Favorite Knife

[kool_BOY8323]

Bought a Gerber LMF tactical fighting knife a few years back, this is a picture of it new. It's an awesome knife. I always liked combat knives, but the Kabar I love and am familiar with I feel is too long a blade for easy use, and the Army pilot's survival knife is too short. This is a nice happy medium, sharp blade with rear serrations and a pommel on the rear for splitting skulls (my opinions ). A really good knife and I'm very happy with its performance so far.

i have the LMF II asek in green in that pic above. love that thing. great blades. not a huge gerber fan per-se, but that one is a damn nice knife.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

Lately either of these three seem to end up in my pocket.....

give me a real working opinion, what do you think of that sebenza? is it worth the ridiculous money and accolades that the interwebs has cast upon it?

been flip flopping on it, and i just cant justify the price, in my situation that is. id be devastated if i lost it..

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

give me a real working opinion, what do you think of that sebenza? is it worth the ridiculous money and accolades that the interwebs has cast upon it?

been flip flopping on it, and i just cant justify the price, in my situation that is. id be devastated if i lost it..

I have a large cf 21, and I can say its worth the money. Fit and finish are top notch. It takes and holds an edge great. My spyderco military fights with it for pocket time. It's not a knife I'd sell my
Whole collection to fund, But it's in my pocket most if the time.

 

[canuckian]

give me a real working opinion, what do you think of that sebenza? is it worth the ridiculous money and accolades that the interwebs has cast upon it?

been flip flopping on it, and i just cant justify the price, in my situation that is. id be devastated if i lost it..

I personally think it's a great knife. As solidly built (or moreso even) as any folder I've come across and has some very nice steel in the blade. I was a little worried that the handle would be too small (I'm told I have large hands) but it fits my mitt perfectly. The titanium finish took a little bit of getting used to but it's starting to grow on me. I've only had it for about a month or so but have used it just about every day and the edge feels as sharp as the day I got it. The stonewash finish on the blade is kinda cool as well.

The only complaint I have, if you could call it a complaint is that it does feel a little bulky in the pocket of my pants/shorts. I'd guess that's because I'm used to carrying spydercos which aren't quite as wide across the back as the sebenza. Either that or maybe the shape or the fact that the titanium handle feels a little gritty (like super duper fine sandpaper but smoother) causes it to not slide around in the pocket like the smoother handled knives I have.

Is it worth the price of admission? I think so. I was in the same boat as you are (flip flopping) for about 6 months. Had it in and out of the shopping cart of many an online store and backed out every time. Just didn't feel comfortable plunking down that much money for something I'd never physically seen an example of. As luck would have it and unbeknownst to me, my lovely wife actually listens when I babble on about things like tools and knives and whatnot and ordered one for me and gave it to me on our anniversary. So, yes I'm afraid of losing it too but for different reasons than replacement cost. Mind you, that's a factor as well

Whether or not it's worth the price to you is...well, up to you. I like Snap On tools while others think they're a waste of money, especially for a shadetree tinkerer like myself. Some people smoke $100 apiece cigars and drink uber expensive scotch and I think that would be a waste for me, mainly because I don't care for scotch or cigars for the most part. I guess the Sebenza is one of those type things. A $10 folder you can buy at wally world will get the job done but this knife will do it better and still be around for me to pass on to one of my sons and probably them on to one of their children.

Sorry for the long response but I do hope it helps......

 

[kool_BOY8323]

I personally think it's a great knife. As solidly built (or moreso even) as any folder I've come across and has some very nice steel in the blade. I was a little worried that the handle would be too small (I'm told I have large hands) but it fits my mitt perfectly. The titanium finish took a little bit of getting used to but it's starting to grow on me. I've only had it for about a month or so but have used it just about every day and the edge feels as sharp as the day I got it. The stonewash finish on the blade is kinda cool as well.

The only complaint I have, if you could call it a complaint is that it does feel a little bulky in the pocket of my pants/shorts. I'd guess that's because I'm used to carrying spydercos which aren't quite as wide across the back as the sebenza. Either that or maybe the shape or the fact that the titanium handle feels a little gritty (like super duper fine sandpaper but smoother) causes it to not slide around in the pocket like the smoother handled knives I have.

