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Ball detent questions
- Thread starter Cut-Up
- Start date
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic®.
You are obviously not familiar with the superior properties of Super Elastic Bubble Plastic®.
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That's Doctor Evil to you. I didn't go to Evil Medical School for six years to be called Mister, thank you very much!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 1999
- Messages
- 2,052
The ball detent is mainly to hold the blade closed. It should not be moving around. It's just a tiny ball bearing inserted into a whole. The edge of the hole is then peened (not sure if that is the proper term here) to tighten the hold on the ball bearing. When you take your Sebenza apart you will notice a small dent next to the ball detent which is the result of this. Hope this helps.
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Paul Davidson
Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."
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Paul Davidson
Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."
hey good question. i wonder too. when i took both of mine apart one looked different from the other. one looked like the ball was held in place by a piece of metal that had been squished from the side of the hole. the other just sat there in the round hole. i was gooing to ask here on the forum why my lrg and sm sebbies were different but once i put them back together i forgot about it. thanks for reminding me.
so, does anyone know why my two favorite knives are a little bit different in this area?
thanks in advance, rob
oops! thank you paul!
[This message has been edited by robl (edited 04-07-2001).]
so, does anyone know why my two favorite knives are a little bit different in this area?
thanks in advance, rob
oops! thank you paul!
[This message has been edited by robl (edited 04-07-2001).]
Well, I've also noticed that the ball detent acts as a bearing for the base of the blade to ride on while it's being opened and closed. The spring weight of the lock bar and the ball detent are what cause 99% of the friction when opening and closing the folder. I'm trying to figure a way to reduce the friction. I'm thinking of using a dremel with a little Flitz on the bearing surface to smooth it up as much as possible. What do you think?
stjames
Sebenzanista
- Joined
- Oct 26, 1998
- Messages
- 6,465
I think you have a good chance of "smoothing" the bearing to the point that it doesn't do its job; keeping the blade secured in the closed position. This will result in a trip back to Boise for the knife and a cost to you to get the knife working properly.
Lots of lubes to try before you start fiddling with the ball detent, don't you think?
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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
[This message has been edited by stjames (edited 04-07-2001).]
Lots of lubes to try before you start fiddling with the ball detent, don't you think?
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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
[This message has been edited by stjames (edited 04-07-2001).]
I thought the detent was made of ceramic. This would increase the life and make for smoother operation. I'm not positive though. I've never heard of a sebenza going back because of a detent coming out; doesn't mean that it hasn't happened though! Over time the knife should smooth out enough that it wouldn't warrant altering it. Post the question to Anne or Chris, I'm sure they would be happy to answer any.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2001
- Messages
- 3,157
I know it's already been mentioned, but this "Miltec 1" stuff makes the sebenza REALLY smooth... like butter!