I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH FOR 7 YEARS ABOUT BUYING THIS KNIFE - DECISION MADE!

[Retiredguns]

I've had several CRKs, Hinderers, BMs, Spydercos, Strider, etc.., but quit collecting years a go because you can NEVER scratch that itch. I sold/traded off all but a handful including the best small Sebenza ever made, the plain, small Insingo 21. The size, weight and blade shape makes it a great all around knife. They are extremely hard to get now so I carry a Hogue Mini Ritter. Losing $150 knife is much easier to imagine.

 

[Harkrader]

I'm not anti Sebenza, but to me the juice just ain't worth the squeeze. They are incredibly well done, but to me, there are many better options out there at or below the Sebenza Basic price point. I honestly don't think the Sebenzas nail down cutting geometry as well as Spyderco. With the aftermarket scales, thumb studs, different locks, wonder steels, etc. I think the knife world is just alot more interesting than a frame lock Sebenza that's using the same Magnacut as all the top manufacturers. Now, I am a firm believer that Magnacut needs to hit 62-64 HRC. I got a BM Dacian with the softer 59-61 HRC, and it is VERY unimpressive. If I hadn't gotten a David Mary Magnacut blade, I would have written it off, but to me, them couple/few HRC points make a huge difference. I'm not sure where Chris Reeve is hitting on the hardness scale, but if they're on the higher end, I would consider that a bonus. On the overall, yes...fit and finish is impeccable, but there are many other knife manufacturers right up there, and if there is a difference, it's only found with calipers and such, not the naked human hand and eye.

My best Sebenza horror story: When I was a younger lad...say my early 20's I scrimped, saved, and bartered for enough money to buy a large Basic Sebenza with the BG-42 blade. Being a lad of little brain, I thought it a great idea to carry while I was working on a road crew. In short order my foreman asks if anyone has a knife he can borrow to cut some landscaping fabric or something. "This is my shining moment! " I thought. "The boss man will see my incredibly good taste in tools, admire the top notch fit and finish, and appreciate my keen eye and selection!" Well...no. He took my freshly sharpened edge straight down a brick wall to cut the landscape fabric. When he saw me turn pale, and then red, with balled up fists and gritted teeth he couldn't figure out what was wrong. When I told him he just abused a $400 knife, he laughed and asked what kinda (derogatory term) idiot would carry a knife like that?! At that time, I was making Davis Bacon for the first time in my life, and just starting out my union apprenticeship. I exercised A LOT of self control that day, and learned a hard lesson about the real appropriate cutting tool for a job. I'm glad I didn't do anything rash. Later in my life, I've moved to public sector employment. I plan to retire from it. That would have never happen if I'd given in to the impulses I had. I eventually traded that Sebenza off due to boredom. It was a nice knife, but I reckon I just wasn't ever discerning enough to note the craftsmanship that other folks talk about.

I backpacked in the mountains for years, always carrying a folding knife and at least one fixed blade.
They were all U.S.-made except for a couple labeled "Soligen". I was in the habit of giving them away when a new dreamboat caught my fancy.
So, some years ago I was looking for a new folder. I wanted specific features and "made in America." I passed on many a gorgeous knife what was, in nearly hidden words, made in China. Still do.
One of our sons is highly knowledgeable about knives, and he suggested a ZT 0301ST., a Ken Onion design. I found one while on a trip to Tennessee. Gorgeous and met all my criteria. It's in my pocket most waking hours.

It's very sharp and ZT will dress and sharpen it for free.

 

[mikeruns]

I have had a large Sebenza with the Elk Mountain art on the handle for about 10 years…I’ve mostly been afraid of losing it and very seldom have carried it because of it’s cost but don’t regret it although I may sell it to a CRKs’ nut as it just sits in the orig box….I have about 200 to 300 decent quality knives and am thinking of selling off about 200 or more so I can use the cash towards a hobby car for my wife…

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have many but mostly carry a Case Mako or Buck 110

Sometimes socially I carry my Buck 112 automatic........

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Anything I carry is disposable therefore must be cheap. The difference between a million dollar knife and a Chinese knife is you have to sharpen them more often.

The same with a carry gun. Since law enforcement will take it from you and if you ever get it back it will be beat to hades and back I do not understand why anyone would carry these high end custom handguns or knives.

I carry a gravity knife as there are no springs that will break in it. I have seen switchblades and assisted opening knives break springs more than a few times.

I do enjoy owning quality knives and quality handguns and keep them in pristine condition. I buy usually only old and no longer made ones as today there is "nothing new" I would ever buy for obvious reasons and hint it has nothing to do with price.

Similar..........YOU could use an outhouse and get by.........ME.........I like all the conveniences of modern plumbing......Also I won't buy OR carry junk.

 

[Major 2]

EDC Knife Rule #1 ... Carry something you don't mind loosing.

Evidence in assault cases can be tied up for years and expensive knives and guns get "Lost" in some evidence rooms .

