Advice needed if I should return my sebenza

TekNyc

TekNyc

Joined
Mar 29, 2011
Messages
142
Recently bought a large 21.
The first issue was lack of tension for the pocket clip. I had to adjust it by hand so it can hold in my pocket. Itd fine now.

2nd issue is with reassemble of the knife. I took it apart so I can get rid of the lanyard and pin. Upon reassembly, it seems like I slightly have to tighten the screws down so I can have a smooth blade. Hopefully the screws doesnt back out. No blade play though.How much should I believe to torque down on it?

3rd issue is the lockup. Its approximately 90 percent. See link to pic. Should I be worried?
My small sebenza 21 has none of these issues. Pocket clip came in fine, I can tighten the screws as tight as I want and its still smooth and lockup is 50%. And its a brand new small sebenza.
Should I return it?

Pic of the lockup:

 
Depends on whether it's brand new or not. Also depends on whether it was like that before you took it apart.
 
Late lock up is normal and how Chris designs his knives to be. Anywhere between 40-90% is what I would call within spec.
And if your knife is properly assembled than you should be able to tighten the screws as hard as you'd like and still be able to open and close it smoothly.
 
reapinItUP said:
Late lock up is normal and how Chris designs his knives to be. Anywhere between 40-90% is what I would call within spec.
And if your knife is properly assembled than you should be able to tighten the screws as hard as you'd like and still be able to open and close it smoothly.
Click to expand...

Tightening the screws will make it hard to open the knife. I barely tighten it. No blade play though. I have 2 other sebenzas and it doesn't have this issue.
 
Knowing how CRK locks hardly move over time, I'd say it should be fine. If it bothers you, then perhaps you can try to return it for a different one. IMO as long as it locks solid with no lock stickiness, then it doesn't need to be fixed.
 
Make sure it's properly assembled. Make sure your not pinching a washer.
If if you rule that out it could be your washers are just a little too thick causing friction when
tightened down on the bushing. There's a fix for this by gently sanding/ polishing the washers but
I wouldn't mess with a new knife without experience. Best thing to do would be return it if your not
satisfied.
 
I'm not sure I understand your issue, but if your saying when you tighten the pivot pin the blade seizes then that's a problem.

If not, the beauty of a sebenza is the bushing. Allowing the pivot to be locked down tight with proper clearance between washers and blade.



TekNyc said:
Tightening the screws will make it hard to open the knife. I barely tighten it. No blade play though. I have 2 other sebenzas and it doesn't have this issue.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the advise guys. This is a beautiful knife. Last thing I want to do is send it back. It still functions great with no blade play. I just thought I can tighten the pivot as hard as I want with no issues.
 
If you can't tighten down hard then you just lost most of the advantages of the sebenza design. Send it back. You didn't just buy a 100$ knife without a bushing system.

TekNyc said:
Thanks for all the advise guys. This is a beautiful knife. Last thing I want to do is send it back. It still functions great with no blade play. I just thought I can tighten the pivot as hard as I want with no issues.
Click to expand...
 
A new knife should not have that issue and you shouldn't have to put up with it. Send it back and carry one of your other knives till a replacement gets sent to you. If you ever go to sell it these problems would also decrease the value.
 
Check your washers. I had the same problem with mine after I took it apart. Thought I'd really goofed up. Turns out the lock side washer slid between the bushing and scale. After I figured that out it's been crazy smooth.
 
Are you assembling the handles, and then sliding the blade/washers/bushing into position when you reassemble? If you are putting it together like a "normal" knife, it is very easy to pinch a washer.
 
Sounds like you have a washer out of place. Upon re assembly, if you're not extra careful the last washer you install can easily move out of place. There is little to no room for error. When you put the pin back in, then the bushing, then the first washer, blade on bushing, there's just enough shoulder left on the bushing for the last washer. Too much grease can prevent it from fitting on the bushing correctly.
You should be able to bear down on the pivot screw without the blade being stiff.
 
My first 21 cannot be tightened all the way down, and never has been. I locktight it at the right tension just like a 25. Subsequent ones I have bought can, but they are not all perfect. It doesn't bother me as I figure eventually the washers will wear down and it will be perfect. Just gotta wait a couple more years. Also the blade centering on that 1st 21 is the best of the bunch, so I forgive it the fact it needs extra tweeking.
 
It could be fine at 90%.

Again, take it down as they suggest, don't be afraid. Reassemble it like a sandwich, lying with the clip side down, one component at a time. Watch the video!

If you cannot tighten the pivot (using both keys simultaneously) down to the point that the pivot screws are flush with the sides of the scales (no gap between the two materials, while being careful not to be overly crank it down too tightly) and it still will not open easily, then send it back.

When it returns you'll rest assured it is within spec, or they would not return it to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top