Evil D wrote:Yep Gringo I think you summed it up, and the rest of you pretty much echoed what I had been thinking.
I did get to check out a Tilock today. Cool little knife but not my style. I also got to check out a Strider SNG knockoff, and like I predicted I love the ergos and now I'm back to wanting a SMF like crazy. I'll have to see what kind of deals pop up. I still wanna make my custom G10 Manix 2 LW a reality so I may just look harder for someone willing to take on the challenge.
I will say this though, if CR ever decides to put thumb hole in one, he'll get my money. Unfortunately this is one that I don't think I'd want a collab on, since the machine work is one of the biggest attractions. Give it a thumb hole and I'm sold.
CRK's are one of those knives you need to spend some time with to fully appreciate but no doubt they are expensive and you don't want to dive in unless you really feel the love. I wouldn't rule out the Sebenza because of the thumb stud though, I am carrying an Insingo today and can't honestly say I haven't given the thumbstud a second thought. Initially the detent can be pretty stiff but that loosens up over the break in period (not so much on the 25) or maybe you just get use to opening them but once you do they are no different than any other knife.
The SMF is a very cool knife, I will be interested to here your thoughts on it.
Half the price (or so) of the others too. I played around with a 560 while I was at the knife shop today and it's the first time I actually felt the urge to buy a ZT. Am I right in that they'll sell/replace blades? Seems I've read that somewhere. Their warranty is pretty solid isn't it? I really liked how this knife felt in hand. The one immediate thing I was bothered with is how sharp the jimping is on top of the pivot/handle, right where you pull/push the flipper. After a half hour or so of playing with it, my index finger was getting raw from hitting the jimping. I could easily smooth it down though. I really like the black wash finish, but I'd just assume have it solid black and wear out the finish myself.
Calavera Cutlery El Patron.
Hole in the blade.
Tough blade steel, which is why you were interested in the Strider.
Precision, custom made knife.
Lifetime warranty.
*Somewhat* rare. Not your everyday knife.
**** good looking knife !
ZT offers great value and if you like the design of the 560 its hard to beat for the price. Its not easy to get your brain around spending $500 on a knife.
Last edited by DRKBC on Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If you need to be convinced why you should have one, I wouldn't bother, as it's probably not for you. You've already given a number of reasons why it doesn't appeal to you and you're the one who knows you best. Over the past decade, I would say I've carried a CRK folder over 70% of the time. The next knife to see as much time would be a Techno that saw over two straight years of carry time, every day. The remaining 7-10% has been divided up between all sorts of knives from custom makers like Brad Southard and Kevin Wilkins to Striders, Hinderers, Lionsteels and countless productions. To me, the CRK beats all of them. It just does a better job of being a true EDC knife. I don't do rotations very well and tend to stick with something that works for me.
It's interesting Bob Dozier was mentioned because he was asked what knives he likes and his answer was Chris Reeve Knives.
Evil - Like you, I've been on the fence for years about the Sebbie. The Knife Knut part of me says that I need one because it is the "gold standard". The Steel Snob in me says - "S35V for that price?" The Wharnie Guy in me really likes the Insingo blade shape - it is really elegant.
So I've picked up a number of Sebbies over the years - and always put them back down after fondling them for a bit. I even got to talk with Chris at the Blade Show booth last year while I handled the small Insingo. We geeked out for a bit over metrology and manufacturing tolerances - then I put down the Sebbie and shook his hand.
I reached in my pocked and put my hands around my Sage2 and knew that I'd rather have four Sages than one CRK. :cool:
I just found this thread and it has been very informative since I have been eyeing a small Sebenza for a while. The new Insingo blade style appeals to me.
Last edited by greatscott on Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I just traded a Sprint Blue G10 Manix 2 + $50, for a LNIB Small Sebenza 21 (2014, S35VN) just to try something new ( I have 4 other sprint Manix 2's already), It definitely has excellent F&F, tolerance, etc. But I'm definitely more a of a large knife person. (PM2, Manix 2 is about the smallest I like). I'm already looking to trade it for something else. It's definitely nice, I just wouldn't ever pay for a brand new one, if it came in S110V for the same price, that would be a different story. I may try out an Umnumzaan down the road as thats more my favored size. But I'll definitely still be buying used or trading for it.
You don't need one, you clearly want one however so you'll very likely end up with it. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I've got a Insingo, lrg. lefty. Love it. It's not my usual EDC, was for a bit, (honeymoon period) and makes it's way into the rotation. While it doesn't have the ergos of most Spydies, it is very comfortable. I carry it when I want a longer blade. It is very strong at the tip too. There is something satisfying about the "clink" when you close it. I can't think of anything bad to say about it other than perhaps the price. (I would Imagine a second hand one would have saved a bit of cash but that route isn't usually for me). I usually prefer the Spydie hole too however the action is very smooth and comfortable even with a thumb stud. I also find myself opening it like a flicking a bic lighter a lot of the time.
If you're wielding the sharpest tool in the shed, who's going to say that you aren't...?
Surfingringo wrote:I'm curious Dave, did anything ever come of this?
No man, never did buy one. Came really close though. My general disdain for thumb studs that don't also double as stop pins (so as to be completely out of the way of slicing) is the big reason I passed on one. I'd also like a different steel than S35VN for this price, but if the thumb studs were oriented differently so they nest against the handle when opened, I would almost surely own a large Insingo right now despite my preference of higher carbide steels...suffice to say if they ever put a thumb hole in one, my wallet will be bleed dry. It's just an unfortunate situation where I admire the heck out of the machining and tight tolerances that go into them, but they just aren't for me. For ~$500 I can't make compromises in what I like.
I don't like sebenza ergonomics though I do like the knife, I wouldn't buy another one though, I sold it due to ergos and how easy it was to lacerate my finger when using it (moderately oily hands, slid forward :eek:)
I adore strider knives and have had good warranty experiences, they can be a bit hard to get in contact with sometimes but they always fix the problem perfectly, as do CRK.
razorsharp wrote:I don't like sebenza ergonomics though I do like the knife, I wouldn't buy another one though, I sold it due to ergos and how easy it was to lacerate my finger when using it (moderately oily hands, slid forward :eek:)
I adore strider knives and have had good warranty experiences, they can be a bit hard to get in contact with sometimes but they always fix the problem perfectly, as do CRK.
I came even closer to buying a Strider. If I ever run into the 3V version and have the cash it'll most likely happen. The warranty thing seems to be hit and miss, I've heard it can take months if/when you finally get in touch with them. In the end I ran across a ZT 0303 for a price I couldn't pass up and it has satisfied my thirst for an overbuilt folder for the moment. I'd gladly trade it for a DGG SMF though especially the 3V version.