Is it worth the price of admission? I think so. I was in the same boat as you are (flip flopping) for about 6 months. Had it in and out of the shopping cart of many an online store and backed out every time. Just didn't feel comfortable plunking down that much money for something I'd never physically seen an example of. As luck would have it and unbeknownst to me, my lovely wife actually listens when I babble on about things like tools and knives and whatnot and ordered one for me and gave it to me on our anniversary. So, yes I'm afraid of losing it too but for different reasons than replacement cost. Mind you, that's a factor as well

Whether or not it's worth the price to you is...well, up to you. I like Snap On tools while others think they're a waste of money, especially for a shadetree tinkerer like myself. Some people smoke $100 apiece cigars and drink uber expensive scotch and I think that would be a waste for me, mainly because I don't care for scotch or cigars for the most part. I guess the Sebenza is one of those type things. A $10 folder you can buy at wally world will get the job done but this knife will do it better and still be around for me to pass on to one of my sons and probably them on to one of their children.

Sorry for the long response but I do hope it helps......

it does help. i suppose its like anything else, its all in what you want, need, and can afford. right now i want it, but i dont really need it, and i damn sure can't afford it.

i'd also like to know how much abuse it can take. not that i abuse my blades, far from it, but its the main standard i base purchases on. most of the tools i've bought are because my co-worker owns them, and hasn't broken it yet. he's my benchmark. 'if matt can't break it, buy it' i tell all the new guys. so i want that kind of an angle on it, if possible.

though i fear someone with that much money into their blade wont be 'abusing' it so much, but what kind of work can it take? is it a very pretty, very expensive letter opener or is it something you wouldnt be scared to pry things and undo screws with? can you take it out and do some batoning with it? does that feeble looking lanyard hold up? stuff like that.

its a damn nice looking knife to be sure, and the materials are top notch, i just worry about durability and build quality. thanks for your answers!

 

[kool_BOY8323]

I have a large cf 21, and I can say its worth the money. Fit and finish are top notch. It takes and holds an edge great. My spyderco military fights with it for pocket time. It's not a knife I'd sell my Whole collection to fund, But it's in my pocket most if the time.

VERY COOL to see that level of blade out 'working' like that.

thats the kind of stuff i like to see. try to break it, if it holds up to that, than it will for sure hold up to what i'll put it through.

 

[canuckian]

it does help. i suppose its like anything else, its all in what you want, need, and can afford. right now i want it, but i dont really need it, and i damn sure can't afford it.

i'd also like to know how much abuse it can take. not that i abuse my blades, far from it, but its the main standard i base purchases on. most of the tools i've bought are because my co-worker owns them, and hasn't broken it yet. he's my benchmark. 'if matt can't break it, buy it' i tell all the new guys. so i want that kind of an angle on it, if possible.

though i fear someone with that much money into their blade wont be 'abusing' it so much, but what kind of work can it take? is it a very pretty, very expensive letter opener or is it something you wouldnt be scared to pry things and undo screws with? can you take it out and do some batoning with it? does that feeble looking lanyard hold up? stuff like that.

its a damn nice looking knife to be sure, and the materials are top notch, i just worry about durability and build quality. thanks for your answers!

LOL then I guess yo'll have to convince Matt to buy a Sebenza!!

I generally don't use any of my knives for prying or taking out screws unless I'm really in a bind but I'm quite sure this knife will take anything reasonable that's thrown at it. The lanyard IMHO is more of a decoration than anything else. Thinking about removing mine to be honest.
And yes, it will even serve as a letter opener !!

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

VERY COOL to see that level of blade out 'working' like that.

thats the kind of stuff i like to see. try to break it, if it holds up to that, than it will for sure hold up to what i'll put it through.

I don't hold back on it. I carry mostly the seb pictured above daily, I'll rotate in a black on black spyderco military or black on black d2 griptilian also. For dress I have a spyderco caly 3 cf or my seb. I have a spyderco salt I for saltwater fishing and for extended hikes or camping I carry an esee 4 in venom green and orange. I've also been known to carry a victorinox huntsman lite in the bottom of the pocket the seb is clipped in or pair up my swisschamp with my esee. I also carry a black oxide leatherman wave for freshwater fishing, all the tools I need in a small package. For the 455$ I paid for the seb, I get my use out of it. And the more scratches it gets, the better it looks.

I also designed this custom and had it made. Measurements to fit within state law and also measured to my hand for comfort and fit I hae the blueprints for it somewhere...

