21 not closing properly?

Mike Large

Mike Large

Joined
Jun 24, 2017
Messages
419
My first CRK was a small sabenza 21, 4 others since, and for some reason it's the only one giving me this problem. When closing, it doesn't 'snap' shut like all my others. When tightened all the way down it's almost like there's no detent ball there when closing. I have to push it 100 percent of the way down. If keep the screws a bit loose the blade has a microscopic front to back blade play feel only during opening and closing? Wondering if I keep it snug as it gets if it will eventually begin to snap shut... anyone ever heard of this?? I appreciate it
 
You might also want to check for pocket lint around the stop pin. That can keep the knife from properly closing (or locking open in some cases).
 
Take it apart, clean, lube, reassemble. You could also have some lint around the detent ball.
 
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Yes, I've got two older regular sebenza's like what you're describing and the 21 I'm currently carrying which is a wood inlay has the same trait. I can feel the resistance of the detent ball unseating when opening the knives so it doesn't bother me. None of my 25's, Umnumzaan's or Inkosi possess that trait. On those, they fall into the detent hole a little earlier than the 21's. I'm guessing it's because of the bigger detent hole?????
Personally, I don't feel it's an issue nor there's something wrong.

If you loosen up a bit on the pivot, do you feel the detent ball fall in the hole/snap into place??? Could be that when you crank down on the pivot too much, it won't snap in place at all.
 
I believe the detent hole size was enlarged and drilled completely through the blade on all models a few years ago.
 

when you take it apart, be sure to clean it better than he does to verify there is no lint and what not. scrub at it, use a solvent if you have to.
 
Thanks for all the responses I really do appreciate it. Iv done it all. Cleaned it, tried both sides of washers, changes screws around. All ending up back in their original places. Never pinched a washer, this is how it came to me. Blade a tiny bit off centered from the jump. My goal was to ride it out and hope it would fix itsself but I may just have to send this one in. I have my large 21 at the factory getting engraved so it will be a bit before I send it. Thanks for the help yall
 
Hey Mike, did you ever figure this out or get an answer from CRK? I have the same problem on a new small micarta, plus they messed up on the grind as well. I am waiting to hear back from them on Monday once the technician takes a look at this video I sent them. I'm hoping/expecting them to warranty a blade replacement and cover the shipping.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zuHvJpEqp1S2kjLo1
 
Wanimator said:
CRK just hasn't been the same lately have they?
Click to expand...

I've been very impressed with most of what I have from them but obviously not with this one! When you spend $450 for a knife though it should really be close to perfection, right?

Hoping they make it right
 
Maybe the Detent ball has a flat spot for some reason.
Have you contacted CRK to have them check it out for you?
A lot of great advice here so if none of that helped that might be a good next step .
 
TheFactor said:
Maybe the Detent ball has a flat spot for some reason.
Have you contacted CRK to have them check it out for you?
A lot of great advice here so if none of that helped that might be a good next step .
Click to expand...

Not sure if you are talking to me or the OP but mine is pretty much brand new, so I doubt there is a flat spot on the detent ball, plus it is ceramic right?

I called CRK today and the nice lady who answered the phone spoke with someone for awhile and then came back and asked me to email them some pictures. I sent them that video I posted above, didn't hear anything back so I called a few hours later and they told me that the technician who usually deals with issues like this wasn't there today and they would have to get back to me on Monday.
 
Well
Tyd450 said:
Not sure if you are talking to me or the OP but mine is pretty much brand new, so I doubt there is a flat spot on the detent ball, plus it is ceramic right?

I called CRK today and the nice lady who answered the phone spoke with someone for awhile and then came back and asked me to email them some pictures. I sent them that video I posted above, didn't hear anything back so I called a few hours later and they told me that the technician who usually deals with issues like this wasn't there today and they would have to get back to me on Monday.
Click to expand...
Well I hope they get it resolved for you. Yes I doubt a ceramic detent ball would develop a flat spot but possibly a factory defect . It definitely sounds like a Detent issue.
Edit: I'm pretty sure the 21 doesn't have a ceramic detent ball .
 
TheFactor said:
Well

Well I hope they get it resolved for you. Yes I doubt a ceramic detent ball would develop a flat spot but possibly a factory defect . It definitely sounds like a Detent issue.
Edit: I'm pretty sure the 21 doesn't have a ceramic detent ball .
Click to expand...


I think they have been using ceramic detent balls since about 2002
 
Tyd450 said:
I think they have been using ceramic detent balls since about 2002
Click to expand...
Then I stand corrected for some reason I was thinking it was a few other models that did but not the 21.
I've been out of the loop for a while just getting a 21 a week ago after selling the 2I's I had a few years ago .
 
It doesn't have the oversized detent ball that also serves as the lock interface like on the 25, inkosi and umnumzaan, but the little detent ball on the lockbar is in fact ceramic on the 21
 
Is it possible the lockbar just needs to be bent over to put more pressure?
 
Tyd450 said:
If I push in on it, it just stays put. It's like the detent ball and hole in the blade don't quite line up right
Click to expand...
I bet that's the issue and what I actually was thinking after learning its not likely the detent ball having a flat spot. Since its ceramic but it's got to be one or the other I would think.
 
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