Better Than A Sebenza and $200 Cheaper?!

Arno Bernard Imamba.
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[@Ant24RAD]

Here I am sitting here perfectly happy on Saturday morning not knowing these existed. Thank you for making me spend way more money than I ever wanted to on a knife.

[@michaell397]

Suppressed to see RWL steel. It was developed by my mentor, R.W. Loveless as basically an ultra Super Charged 154-cm. It was really ahead of it's time. Interesting, we never called the blade finished here satin as satin is a hand rubbed length wise line finish where as this is known to Custom Makers as a Ground finish. A two tone of mirrored spine / flats and a ground finish can be striking! KnifeMaker

[@DavidV4444]

This is a beautiful knife, the Sebenza is $500, I prefer washers to bearings and S35/S45 to Rwl 34 and CRK’s free spa service and excellent customer service - nothing replaces my CRK’s (for me). That said, this is beautiful and I will definitely add one to the collection!

[@ericpitre4031]

Me too!!

[@ericpitre4031]

The Harsey i hv is a beast!!

[@madman94]

They come with bearings or washers, you can order with either, also flipper and non flipper version with either..... I love my 7 CRK's but this is on another level imo, and RWL34 is nothing to sneeze at for an edc folder in my experience, performance is very similar to s35v and CRK tend to run theirs fairly soft, so I really think you'll be surprised by how good this thing performs.

[@natehoover5266]

That's a cool knife. I'm 20 mins from Mansfield and had no idea this place existed.

[@TristateEDC]

RIGHT! I'm in Cincy, and I had no idea either

[@f1nch_13]

The blade shape kinda reminds me of a koenig arius with a slimmed down profile a little bit.

[@johnpawly1849]

I love this knife so much I’m watching this over. I like how you present it. Just gotta quit spending for a while

[@brian_watson]

That’s a looker. That iMamba but with studs would be right up my alley.

[@tincansailor9437]

I have the same iMamba. Love it. No need for a CRK; this is better in every way that matters to me. I bought mine directly from Arno Bernard. I did remove the lanyard post haste howerver. You are correct about the four brothers. The blades are hand-ground by one of them and hand-assembled; no factory! My only slight gripe is I'd like the detent to be a little tighter. It's so easy on the eyes that I've forgiven it.

[@joeisabella6811]

Sitting here watching this as I unbox my second Kratos...I don't feel so guilty about it now 🤣 Thanks Kole 👍 Might have to get myself some purple booty shorts and hit the bricks after seeing that South African beauty you got there. Lol! Have a great one brother.

[@modofatak]

Lol I love all the band-aided fingers in KZbin knife reviews

[@Veesaki]

Your modded CRK Inkosi is a must have for me , just when I think I am done with buying or moding knives I am pulled back in with stuff like your personalized Inkosi , neat review as well !!!! 🎃

[@BuffaloNickel9]

You don't want to mod a crk... one of the best Clips ever made besides the wire clip for functionality. they should be kept in original condition in my opinion- every one I've modded, I regret.

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

@@BuffaloNickel9 There was a guy a while back that was putting Spidey holes in Sebenzas. I could not relate. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@edcko10]

Try one before you buy one. I didn't like mine. Sold it right away

[@ericpitre4031]

Cutlery Corner has AB bone handle knives. Todd is so cool to listen to. Listen with a 3rd ear. You’ll learn about old school makers its Fascinating!!

[@maxlvledc]

I have no idea why you only have 4k followers..your form of knife review is so much more fun thank others...keep at it!!

[@TristateEDC]

Cheers Max. The yt algorithm has not been kind. 🥂🥂

[@maxlvledc]

@@TristateEDC hmm, let me investigate..I use tube buddy and can quickly check each vids stats.

[@JamesWilliams-he4lb]

Never heard of this maker before. Great review. First time seeing one of your videos. You sir, have a fantastic voice for this type of work. Really perfectly suited.

[@RickJenkinsJr]

I own this knife as well as two Sebenzas and a Zaan. It's a nice knife but no CRK killer. The CRK is just a better knife IMO. I do like the T20 pivot screw but the frame lock needs to be chamfered as it's uncomfortable when closing the blade. Super good knife though. I does have some similarities to CRK, such as simple construction, pretty blade, and same type of blast on the scales. The blade on the Imamba is finished very well and the deployment is great for flicking and fidgeting. The CRK is just more substantial feeling in the hand and the clip isn't a hot spot for me like the Imamba is though.

[@Ryan-ye5fc]

Chris Reeve is South African and started his knife making there before he moved to ID, so you kind of owned a SouthAfrican knife.

[@willb7713]

They have a lot of amazing looking fixed blades too. Absolutely beautiful work.

[@Hungrybird474]

How much for that nymble x blades and edc has ?

