Wishful thinking, The Spybenza.

[Officer's Match]

How many of you that are trying to compare the Gayle Bradley to a CRK have even handled or used a CRK?...........

Let's compare apples to apples.

Yep, I have a GB and several CRK's. And a Slysz Bowie.

[hand raised]

 

[FriarPhenn]

The upcoming Spydie version of Gayle Bradley's Tac 1 flipper should be pretty darn close. I have both a Sebenza and GB's custom Tac 1, and they're easily on-par, and I'd argue the Tac 1 comes out the better of the two. I actually prefer the action on my Tac 1.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Blonde:

Compares pretty well to the original Tac 1, if not a little smaller:

 

[mjpgolf1]

Have you ever handled a CRK??

When the sebenza came out, it was in a league of its own.
In recent years, a lot of knifemakers have upped their game, and came very very close to the sebenza......
As far as l know, noone has surpassed that buildquality.
Yes there are many great knives out there, tough, wellbuilt, cheaper......

For me however, the simplicity, no-nonsense looks and pure funcionality is the best l ever handled.

Being a benchmark of quality for over 20 years is just a unique achievement.
And with the recent addition of the 25 and Inkosi, they will be a benchmark of quality for a few more years

That quality has a price though, just like owning a customized Rolls royce!
Yes, a merc will suffice, rolls winns hands down though
( no, never driven one, probably never will)

I have handled quite a few, and I'm not saying that the Sebenza isn't a well built knife, but now a days there are many less expensive knives that are just as nice as a Sebenza. I know that they have their cult following and to the folks that own these knives there is nothing better, but this isn't 20 years ago and knife makers have upped their game and are putting out some really solid pieces for much less than the cost of a Sebenza. Now all that said I'm currently deciding on which Sebenza to buy and am excited to own one so its not that I don't respect the quality of craftsmanship that goes into them because I absolutely do. I'm just saying that there is a lot of competition out there now in an affordable price range.

 

[clockman]

Officer's Match, I sent you an email.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

Other than the simply satisfaction of having Chris Reeves' name on a knife, I see no benefit in a Reeve/Spyderco collaboration. The current integral lock Spydercos are all excellent quality knives that will realistically last all of us a lifetime unless a we dress multiple elk daily. I am no cutler, but I have owned plenty of expensive knives. I cannot see where the Sebenza is better than a Slyz Bowie. I think my Techno compares favorably to an Inkosi for half of the money.

 

[SouthEast]

that's clearly the sage 2, homage to the sebenza and the RIL. other then that you have the slysz bowie, which has some good features over the 21, but there would never a collaboration with Chris Reeves's name on it, he has out of this world standards that spyderco will not waste a fortune on achieving. So no collaboration between the two.

this.

I own a Large Seb25, Slysz Bowie, Techno, and GB1 and GB2. handled a Sage2 once or twice. my collection is 80% Spydercos and i gotta say none of them could imitate how the Large 25 feels in my hands. it's just different. as far as how Chris run his blade under 'ideal' hardness, well I don't know where the difference is in my daily usage cutting boxes and foods. I understand that most of us think a SB is 'better' than Sebenza but in my opinion they got their own class... I carry both as edc rotation, and I like them both. personally, I like SB more because it is a FFG. I like my Large25 because it's details is well thought.

Sage2 interest me, haven't bought it yet, a lot of sprints and new models coming out, while my spending money are limited.

 

[GatorFlash1]

How many of you that are trying to compare the Gayle Bradley to a CRK have even handled or used a CRK?...........

Let's compare apples to apples.

Yep, I have a GB and several CRK's. And a Slysz Bowie.

I have a couple of CRK's, Sebbie & Zaan, both S35V steel. My GB is M4 steel. Both the CRK and GB are A1, first class folders. I prefer the GB because of the feel, the excellent fit and finish, and the M4 steel seems to hold up a little better than the S35V for the tasks I perform around the shop and house.

So if someone wanted a Spyderco Sebbie then I think they would appreciate a Spyderco Gayle Bradley. Better than a sebbie? No. But, just as good or slightly better for EDC. Like I said, it is a tough call.

 

[Officer's Match]

Officer's Match, I sent you an email.

Thanks partner, got it and responded.

