that much were my BMs, the Gen 1 Chris Carrachi AFCK and the original Allen Elishewitz 730 Ares, all icons in their own right...
 
Put it this way, I bought my 21 about four months ago and now I'm wondering why did I even bothered with all my previous purchases.... sure the Manix XL is nice and flicky, the Axis lock is fast but.... they're just not a Sebenza.
 
Buy the Sebenza! It is your cheapest option. You have been a member on BF for a short time and will continue to circle the Sebenza as long as you are visiting this forum. Your price range will gradually creep up till you finally get the Sebebza. You can spend a lot of money in the mean time.
Then you will wonder why you have a draw full of "cheapies" no longer being used. Buy one now, scratch that itch. If it is not your thing, sell with a minor loss.
 
This thread has been done many times, in the future please search before bringing up a topic. Now for my answer, the Sebenza is not some magical item that will instantly make you go crazy out of box. It is a legendary folding knife that feels greater and greater everyday you carry it. I have had my large Sebenza 21 for about a year now and every time I carry it, it just feels more perfect than the time before. This knife will grow on you as you carry it and slowly feel more and more personable!

-Justin G.
 
Here are the basic reasons:

(1) The Sebenza is an incredibly refined, simple knife that will not fail. One of the best things about the Sebenza is the simplicity of its design, which allows average users to take apart the knife, sharpen, and restore the knife with ease. This exists due to CRK's unique machining tolerances, which creates great fit and finish and longevity.

(2) The Sebenza carries incredibly well due to its sleek, robust design. The Sebenza is a very thin knife in the pocket and carries exceptionally well. I own many knives and have carried many others [Benchmade, Spyderco, Hinderer, Strider, ZT, etc.]. Nothing carries as well in the pocket, yet packs as much blade as a Sebenza.

(3) The Sebenza is an outstanding value for the price. It is better built and more functional knife than virtually any custom at any price range, including customs twice its price. CRK has incredibly few quality control issues for a reason.

(4) The Sebenza will outlive you and hold its value.

The only possible drawback of the Sebenza typically comes from people who whine about the price (who often fail to take into account the manufacturing expenses and comparative price to customers) and edge retention (who overlook the other, positive attributes of S30V, S35VN). Both groups tend to be misinformed.
 
From what I read you should not buy this knife.
Buy one that meet you needs in function, form, materials and price.
If you feel it is too pricy you are probably not going to use it - which in return makes it not worth it for you.
You said you handled 50 or more and are still not sure - so i guess it is not for you.

Mine gets carried and used every day ( I admit I do have a Spydie beater) it is my constant companion and I'm a proud owner.
I hope this helps

red mag
 
I was finally able to try a few out a few months ago a small and a large plain. Their action is somewhat different from other knives and very likeable. I ultimately passed on it as it isn't something I would edc everyday. When I realized this I was kinda sad. I had picked up a pinnacle 750 used even to see if I would put it into rotation and I couldn't come up with a way to justify it as I admittedly personally can't drop $350 and change for a knife just because I think its keen. I'd have to really want it but at the end of the day as beautiful as they are I like too many knives generally to do it. I'm rationing this all out with the mortgage and vacations and my expensive commute to work, going to Michelin star restaurants on occasion $350 could buy for me 4-15 knives that I have yet to own just because I like knives in a very general way.

$350 would also get the fixed chef's choice menu for two at 11 Madison Park for example without wine. Which I've happily done for special occasions. (Slightly overrated btw but still excellent. Sitting through a 3 hour meal is like an ordeal)

I'd be quite happy with an alias, subrosa and a menefee or oeser slippie right now. I could get two out of three of those in user condition. None are crk's which are like BMW's but I'm a Japanese car guy at the end of the day. If you have the cash to drop just do it and don't look back. If you have to budget your life maybe it would be better to wait a spell until you know that your world won't be in balance unless you have this thing. It's definitely idealogical to some degree how items in our lives motivate us the way they do.
 
Oakengroves said:
Here are the basic reasons:

(1) simple knife that will not fail. . .

(2) carries incredibly well . . .

(3) an outstanding value for the price. . .

(4) will outlive you . . . .
Click to expand...


There are few knives that don't fit this description, from the Buck 110 to the Delica or 710. What it boils down to is what we subjectively prefer, and (I believe) what makes us feel good. None of these knives, including the Sebenza, are objectively "better" than the rest. Rather, they are just different, and we subjectively characterize one as "better" than the other based on our personal criteria. The Sebenza has closer tolerances but costs $435, and the Buck 110 is built like a tank and costs $30. If a guy loses his knife once a month on the dairy farm, or tends to chip, ding or break a blade because he uses it like a pry bar repairing diesel engines, which knife is "better"? Its not the Sebenza. It depends on what you are after. To characterize as whiners or "misinformed" those who don't buy into the notion of paying $500 for an EDC knife really missed the whole point, and is just an insult really. One could just as easily, and correctly, say that Sebenza guys are "misinformed" because they pay $500 for a knife that doesn't cut twine better than a $40 SOG Flash 1. Neither group is actually misinformed. One places a premium on titanium, bling, pocket jewelry and close tolerances. The other on utility, assisted opening, a deep clip and low cost.

I think what causes so much contention about the CRK lineup is when its proponents intimate that the rest of us are lacking in good taste or just don't get it. And it happens in every "why should I buy a Sebenza" thread. But its a load of bull hockey. Maybe the guys who really get it are the ones with the Flash 1 and four $100 bills in their pocket. Its all a matter of one's perspective.

Just to show what a swell guy I am, I'm carrying my Umnumzaan today along with a Voyager XL. The Umnumzaan is a awesome piece of knife, no doubt, and it is everything its proponents say it is (except maybe "an outstanding value"). Maybe today is the day it will all fall in place for me.
 
I just picked up a small sebenza w micarta inlays 6 days ago.

When I first got it home, I was sure I was going to sell it. I just didn't see the value.

But I'll be damned, the thing has really grown on me. It is just nice. Refined. Luxurious even. Now I'm eyeing a 25. :thumbup:

LA1N8Y2.jpg
 
If you're posting threads about it and you've fondled a bunch of them, I'd say just buy one already.

The worst case scenario is what happened to me: you buy it, it doesn't impress you enough to keep it, and then you sell it for not much less than you paid for it. Thanks to the really strong secondary market for them, doing a brief rental period to try one out is completely safe.

That said, IMO I'd rather have a Southard than a large Sebbie, but these things are pretty subjective.
 
This makes perfect sense! You might lose $50 on it but at least you know if its for you or not...that's a tab at a bar for a night.

evilgreg said:
If you're posting threads about it and you've fondled a bunch of them, I'd say just buy one already.

The worst case scenario is what happened to me: you buy it, it doesn't impress you enough to keep it, and then you sell it for not much less than you paid for it. Thanks to the really strong secondary market for them, doing a brief rental period to try one out is completely safe.

That said, IMO I'd rather have a Southard than a large Sebbie, but these things are pretty subjective.
Click to expand...
 
RemyKaze said:
Not worth it for a knife you're going to use unless you're absolutely in love with that particular design.

Otherwise, it's man jewelry. Made out of the same materials as less expensive knives, but because of the name and "fit and finish", it has a high price tag. Same as a Harley.
Click to expand...

Except Harleys are all name and whatever other intangibles people see in them. People don't talk about fit and finish or performance with Harleys. Not trying to stir the pot but that is not a good analogy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top