[@willb7713]

@@Hungrybird474 $315

[@Philip_was_here]

Looks like a great knife, but is it fair to compare a plain-jane Imamba with a fully decked-out Sebenza?? If you compare similar models/similar options, they are about the same price- the Imamba is about $50 cheaper from what I can see.

[@robbknice389]

My LAWD what a great piece! The action seems delicious!!! The acoustics out of the Ti are 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jeremyspaulding7735]

That is indeed spectacular. The price is insane. I forgot if I said it yet but congratulations on the 4k! A well deserved milestone it's been fun to watch the channel grow. Great video 👍

[@Av0cad0YumYum]

Well . The vid is 6 months old and now this knife is $450... Pretty much the same as a sebbie

[@leodegas7731]

Thank you for introducing me to this maker. I see one in my future.😊 ✌️🦁

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

There are so many great knives out there for prices that are super reasonable. Metal Complex gifted me a Kunwu Orion. I got to talking with the owner and bought the Xtao and Zen for just over $400 and look forward to putting them up against some others.

[@mistersmith3986]

Thanks for the heads up about that knife. It looks good at a superb price point.

[@HailPatrick]

Hahaha. Please dont tell my Wife!!! Man Tri-state, i feel that! Just picked up a Herman....and she will never know!

[@phymat1]

Beautiful knife. Great design and I can see the CRK inspiration. As nice as it is I wouldn't call it a Chris Reeves killer. This is a fantastic knife in its own right. Chris Reeve knives have proven themselves over many years. I have used my Sebenza on a near daily basis for years now and it's still got a super tight lockup with zero play and I've given it some incredibly hard use over the years. It's not a zero sum game. This knife is a welcome addition to the market. We need more knives like this to improve competition and ultimately make the knives better and better for us, the consumer.

[@TristateEDC]

Agreed. Well said my friend.

[@tylerrohn6938]

Way better than CR hype knife

[@jimmyross1672]

wow beautiful knife i really like ive been wanting a frame lock knife

[@virusdapimp]

Man you got my subscribe and you got african sporting creations my money. Ended up splurging on the mammoth molar.

[@johnpawly1849]

I am impressed. That is next on my list. Thanks for the Pena bravo got it today your awsome

[@channelzero8916]

Nice review just got one myself a must have for any collection

[@j.friedman7592]

ThaT MoFo is KiLLer i Love these i wish it was a different steel not that theres anything wrong with rwl34 but ya know its crazy its on bearings as far as the action its got a great Hydraulic action its done really well! Nice GraB ManG!!!!🤙👊

[@kenfaulkner5544]

So nice, it just screams quality of design. Too bad it's out of my price range right now. This is an expensive knife that I can say is worth the price from looking at it. Simply beautiful!

[@Minecraftrok999]

May I just ask, why do you prefer washers?

[@kenfaulkner5544]

@@Minecraftrok999 I think you were meaning to reply to DavidV's comment below. I personally prefer bearings. I hear people say that with washers you don't have to worry so much about dirt getting in there? I really haven't had this.

[@madman94]

Mute point since these can be got with either bearing or washers, & in flipper or non flipper, so there's a variant for everyone 🍻

[@olafkliemt1145]

uuuh, nice blade and action. my thoughts when reading the video title were "better and 400 bucks cheaper would be the Land 910T2".

[@tonycanniffe2360]

That’s what I thought. Very good knife.

[@TexturedTitanium]

"MOM?" 😂😂😂 That one got me good!

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

I would love to see what alternative you have for the small version of the Chris Reeves Sabenza.

[@yourpizzageneral007]

What happened to getting a full review? Would love to see your thoughts after a couple months!!

[@MakeMyDay1969]

You got me in trouble with my wife.😂 Picked one up and one of their fixed blades!

[@TristateEDC]

💀

[@MakeMyDay1969]

@@TristateEDC Mammoth Molar is insane!

[@christophwilhelm6431]

The snakeskin carbon model will bring it up to 6 bills and I think it's totally justifiable... and the rinkhalls slip joint is equally amazing😍🤯

[@uwo5786]

Imamba plain cost $450 Insoki plain cost $425 so how did you come up with the $200 cheaper thing?

[@yippikiyay8375]

Yeah I got clickbaited 😂 there the same price, not cheaper. It runs on bearings and is a flipper. IDK how he can compare to a CRK.

[@TristateEDC]

I mean, you have to admit, looks wise, very CRK inspired.

[@woodentulike2no]

You should be on the Radio. Great voice.

[@gregoryblake3377]

Crazy AF I need that Hank.

[@TristateEDC]

the hank is wild right?!

[@jesseleep8921]

Very nice design, clean, solid, All hail the new king

[@ericmack001]

NOT a Chris Reeve killer! But still an awesome knife. It’s awesome that we can get a great value that’s not made in China!