 

[jeffmoss26]

Lol sadly no as far as I remember the only orange one I have is a kershaw chubby. Carried it for a while but found it too bulky for what it was. The little spyderco fits in my pocket much better. I'd love to have an orange leek though. Ill have to keep my eyes open for a deal on one

I have an orange leek, I think it was around 42 bucks.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Here's my little EDC/most used drawer. I have more in bags, boxes and safes, but I don't want I take the time out to photograph them all lol.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

thanks for the opinions on the sebenza. i can get one direct from chris reeve for around 350 bones, which is typically 3 times my budget for knives, but maybe its time to start saving for it. suprise income tax present to myself or something.

at any rate, here's a link to the orange leek. whats cool about the leeks is there are soooo many variants out there, and all the parts interchange, so if you get one you like the handles on , but the blade from a different one, you can do that.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU6NJLG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[canuckian]

Thanks for the link. I don't "need" another knife but it IS orange lol

 

[jeffmoss26]

http://www.thekershawstore.com/Kershaw-Orange-Leek-Plain-Edge-Knife-p/k1660or.htm

That's where I got mine.

 

[mdnelson86]

My daily knife is a SOG Kilowatt. good knife with wire strippers built in. I use it constantly. Blade is good, but not the best I've ever had. Tough to beat for usefulness. I tried Leatherman's years ago, but found that they never did any job very well for me. I get along better with a vice grip on my belt and the SOG Kilowatt knife.

http://www.sogknives.com/kilowatt-satin-straight.html

If I'm doing something where I know I'm going to need a really strong, sharp blade, I pull out the Spyderco Tenacious.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=294

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I got my brother and grandfather a tenacious last christmas. It's my brothers favorite and most used knife, it's done everything he's asked of it. My grandfather put his benchmade 710 away to carry it and has also taken a liking to a more "modern" folding knife. I think benchmade has a good thing with the axis lock, but their QC is lacking the last few years. Spyderco gives you the most bang for your buck in my opinion and has a knife to suite every need and want. They're my favorite production folding knife company. ESEE has to be my favorite fixed blade outdoors knife company. I have a victorinox swisstool which i love dearly, but my leatherman wave gets used a ton more. You get a lot in that small package, it may not have a ton of tools in it, but what it does have i use the most. Victorinox is the only company i'll trust out of the box for sharpness and durability. All other knives i sharpen and disassemble, clean and adjust before first use. It's just how it is

 

[exophyusical]

Heres 3 of mine. The first is a Victorinox "Farmer" its in my pocket all the time. The second is a Leatherman Wave, it comes along on camping, hunting and wilderness canoe trips. The third is my favorite, its a Grohman #1 or "Canadian Belt Knife". No more perfect knife has ever been designed for the purpose of turning an animal into meat, to hold one is to love it.

 

[thundermug]

My new favorite knife:

AK47 bayonet type 2. The guy said it's from the 50s, but who knows.

I can tell you that the blade and serrated portion are very dull, or have purposely been blunted. There are no nicks or issues other than that. I plan on making wood grips, bluing the blade, and sharpening it. Sharpening the serrated portion will take some doing.

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1501810_669149532632_1929945870_n.jpg

 

[ex-x-fire]

Most of my old European bayonets have dull blades, it's like they made them that way. The one for a K98 has a rounded tip.

 

[jnolla]

Ken Onion - Shenanigan

 

[928'er]

I'm probably a minority here, but I don't consider anything with a serrated blade to be a "knife" - mini saw maybe, but not a knife. I use a knife to cut and slice - If I need to saw at something, there are better tools. Not to mention that serrated blades are next to impossible to sharpen.

Got lots of knives, but EDC is a little Kershaw Chive. Small, simple and functional.

 

[1984twodoor]

I've been using my Buck Bantam at least once a day since I bought it. Love the thing.

 

[nicksnothereman]

My new favorite knife:

AK47 bayonet type 2. The guy said it's from the 50s, but who knows.

I can tell you that the blade and serrated portion are very dull, or have purposely been blunted. There are no nicks or issues other than that. I plan on making wood grips, bluing the blade, and sharpening it. Sharpening the serrated portion will take some doing.

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1501810_669149532632_1929945870_n.jpg

Careful with those as far as the handle. If you saw with the serration too much it starts to get loose (at least with the one I have which is bulgarian (I think)) but the serration will cut through a ton of stuff it probably shouldn't be able to such as the sidewall of a tire; last time I try to change a tire manually.

Bayonets (at least the ak bayonets) are supposed to be dull. The reason being so that if you use one it does more internal damage to the target versus a sharp knife. That's what I found out (researched) about them when I first struggled to sharpen one. They don't stay sharp. I think most of the modern US "bayonets" are different (meant to be sharp) because they are actually survival knives versus a weapon mounted knife. I think the ak users still mount these knives to their weapons at least in the eastern bloc.

