Are smalls smoother than larges?

T

TimmyBoston

Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
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I have both a large and small sebenza, the small opens and closes soooooo easily, it's like butter, but the large while still smooth is nowhere near as smooth as the small. Is this normal and just a side effect of the larger size? (Both knives are broken in)


Thanks,

Tim
 
Not typical with my pair. Both of mine are Regulars and they're equally smooth. Maybe your Large needs to be cleaned? :confused:
 
TimmyBoston said:
I have both a large and small sebenza, the small opens and closes soooooo easily, it's like butter, but the large while still smooth is nowhere near as smooth as the small. Is this normal and just a side effect of the larger size? (Both knives are broken in)


Thanks,

Tim
Click to expand...

Mine seem opposite -- the large is smoother than the small. I think this is due to the large blade having more mass. As such, in the case of the large, a greater percentage of the total effort to move the blade is due to imparting energy to build momentum, as opposed to overcoming friction. My mind translates that negligible friction feel to "smooth". YMMV.
 
Fooj said:
Mine seem opposite -- the large is smoother than the small. I think this is due to the large blade having more mass. As such, in the case of the large, a greater percentage of the total effort to move the blade is due to imparting energy to build momentum, as opposed to overcoming friction. My mind translates that negligible friction feel to "smooth". YMMV.
Click to expand...

That's the definition I'm going with as well.
 
My Large Regular Sebenza is smoother than any small I have ever had. Its even smoother than any of the mnandi I have had as well. I do notice when it gets to the point where I notice it is not as smooth, its time for a cleaning. After cleaning, its back to being buttery smooth again. I agree with "Fooj" as well, so its just a combination of several factors I am sure. My Large Regular gets used alot and is opened and closed alot, so maybe it is nice and broken-in so to speak. I know from personal experience, my regulars have always been smoother than the small 21's I have had. I have never had a large 21 though. Just dont care for the blade shape of the 21, though I do like the larger handle cut out that makes it easier to open as well.
 
Originally, my large was much smoother than my small, but now that I've owned them awhile, there is no difference. I think it just took awhile for my smal to break in.
 
Fooj said:
Mine seem opposite -- the large is smoother than the small. I think this is due to the large blade having more mass. As such, in the case of the large, a greater percentage of the total effort to move the blade is due to imparting energy to build momentum, as opposed to overcoming friction. My mind translates that negligible friction feel to "smooth". YMMV.
Click to expand...

+1, I defo find the larger Sebs smoother than the smalls. I find all the small Sebs I have, even my well broken
in Small regular beater, have a nearly "blocky" feel to them opening that the larges just don't have.
 
I've had both & didn't notice the difference other than the large is easier for me to open.
 
Haze said:
+1, I defo find the larger Sebs smoother than the smalls. I find all the small Sebs I have, even my well broken
in Small regular beater, have a nearly "blocky" feel to them opening that the larges just don't have.
Click to expand...

I have 6 large and 1 small, All my 6 large are smoother than the small, The small was new when I got it. I took it apart the first day and found it was bone dry on the washers, No lubrication what so ever, I used CRK in the tube and its much better but it still feels "Blocky Or A Little Notchy " I sit in my chair watching TV and work it every night. I believe its the amount of tension the lock bar provides, Because when I pull the lock bar out farther than normal the blade will dangle and swing freely till you let go of the lock bar IMO.

:D:D:D Rickster :D:D:D
 
some people say that the large seems smoother because on opening there is more mass in the blade moving around the pivot so that there is a bit of heft compared to the small. i guess its a kind of 'optical illusion' expereinced by your thumb.
 
A knife is as smooth as one wants to make it...the size makes no difference.

precision is the key...the flatness of the stacked pieces....the tension of the lock bar also creates friction.
 
I think the different feeling of the small, the blocky feeling is because the arc radius the thumbstud travels is smaller than the large. Giving it a jerky feeling opening with bigger hands.
 
bigmark408 said:
A knife is as smooth as one wants to make it...the size makes no difference.

precision is the key...the flatness of the stacked pieces....the tension of the lock bar also creates friction.
Click to expand...

True.
Relative to size and weight, you can make any Seb as smooth as you want.
 
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