Wood Sebenza or Custom?

K

kutch133

Joined
Nov 1, 2000
Messages
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I am planning a substancial knife purchase next year. I am contemplating a wood Sebenza but 515.00 is lot of money to put out for a production knife and there are customs available for less money. (Not taking anything away from CR Knives.) I've been reading alot of good things on the forum about Mayo's TNT but I'm not sure I like the looks. For my new knife I want a steel better that ATS-34 and a strong lock other than a liner lock and I realize I'm probably limited to a frame lock of some type. So here it is guys and gals, I'm open to suggestions and folders only.
 
Kutch. Go with the Sebenza! If not only because it's the best folder out there, custom or production! I carry a large wood inlay sebbie, and believe me when I tell you, once you get it in hand, you won't think you paid too much. It's very much worth the money. You can spend the same amount on a "full custom" but you will not get the perfomance. Don't let the word semi-production fool you. There is NO other production/semi-production folding knife on the market that even comes close to the quality of the Sebenza. If you get the large, which I recommend, get one of the CR leather sheaths as well. You can ware it horizontally or vertically and you don't have to remove the pocket clip. Sweet! Good luck.
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RW
 
If you do in fact remove liner-locks from your list, that makes the deciding that much easier. Some custom makers using a version of a frame-lock that immediately come to mind are Allen Elishewitz, Tom Mayo and Darrel Ralph. Tom and Darrel generally have nothing but good to say about the Sebenza so you know it ranks right up there with the best. You seem to not be hung up on the whole custom vs. production thing and would like to judge each on it's own merits. That is commendable.

While I have never handled a Mayo or Elishewitz frame-lock, I do have a couple Ralph's and Sebenza's (including a Damascus wood inlay). They both have their strengths. Both build a superb knife, use top grade blade steel (though you have a choice with Darrel) and have some of the finest customer service going. For the price of a wood inlay you would be within reach of either a Damascus bladed Apogee or EDC, or a multi-colored anodized EDC with mammoth or pearl overlays. I have a gold-lipped pearl overlayed model and they are striking. As this is a major decision I would recommend trying to access an example of both and follow your heart. You are in an enviable position being able to choose between the two, while at the same time it is a tough choice to make.

To summarize my impressions of these two knives, they both are gorgeous and perform superbly. The Sebenza defines a well built, precision machine. Darrel accomplishes nearly the same results but pulls it off with more of a true artistic touch.

As far as which to buy, your call. Enjoy the ride and good luck.
 
K-Guy speaks the truth. I've been collecting for a long time, always looking for that perfect "carrier". Three weeks ago, I found that perfect carrier. It's a Sebenza. Call Mike Payne, buy it and don't look back. He##, you won't even think about looking back. It's the operation of the Sebenza. Perfectly tight lock-up. I'm trying to work up the stones to send mine back to the factory for some customization. I'm having a difficult time letting go. (See my posts in the Chris Reeve section in the post, "The semi-precious stone...".

Will
 
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If I had the cash, I'd get the woody.

If I wanted one of the BEST custom folders for the $$$, I'd get the Dozier Taper above. I realize it's a liner lock, but look how THICK it is!

Next, FOR ME would be an Elishewitz small Cortex Bolster lock w/ Titanium scales (a-la sebenza).

I also don't find the Mayo TNT all that attractive. I'm sure it's a great knife (obviously), but I don't like the holes.

The Darrel Ralph, FOR MY SIMPLE TASTE, is wat too much. I don't like the symmetry, and I especially dont like the fancy designs.

I have a small plain sebby, and probably the next knife I'll get is a twin for it. Sooner or later I'll more than likely draw up a "silver contrast" design and get one of 'em personally customized over at the Reeve shop.

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peace love arch

[This message has been edited by archieblue (edited 05-11-2001).]
 
Boy, tough call Kutch. I can't really make your decision for you, but keep this in mind; just because it's called a custom is no guarantee that it will function or perform as well as a Sebenza. We're very fortunate to have several framelock folder makers who frequent this forum whose work is definitely in the Sebenza's class and routinely beyond. Mayo, Ralph and Elishewitz have deservingly earned this recognition. But IMHO, relatively speaking, these makers are few and far between. It's tough to find a framelock that gives the same feeling of security that a Sebenza gives when it locks up.

So I guess the bottom line is that if you decide to go the custom route, you must be sure to do your homework ahead of time, but if you decide on a Sebenza, you can do so proudly as well.

Arch,
Don't forget that one of the great advantages to working with a top-notch custom maker like Mayo or Ralph is that you can specify just how fancy or plain you want your folder to be. Tom certainly makes TNTs without the signature holes, and I'm sure Darrel would be more than happy to make you a gray beadblasted titanium handled folder if that's what you wanted.
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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
The Dozier Trapper is more than a liner lock it is a tab lock. It has no stop pin as the entire back of the blade is supported by the liner. I have a Buckhunter that has the same system and it makes for a rock solid knife when open. ABSOLUTLEY NO MOVEMENT AT ALL! The Trapper has a VERY thick liner, I mean very thick, that also supports the entire back of the blade. It is also a well finished knife with some of the best steel you will find, D-2, done by a master, Bob Dozier. Best part; under $400.00!

