Why should I buy a Sebenza?

If you have doubt, its probably not for you.

people who usually want one, spend enormous time gawking at one.
 
HwangJino said:
If you have doubt, its probably not for you.
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I agree with this, if you're on the fence there's a lot more options around that price range.

Don't just spend the money on a Sebenza because you want to buy a more expensive knife, haunt the exchange until you see one that really gets you excited or else you may wind up disappointed! (I speak from experience :()
 
Oakengroves said:
(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.
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This is just utter and complete nonsense. Stick to facts, my friend. Personal opinions should be begin or end with the phrase "in my opinion".
 
Karda said:
In Your Opinion? :foot: :D
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Nope, sorry. My statement is not an opinion. To state, as a matter of fact, that the Sebenza is better built and more functional than any custom made is a false statement. Me pointing out that it is a false statement is not an opinion because his statement can in no way be proven as truth. If my pointing that out as a false statement is simply my opinion then that negates what I say and offers credibility to his statement.

Edit: If a qualified neutral third party was able to test the Sebenza against every single custom blade that has ever been created then maybe we can get to the bottom of this. :rolleyes:
 
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Chris Reeve wins awards every year for the quality of his knives. I would say that is a fact, and thus evidence.

Tony8179 said:
Nope, sorry. My statement is not an opinion. To state, as a matter of fact, that the Sebenza is better built and more functional than any custom made is a false statement. Me pointing out that it is a false statement is not an opinion because his statement can in no way be proven as truth. If my pointing that out as a false statement is simply my opinion then that negates what I say and offers credibility to his statement.

Edit: If a qualified neutral third party was able to test the Sebenza against every single custom blade that has ever been created then maybe we can get to the bottom of this. :rolleyes:
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Locutus D'Borg said:
Chris Reeve wins awards every year for the quality of his knives. I would say that is a fact, and thus evidence.
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Custom makers win awards every year for the quality of their knives. That is a fact and is evidence of nothing other than they won an award. Comparing an award given for a production knife to an award given for a custom knife offers proof of what? Production and custom knives are judged separately at these shows where the awards are given.
 
Interesting thread. Hahaha.

I carried a friend's Sebenza for a few days last week and found it very boring in appearance and nothing special at all in performance. The quality seemed nice. But overall I was unimpressed. It's just "okay" IMO.

I respect it. But I don't really like it.
 
Tony8179 said:
Custom makers win awards every year for the quality of their knives. That is a fact and is evidence of nothing other than they won an award. Comparing an award given for a production knife to an award given for a custom knife offers proof of what? Production and custom knives are judged separately at these shows where the awards are given.
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BladeHQ did an interview and a small tour through CRK's shop on Youtube. It would be worth your time to watch the videos--both parts, that is.

Here's a good (and long!) quote from another member here:

marthinus said:
My standard reply to these threads:

Well, here is some food for thought, or just some good reading material regarding tight tolerances, that CRK is renowned for, locks and high dollar knives that Sal Glesser, owner of Spyderco has mentioned through the years on the forums (ps, search is your friend).

Another thing to remember is that the Manufacturing Quality award that CRK has won so many times are not chosen by a panel, it is voted for by fellow knife makers. Even Bob Dozier, a very established maker in his own right has CRK pocket knives and I love his motto of : if it feels like climbing through a barbed wire fence, there is something wrong. Slim, sleek and simple knives.

[video=youtube;nI_73zvGx5Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI_73zvGx5Y[/video]


At the same time there are many people that feel the knife is not worth it, I did until I read Sal Glesser's comments and bought one myself after 3 years of saving (the knife was later taken in a mugging) and I was UTTERLY UNDERWHELMED when I bought it, even though I handled it before hand I just felt like owning something of true quality for the first time in my life (like a good quality car/suite/watch/camera). Until I used it non stop, on the farm etc and everything just started "flowing" and making sence. I replaced the stolen knife with an Insingo. I will always have a CRK and they retail for around $625 here. They are, for me at least, worth it and my personal connection, what the Sebenza has meant in my life, makes it special for me.

I have rambled a bit, but I hope some of what I have said has helped you to form your own opinion on the matter.
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The full post, which contains many quotes from other members - including Sal Glesser - may be found here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...I-just-couldn-t-do-it?p=12075502#post12075502
 
I spent my working life as a machinist (early on) and then a medical scientist. I know about close tolerances and product quality.

I have compromised on my position...I have owned many Sebbies, but I carry the CRK Umnumzaan. It has all of the perfection of CRK's tight machining tolerances and fitting of ALL of their models, with the neat tactical blade appearance that you might expect from the also-popular Strider.

My compromise between tactical and extremely tight machining tolerances..the CRK Unmumzaan...


Here is a Sebbie...wonderful folder.


more Sebbies for your viewing pleasure...along with my Umnumzaan at the top...
 
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cchu518 said:
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.
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.
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I enjoyed your post. Well stated.
 
