Sebenza 25, from a collectors viewpoint?

James Longstreet

James Longstreet

Joined
May 1, 2014
Messages
890
Just like to exchange some thoughts with Sebenza collector/enthusiasts. How do you see the Sebenza 25 in future?

On one hand it was produced only a rather short period (at least within the CRK world 4 years are more of a short life cycle). So do you think that factor will make it kind of rare, sought-after?

On the other hand one may regard the Sebenza 25 as kind of an experimental/prototype phase, ending into todays Inkosi. From that point of view it is not really a discontinued model. Just changed its name and received some technical evolution.

I am kind of split minded at the moment, whether I should add one 25 to my Sebenza collection. But then I am thinking that the name "Sebenza 25" was wrong, as it does not have the bushing, which to me makes a Sebenza. Now it is the Inkosi, another great knife, but trully a different model than the Sebenza. Should I add one to my collection, because it is named "Sebenza"? Or should I ignore it, as it has (in my eyes) never been a Sebenza? You are getting my point :-)

I am sure most of you have made the same observations I've made with discontinued models: You are not paying much attention and then suddenly people start looking after them. A good example for this psychological thing is the old pivot Umnum. Not long ago, maybe 2, 3 years. Level of attention for the old pivot Umnum was pretty low. Now people are exited about them.

What's your opinion?
 
My opinion is I don't really care what people collect or what Chris called the knife.

If you want one then I'd buy one. If you are thinking of it as an investment then only time will tell. People want Umfans and Regulars and Classics so I suppose there will always be a market.
 
I would bet that some would consider it a collector for the history involved as an evolution to the Inkosi..As far increasing values, it will probably see a small premium, but not much.
For what I see, they are bargain priced on the secondary market or I have seen some good bargains. May not be bad to get one while the price is a little on the low side in my opinion.
 
People tend to want what they can't get. But my personal view on knife collecting is once you get your basic EDC needs met, to focus on knives that both you enjoy AND have potential rarity associated with them. For me, that's regular sebenzas. I'd love to pick up a couple more. I enjoy them since they were my first nice knife back in the late 90s, and since they have been discontinued for 9 years, they are rare and sought after.

My rationale is that I can never predict what other people will want in the future. So any knife I buy, I may not be able to resell and may be forced to look at it for a long time. Do I like the knife? If so, no problem! I could look at a drawer full of regular sebenzas all day if the market dropped out!! I think Ti-Locks may be valuable in the future, but I don't like them, so even though they're are still some deals to be had, I've skipped them.

I challenge you to explore the reason you want a 25. Is it because you like the knife, or solely because you think it could be worth money? I bet that you could name at least 5 knives where both you like them AND they are rare. Focus your collecting there and you'll be happy!
 
Appreciate your thoughts so far. Hoping to receive some more over here. Let me make one point clear. I am not speculating on an investment. That's for sure. I am with bhyde, that an increase of the value at the secondary market will be a minor one. Nevertheless, I am always happy if in case I am selling knives I am not burning too much money. In think in this respect CRK is always a good choice. So no worries here. It is more that I am wondering whether the 25 "deserves" a spot in a serious Sebenza collection or whether I should regard it as an "early Inkosi" without any particular value for a Sebenza collection.
 
I think if you want a complete collection, I'd get:

Original
Regular
Classic
21
25
Inkosi

Depends on your definition of complete and your reason for wanting a complete collection. I find the term complete to be a slippery slope that never ends.

Even if you're just talking 21s, how do you define complete collection of 21s? Small and large for sure. How about pre-Idaho and post-Idaho? Insingo and Tanto? Small Insingo and Large Insingo and Small Tanto and Large Tanto? All of the above for regular and micarta inlaid?

How about 21 custom graphics? Do you need one of each possible graphic? The same graphic for both small and large?

And even if you did get one of each possible graphic, small and large, and literally one of each possible knife, after having 1000 knives, you could argue that you need duplicates of each as a back up. It truly never ends. If the 25 is special to you or you really love the inkosi and want a 25 as a moment to capture the transitionary period of CRK then go for it! If your goal is a complete collection, then you need to define the scope of complete because it's subjective and you'll never get there!!
 
