Would like advice: Sebenza vs. SNG for new EDC

wade _s

wade _s

Joined
Oct 24, 2007
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214
It is time to retire the old Spyderco Pro-Grip SS after ~10 years of carry duty. I have narrowed the choices for my new daily carry down to either a CRK Lg Sebenza or a Strider SNG.

I work in the Veterinary field and use my knife daily for all kinds of chores. I also love to hunt and fish, so the knife will see a good bit of the great outdoors and the tasks associated with these hobbies. I want a knife that will be durable and functional. I want a knife that will retain a good edge, be easy to deploy and will lock up like a bank vault for years to come.

I would like to hear the opinions of those of you who have experience with one or both of these knives. I really like both of these knives. I wish that I could get both, but that is not going to happen.

Thank You, David.
 
I would be the opposite... SnG. Feels much better in the hand to me.

Either way , you narrowed it down to 2 good choices.

Chevy vs. Ford
Bud vs MGD
;)
 
Both are great knives just depends on which you like the looks of more.

Personally i'd go with the sebenza.
 
I don't like the SNG. It is not comfortable for me. I think the Sebenza is a much better general purpose user. The SNG is good if you need to pry open car doors though.
 
two very different knives that appeal to two very different demographics, generally.


sebenza is elegant and refined, yet very tough.

sng is built like a tank and not so elegant.

most here would recommend the sebenza. i have owned both (recently lost my sebbie), and like both. i have an sng concealed carry, which i like very much, but would give it up in a heartbeat if it meant i could get my unique graphic sebbie back.
 
When trying to slice something in the kitchen that is rather tough, the SnG is more uncomfortable than a Sebenza.
The SnG has more sharp/rough edges and they can be hard on your hand.

But, the SnG is grippy. Because of its shape and it fits my hand lwell. I'm sure it would feel less hard on my hands
if I was wearing gloves. I like the SnG but very seldom carry it.

The Sebenza is a better general use folder, IMHO. In a knife fight I would take the SnG or the SMF over a Sebenza.

Rich
 
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I've carried and used both the large Sebbie and the SnG. If I'm going to carry and use a large Sebbie, it has to be the classic model. The regulars (both sizes) are too difficult for me to open and close because of the handle shapes and thumb lug location. The large micarta Sebenza is really nice, however. If I carry a large Sebbie, it's almost always my micarta one. I've found the Sebenza to be the easiest knife to disassemble & reassemble that I've ever worked on. And being entirely open frame, it's easy to keep clean without having to d/a & r/a it.

If you decide to get an SnG, I think the CC model carries much better than the standard SnG and I've not had any difficulty holding on to it even though the G10 scale is smoother and more rounded. The SnGs fit my hand better than any Sebbie I've held. The Striders are just a pleasure to use because they're so comfortable. I would like a bit more cutting edge on the Striders, though. They could lose that sharpening notch and I wouldn't miss it. The spear point blades on the SnGs is really useful, like Spyderco's leaf shaped blades. I've found that to be much more practical in my kind of inside / outside cutting than I thought it would be.

If you need a thinner point and narrower blade, the Sebenza would probably be a better fit for you. OTOH, if you can use the spear point blade, the SnG is hard to beat. Either one should give you a solid lockup and good service for many years.

Personally, I carry a Spyderco Para-Military outdoors more than I carry both my Sebbie and my SnG combined.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
two very different knives that appeal to two very different demographics, generally.


sebenza is elegant and refined, yet very tough.

sng is built like a tank and not so elegant.

most here would recommend the sebenza. i have owned both (recently lost my sebbie), and like both. i have an sng concealed carry, which i like very much, but would give it up in a heartbeat if it meant i could get my unique graphic sebbie back.
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Well said!

I do have both (and a XM :D), and I like what MORIMOTOM said. I find a large reg. Sebbie to be about the perfect knife. YMMV

One think that is very very nice about the SnG for me is the ergo's. It feels great in your hand. One thing that I am not so hot on, is how small the cutting edge is. I like that large choil and everything, but it just seems that a knife around 8" over all should have a longer cutting edge than 3". I do like big knives though for EDC.

Over all I would say a Sebbie is a better buy and will see more use. They are very tough. If your do break your Sebbie CRK will fix it, its just on YOUR dime. If you break your SnG, Strider will fix it, on THEIR dime. (or so people say) I have never broke a knife enough to send one in. ;)

I can get pics, so you can see them next to each other :cool:
 
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of the 2 i would go with the SnG i just have never been crazy about sebs and yes i have one, great F&F, great materials, nothing wrong with it its just not one of my favs.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. It is difficult to choose between the two. Your opinions/experiences are very helpful. Thanks, David.
 
SNG has great ergos, but less cutting edge than fullsize Seb.
Id choose between SNG CC (tumbed finish and rounded grips) and Large micarta Sebbie.
 
wade/David, I dont think you can go wrong with either.

I have an SmF and a small sebbie, so not quite what youre looking at, but I think my observations may help you anyway.

I like my SmF better because it feels tougher, however it frequently scared/worried people when I'd pull it out to cut an apple or open a box or something simmilar. A CC version might be different, but generally the Seb looks more like a gentlemens folder.

I never have any problems pulling out my small seb in the office, and I feel it will do just about anything the Strider will. I wish I could find both of them in something other than S30v, because my experience with it hasnt been great in general.

My Seb is a little easier to sharpen, but my Stirder keeps the edge a little longer.

I think in a professional environment, assuming your not in a warzone or a SERE instructor, the Seb will fit in better.

Good luck!
 
I own both and as many have said before me........ You can't go wrong with either, it just comes down to looks. I will say that the SnG fits my hand better but YMMV.
 
Do you guys feel that the thicker blade on the SNG makes it a "sturdier" knife than the Sebenza? Also, the SNG seems to have a much thicker handle and looks like it may be a little less comfortable for pocket carry. My current carry knife has an all stainless handle and I really like this feature, so it is making me lean toward the Sebenza. -David.
 
wade _s said:
Do you guys feel that the thicker blade on the SNG makes it a "sturdier" knife than the Sebenza? Also, the SNG seems to have a much thicker handle and looks like it may be a little less comfortable for pocket carry. My current carry knife has an all stainless handle and I really like this feature, so it is making me lean toward the Sebenza. -David.
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My Strider has the gunner grips, which rock, but get a little uncomfortable after very long periods of time but never slip, alternatively my seb is comfy but has slipped on occassion when it got wet. Its Ti, which im sure you know.
 
sirahren said:
My Strider has the gunner grips, which rock, but get a little uncomfortable after very long periods of time but never slip, alternatively my seb is comfy but has slipped on occassion when it got wet. Its Ti, which im sure you know.
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I didn't even think about slippage. That is a good point and I appreciate you bringing it up. It is not uncommon for me to have blood or other fluids on my hands when using my knife. My current EDC has a Krayton (rubber) insert in the handle that provides good grip, even when wet. I was not planning to get grip inserts on the Sebenza and prefer the look of the Sebenza without inserts. I sure wish both of these knives were sold locally so that I could put my hands on them before buying.
 
Just a FYI, my SNG has been the EDC for the past week or so. :cool: Over the Sebbies I have and over the XM. It really is a great design, Just wish the sharpening notch was not there. (Its tends to snag things untill you use it for a few days and remember not start your cuts at the bottom of the belly)
 
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