Another first CRK owner, with questions

sharp_edge

sharp_edge

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
5,937
I got my first CRK couple of days ago. It is a large Sebenza 21. It is a user but in great condition (I am not selling it now). Now I know why people give high remarks to this knife. It is simple, slim, and I can see it is also very functional. The building quality is superb.

I do have couple of questions that I hope folks on this subforum can help. My first question is about sharpening. The knife can still cut print paper but it is not up to the sharpness level of my other knives. The knife has a convex edge, which I assume is how it was set up at factory? Should I keep the convex edge when sharpening? I usually use a guided system, which will produce a V shaped edge. Will that degrade the performance of the knife? What would be the better dps?

My second question is about the lock stickiness. The lockup is about 60-70% which I read is normal and I have no problem with that. When disengaging the lock, however, I can feel resistance. It is audible although it is not making a squeaking noise. This is difficult to describe accurately in words but I hope you get what I mean. Anyway, I can disengage the lockbar easily one-handedly, but it is not as effortlessly as my other frame-lock folders including Hinderer, ZT, and Spyderco (Ti Military). I did try the sharpie/pencil trick, which helped a bit but not much. I also dissembled the knife and cleaned and lubed it thoroughly. My question is: is this lockbar/blade tang tightness normal?

Finally, does anyone feel a bit uncomfortable with the ti scale tip right next to the screw at the end? I guess this has more to do with my not-so-big hand size and I hope over time my hand will get used to it.
 
Sharpening and keeping the convex edge is highly personal.. I use a variety of stones and hand sharpen, then strop...then strop more for maint until it really needs it.
As far as degrading performance? Maybe a little..It's usually a trade off for me. I would personally have the ease of sharpening I am used to by hand sharpening than worrying about keeping the convexity from the factory.

Clean the lockbar of everything with some alcohol and reassemble..If it's still sticky, give CRK a shout about returning it for maintenance to fix that issue.
I carry a large, so I don't have any issues with my large paws. Can't help here.

Congrats on the Sebenza!
 
Congrats on your first Sebenza! In addition to the answers above, I will add that I usually sharpen my Sebenzas to around 17-18 DPS. It cuts great and seems to hold the edge well.
 
i use the wicked edge to sharpen my knives... I will never go back to using the sypderco sharp maker.... yuk
 
IMO my 21Large cuts better and last longer when its got a wicked edge. I also have a sharpmaker which I use to sharpen the umnumzaan, and comparing both of them, WE edge is far superior. As for the lock stick, most important is to have the lock area clear of lubes and grime. There are youtube videos showing 'how to' issues you have described. All the best and congrtas on your sebenza.
 
When it comes to convex or v edge there are so many conversations about which is better. Just use what works for you and what you have the ability to make. I use a Wicked Edge on all my knives from EDC to kitchen knives.
 
As far as the tip's proximity to the screw, it is close but that is a function of close tolerances. The blade won't grow and the screw won't expand. Not sure what your concern is, but I think you should not be concerned if you think they will somehow touch. Make sense?
 
I have never had this with problem disengaging my Sebenza Lock.
When I have had resistance in disengaging a frame lock folder(other brands occasionally), the culprit has been me and my hand position. I find that I am actually putting opposite pressure on the lock bar as I am trying to disengage it. Doubt this is the problem, but might as well eliminate one overly simple factor that could be a cause.

I had one well known makers folder, that I had to totally contort my hand position not to touch the clip which in turn pressed on the lock. That one didn't last long.
 
Last edited:
if you get the wicked edge then consider the upgraded arms and angle gauge and up to 1600 ceramic stones... some folks towards the 1000 grit stage increase the angle by 1/2 degree or so to apex the edge a little more.... I don't worry about a convex edge per se.... the spydero sharpmaker is ancient technology
 
ti lock said:
if you get the wicked edge then consider the upgraded arms and angle gauge and up to 1600 ceramic stones... some folks towards the 1000 grit stage increase the angle by 1/2 degree or so to apex the edge a little more.... I don't worry about a convex edge per se.... the spydero sharpmaker is ancient technology
Click to expand...