For the die hard collector, a Sebenza 25 will be a must in any collection. Will it gain value? Not anytime soon, but as future generations of collectors evolve, the 25 will have it's place. I would guess a min of 10 years before they're really sought after. Who knows what the future holds. Regardless of what anyone thinks, the Sebenza 25 will have it's place in CRK history in due time. Like any other collectable CRK, value will depend on condition and demand. I don't think from an investment side, it would be worth having money tied up for a long period of time for little or no return on that money. At the very least, you get back what you paid for it. You'd have to be willing to hold on until sometime in the distant future, and really, who does that in this world of knives?
The other thing to consider is, in the short lifespan of the 25, how many were produced? How many in 10 years will be in unused condition? So, for an investment stand point, it doesn't make sense to get one.
Like others have already stated, get a 25 because you want one and keep in mind, you may take a beating on it if you ever sell it.
 
The "collectable/desireable" 25s in my opinion, would be the ones with Micarta or Carbon inlays (because the inlays are a different shape than the Inkosi) and of course, the Prototype 25. All other 25's, to me at least, are kinda lesser versions of the Inkosi, and would not really be that interesting to own unless you are a "completeist". The 25 is a great pocket knife to own and use for sure if you already have one, but I see no advantage of it over an Inkosi, which seems a more refined design to me.
 
A true collector needs to start with the 5 year run of the S. African animal graphics. A full set of those will be worth mint in a few years. First one released this year.
 
VolGrad said:
A true collector needs to start with the 5 year run of the S. African animal graphics. A full set of those will be worth mint in a few years. First one released this year.
Click to expand...

That sounds awesome! I couldn't find any info online - can you post a link to a picture?
 
nick800 said:
Show me a pic
Click to expand...

Original ATS34 Large Sebenza next to a Pre-Idaho Large 21.

The only "original" I have has been worked on by Tom Mayo so I'm not sure if originals have that little recess milled into the lockbar outside or if Tom added that. Mayo did add his own double thumb stud.

I added an MXGear Lanyard Pin to the original. Not exactly sure if I like it lanyardless or will add a lanyard, or if I'll get a factory OEM 21 lanyard pin and add it to my original. Or possibly go original and just run a lanyard directly through the hole as all originals/regulars of that time period were.

Screen Shot 2017-06-04 at 6.17.27 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-06-04 at 6.17.36 PM.png
 
I can't say anything for collectability but it's a very nice knife. Equal money I'd just go ahead and get an inkosi, but at a deal the 25 is awesome. I recently purchased a micarta 25 at 25% off from a dealer (new) and felt like that was a steal. It will be an interesting model to have in future years and j see it staying in my collection. I'll probably get a plain large inkosi to go with my small insingo inkosi.
 
Ajack60 said:
For the die hard collector, a Sebenza 25 will be a must in any collection. Will it gain value? Not anytime soon, but as future generations of collectors evolve, the 25 will have it's place. I would guess a min of 10 years before they're really sought after. Who knows what the future holds. Regardless of what anyone thinks, the Sebenza 25 will have it's place in CRK history in due time. Like any other collectable CRK, value will depend on condition and demand. I don't think from an investment side, it would be worth having money tied up for a long period of time for little or no return on that money. At the very least, you get back what you paid for it. You'd have to be willing to hold on until sometime in the distant future, and really, who does that in this world of knives?
The other thing to consider is, in the short lifespan of the 25, how many were produced? How many in 10 years will be in unused condition? So, for an investment stand point, it doesn't make sense to get one.
Like others have already stated, get a 25 because you want one and keep in mind, you may take a beating on it if you ever sell it.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all of you for your opinions. Really appreciate it. I think Ajack60 nailed it to the point where I am at the moment and gave the little necessary push :)

So I just went shopping at my dealer :)

Pic 1

Pic 2
 
IMG_2431.JPG Investment??? Nah! It is an awesome knife though and I am enjoying it quite a bit!! It just ooooozes cooooool!!
Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top