So I'm looking for cheap alternatives to the Sebenza.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Cheap alternatives to the Sebenza
- Thread starter hso
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OP
OP
Quality, ergonomics, toughness, edge retention, sharpness, safety, weight, ...
ApacheCoTodd
member
OP
OP
Oh yeah, customer service.
I think the Translucent Manix 2 is the best folding knife I've found. It does not, however, have an all-metal handle, even though you didn't list "appearance" as one of your criteria.
Edge retention wouldn't be quite as good, but in other ways- weight for size, for instance- the TM2 is superior to the CR.
Edge retention wouldn't be quite as good, but in other ways- weight for size, for instance- the TM2 is superior to the CR.
JTW Jr.
Member
I have owned about 8 Sebbies over the years , I loved everything about them EXCEPT the ergonomics , always felt like a brick in the hand to me. But then I use my stuff a good bit , so I expect it to be comfy in the handle.
Options:
Benchmade 755
Benchmade 760BK
and a bit smaller , but one of my favs:
Buck Mayo TNT, S30V
Options:
Benchmade 755
Benchmade 760BK
and a bit smaller , but one of my favs:
Buck Mayo TNT, S30V
OP
OP
For those that don't already know from reading my undying praise for them, I'm a devoted Sebenza fan and consider them the best using folders in the world because I've done things that can only be considered abuse with mine over the years. Because of my vocal praise for Sebenzas this started as an April Fools thread (Mp7 being the only one to hilariously pick up on it by suggesting the Chinese POS that I've hated on before), but we've had some good suggestions that folks that are interested in a tough and elegant folder can put to use. The other end of the $25 knife thread as it were.
So we have the Bradley Alias I and II, the Buck Mayo TNT and the Benchmade 755 and 760BK Ti frame locks. Let's not forget the AG Russell Acies, Benchmade Sibert, and the massive HTM Mad Maxx Q Ti frame locks either. Not all of these are truly practical knives, but what I consider practical and what you consider practical may not be the same.
Happy April 1 and thanks for the good suggestions.
So we have the Bradley Alias I and II, the Buck Mayo TNT and the Benchmade 755 and 760BK Ti frame locks. Let's not forget the AG Russell Acies, Benchmade Sibert, and the massive HTM Mad Maxx Q Ti frame locks either. Not all of these are truly practical knives, but what I consider practical and what you consider practical may not be the same.
Happy April 1 and thanks for the good suggestions.
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Spec ops Grunt
Member
I just got a translucent Manix the other day. How is the Carpenter steel compared to S30V? What about corrosion resistance?
chrisb507
Member
Funny thread...and informative, too! My recommendation would be a Kershaw Vapor. It reminds me of a Sebenza....a little bit. And at less than 10% of the price of a Sebenza, too.
Edit: My recommendation is for the small Sebenza.
Edit: My recommendation is for the small Sebenza.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Buck/Mayo TNT
Yeah.
One of my regrets was not buying one of these when they were still in production.
There was an unmarked TNT (no Buck stamp) at a local gun shop (that also does pawn) that was acquired as part of a large (800 piece) estate collection. I bought a few from that collection, and the guy had impeccable taste. I examined more than a dozen of the other pieces, ranging from classic slip joints to autos. He had some gorgeous stuff in there.
In the context of that collection, I have no reason to suspect that the TNT in that collection was a fake. I got to handle Chuck Buck's personal TNT, and this one held and handled just like Chuck's did. Amazingly smooth, sharp, solid. I held off on it, though, because I wanted to verify its authenticity.
Frankly, if I had it to do over, and if I had $200 and found that it was still there, I'd buy it and worry about provenance afterward.
Sux that I missed out on those.
The Buck Vantage Pro is sort of close in design, except that it's a little heavier, has G10 handles, and is not a framelock pattern. If you took the Vantage Pro, swapped out the handle for a solid titanium handle with holes drilled to reduce weight, and made it a frame lock, you'd be really close.
Failing that, you could just get a Vantage Pro and keep the G10 or change the scales to suit taste.