Trust me on this one .
Gary

This is good advice, I've lost and or misplaced knives (not to some evidence rooms though}
Just plain LOST.
I had a very nice custom lock-back folder, a pricy gift from my late Sister.
I think I may have dragged it out with a kerchief getting fuel.
On the other hand, I have my circa 1955 CAMILLUS Cub Scout pocketknife.
I lost it the first week I had it, it was found and sent to Elem. School Lost & Found and returned a few days later. I've had it now 71 years.
I'd hate to lose it again; it was from my Dad & Mom my first year a Cub Scout.

I certainly understand, the desire for a fine and expensive blade.
My EDC is Buck about $38

I forgot to mention, I also EDC a small Case pen knife I found.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Years ago Kevin(wood714) received two of these cheap Chinese swag gifts and sent one to me. It has cut everything I needed to cut and still does.



Here is its 54 year old back up.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

If you want the knife, buy it.

If not, don’t. It’s that simple.

 

[moralem]

If you want the knife, buy it.

If not, don’t. It’s that simple.

I like your thinking……we all have budgets. If you want it and have the money why fret…..I have spent a lot of money on things that have pleased me less. It’s economics, why make it more than that. I drive an expensive truck, well these days they all are, and I would hate to be in an accident and pay the deductible, but that didn’t stop me from getting what I wanted and was willing to pay.

 

[Greyman50]

These are my “ collectables” knives that stay in a safe as youngest Grandson will get them sooner or later as he’s into pocket knives. One is only mixed new and old Case others are odd ones found at flea markets and gun shows. All US or german made The military folders are TL-29s and assorted stainless folders from WWII to later. Carry a self opening Kershaw auto only here in Ga and Fl. but no other states due to their out dated knife carry laws. Do not get caught in S.C. with one. Really cant understand many state laws on knives when one can CC.

 

[chief38]

I put certain items in different categories ........ I am both a gun collector, and EDC-er. I have two kinds of guns for each purpose but a few do cross over. I have more knives than I want to count and they are all over the house, cars, shop, etc but for the nost part knives for me are a tool, not a collectible. I do own a couple of knives that are very rare and highly collectible and for the most part they are Safe Queens. I did carry one for 10 years and enjoyed every minute of it but since I got my Spyderco Delica I have retired it. My other Safe Queens might be worth a few bucks but are mainly sentimental knives since they were my Dad's WW2 pieces. One is a sheath knife and the other a Camilus folder.

I try to collect pictures of Presidents on $$ paper $$ also - lol! That seems to get a bit harder each year!

 

[Jerry in SC]

I carry traditional knives, I tried most of the modern folders but they have no soul.

 

[phm14]

I'm blessed enough to have a good budget for cool stuff, and a Wife that's probably more agreeable to "discretionary spending", than I have a right to. I have wound up with way too many "collectables", and really need to downsize. That said, I have a lost knife story. I have a Lone Wolf auto, which was unique in that it had a hidden fire button, under the soft kraton scales, bought back when autos were still illegal in Texas. I had it clipped into my bathing suit pocket, while snorkeling in the headwaters of the spring fed San Marcos River. When I got in later that evening, I realized I no longer had my knife. I returned to the river the following day, w my snorkeling gear, and found the knife, in the river, in ~ 4 feet of water. Couldn't believe I found it. I don't lose things very often, so I don't worry too much about carrying nice knives, etc. Current EDC blade is a Heretic Wraith.

 

[Bob A.]

I spent decades looking for a one-hand-operable knife.

First one was a Buck 110 folder, that I hoped could be flipped, using the weight of the handle. Never managed to get it loose enough, even if Matt Helm could. Also ate the back pocket of every pair of jeans I owned.

Moved on to A G Russell one-handers. They were almost one-hand, and a clever design, but awkward. Nice and slim, though.

The Paul axial lock was next. Very nice engineering, but still, flipping it open was a sometime thing.

Then Benchmade came out with the McHenry & Williams Omega Lock, the first easily workable one hander. But BIG. Carried it anyway, until they came out with the Osborne-designed 940/942. Perfect size for pocket carry, and the blade shape lended itself to easy flipping, with the reverse tanto shape distributing the weight a bit forward.

Carried that until big city issues suggester tha something more substantial might be a better choice, so I picked up a Benchmade Contego, a nice sturdy item with the same Osborne blade shape.

That has ridden in my pocket ever since.

A few years ago, I caught the automatic knife bug, and started getting some interesting OTF knives. I use them around the house, but even though I can carry them legally in many places, I don't do so. I've also got a few Rat Worx chain-drive switchblades, because the design pulled me in. I don't carry them either; the design has the defects of its qualities - the exposed chain tends to collect/create pocket fuzz. Still fun to play with, though.

 

[Dave Haynes]

Had this one made by Brian Goode out of N.C. (B.Goode) done to my specs and he makes the whole thing.
Very reasonably priced too. It is a beautiful piece of industrial art.