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Bill, I don't think he'd do bead-blast, but I'm sure he would do a ceramic peen finish, which is better, and looks cooler, anyway.

Darrel's EDC is one of the most ergonomic folders I've ever held. There have been a few others, but no framelocks. It is truly exemplary, and would actually cost less than a wood-inlay Sebenza, with better quality.

No offense ot the Sebbie - they are great knives - but you'd be hard pressed to find anything better than Darrel's work without getting well over $1000.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Can you really get a TNT w/out the holes? Any pics? Before I got the sebby, I only liked "tip down" carry, but I learned to easily use the "tip up" carry of the seb.
BUT... I'd REALLY like to have a tip down seb. I posted on the CRF about getting a tip down version, and was quickly told that I don't know what I'm talking about, because Chris had studied what is better, and that's that!

Chris' new folder, the Mnandi ($300), will come with wood inlays on both sides, and the clip can be positioned on either end of BOTH SIDES! It will be about the size of the small sebenza, but slimmer. That's the word on the CRF, anyway!

I know that Tom Mayo will do whatever you want, and that's great! I'd love to get something made to my specs some day! The ONLY thing I don't like about the TNT is the holes!

One thing I'll say FOR ME is that a knife is a TOOL, and an occasional toy to roll around in my hands to aid in pondering thoughts... For some reason it seems like I'm real good at droping them at the exact moment my foot kicks it across the floor... While I have yet to find a material that appreciates this! Any scale other than a HARD metal (or maybe g10) is not reasonable for me.

If I were fortunate enough to ba a COLLECTOR($$$) and not a USER I guess I'd have ALL of them! HOWEVER I find the term "art knife" very troubling. Is it meant to be used? if a maker makes a knife that NOBODY USES, how does anybody know if it WORKS good? Does a MAKER even know? IMO to really test what a knife can do (breaking point) you have to break/ruin it. Will a maker basically burn a $1,000 bill to test his product?... a product that will MOST LIKELY NEVER EVEN COME CLOSE TO BEING USED (except for display). NEway... food for thought when buying a custom...

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peace love arch
 
Speaking of 'nice' knives, I just recieved a Boguszewski midlock folder in the mail. I paid less than a wood-inlay Sebbie costs (it was slightly used, but mostly just carried, by the previous owner). Again, no offense to the Seb, but there's no competition, when I'm getting milled, anodized Ti handles, a really beefy midlock, and a beatuiful stainless damascus blade, for similar money.

--JB

P.S., pics to follow.

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Darrel Ralph Apogee or EDC. No comparison.

Just got my Apogee last week, and I think it's the most beautiful knife I've ever seen. Lock up is just as good as my Sebenza (small). Ergonomics are better, blade steel is better, it looks better, it feels better, it cuts better.
Got one of Darrel's Carbon Fiber EDCs, too, and it is the most comfortable folder I've ever held. Love the blade on that one, too.

I love the Sebenza and it's a great knife, but I'd never put out that much cash for a wood inlay when I could have a custom that's better in every respect for less money.
 
archiblue, that's precisely why I've never even considered buying a knife that is so fancy that I would be afraid to use it. It can be expensive, but if it's just something pretty to look at count me out.
 
Just jump over here------> http://www.knifeart.com/

You will see many many many beautiful things that are at or below the figure you quoted. Heck, the front page alone has a damascus TNT, a piece from Pat Crawford, one of Allen Elishewitz's Persians..... but I'm babbling and you should be looking.

Then head over to www.arizonacustomknives.com and look at that small Dress Apogee that Darrel Ralph has there with the designer damascus blade and the .....

But now I'm babbling AND drooling, so you better get going and look around. Oh, my answer by the way is "Custom".
 
Definitely go with a custom. You could have a Ralph, Carson, Mayo, Crawford, Stout, Elishewitz, J.W. Smith, or any of a host of others for that price.
A custom has more of a personal feel to it.
Don't get me wrong, I've been carrying my small Sebenza for about a year and a half now, but there's nothing like buying a custom, talking with the maker, and dressing it up to suit your own tastes.
Sebenza is a plain jane worker, and a custom is an expression of your taste.

[This message has been edited by Greg Clem (edited 05-15-2001).]
 
I place value in the amount of work on my knife that is a) a product of my own design, and b) individually crafted by a single artist. These are personal preferences, which may or may not matter diddly to the next person, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. To one who doesn't place value in such things, the Sebenza line is a technically excellent knife that will make you both proud and happy. Personally, though, if I were making this choice, I'd go with a handmade.
 
I have 2 sebenzas and as far as daily carry and use goes they are tops in my book. But - no offense to CRK - I would go the custom route if i was gonna spend that amount of money on a knife. With custom makers, you get to personalize your very own knife to your tastes which for me is very satisfying.

Now if i can only talk Mr Carson into making a framelock mid-size Model 4...

Andrew L


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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Did someone say "ergonomics"?
Let me just say one thing. Wortac. It even looks like it was born to fit your hand. (BTW that is a Crawford custom knife I am refering to, although it was designed by someone else). Also, DEFINATELY KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN ON THE EXCHANGE FORUM. I see so many unbelievable deals it just makes me want to cry sometimes.
And make sure you don't forget about Greg Lightfoot customs. He makes some of the most solid folder available

[This message has been edited by Pergatory (edited 05-15-2001).]
 
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