Will a Sebenza ruin me for other knives?

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amngwlvs

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When I first got into knives I, as many do, carried a Victorinox. Over time I realized I could really get away with just a blade and went through a handful of affordables before getting my Benchmade Mini Griptilian 551 (154CM). I loved that little knife and carried it daily for years before getting the upgraded Benchmade Ritter Mini Grip 558 (M390).

With M390 and a shape and ergonomics I loved I thought that would be the end of it and it would be my lifetime knife. Well, alas you can only try to hide from this hobby for so long and last month I picked up a Bugout 535-GRY and had plans to upgrade the scales to ti/copper/brass to make the knife more solid and then I rediscovered the Sebenza realizing that by the time I upgrade the Bugout I'm about 2/3rds of the way there price wise.

Years ago the Sebenza didn't do much for me and I was content with the Benchmades but the tables have turned and while I still love my Grips/Bugout I'm lusting over a Small Sebenza Insingo. But if I get it will it stop me from every carrying the Benchmades again? I love the axis lock (been using it for 5+ years daily) and have never been a huge liner lock fan but after checking out Sebenza's last weekend I think I could get used to it (I do like the flicky/fidget factor of the axis lock).

tl;dr - Will buying a small Sebenza stop me from ever carrying my Benchmades?
 
It is all individual choice, but there is no reason you wouldn't/couldn't carry your Benchmade still if that is a knife you like. Or you could only carry a Sebenza, or Sebenza's and customs and so on-all options are open to you
I am in the Sebenza/custom camp, with a high end production here or there, but the Sebenza was a big jump up for me and it was hard to go down again. I skipped right over many brands.
 
blanex1 said:
it did me, the CRK,s and sebenzas put a stop to my other knife collecting! its been over two years now and I still only carry my large 21 on a day to day basis .
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I had a feeling that would be the first response! :p

Stumpy72 said:
My Sebenzas pushed all other thumb stud openers off of my map. As part of a challenge thread here, I’ve been EDCing a large Sebenza for just over 13 months now.
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Living in Canada I'm pretty much limited to thumb stud openers - no auto's, bali's or OTF's here! I have read through most of that thread actually - congrats! I've daily carried both of my Mini Griptilians for a year plus until it got replaced with something newer. As an enthusiast (but not necessarily a large collector) I could see dailying a Sebenza and not having a hard time with it!

Peter Hartwig said:
It is all individual choice, but there is no reason you wouldn't/couldn't carry your Benchmade still if that is a knife you like. Or you could only carry a Sebenza, or Sebenza's and customs and so on-all options are open to you
I am in the Sebenza/custom camp, with a high end production here or there, but the Sebenza was a big jump up for me and it was hard to go down again. I skipped right over many brands.
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The Sebenza would be the first big jump for me as well and knowing how I am with watches I can understand it being hard to go back down and skipping over other less expensive brands. That's why I was afraid it would kick the Benchmades out of my pocket.
 
For me, it’s a no. I have a 70 plus knife rotation (which includes a handful of CRK’s). I really appreciate my CRK’s (obviously the quality is top notch), but I also enjoy carrying all of my other knives (if I don’t...they get moved out of the collection). There are currently so many options in folders (flippers, compression lock, axis lock, autos, and Emerson wave to name a few), and I personally enjoy them all.
 
It kinda did it for me
I still enjoy other knives very much but clearly my collection has taken the “CRK turn”
 
I haven’t carried anything other than a large lefty Crk in quite some time, other than the little SAK electrician in my right pocket. I’ve sold most of my Benchmades and Zt’s, other than a few for sentimental reasons but they don’t get carried. No real intentions of buying any other brand at the moment
 
While I really enjoy all my knives, the only way I can enjoy my other knives is to carry two knives on a daily basis. If not, then I'd be carrying a CRK only. I haven't been without a CRK in my pocket for over two years and really don't see myself not carrying one. I've got Shirogorov, ZT, Spyderco, Lionsteel GEC, Kershaw and a few others as well.
 
alliuse said:
For me, it’s a no. I have a 70 plus knife rotation (which includes a handful of CRK’s). I really appreciate my CRK’s (obviously the quality is top notch), but I also enjoy carrying all of my other knives (if I don’t...they get moved out of the collection). There are currently so many options in folders (flippers, compression lock, axis lock, autos, and Emerson wave to name a few), and I personally enjoy them all.
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Damn, that's a collection! No doubt you'd want to rotate through them. I've never been in the habit of rotating through because my collection is still quite small - only 3-4 I would consider carrying at work, etc so I usually just stick with one but I think a rotation is obviously a good solution.

