Off Topic Break in period - Large KnifeArt Inkosi

EveryDayTaco

EveryDayTaco

Joined
Apr 29, 2018
Messages
68
Hi all,

I'm not an seasoned CRK owner, I've had a 25 CF inlay for nearly 6 months and had the washers replaced, everything very smooth, I also have small 21 sebenza with a buttery smooth action.

Just picked up a large CF Inkosi here from a member with a lengthy history of positive feedback, roughly 6 weeks old LNIB, I've cleaned and re-greased it with CRK grease and the action is still pretty stiff, If I loosen the pivot the action is smoother but then the blade is way off center, If I adjust the pivot so the blade is centred then the action is too stiff.

I've played with it, open and closed it with two hands for a couple minutes everyday since owning it. The washers appear to be straight.

My other 2 CRK's have been 2nd,3rd, 4th hand when I got them so I haven't been through the break in period... Or am I being too precious?))

When I re assembled the knife the blade and handle were at a 180 angle, if that helps.
Or is this still in the breaking in period as it was virtually brand new when I got it and it's my first LNIB CRK.
Any suggestions?
 
+/-2 weeks from my experience but with the Inkosi you can directly adjust the pivot and use some loctite to maintain your setting
 
The Inkosis that I own or have handled were probably the smoothest "out of the box" of any CRKs I've handled.

If the knife has been disassembled it might be it got fine debris in it and that might account for the issue ... you might just check that and be sure to go very light on the CRK grease as it will collect pocket debris if you put too much on ...

hopefully it comes around ... but if not for whatever reason ... at least you have CRK's A+ customer service.
 
Take it back apart, clean everything again. Don’t apply grease to the carbon fiber or Ti slab, only on the blade side of the washer. On some CRK’s, the washer on the carbon fiber side doesn’t seat to the carbon fiber and will rotate with the blade. You should be able to see light track marks on the carbon fiber if this is what’s happening. If you have a large Arkansas stone, you can check to see if the washers are flat by lightly honing them in a figure eight pattern. Do the blade side only. I’ve had a couple that weren’t completely flat. Watching the shop tour video shows how CRK adjusts the action of the washers. If you’re not comfortable doing that, send it in.
I’ve had the same experience that JJ_Colt45 has had with the Inkosi’s I have, buttery smooth out of the box.
 
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My large KnifeArt C-F Inkosi was made on March 20, 2019. It has an Insingo blade.

What is the birthdate on yours, if you don’t mind me asking, and is it a drop point or an Insingo also?
 
Much thanks for the responses gents.
I've cleaned and lightly greased the appropriate areas and think it's maybe 10% better.
I'll either upload a video or make a quick youtube video on the weekend and post a link to show the results.

March 19, 2019 and DP.
 
This does not sound right. I only have a sebenza, but I've heard that pretty much everyone handling an inkosi is amazed by how smoothe they are.

I would consider returning it to the seller.

Maybe there is a reason he sold it after 6 weeks?
 
When you take it apart try putting a very small amount of grease on the stop pin so the scale slides over easier. Then make sure everything including the pivot is tight. Then loosen the pivot only enough so that you are happy with the action. It should not come off center unless you loosen it a ton.
 
353:
The smoothness is not really the issue rather the speed as it was too stiff before, as it's still LNIB.

blanco112
I took apart, cleaned, greased and then re-tightened my 3 CRK's and I am satisfied with the results.
Each knife is smooth as it should be: the small 21 fires the quickest & easiest, the 25 feels great (got sent new washers last month)
and the Inkosi has come good with the right amount of tension / torque in the pivot, perfectly centred and much smoother / faster action.
 
EveryDayTaco said:
Much thanks for the responses gents.
I've cleaned and lightly greased the appropriate areas and think it's maybe 10% better.
I'll either upload a video or make a quick youtube video on the weekend and post a link to show the results.

March 19, 2019 and DP.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info!

Mine was very tight also, so yours is normal. I’ve been fortunate to purchase 10-12 new CRKs to this point and this one was the tightest of any of them yet. I did loosen up the pivot until I felt it was easier to open, then immediately checked the blade centering. It was favoring the CF scale a little so I tightened it back up, which centered the blade again, and then loosened the pivot bolt about 1/4 turn. That loosened it up a little, but kept the blade centered.

So don’t fret, yours is ok. It is just as mine is, which was assembled one day later. Just keep using it and it will eventually break in, especially as the ceramic detent ball wears its groove in.

Congratulations on acquiring such a fine knife!
 
So don’t fret, yours is ok. It is just as mine is, which was assembled one day later. Just keep using it and it will eventually break in, especially as the ceramic detent ball wears its groove in.

Congratulations on acquiring such a fine knife!

The smallest of tinkerings made a huge difference.
 
No worries, EDT! It’ll all be good.

That’s why we are all here, to share not only interest, but tips and knowledge and wisdom from one knife person to another.

Only WE understand how knives can be important to one person and “meh” to the next, but we try not to judge those that are truly blind to how ROCKIN’ knives of all shapes, sizes and personal preferences really are!

“They mock what they do not understand!” :)

Welcome to the forum - and glad you’re here.
 
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