Spartan shf or sebenza

[Sharpwalt79]

Hey guys, new here to the forum... I've been trying to decide between a sebenza and a shf. Anyone mind giving their preference and why?

 

[RoyalHolic]

Depends on intent with the knife? Is this going to be an edc and are you hard on your knives? You can't go wrong with either though.

So many factors you left out.

If it's just pure "why" choose this over that well the Sebenza is a pinnacle for most folks.

 

[Therom]

For EDC I think the sebenza is a better choice, mainly due to the smaller size and thinner blade

but the SHF seems to be a very nice pick too, but I would consider it more overbuilt

 

[ShadyMethods]

I personally like the Harsey more. Just works better in hand for me but the Sebenza 21 is easily the better built knife.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Which Sebenza? If the 21, then yes, get a Sebenza. If the 31, then get the Spartan.

 

[King of the Cheese]

Spartan is a nice heavy use knife. It’s definitely robust. But for ease of disassembly/reassembly, more EDC friendly AND best resale value on the market, I’d go Sebenza 21/31. I have a 31 with a Spydie hole. Fantastic knife.

 

[kylemiller]

Watch the Apostle P video on the SHF. There are some rookie design decisions in how it's put together. The only locating pin is the pivot. I don't know if Spartan has revised the design since then, because I'm fairly certain he's looking at it when it was a newer release. I love the look of the SHF but I hate the construction. I've fought with that build philosophy on other knives and stay away from it now. Shoulder those backspacers and you'd be all good. Or mill a locating nub in the backspacer like Shirogorov does.

It's a real shame. If they fixed the locating issues and started sharpening the blade all the way to the ricasso I'd probably own more than 1. Someone please let me know if the locating issue has been revised.

Even with all that fixed it would really have to blow my socks off because I consider the clip point large Sebenza 21 the best folding knife of all time. (even though I don't own one currently, typing this post is gonna make me buy one. again.)

 

[Burke]

Yes noted rookie knife designer Bill Harsey....

 

[kylemiller]

Yes noted rookie knife designer Bill Harsey....

Have you seen the criticism I'm talking about? I don't know if Bill designed every single aspect of the Spartan version of that knife or just said "make a production version of this and give me some money". All I know is the way the construction is on the one he took apart in his video, there are a near infinite numbers of ways you could put the scales together on micro level. The lockface could wind up at a slightly different angle or different position very easily. Maybe they assemble them in a jig at Spartan or maybe they just tune it until it works out.

It's also kind of a non issue for anyone who will never take their knife apart for cleaning. I was really hoping someone would chime in informing me that they shoulder the standoffs now or do some other form of locating at that end of the handle so I can buy one without the worry.

 

[vjb.knife]

As much as I like Sebenzas I think they get treated like they are something magical here and I do not believe it. They are pretty much equivalent to other knives in their price range. Although I recently got a new Hinderer XM-18 3.5" and I think it is quite a bit nicer that any of the Sebenzas that I have. The Spartan is every bit as good as the Sebenza. I will say that I have not taken the Spartan apart so I can not speak to that aspect.

 

[GermanyChris]

The problem with XM’s is the blade not the build.

 

[Josh K]

Yes noted rookie knife designer Bill Harsey....

Oh this made me laugh. Thank you Burke!

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

Get the Spartan first. Then a few others.

Then get a Sebenza.

You won't fully appreciate a Sebenza until you've had a few others first.

 

[strategy9]

Flip a coin...

Whichever side your heart hopes that it lands on while it's flipping through the air is the one you should get...

*(if you still can't decide, then buy the one the coin actually tells you to get)...

 

[Sharpwalt79]

Lots of good info here... thanks guys. I do think I'll try the harsey first... most appreciated guys.

 

[Silent H]

Spartan also has a new 3.25" SHF, although it sold out pretty quickly. It seems like it's a good size between the small and large sebenzas.

 

[vjb.knife]

The problem with XM’s is the blade not the build.

There is no problem with the blade in any of the configurations that they offer. A properly sharpened one cuts as well as any Sebenza.

 

[mendezj]

Porsche or Nissan?

 

[taste.blade]

Both are great knives, I assume that the SHF quality matches or surpasses the bottom lock model Spartan Produces. I would recommend the sebenza as a better cutting tool. It’s not the thinnest slicer around but (without measuring) much thinner bte than a typical Spartan folder. I’m not sure if it has been mentioned but it doesn’t appear the cutting edge continues along the entire edge. I tried to reprofile my Spartan and the edge was so thick it quickly became a hack job. I apexed the edge, barely, then reset to a wider angle to finish out. Cuts like a dream now but it’s no beauty queen.

 

[strategy9]

Porsche or Nissan?

Still not an easy choice for many...