what have I missed when it comes to sebenzas?

[lucky21]

Morning all,

I have been looking at sebenza knives quite a lot recently but I still do not understand the hype that surrounds them.

They look like a very capable knife, but they still seem very expensive for what is in essence a production made knife.
Yes they do use good materials, but they're not really crazely exotic materials.

I have only had a very brief fondle of one once, I believe it was the small original. Yes it was nice, but it didn't strike awe into my heart. So here's my question, what is it about them that makes them so popular? Do I just need to spend a little more time with one to become hooked? Please discuss.

[Mr Happymoose]

I'm with you, I don't get the hype either and I've played with quite a few. Like you say, yes, they're well made but then so are others and yes, they're good materials but not superduper stuff. My own feeling (And I know that this will get some howls of derision ) is that it's just very clever marketing hype.

[Kitman22]

I've had a few. Very well put together and solid knives. However there wasn't enough there to keep me
from re-investing the 200+ that I had spent on them (obviously 2nd hand). A Para Military and a Chokwe
were better value for me.

[paul w]

Yes they are pricey but so are top end watches/cars and other goods in demand at the top of the market,i have owned and used a large Sebenza 21 for just over a year now and after taking ages before parting with my hard earned i am glad i did,they are superb in every way,and it is only when you strip them down to clean,which i did for the 1st time with mine yesterday by coincidence,do you realise that the tolerances and fit and finish on all the internals is UNBELIEVABLE,machinery and labour costs to produce gear like this doesn't come cheap,that is what you are paying for,that and 100% reliability,just my opinion,if you get one the love affair will begin.

[Basemetal]

I prefer the large models, I like the close tolerances and the blade shape. If I try to compare the production values -finding anything similar tends to cost about the same. Zero blade play, clever design, brilliant lock, deceptively simple. I couldn't add 'cheap' to the list of virtues, but otherwise fair enough.
For the price of a plain sebbie you can typically buy 1.5 higher end spydercoes if you shop around, half a dozen medium quality interesting knives or loads of cheapies. Comes down to what you want really.

I've gone back to a sebbie after trying a Spyderco Millie Ti, for example. A Wilkie handled RitterGrip would be attractive(and cost about the same), but the lock is fiddlier and depends on an omega spring.

One way to fall for them, is to use them for a while. They just "work" (pun inteded )

[fluffy]

I've bought and sold a few.
Keep telling myself I'll buy no more.
Have one again at the moment with another in the post
They are not the be all and end all but they do sell on well once you're bored with them.

[Kitman22]

Danny.

Are we talking the price of a new Sebbie or a second/third hand Sebbie?
Agree you can get a Sebbie for around 200GBP, but it wouldn't be new like a 150GBP
Spyderco would be?

[mantzao]

To me they're worth it due to some very positive aspects.
I really like the way that all come perfect, with no bladeplay at all, tolerances, the pivot bushing system, overall design and the way they carry so well in the pocket.
They don't have all the bells and whistles that we see in many knives these days, that's a fact, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's simplicity is also a winner for me.
Many knives look like a sebenza for a reason!
For me, besides my xm-18, the sebenza is the highest quality knife out there in the production realm.
Just my 2cents.

[Basemetal]

Danny.

Are we talking the price of a new Sebbie or a second/third hand Sebbie?
Agree you can get a Sebbie for around 200GBP, but it wouldn't be new like a 150GBP
Spyderco would be?

I don't quite follow what you mean by "wouldn't be new like a £150 Spyderco"...A spyderco Millie Ti is ~£230, for example.
The Sebbies I like are out of production so can't be bought new -but many are traded "as new". Usually they change hands somewhere in between £2-300 for plain.

[Kitman22]

Sorry.

I mean the cost difference between a Sebbie and a higher end Spyderco when both are new.
Yes the Ti-Milli is expensive but I would say in general the high end Spyderco's are around 150.
A new Sebbie I though would be 300+?

[Basemetal]

My arithmetic not close enough for you? Just adjust it to suit...

[filleep]

Now that the framelock is so common, along with Ti slabs the distinctiveness of Sebs is fading, but in the early nineties they just seemed the strongest, smoothest most consistently reliable tank of a folder.

I suppose they are a benchmark against which to compare othr folders.

That doesn't mean there can't be better and cheaper folders now.

[Basemetal]

That doesn't mean there can't be better and cheaper folders now.

(I'm not defending Sebbies against all comers, just answering the OP from my own perspective )

A list of serious candidates would certainly be interesting. Is there really a knife in the same category that is better and cheaper? It'll be subjective, but that's what makes a good discusion thread. So what, and why?

[mantzao]

(I'm not defending Sebbies against all comers, just answering the OP from my own perspective )

A list of serious candidates would certainly be interesting. Is there really a knife in the same category that is better and cheaper? It'll be subjective, but that's what makes a good discusion thread. So what, and why?

+1

[Kitman22]

My arithmetic not close enough for you? Just adjust it to suit...

Lol no, I'm not one to question someones numbers. You got that Ti mili for a decent price if I remember,
I had a little sulk when I missed it both times, when you bought it and when you sold it