[@WayofKnifeEdcGearHouse]

These are so much better than CRKs. It’s sleeker and more modern design IMO

[@pooslinger6839]

The ball bearings ruined it for me. It might look similar to a crk but no knife is truly a hard use knife if it runs on bearings. Most hard use is going to be done outside where dirt, grime and sand is

[@JOMO_EDC]

I told YOU CAN DO IT! Beautiful knife love you son. MOM

[@UNeedDaBeef]

I'm arena 16 in clash royale

[@Guitaristry83087]

I'm not wearing socks

[@UNeedDaBeef]

@@Guitaristry83087apples are like meteors, the less for have the worse you can breathe, if you have onions, I'm scared of lawn mowers. It's just ridiculous. Show him who you are. I am from New York City.

[@bkinnd]

Sick! Pretty sure that's the first one I've seen plain/all ti, and that one is definitely my fav. The guys in Africa sure know what they're doing, everything I've tried from over there has been money! Have to agree about the price, almost seems like secondary prices lol hard to beat that. I dig it 🤙. PS I checked and no more left, but they have them as a preorder still, says Dec delivery, just fyi

[@joestryker9599]

That's a pretty looking knife. Good score!

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

Stashed away for a rainy day… Doom dumped 50 subs 😂😂😂

[@lord.needham]

How’s that detent Kole? A little light?

[@TristateEDC]

Not the snappiest, but better than a benza 🤣

[@1130jawz]

How’s the detent I remember months ago Lefty saying the detent for the flipper was a little weak??

[@TristateEDC]

Lefty's a diva 🤣 it's not the snappiest, but it's totally acceptable for me personally.

[@1130jawz]

True but I also appreciate a snappy detent. I’ve been eyeing the warthog tusk one for a while. It’s not a small price tag and sometimes hard to pull the trigger on something I’m not hands on familiar with. Thanks for the response 🙏

[@disaar3679]

Still have it? I'm stuck between this and a sebenza. Thanks!

[@3wheelmannc860]

That is an amazing looking creation. Wow. Where in comparison does that steel fall? Never heard of it.

[@j.hardesty446]

I just looked up the steel cuz I was curious rwl stands for Robert w Loveless a famous knife maker that it was named after. and The same company that makes damnasteel one of the best Damascus on the market makes this steel. It's stainless, got good edge retention and can be heat treated up to 64 HRC, but it's also not easily chipped so it has pretty good toughness for how hard it is and it sounds like it's easy to sharpen as well it's a powdered steel obviously to, and I've seen it in high end kitchen knives a lot ✌🏻

[@TristateEDC]

It's used by a lot of custom makers. It's my first experience with the steel so we'll see how it holds up long term

[@knickly]

Basically equivalent to CPM-154.

[@gtrfreak]

Hey nice hat! Great review as well 👏 how could a person not want one of these

[@alexp974]

I must know what the knife is in the bottom right corner.

[@builderbb8767]

It comes from Knafrica

[@terrellbeast7369]

What up from Cincy TS? Hey considering it's African, it might be pronounced (EE-MAHM-BAH) maybe? I don't know but seems like it. Thanks for all your work sir.

[@TristateEDC]

Yooo! What's up neighbor!

[@terrellbeast7369]

@@TristateEDC nothing much TS, been binging on your content lately. I'm trying to get caught up on quality pieces and considering creating content myself. Is there any advice I may humbly ask?

[@jimmyross1672]

hello hello brother great to see another awesome video keep on keepin on ill see you in the next one

[@davidhelka8929]

It's a cool knife the scales look very much like a CRK finish cool for sure great video man

[@jamesharper8373]

Not sure what you are used to paying for CRK but these are no way cheaper

[@TristateEDC]

My large Inkosi was $550 retail, before the price increase, so that's where the "$200 cheaper" is coming from. I do realize they're about the same price.

[@charvey635]

The clip being the same as on the alliance designs mini slim pickins is making me think Reate(who also use rwl34) may have a hand in making this knife

[@TristateEDC]

I haven't had time since the unboxing to do too much research. But I'll break it all down in the full review.

[@Portalpotty]

No, it’s all South African made

[@GrandmasterBBC]

That knife is dope as hell.

[@axton1612]

What's the fixed blade on the right at 1:36? Thanks.

[@brian_watson]

Like it….but I just can’t do flipper only. That drives me nuts.

[@TristateEDC]

It has slots for finger flicking. And the work great 👌

[@byronkennedy7912]

Looks great. Thanks for the review.

[@magnanova]

Never heard of RWL34. What's it comparable to? Is it powder or ingot based?

[@dark_gravity_edc]

Base CRK is $450, so the price is the same. CRK has more name recognition but that knife is cooler. I'd rather have the Arno.

