The Ultimate Pocket Knife

[L3]

felder,

I am glad you decided to give the Unicorn Magnum a try. I am confident that you will be delighted with it. Normally, I wouldn't introduce a subject of this kind. But, the general quality of most peppermills is unbelievably awful, and this particular product (the Unicorn) is truly deserving of special acknowledgement.

I have given them to most of my relatives.

Bob

 

[Sigifrith]

Ditto on the Unicorn Magnum. We've had ours about a year, & it's the best mill we've ever owned.

 

[bryguy42]

Erick, Having a half serrated blade IMHO is most definitely a benefit. Where I work I use a knife all the time. (from cutting open boxes,rope,heavy rubber,hard-pressed circular cardboard tubes,leather,tubing, etc. etc.) And in my experience there are times (usually on the "heavy duty chores") that without using the serrated edge of my knife the chore of cutting would be MUCH more difficult...

Also, I agree that a hollow ground edge is sharper... HOWEVER, most people lack the necessary skills to keep such a grind at it's PEAK sharpness.

And as far as saying a tanto blade is not as good a stabber as a drop point , perhaps you are correct. However I mentioned that they are great for "puncturing" items, meaning stuff like : 55 gallon drums,sheet metal,hard plastic, that kind of stuff. Perhaps I should have elaborated more...



Here is a Quote from a knife owner in bladeforums that was kind enough to reply to a Query of mine:
"Bryguy, Don't know about the timeline, but I do own both, benchmade is a wonderful knife, very good lock, but........the arc lock on all my SOGs seems much smoother IMO. I have several BMs and really like them, but the locks seem a little harder to release sometimes, and they don't seem quite as smooth as the SOGs arc lock.
Of course everyone has their own favorites"

All I'm trying to say is that for the money, the SOG is a better deal than the benchmade... Not that the SOG is "better" but perhaps as good for less moolah.

 

[L3]

The most productive form of thinking is positive thinking. It is always better to guided by a quest for the best than to suffer with thoughts about why something is bad. This is particularly true where people are concerned. Rather than being consumed with perceived faults in others, it is wise to identify and amplify the goodness in them.

One's world is effectively elevated by progressing along the upward staircases of positives, not by tearing down everything in sight. So it is with knives, guns, electronics, flashlights, people, and all things.

How effectively this is done, determines the level of illumination, or darkness, of both your world and your mind.

L3

 

[js]

[ QUOTE ]
L3 said:
The most productive form of thinking is positive thinking. It is always better to guided by a quest for the best than to suffer with thoughts about why something is bad. This is particularly true where people are concerned. Rather than being consumed with perceived faults in others, it is wise to identify and amplify the goodness in them.

One's world is effectively elevated by progressing along the upward staircases of positives, not by tearing down everything in sight. So it is with knives, guns, electronics, flashlights, people, and all things.

How effectively this is done, determines the level of illumination, or darkness, of both your world and your mind.

L3

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

One comment on the Sebenza vs. other knives issue: I've noticed discontent with the Sebenza thumb stud more than once around different forums, and I always find it odd. For me personally, I much prefer the Sebenza thumb stud to a hole, and I have never had a problem opening my Sebenza. That stud just seems to grab on and hold. You do, however, have to get used to her, and develope the right opening technique.

Anyway, just wanted to mention that for me the thumb stud on the Sebenza was a definite upside to the knife.

 

[indenial]

[ QUOTE ]

No doubt, the Sebenza is one of the greatest knives in the history of the universe. However, while I'd agree that no one matches CRK for fit and finish, I'd add that fit and finish alone do not a knife make.
Look, for example, at the Axis AFCK and the Sebenza, for a utility-defense knife. Keep in mind "utility-defense" is a very common reason for folder carry, on the forums. Try working both knives hard, slicing, stabbing, etc. -- AFCK is rock solid in your hand, Sebenza not quite so, right? And how about opening? Tiny pointy thumb stud vs big hole -- try hitting that pointy thing under stress. S30V is impressive, but M2 at least as much.

In short, I feel the Axis AFCK and Axis 710 are both better knives than the Sebenza for certain important and common uses. No doubt, as I said, the Sebenza is one of the greatest knives ever, with unmatched fit & finish, excellent design and edge geometry, and a stronger solution as a classy utility knife. But for some of the main reasons some of the guys here carry folders, my opinion is that if you judge on all merits, those Benchmades pretty much beat any production knife available, at any price, period. It depends on what the mission of the knife is.

Joe

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, based upon the above comments and some research, and after discovering just who and how well-regarded Mr. Talmadge is in the field of knives, I made the plunge and purchased a Chris Reeve Small Regular Sebenza as my first folder knife. Wow! Now I know what they mean by "bank vault" quality. Never thought I would get so much info about knives in a forum for lights! Thanks all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

 

[Overload]

Hmmm, from the above quote from Mr Talmadge, I would have bought a Benchmade 710HS or 806D2. Heck, I could have bought BOTH for the price of Sebbie. OTOH, I own two small Sebbies, and a 710HS (806 is too big for me), and I have an order in with Scott Cook for an improved [my opinion] Sebbie style knife called the Lochsa. So, I'm poor at impluse control.