If you want a good "survival" (bigger) knife on the cheap you could use a buck zipper (old stock can be had for under 40 bucks sometimes) or a lot of people use the air force survival knife (around 40 bucks)

 

[thejudges69]

I carry a Kershaw Leek...ITS JUNK!!!

 

[thejudges69]

anyone recommend a good all around knife that retains a good edge? I use my knife on the road for cutting and many other things that's its not meant for and I either break them of they're dull within a couple weeks.

 

[Trucky]

You sound like you need something with a plain carbon steel blade and a decent lesson on proper sharpening.

Unfortunately I'm an expert at neither! What kind of stuff are you doing that you're not supposed to? Perhaps there's a better tool to be used there that will keep your knife from dulling?

 

[ex-x-fire]

anyone recommend a good all around knife that retains a good edge? I use my knife on the road for cutting and many other things that's its not meant for and I either break them of they're dull within a couple weeks.

I have one of these, its a US Army electricians knife, it has carbon steel blades that sharpen easy. The square blade is a locking screw driver/blade.

 

[thejudges69]

You sound like you need something with a plain carbon steel blade and a decent lesson on proper sharpening.

Unfortunately I'm an expert at neither! What kind of stuff are you doing that you're not supposed to? Perhaps there's a better tool to be used there that will keep your knife from dulling?

Man, I use it for whatever, I know how to sharpen it I just use it for what its not supposed to be used for. If I'm somewhere loading a machine and we can't read a serial plate, well I use it as a scraper. If I am loading something and it has a loose screw then it becomes a screwdriver. If I gotta cut something it becomes a knife. It's been a prybar or whatever. unfortunately on the road loading or unloading you don't have a scraper, or a pry bar or the tools to do what you need to so you use what you have.

This Kershaw didn't last a year and broke the tip off the blade, thankfully now I have a nice regular screwdriver tip on it haha.

 

[ol'Red]

BOKER (SOLINGEN, Vintage tree brand) junior stockman blue bone, CASE slim line trapper chrome vanadium yellow handle. Lost the BOKER a few years ago and have yet to get over it. I've had the CASE for maybe 10 years.

I always carry two knives, a bigger utility blade (at the moment SOG FlashII) for cutting plastic, cardboard, radiator hose,etc…and a precision instrument for emergency tracheotomies, grafting organs on mice, splitting atoms,etc...

 

[ol'Red]

queen folding stockman d2 tool steel made in pa.

My uncle carried a single blade queen, maybe a trapper? as long as I can remember. Cool knife. I love the craftsmanship of the true folders.

 

[thundermug]

Been having fun spending some birthday money from the wife.

Newly acquired! 1960s 9" (total length) Rizzuto Estileto Milano switchblade. Scored on craigslist for $50. The seller knew the real value, but just wanted some quick cash. Soon after these photos were taken, the knife was lost it in the Chicago River.

Works great, tight lockup. The only flaws are: The blade doesn't seat as deeply as it ought, as indicated in the first picture -and- the back scale is cracked and glued.

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q85/1545953_672976408542_1432481994_n.jpg

 

[Monte]

 

[Steinmetz]

I own dozens of knives of all makes. I carry a certain small swiss army knife with me every day. It's more than 25 years old now.

 

[JBradley500]

I love my Kershaw Blur but I might love carrying this just as much.

 

[bushmechanic]

Right now, it's the Zombie Tools Felon:

http://www.zombietools.net/shop/felon/

Don't let their image fool you. Take these guys very, very seriously. Their blades are second to none until you want to start spending thousands.

I use one of their other models when I'm traveling, because the appearance blends in with the old inner-tube wrapped machetes you see everywhere.

Under that "finish", however, is one of the best sharp objects you'll ever own. Very elegant in the hand, and manufactured with care and tradition.

 

[bushmechanic]

Ten minutes after I bought it, I used the Felon to slice it's own shipping container in half, while it was standing on one end, on a table, with no support.

That's a that's a 4X4X24 box free-standing on it's end.

Take that, Lynn Thompson; you *****.

 

[willf650]

Benchmade 477 is my current pocket knife.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Still carrying a carbon fiber crk seb 21. What an awesome mnife

 

[kool_BOY8323]

I put my vapor in my tech bag and started EDC'ing my ken onion ripple. Once in a while i move to my maxpedition excelsa, but i always end up back to my ripple or the vapor. Though lately i've wanted to experiment with carrying a fixed blade. Most of mine are too large for that though.

 

[Mud]

 

[BirdMobile]

Benchmade knives completely ROCK... but you'll pay for it.