Therom said:
It kinda did it for me
I still enjoy other knives very much but clearly my collection has taken the “CRK turn”
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Thanks for the reply! I'd like to say I'd only ever buy 1 CRK but a couple years ago I had zero interest in owning one but that sure changed!

Dcdavis said:
I haven’t carried anything other than a large lefty Crk in quite some time, other than the little SAK electrician in my right pocket. I’ve sold most of my Benchmades and Zt’s, other than a few for sentimental reasons but they don’t get carried. No real intentions of buying any other brand at the moment
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Thanks for the reply, the SAK makes a great little secondary knife!
 
This is a funny question to me because while I haven't bought a Sebenza the ones I handled just felt very bland to me nothing about them excited me or made me want to buy one. I will add that I loathe thumbstuds so they definitely have that against them. I did handle the Mnandi and that I do want it ticks more boxes for me.
 
PirateSeulb said:
This is a funny question to me because while I haven't bought a Sebenza the ones I handled just felt very bland to me nothing about them excited me or made me want to buy one. I will add that I loathe thumbstuds so they definitely have that against them. I did handle the Mnandi and that I do want it ticks more boxes for me.
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I can see that, especially if you don't like thumb studs. I handled a bunch last weekend - small and large Sebenza's, Inkosi's, all blade shapes, decorated, inlayed and plain and while I thought they were beautifully constructed I could see how some would find them bland. That's part of the reason I prefer the Insingo blade shape - because the regular drop point didn't really excite me. It feels like a really high quality knife but not my knife if that make sense.
 
The Inkosi totally did me in on other folders. I can't see myself going back. It just does everything so right for me. I can't see myself carrying anything less than a CRK now. I don't mean that as a snobby jab. It's just how I feel about the knife after about 3 months. I feel absolutely naked without it. If I were to lose it today (God forbid), I would be calling Spark to order a new one tomorrow.

I think part of mystique to me is that it's the perfect combination of long term desire and self reward. I have wanted an CRK for decades, but I never could justify spending the money on a folding knife. A few years ago I tried ZT. They were my first $200+ knives. I've got a couple thousand dollars worth of them, and I like them. I wasn't quite as much of a fanboi as some, but they are solid. A couple of years ago I went back to school to finish up the college degree I had put on the backburner for 15+ years. I told myself that I would reward myself with a Sebenza when I graduated. Well, I did graduate...and CRK discontinued the 21 right before:P However, I stopped in at Spark's shop while visiting my mother in law in Louisville, and he had an Inkosi that actually fit my hands better than the 21. So, win win. I got a knife that suits me better and I didn't have to pay a premium for the fancier 21s he had in stock;)

Long story short, I kick myself a little bit for waiting this long. However, the timing and reasoning behind my waiting made the purchase all the sweeter. So now that I have dipped my toe in, I can totally see myself picking up a Large 31 late next year. There is something the simple elegance of a plain Jane CRK that speaks to me.
 
Yeah I won't deny their quality and I think for me on some of the models that have a bit more going for them they also end up being heavier or larger than I prefer to carry so that puts me off some as well.
 