I like the WE, but the Sharpmaker is much more affordable for some. The WE costs as much or more than a knife, so if you only have a knife or 2 it may be hard to justify. If you have loads of knives not so hard. Results with the Sharpmaker vary by person. Some get great results. Mine are OK . I own both along with a strop.
If you have a hard time getting a great edge, the WE is the answer. Any idiot can get good results with it, and I am proof.
(You do have to be careful not to eat too much material, but if you follow the directions this should not happen)

That is my opinion, yours may vary. Whatever works for you
 
Last edited:
Peter Hartwig said:
I like the WE, but the Sharpmaker is much more affordable for some. The WE costs as much or more than a knife, so if you only have a knife or 2 it may be hard to justify. If you have loads of knives not so hard. Results with the Sharpmaker vary by person. Some get great results. Mine are OK . I own both along with a strop.
If you have a hard time getting a great edge, the WE is the answer. Any idiot can get good results with it, and I am proof.
(You do have to be careful not to eat too much material, but if you follow the directions this should not happen)

That is my opinion, yours may vary. Whatever works for you
Click to expand...

i got a great deal on my wicked edge starter kit... the guy i bought mine from went to that motorized sanding belt system .... once hooked on the wicked edge you won't go back to the sharpmaker... anyone buying CRK's can afford the wicked edge... just my 2 cents
 
ti lock said:
i got a great deal on my wicked edge starter kit... the guy i bought mine from went to that motorized sanding belt system .... once hooked on the wicked edge you won't go back to the sharpmaker... anyone buying CRK's can afford the wicked edge... just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

I own a Sharpmaker, Wicked Edge, and edge pro. I maintain all of my Crks with the Sharpmaker and strop. I haven't touched my WE or EP for more than messing around with kitchen knives or fixing destroyed edges on used knives I've purchased. If I could only have 1 sharpening system it would be the Sharpmaker. So simple, so fast, so cheap!
 
Sharpie would not work instantaneously. If you keep applying it repetitively, the lock will eventually get smoothed out. Give it a week or so with a lot of opening/closing.


Miso
 
The only downfall with the Shapmaker, is that you have to adjust the angle of your edge to match the angle of the Sharpmakerm rather than changing the angle of the Sharpmaker to match the angle of your edge.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
As far as the tip's proximity to the screw, it is close but that is a function of close tolerances. The blade won't grow and the screw won't expand. Not sure what your concern is, but I think you should not be concerned if you think they will somehow touch. Make sense?
Click to expand...

Maybe I did not express myself clearly. What I was saying is that the angled part of the ti scale in that area (not the tip of the blade) makes my hand uncomfortable, especially in a hammer grip with my thumb on the spine's jimping. It is not rounded as with my other knives like Hinderer, ZT, etc. Maybe it just needs more time for my hand to get used to it.
 
I am considering buying a Sharpmaker. I've been using a Lansky and being happy with the results, which kind of deferred my purchase of a more expensive sharpening system.

BTW, I sent the Sebenza to CRK for service (sharpening and checking the lock stickiness). Once it is back to me, I plan to use Sharpmaker to maintain the edge.
 
wtlj said:
I own a Sharpmaker, Wicked Edge, and edge pro. I maintain all of my Crks with the Sharpmaker and strop. I haven't touched my WE or EP for more than messing around with kitchen knives or fixing destroyed edges on used knives I've purchased. If I could only have 1 sharpening system it would be the Sharpmaker. So simple, so fast, so cheap!
Click to expand...

I don't even consider using my sharpmaker after having used my wicked edge... for one as far as the sharpmaker goes the angle isn't consistent and ceramic stones are very slow compared to what diamond stones can do.. The wicked edge is light years ahead of the sharpmaker... and the sharpie isn't that cheap, msrp is about $100 ...
 
Last edited:
The best thing about the Sharpmaker is: the EASE...

As in...

EASE of:

*setup
*cleaning
*storage
*use
*portage

The most useful tool in my chest is the one which is always at hand...this is true for me for the SM.

Measuring to the exacting DPS is overrated, IMHO...YMMV, BYOB, and all other applicable acronyms. ;)

Most SM enthusiasts can grind an edge or reset an apex that will PERFORM comparably with any edge ground on the Lansky, WE or EP.

The SM edge may not be as pretty or uniform, but it will cut...good enough for me.

Add to that the benefits listed above, I'll reach for my SM 20x more often than my guided systems and angle cube.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top