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Will a Skirmish or Maxx disappoint me?

dakota

dakota

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
247
I was really into knives about 9 years ago and bought just about everything that suited my fancy. I had several custom FB's, and mostly production folders. Towards the end of my collecting, I had large and small Sebenzas. I eventually got more interested in guns, and sold nearly all of my collection except for a Benchmade Mini Grip. I have now come full circle, and am getting back into knives. I've got a hankering for a Ti framelock, and the BM and Skirmish look most appealing. What I'm afraid of is that after owning the Sebenzas, the little details that the regular production blades lack will haunt me. I really want to avoid spending $385 again if I can avoid it. What should I do?
 
I have a Sebenza and a Skirmish, and they both make me very happy.

The Skirmish doesn't have the same fit and finish as the Sebenza, but it is very solid. It is a very large knife, so if you want something about the same size as a Large Sebenza, try the Mini-Skirmish.

Never handled a Maxx before.
 
I prefer the Maxx to the Skirmish. Probably just a matter of personal preference on the esthetics of the two knives. Maybe my view of which cuts a little better.

I have a couple of Camillus CUDA Maxxes and a custom Madd Maxx. The Camillus are very close to the custom. Those big D2 bowie blades will slice forever. (I like knives that work well in the kitchen.)

If it doesn't work out, either one will bring you most of your money back.
 
IMHO the Skirmish isn't quite as nice as the sebenza, but is much more interesting. I love recurves and the sebenza is just a little too plain for my tastes.
 
Well, as far as the Camillus goes, I'd be careful. I saw nothing but positive reviews about the CQB-1, about how it was virtually custom-quality and just mind boggling in it's amazing fit and finish. I traded a beautiful, flawless Al Mar SERE 2000 for one of these amazing wonders, and got a knife that looked like it was made by a spastic monkey in a first-year shop class. It was an absolute disgrace, and the guy who traded it to me must have been snickering up his sleeve the whole time. Anyway, there may be some great ones but if at all possible - try before you buy.
 
Id definatly get the cuda maxx, well actually i did get the cuda. I handled The skirmish as wll and though a very nice knife, it was to large, ie to wide for me, the maxx is all around a great knife, and from what ive heard they have great customer service. You might have some trouble getting a plain edged maxx, when i tried to order one last month they only had the serated, so i ended up going through ebay,
Good luck, and either way they are both great knives.
 
Well I have the Sebenza, Skirmish, and the Maxx. I love them all and feel all of the ones I have have great fit and finish. You will not be dissapointed with either. If you were, for some reason unimpressed, resale on them is easy with little loss involved.
 
I had a Skirmish for a while. It was VERY nice, but a bit too big to EDC at the time- which is funny because I now EDC a GB. Anyway, it was VERY well done and had a lot of quality to it. I think for EDC I might want to get either the mini-Skirmish or, honestly, a Buck/Mayo 172.

I think Ti handled framelocks from production companies have gotten a LOT better over the years. It may not scratch the sebenza itch, but they ARE pretty good. I've had 3 sebenzas, but sold them. I've had a 172 for about a year now and have only come to love it more and more.
 
I would do with the Maxx. It is such a solid knife even at that length. And believe it or not, because it is so thin, and light, you barely notice it in your pocket. Also, I am partial to knives with waves, so that is one more reason for me.
 
Here is mine, with a few mods.
p40600032du.jpg
 
Elegant. Instead of the clip screwing in around the pivot, it screws in around the lanyard hole. That pic makes me hungry for a big knife ... oh, OK, I'll get up and get it! :D

Who did the mod on the clip?
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Elegant. Instead of the clip screwing in around the pivot, it screws in around the lanyard hole. That pic makes me hungry for a big knife ... oh, OK, I'll get up and get it! :D

Who did the mod on the clip?
Click to expand...
Our very own STR. He bead-blasted the handles too.
 
One other thing with the Maxx, the handle doesn't seem to have much shape to it, but I was doubtful at first, but do the search. The knife really feels good in the hand.
 
I have a Sebenza, a Skirmish and used to own a Maxx.
The Skirmish and Maxx are quite good knives, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. I like the Skirmish better, I prefer the wider recurve blade. I want an Aftermath, but they're hard to find.
 
Thank you for the replies. I'm leaning towards the Skirmish partly because I held one and it felt great, and I can get it for $140.55 delivered. I've been EDCing a Rukus for a few weeks now, so no worries on the size.
I guess my biggest concerns are blade play, and the lock bar working its way over to kiss the other liner. I'm getting the feel that the majority of recent models are holding up fine, so I think I'm going to bite.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
What does a bad deal on a CQB-1 have to do with a CUDA Maxx :confused:
Click to expand...
Esav, my point was that the CQB-1 and the CUDA Maxx are both considered to be high end products made by the same manufacturer. Both have reputations for high quality fit and finish, but both have turned out some lemons. Again: try before you buy.
 
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