As long as you've handled a few, and still want one, go for it. Don't worry about your other knives... you'll figure that out later. For me, the large micarta inkosi was the CRK I could like (the large and small 21s just didn't do it, I tried). Even though I like the inkosi, it doesn't come close to owning my pocket. My almost daily carry is a Reate K2, despite the lack of thumbstuds.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
The Inkosi totally did me in on other folders. I can't see myself going back. It just does everything so right for me. I can't see myself carrying anything less than a CRK now. I don't mean that as a snobby jab. It's just how I feel about the knife after about 3 months. I feel absolutely naked without it. If I were to lose it today (God forbid), I would be calling Spark to order a new one tomorrow.

I think part of mystique to me is that it's the perfect combination of long term desire and self reward. I have wanted an CRK for decades, but I never could justify spending the money on a folding knife. A few years ago I tried ZT. They were my first $200+ knives. I've got a couple thousand dollars worth of them, and I like them. I wasn't quite as much of a fanboi as some, but they are solid. A couple of years ago I went back to school to finish up the college degree I had put on the backburner for 15+ years. I told myself that I would reward myself with a Sebenza when I graduated. Well, I did graduate...and CRK discontinued the 21 right before:p However, I stopped in at Spark's shop while visiting my mother in law in Louisville, and he had an Inkosi that actually fit my hands better than the 21. So, win win. I got a knife that suits me better and I didn't have to pay a premium for the fancier 21s he had in stock;)

Long story short, I kick myself a little bit for waiting this long. However, the timing and reasoning behind my waiting made the purchase all the sweeter. So now that I have dipped my toe in, I can totally see myself picking up a Large 31 late next year. There is something the simple elegance of a plain Jane CRK that speaks to me.
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I agree about the plain jane elegance! Firstly, congrats on finishing up you degree. Secondly, thanks for the insight. Thirdly, congrats and enjoy your new blade!

PirateSeulb said:
Yeah I won't deny their quality and I think for me on some of the models that have a bit more going for them they also end up being heavier or larger than I prefer to carry so that puts me off some as well.
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Weight isn't a huge concern for me as much as size. Having handled the small and the large, the large would be way too big for the office environment I work in but the small seemed like a good size and didn't seem too heavy for me.

hhmoore said:
As long as you've handled a few, and still want one, go for it. Don't worry about your other knives... you'll figure that out later. For me, the large micarta inkosi was the CRK I could like (the large and small 21s just didn't do it, I tried). Even though I like the inkosi, it doesn't come close to owning my pocket. My almost daily carry is a Reate K2, despite the lack of thumbstuds.
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Good advice, I'm sure I'd figure out what to do with them! I think I'd feel guilty leaving a $375 folder on the dresser to make room in my pocket for a <$100 but such is life!
 
A short answer, no they won’t. I have two older ones in BG42, fit, finish and function is perfect.
For cutting stuff I’ll take a Syderco Military in any of its three sizes. Not a knock on the Sebenza in any way
 
I don’t think so. It’s all a matter of taste and preference.

I had to go through several before I even found one that fit me. Small 21 plain, and inlays. Large 21 plain, and wood inlays. 25 plain. Then I stumbled upon and purchased a Large 21 Micarta, and the stars lit up and aligned for me. Then I went a little further and picked up a Small Inkosi plain to go with it, and all was just set in stone. Both fit me so well, I knew right away I’d never give them up. They are my “perfect” CRK knives. Large 21 as a daily, and the Inkosi for when the Lg is just too much (think formal occasions and such, dress pants and all that crap :confused:o_O).

All that said, I still grab a Buck knife every single day. They are the knives I depend on, trust, and put to the hardest work. Don’t get me wrong, my Large 21 has been through it, and I trust it as well without a doubt. Not bad mouthing or knocking it in any way, because I’d use it for just about anything (and I have!). Battle scars are sexy :cool: But I just don’t feel “complete” without a Buck knife on my belt, or in my pocket (depending on model, lots of times it’s a 110). I think you’ll be just fine, friend :thumbsup::thumbsup:

ETA: Figured I’d add a pic just because.

795A9262-84F9-4621-AB80-83B4DDD7A1A7.jpeg
 
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It did for me too. All I carry now is a large Sebenza and some sort of traditional. Tried going back to other knives and it just doesn’t work. You can’t mess with perfection.
 
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