In MY opinion, I like being able to flick open my knives, love the AXIS lock in it's ease of use and ambidex.

Overload in Colorado

 

[rackness]

i have had many knives over the years including benchmade, buck, cold steel, various victorinox, kershaw, columbia river, gerber, spyderco etc, etc, etc, etc and i have to say the best knife i have personally owned is my edc my microtech socom (non-auto). it exudes quality in every aspect of its construction. it is a liner lock that i would put up against any of locking mechanisms listed so far it is super solid. imho it is in a class above the likes of benchmade and many other companies out there. now i am not saying that it is the "best" because there are many knives out there and to claim it to be the "best" would be foolish as there are custom knives that would put my microtech to shame. so i would rephrase the topic to be "the best that i own" as it is obvious that benchmade are great knives but far from the best available. just my .02 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleye11.gif

 

[indenial]

[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm, from the above quote from Mr Talmadge, I would have bought a Benchmade 710HS or 806D2.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd agree with you if utility-defense had been my primary "mission". As frivolous as it may sound, aesthetic quality is higher on my list, among other things.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Yep, that's the way it should be! For the love of production perfection, simplicity of design, sheer cutting performance, etc., the Sebenza is the right choice for you. For hard use and defensive use, easier opening, longer blade, and (for my hands) more secure handle wins.

 

[CCW]

Very interesting (and passionate) discussions here... Since this particular one hasn't mentioned yet, I present this for your good laughs.

About a month and a half ago, I posted a help request for a small pocket folder. I received many good leads and comments, and guess what I ended up.

Now I happily carry, in my pocket, a Xikar Elan. This one has MOP handle over some stainless steel frame (very thin), and sort of a frame lock (also very thin). The blade material is said to be Z60CDV14 stainless steel, which I never heard of before (BTW someone knows anything about this steel, please share your knowledge). On the blade, it says "built in Italy", whatever that means. By now, some of you are LOFLing...

The reasons why I picked this one. It is very small, just like I wanted, at 2.7" closed. Very light weight, very thin, almost not there, which is great. Rounded shape all around, real easy on my pocket. And this one does not look much of a knife to anybody, which is important for my surroundings. However, this was still a compromise. It is not as easy to open as I like, even though I am getting used to that after some practice. Factory sharpening was not all that great, I spent considerable time to resharpen the edge until usable. I have no idea how long the edge will hold (Again, please someone comment). That thin frame lock is practically a non-issue for what I am using this for, and the way I grip the knife puts my finger right on the locking mechanism so that I am not worried about the lock slipping off.

I agree with the someone's earlier comment that the best knife is the one you have when you need it. Since this is about the best I found that I can carry everyday, I should be REALLY happy... But I am NOT.

I guess I am still looking for that "The Ultimate Pocket Knife" for me. And for those defensive-tactical situations, I will just have to keep practicing my kicks...

ps: Sebenzas - I agree with everyone who say they are great. I now have 2 small regular ones, one in BG-42 and the other in Wonder Steel. Wish I could carry them, but I cannot.

pps: I like the frame locks for one simple reason, they are super simple. Speaking of parts count, hard to beat.

 

[ErickThakrar]

Why can't you carry your Sebenzas? I believe they're perfectly legal to carry in California???

 

[indenial]

Nothing is "perfectly" legal in my state. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Kidding aside though, I agree with you. Maybe they're just too valuable/expensive to EDC?

Personally I carry it clipped to my belt in a custom made sheath when I'm not working. I rarely have a need to actually use it, but it's a good conversation starter on the few occasions someone bothered to notice!

 

[CCW]

Why can't I carry Sebenzas?

Not that it is illegal, it has much to do with political correctness. There's such thing called a CLM (career limiting move). Basically, it is my surroundings I have to pay attention. Since I really like my current settings, I better not ruin them.

 

[js]

I own a Large Sebenza, and I have handled the BM AXIS 705 and 710, and I find the Sebbie to be every bit as comfortable to handle and sure of grip.

Plus, I find opening and closing the Sebbie to be simple and easy and smooth. Not as easy and as smooth as the AXIS lock, but still very nice.

I absolutely love my Sebenza and consider it to have been a real bargain. Just recently took a trip and flew, so I had to leave it behind, and I dearly missed it.

I plan on buying a Small Sebbie w/ wood next year sometime.

Fit and finish is excellent, yes, but so is everything else! I had the chance to own either the BM 710 or the Sebbie, and I chose the Sebbie hands down.

Just my $.02.