I have found that, if you're willing to take the time to shop carefully, you can find a Vantage -- which is mass produced -- that has the fit & finish of a custom piece. I took the time to cruise for my last Vantage Avid, drove the poor counter girl nuts, and picked a piece that centers when closed, flicks open smoothly, locks up tight, has no play, and has as nearly perfect a grind as you will find in a production piece. And I paid 50% for it. Factory sale.
With a Sebenza, you don't have to stand there going through seven or eight boxes before you find one that's essentially a "perfect" production piece.
If the TNT is the "poor man's Sebenza," and the Vantage Pro is the "poor man's TNT," then I guess the Vantage Avid is the po' boy Sebenza wannabe.
And I'm pretty happy with the Vantage.
Yeah.
One of my regrets was not buying one of these when they were still in production.
There was an unmarked TNT (no Buck stamp) at a local gun shop (that also does pawn) that was acquired as part of a large (800 piece) estate collection. I bought a few from that collection, and the guy had impeccable taste. I examined more than a dozen of the other pieces, ranging from classic slip joints to autos. He had some gorgeous stuff in there.
In the context of that collection, I have no reason to suspect that the TNT in that collection was a fake. I got to handle Chuck Buck's personal TNT, and this one held and handled just like Chuck's did. Amazingly smooth, sharp, solid. I held off on it, though, because I wanted to verify its authenticity.
Frankly, if I had it to do over, and if I had $200 and found that it was still there, I'd buy it and worry about provenance afterward.
Sux that I missed out on those.
The Buck Vantage Pro is sort of close in design, except that it's a little heavier, has G10 handles, and is not a framelock pattern. If you took the Vantage Pro, swapped out the handle for a solid titanium handle with holes drilled to reduce weight, and made it a frame lock, you'd be really close.
Failing that, you could just get a Vantage Pro and keep the G10 or change the scales to suit taste.
I have found that, if you're willing to take the time to shop carefully, you can find a Vantage -- which is mass produced -- that has the fit & finish of a custom piece. I took the time to cruise for my last Vantage Avid, drove the poor counter girl nuts, and picked a piece that centers when closed, flicks open smoothly, locks up tight, has no play, and has as nearly perfect a grind as you will find in a production piece. And I paid 50% for it. Factory sale.
With a Sebenza, you don't have to stand there going through seven or eight boxes before you find one that's essentially a "perfect" production piece.
If the TNT is the "poor man's Sebenza," and the Vantage Pro is the "poor man's TNT," then I guess the Vantage Avid is the po' boy Sebenza wannabe.
And I'm pretty happy with the Vantage.
DFWB
Member
go out and buy 10 gerbers... are they the same quality as the sebenza? no... but they are fine knives, and you can get 10 for that price.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I have been within a key stroke of buying a Sebensa several times. Always backed off and bought another gun.
My frugal gene just wont let me. I like my Spydercos.
MP7 You had me with that one bro!!!
My frugal gene just wont let me. I like my Spydercos.
MP7 You had me with that one bro!!!
I'll probably end up with a Sebbie or two someday as I don't mind shelling out $$$ for quality knives. 
Right now I've been fascinated with the folder offerings from ZT, and in the last six months picked up an 0301, two 0551's, and recently and 0560. I am ver impressed with all of them.
I would like to see a Sebbie in the flesh, so to speak at some point to see if I like it as much as I think I will.
Right now I've been fascinated with the folder offerings from ZT, and in the last six months picked up an 0301, two 0551's, and recently and 0560. I am ver impressed with all of them.
I would like to see a Sebbie in the flesh, so to speak at some point to see if I like it as much as I think I will.
JTW Jr.
Member
Arfin:
My oldest son has a Buck Mayo TNT that was reground and reprofiled by Tom Mayo. Tom gave it to him a few years back.
Awesome little folder.
My oldest son has a Buck Mayo TNT that was reground and reprofiled by Tom Mayo. Tom gave it to him a few years back.
Awesome little folder.
wrc
Member
Oh my. Get a time machine, then go back to 1999 and get a Benchmade Pinnacle (750). I got one for a friend's birthday twelve years ago or so, and have been kicking myself since for not cadging one for myself.
His Pinnacle managed to travel eight round trips between IL and TX before it was finally delivered.
His Pinnacle managed to travel eight round trips between IL and TX before it was finally delivered.
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