Listen, I understand where the lovers of the knife are coming from. I've said it it a hundred times, it is a nice knife. I understand that there are reasons it wins awards. I understand that it is high quality, built with tight tolerances, and deserving of some of the praise it gets. I'm not new to knives and I'm not new to brand loyalty. I have been around knives long enough to know quality and to know garbage. The Sebenza is quality, but folks make claims about the Sebenza that just are not true. I would like to think that we all have common sense. It's a titanium handle folder with tight tolerances. It's not the holy grail. It's a well made production knife that was at the top of the production knife world food chain at one point. I happen to feel it is not comfortable for extended use and that the steel should be a bit harder.

I like a number of different production companies and custom makers. I am under no impression or illusion that any single one of these knives, no matter where or who they come from, is going to do something so much more extraordinary and fantastic than the others. I love this hobby, I love knives, they are a passion of mine, but I am also realistic when it comes to talking about them. I appreciate high quality. I strive to purchase high quality. The Sebenza is high quality, but it is nowhere near the end all be all because there is no end all be all.
 
Tony8179 said:
Listen, I understand where the lovers of the knife are coming from. I've said it it a hundred times, it is a nice knife. I understand that there are reasons it wins awards. I understand that it is high quality, built with tight tolerances, and deserving of some of the praise it gets. I'm not new to knives and I'm not new to brand loyalty. I have been around knives long enough to know quality and to know garbage. The Sebenza is quality, but folks make claims about the Sebenza that just are not true. I would like to think that we all have common sense. It's a titanium handle folder with tight tolerances. It's not the holy grail. It's a well made production knife that was at the top of the production knife world food chain at one point. I happen to feel it is not comfortable for extended use and that the steel should be a bit harder.

I like a number of different production companies and custom makers. I am under no impression or illusion that any single one of these knives, no matter where or who they come from, is going to do something so much more extraordinary and fantastic than the others. I love this hobby, I love knives, they are a passion of mine, but I am also realistic when it comes to talking about them. I appreciate high quality. I strive to purchase high quality. The Sebenza is high quality, but it is nowhere near the end all be all because there is no end all be all.
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Well written sir. I agree with your views and opinions here.
 
If you think you don't want a 400$ knife then you don't want a 400$ knife. I used to see a 400$ Knife and say who in the world would pay for that. Well here I am a year later with one. The just grow on you (especially the sebenzas)
 
Here are a few points as why to like it:
You know the man behind it and his attitude.
Expect a perfectly executed product (pretty important, as sending it back can be costly)
The Sebenza is at a stage in it's product life cycle, where it is safe to say it is mature.
The quantities produced are managable (makes it more desirable IMHO)

hope this helps.
red mag
 
Easy... we're just taking knives. :D
Speaking of Bob Dozier, I just got his Lightweight KA-BAR folder at $20. This folding knife is just perfect. A perfect design is just that. Just like the Sebenza, imo.
I EDC my Dozier Lightweight, though.
rolf
 
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Tony8179 said:
Listen, I understand where the lovers of the knife are coming from. I've said it it a hundred times, it is a nice knife. I understand that there are reasons it wins awards. I understand that it is high quality, built with tight tolerances, and deserving of some of the praise it gets. I'm not new to knives and I'm not new to brand loyalty. I have been around knives long enough to know quality and to know garbage. The Sebenza is quality, but folks make claims about the Sebenza that just are not true. I would like to think that we all have common sense. It's a titanium handle folder with tight tolerances. It's not the holy grail. It's a well made production knife that was at the top of the production knife world food chain at one point. I happen to feel it is not comfortable for extended use and that the steel should be a bit harder.

I like a number of different production companies and custom makers. I am under no impression or illusion that any single one of these knives, no matter where or who they come from, is going to do something so much more extraordinary and fantastic than the others. I love this hobby, I love knives, they are a passion of mine, but I am also realistic when it comes to talking about them. I appreciate high quality. I strive to purchase high quality. The Sebenza is high quality, but it is nowhere near the end all be all because there is no end all be all.
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:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Tony8179 said:
Listen, I understand where the lovers of the knife are coming from. I've said it it a hundred times, it is a nice knife. I understand that there are reasons it wins awards. I understand that it is high quality, built with tight tolerances, and deserving of some of the praise it gets. I'm not new to knives and I'm not new to brand loyalty. I have been around knives long enough to know quality and to know garbage. The Sebenza is quality, but folks make claims about the Sebenza that just are not true. I would like to think that we all have common sense. It's a titanium handle folder with tight tolerances. It's not the holy grail. It's a well made production knife that was at the top of the production knife world food chain at one point. I happen to feel it is not comfortable for extended use and that the steel should be a bit harder.

I like a number of different production companies and custom makers. I am under no impression or illusion that any single one of these knives, no matter where or who they come from, is going to do something so much more extraordinary and fantastic than the others. I love this hobby, I love knives, they are a passion of mine, but I am also realistic when it comes to talking about them. I appreciate high quality. I strive to purchase high quality. The Sebenza is high quality, but it is nowhere near the end all be all because there is no end all be all.
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Can't say it any better, and thoroughly agree. I owned a small Sebenza and an Umnumzaan, they are of great quality but I often do think that given their price tag, shouldn't it be somewhat expected to be of great QC? In my opinion, it does virtually cost many/multiple times more than an average folding knife, and if the performance/design/technology is not overwhelmingly multiple times better, why does the tight tolerance/good quality/consistency appears to be so amazing to many of us?
 
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