For clarification, I'm not knocking CRK and have owned 4+ Sebenza 25's, so I clearly don't dislike them. Just feel the Sebenza is at the CRK pinnacle with a bushing pivot.

 

[NvG79]

I have handled quite a few, and I'm not saying that the Sebenza isn't a well built knife, but now a days there are many less expensive knives that are just as nice as a Sebenza. I know that they have their cult following and to the folks that own these knives there is nothing better, but this isn't 20 years ago and knife makers have upped their game and are putting out some really solid pieces for much less than the cost of a Sebenza. Now all that said I'm currently deciding on which Sebenza to buy and am excited to own one so its not that I don't respect the quality of craftsmanship that goes into them because I absolutely do. I'm just saying that there is a lot of competition out there now in an affordable price range.

Thanks for explaining.
And yes: lm one of those cult followers to whom nothing else is good enough[emoji16]
And you are right. There are lots of compagnies (definately inculding Spyderco!!) upping their game, and making excellent quality blades.
So you dont need a sebenza for quality anymore...... I just fell for the no fuss looks and design
As l am the owner of a 19 year old small regular in Bg42, l know how robust they are built. And there are many more years of use in the knife.They will litteraly last you a lifetime
Goodluck with your 'picking a Sebenza' quest. Its a temporary quest though, as you'll probably end up owning a variety of them[emoji56]

Much as I love my CRK's, I can't honestly say the 25/Inkosi direction represents completely positive direction and/or improvement. The bushing pivot is one of the quintessential Sebenza elements that justifies the price IMHO. The fingergrooves fight with the clip on the 25. Hopefully the bearing lockface will prove out to be as successful long term as the original RIL (the minimal contact area could potentially wear the blade contact surface much quicker and I've seen evidence to that point).

As one of the cultfollowers, l understand your concerns Officer's Match. At least the part about the pivot bushing being quitessentail
For me, thats not just the justification of the price. The amount of R&D put into the 25 and the Inkosi, justify their price just as well(imho ofcourse)
As for the ergos of the 25. I just love them! Better even than the 21....... Apologies, l just can help myself
As for the lock, the umnumzaan has been around for a while, sporting both the 25 lockinterface, and the non pivotbushing.

I havent read to many reports on wearing down very fast(didnt bump in to those reports, havent searched for them.)

But l respect you concern, since you have seen evidence.

Thanks for reading and sparring gentleman.

(Apologies for any strange sentences or spelling! My dutch is better than my english)
Niels

 

[Officer's Match]

I have a couple of CRK's, Sebbie & Zaan, both S35V steel. My GB is M4 steel. Both the CRK and GB are A1, first class folders. I prefer the GB because of the feel, the excellent fit and finish, and the M4 steel seems to hold up a little better than the S35V for the tasks I perform around the shop and house.

So if someone wanted a Spyderco Sebbie then I think they would appreciate a Spyderco Gayle Bradley. Better than a sebbie? No. But, just as good or slightly better for EDC. Like I said, it is a tough call.

I'd personally take M4 all day long over S30 and S35VN, but all are great. If I were in a more corrosive environment, I'd probably feel different (then I'd take CTS-XHP like on the SB). I also feel that the GB1's iteration of the thick liner lock is for some a functionally "better" performer than a RIL, as you aren't gripping the lock bar.

I do have a lot of fun kicking the can around about this stuff, and find I do tend to modify my views over time.

 

[mael333ca]

this.

I own a Large Seb25, Slysz Bowie, Techno, and GB1 and GB2. handled a Sage2 once or twice. my collection is 80% Spydercos and i gotta say none of them could imitate how the Large 25 feels in my hands. it's just different. as far as how Chris run his blade under 'ideal' hardness, well I don't know where the difference is in my daily usage cutting boxes and foods. I understand that most of us think a SB is 'better' than Sebenza but in my opinion they got their own class... I carry both as edc rotation, and I like them both. personally, I like SB more because it is a FFG. I like my Large25 because it's details is well thought.

Sage2 interest me, haven't bought it yet, a lot of sprints and new models coming out, while my spending money are limited.

get one! it is a just right EDC with class! :thumbup:

I just may get a Sebenza one of these days. why? the reputation yes, the built quality and the CS mostly. there are tons of testimonials about users sending in their sebenzas after two decades of use. They all come back refurbished almost like new! So I feel that is part of what the cost affords you, stellar service!