[@TristateEDC]

My $200 less statement is based on the retail price. I paid $550 for my large Inkosi. Then they raised the prices on everything... Hence "$200 less". Either way, this Arno is CASH MONEY 🥂

[@Philip_was_here]

@@TristateEDC $550-200 clicks= $450

[@regan.8077]

Yes, definitely better than a Sebenza.

[@TyMalhoneson]

I think the bread is crumbing at this moment

[@shaggy071]

The Imamba with the Mammoth Molar looks gorgeous but $ 750 is a bit out of my range.

[@everydaybladesinc]

Everything on their site says preorder

[@scottyh.6992]

Well worth it.

[@74SAMOS]

Love it !

[@harunomiya]

So sweet!

[@jeremyl.7563]

It's also where HIPOINT firearms is located crappy cheap guns, just some info for you

[@TristateEDC]

i have 2 of them, and i hate them 🤣🤣🤣

[@InGratitudeIam]

Nice knife. The Sebenza is better, at least from my perspective. Like others have mentioned, washers, steel, price. I also think thumb stud opening provides a slightly smaller profile in the pocket. Sometimes, a flipper tab can mess things up in the pocket. Also, CRK tolerances at 1/10,000 are tough to beat. So, for $50 more, I'd rather have the Sebenza.

[@experienceprecision5406]

Where they on pre-order when you bought it?

[@TristateEDC]

They were in stock when I bought it. Arrived in 2 days.

[@wojciechk50]

Nice knife, I like the blade geometry.

[@kpaintball3]

Looks more expensive than the Sebenza 425$ this on the websites Pre order is 495$.....

[@TristateEDC]

Where are buying Large Sebenzas for $425?

[@kpaintball3]

That Sebenza is 8.4 inch overall this knife is 7.9.....

[@matthewtickel845]

Mansfield, home of Hi- point firearms

[@BluminatiNinja]

Beautiful looking blade! Awesome vid bro!

[@Skwish6952]

Tri state, you had a curly mullet at one time? Didn't you?

[@charlessalmond7076]

I see the resemblance, but thats it. If it were a thumb stud, yep. Unfortunately its a flipper so not for me.

[@TristateEDC]

You can use the pockets on the blade for thumb and spydie flicks.

[@franwalsh3551]

What's ur bandaid say

[@devinallin7170]

I've heard the detent is too soft. Is it or is that nitpicking?

[@TristateEDC]

That's very nitpicky honestly. Pushbutton works like a charm 👌

[@devinallin7170]

@@TristateEDC thanks dealer here in Canada has a mammoth tooth inlay version in-stock. So I'm going to be broke for a bit.

[@BrendanCS]

Whats the knife on his desktop wallpaper?

[@dazedbison229]

That is the relative from EMP EDC ❤

[@TristateEDC]

Empedc Relative

[@babbo507]

great looking knife, great fit and finish but at $450 I think they can use a better steel, atleast m390 or s90

[@Ajaxykins]

Ew, please no. I want more toughness not less

[@babbo507]

@@Ajaxykins heat treated properly the only thing rwl34 has is higher luster and ease of sharpening. rwl34 makes a better kitchen knife.

[@JKnox63]

What am I missing here, the Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 is on his site for as low as $425. Heck the Umnuumzam is only $500. That makes this knife look like far less of a good deal, certainly not $200 cheaper. Don’t get me wrong this knife looks great, but I just don’t think it’s fair to call it a “sebenza killer” when it’s the same price and not even American made…

[@Frank-vo9xo]

Remember Chris Reeves came from South Africa

[@TristateEDC]

Oh, and it shows. SA doesn't mess around.

[@Johnny9ers]

Please 🙏 don't tell my wife😂😂sounds about right.

[@f1nch_13]

Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield Ohio 😉 I'm like 1.5 hrs away, so this is good to know 😁

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

That harpoon blade style is great. Pocket knives should not cost as much as handguns.

[@thedrmurchindise]

Tomato, potatoe.

[@bubba92473]

Another great video 📹, thanks Tristate 👏

[@bwd8664]

This is now likely in my future, let us know how it works out for you.

[@cemetarygates2800]

(Unboxing)....Always cut toward your buddy...Not your body!

[@dw6506]

First time watching and enjoyed very much, but you’ve just got to trust a guy that is taking about knives with a bandaid on his finger

[@tylerparker3024]

Looks nice but not 500 bucks nice

[@chrisk7984]

No chance bro, not convinced better send me one.

[@thedrmurchindise]

Large Sebenza 31 on Knifecenter for 10 dollars more. So I don't see what the hubub is about.

[@TristateEDC]

I almost spit out my drink when I saw your name 🤣 topnotch KZbin handle.

[@thechancellor842]

Please never say Forrealzys again. 😂Good vid!

[@TristateEDC]

I get so amped up when I film these, I have no control over what comes out of my mouth🤣🤣

[@Savage.Doomer]

A Sebenza 31 is only $425, not $650....