Another reason to love my small Sebenza

Andya27

Andya27

Joined
Dec 26, 2013
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Even I can take it apart and put it back together.

I am not a fix-it guy. I can paint indoor walls and ceilings. I can install light bulbs. I even replaced that plunger thing in the toilet a month ago. That's the extent to my being handy. But I wanted a different lanyard on my small Sebenza, and I also wanted to make sure it was well-greased. This morning the new lanyard and CRK grease arrived in the mail.

I'd prepared well. I watched numerous Youtube methods of taking apart, cleaning, greasing, and re-assembling the Sebenza. I settled on the Apostle P method. I put all the parts in small labeled cups. I wrote down which side the screws were on. What I should have also written down was which sides the two washers (?) on the sides of the blade go on. Well, it took four attempts to get it all back together, which means I wasted three more greasings - but I got it right. Everything lines up perfectly. Smooth as butter opening and closing. Next time I'll be sure to also write down on which sides the washers (or whatever they're called) go.

Anyway, I like the new lanyard. I'm a bit surprised how dark the micarta has gotten in a month of use. I'm not disappointed, but I didn't realize it would darken as it has.


 
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I found the Youtube videos most helpful. Actually, I ended up using something of a hybrid method, as I had more grease all over me than anyplace else by the end of it all. But...I believe that though I may have used a tad more grease than necessary, it's still not a bad first attempt. I'm just glad I won't have to do this again for a few months.
 
Looks nice. Most other knives I find to be a complete pain in the ass to take apart, and usually don't bother. Taking down and cleaning the Sebenza is actually a joy for me due to its simplicity, and it allows me to appreciate the engineering and craftsmanship that went into my knife.
 
That's great, Andy! LOL, I'm kind of OCD myself about putting things back where they came from.

Here's a few tips to keep track of which washers goes on what sides of the blade.

First: The small washer always goes on the locking side of the the blade or the side of the blade that makes contact with the lockbar scale, whichever name you find it easiest to remember to call it. Simply really when you think about it, because you want the lockbar to engage with the tang of the blade and what better washer to not get in the way than the smallest one, right............ see easy :-).

Second: When I take my washers off I flip them on the side that isn't contacting the blade face down. That way when it's time to reassemble, you take the side that's face up and lay it on the blade. An easy way of remembering even if you forget which side is which, is to look at both sides of the washer, and the side that's more shiny and polished with the circular swirl pattern is the side you lay the washer on the blade. Because that's the side which has been making contact with the blade and wearing in for that more broken in, smoother Sebenza feel that you get over time with use of the Sebbie or any knife for that matter. Now if you were to make a mistake and forget to put the washer on the "shiny side" and instead the "dull" side. You would have to repeat the wear in process with use, because that side is unpolished, and the smoothing out, break in process would have to be repeated for that side.

Besides <----- (no pun intended :)) the whole "wear in process" is the removal of metal from the washer that makes contact with the blade. So in return you get a microscopic thinner washer and smoother feeling Sebenza, because less contact surface, equals a more free flowing blade. That's why you see some individuals on videos speed up the process by grinding away a "little" metal from the washers (I'm talking down to the tenths of hundredths of thousandths of a inch), with a very fine stone or strop filled with compound to achieve the same free dropping blade results quicker and faster. Without having to open and close the blade by hand hundreds of times through normal use or for fun like us "knife guys" do.

-Dee
 
GuestWho101 said:
That's great, Andy! LOL, I'm kind of OCD myself about putting things back where they came from.

Here's a few tips to keep track of which washers goes on what sides of the blade.

First: The small washer always goes on the locking side of the the blade or the side of the blade that makes contact with the lockbar scale, whichever name you find it easiest to remember to call it. Simply really when you think about it, because you want the lockbar to engage with the tang of the blade and what better washer to not get in the way than the smallest one, right............ see easy :-).

Second: When I take my washers off I flip them on the side that isn't contacting the blade face down. That way when it's time to reassemble, you take the side that's face up and lay it on the blade. An easy way of remembering even if you forget which side is which, is to look at both sides of the washer, and the side that's more shiny and polished with the circular swirl pattern is the side you lay the washer on the blade. Because that's the side which has been making contact with the blade and wearing in for that more broken in, smoother Sebenza feel that you get over time with use of the Sebbie or any knife for that matter. Now if you were to make a mistake and forget to put the washer on the "shiny side" and instead the "dull" side. You would have to repeat the wear in process with use, because that side is unpolished, and the smoothing out, break in process would have to be repeated for that side.

Besides <----- (no pun intended :)) the whole "wear in process" is the removal of metal from the washer that makes contact with the blade. So in return you get a microscopic thinner washer and smoother feeling Sebenza, because less contact surface, equals a more free flowing blade. That's why you see some individuals on videos speed up the process by grinding away a "little" metal from the washers (I'm talking down to the tenths of hundredths of thousandths of a inch), with a very fine stone or strop filled with compound to achieve the same free dropping blade results quicker and faster. Without having to open and close the blade by hand hundreds of times through normal use or for fun like us "knife guys" do.

-Dee
Click to expand...

The sad thing is after my first attempt at putting it back together I realized the small washer goes where the lock is. It still took me three more times to get it right. I'm really not good at things like this, but I must say that this was a whole lot easier than it could have been.

I'm not even going to think about taking my Mini Griptilian apart. Or my LionSteel. No way. They'd never get back together.
 
Xdm9mili said:
Nice looking lanyard. I think the micarta looks good darkened.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm glad I got the micarta. It really does help with gripping the handle.

I remember reading a post by someone who mentioned that every time he gets a new micarta Sebenza he rubs mineral oil into the micarta to intentionally darken it. Mine happened just with normal use.
 
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If you want it lighter again without getting water all over the freshly-greased pivot area, carefully take a cleaning toothbrush with a slight bit of water and soap on it and scrub the micarta lightly with it. I go parallel to the handle, running on top of the micarta for 20-25 strokes or so. Then wipe it off with a dry washcloth or towel.

It will be lighter again as what is darkening it is oil from your skin, sweat, etc. for the most part. The soap/water does not have to be running or soak everything. You can keep it away from the pivot area that way, by using a toothbrush.
 
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