Breaking in a Sebenza?

fulloflead · Apr 2, 2004

I got my first Sebenza (Large Solar Wind) a few weeks ago. I've carried it about 10 days and have knifesterbated it a LOT in front of the TV over that time just because I like playing with it.

It's hard to resist the temptation to take it all apart, clean it and put it together...

The only thing is that from my experience it's often a better idea to NOT tamper with a knife for a while until you break it in with the factory settings and factory lubricant.

It's probably a bad example, but I own a lot of Emersons and I know from experience that they end up a lot smoother if you don't screw with them for a while and let them break in with the factory lube and pivot tightness.

Probably another bad example...
I own a lot of Benchmades. They never feel right UNTIL I DO clean them out, adjust the screw tension and lube them myself.

NOW...
On to the Sebenza...
I've looked through the spaces around the lock and seen that the blade has a black lube or something in there. The knife is super smooth, but does have a lot of resistance so you HAVE to push it all the way open and it will not flick. (We could argue the flicking to death but I'm GOING to flick my Sebenza once it loosens enough.)

So, anyway, I'm tempted to take the whole thing apart, clean the black stuff out and reassemble with new lube:
RemOil, BreakFree, MPro7, Tuffglide, White Lightning - I haven't decided.

So...

QUESTIONS:
1. Should I take it apart or leave it alone to break in for a while longer with the factory stuff in there?
2. If not, what shall I lube it with out of the above products?

P.S. The knife isn't dirty, so it's not like I have to take it apart to clean it or anything. It would only be a curiosity/performance thing.

[I've read the FAQ's at the top of this forum.]

-J

Dr sharp · Apr 2, 2004

Not to worry, its a sebenza , so it really doesnt matter if you clean it now or later, it will always work great. One thing you might want to keep an eye on is pocket lint. It gets in the lock sometimes, so just blow it out or pick it out. Also ive had good luck not stripping the screws by using the long end of the allan in the screw. For what ever reason it just fits better. Good luck with your new sebbie and enjoy it. You now own the best.

Mark J · Apr 2, 2004

My experience has been that taking it apart and relubing with a lighter/thinner lube will reduce the resistance you're feeling. YMMV

- Mark

fulloflead · Apr 3, 2004

Mark J said:
My experience has been that taking it apart and relubing with a lighter/thinner lube will reduce the resistance you're feeling. YMMV

- Mark

PERFECT! That's ALL I need to hear to give me a reason to do it!

Of course, if it really screws up my Sebenza I'm going to cuss you for a week.

P.S. I love your George Orwell quote! (I've read a bunch of them.) It's a good one. Keep it a while and spread it around.

fulloflead · Apr 3, 2004

Mark J said:
My experience has been that taking it apart and relubing with a lighter/thinner lube will reduce the resistance you're feeling. YMMV

- Mark

Oh, and what the HECK does "YMMV" mean?

ARtsig1 · Apr 3, 2004

Y.our M.ileage M.ay V.ary I always take my new sebbies down and wipe out the CRK lube (it is good lube though) and replace it with Miltec. Just be sure you get it back together correctly. Just double check the washers when you reassemble to make sure they are still in the correct place and all will be well in Sebenzaland!!

neetones · Apr 3, 2004

fulloflead said:
Oh, and what the HECK does "YMMV" mean?

your mileage may vary

Nitin

fulloflead · Apr 3, 2004

Mark J said:
My experience has been that taking it apart and relubing with a lighter/thinner lube will reduce the resistance you're feeling. YMMV

- Mark

It worked, by the way! It's about 50% easier to open and is flickable now. Thanks!

Mark J · Apr 3, 2004

Not a problem. I'm always ready to encourage another knife knut to mess around with their knives. Your experience is similar to mine -- it made the 'benza much easier to open (and for all of you about to post how to correctly push the thumbstud forward...don't bother

).

- Mark

trane fan · Apr 3, 2004

You may want to purchase some CRK fluorinated grease. As Art said Miltec is good as are others but that CRK "lube tube" (

sorry I couldn't resist) keeps my Sebbie working very smoothly.

Geode · Apr 4, 2004

F.O.L.,

Congratulations on your acquisition. Cool pattern. IMO, there is little downside to taking apart the Seb and re-assembling it to see if the action smooths out. I have heard (from Scott Cook) that the phosphor bronze washers do have a little wear in time for a smooth action.

Probably the worst thing that will happen if you foul up the take-down and re-assembly of the Seb is that you crimp one of the washers and need to replace it. If you mess up the job horribly, you can always send the knife back to the shop for a fix. This happened with my Mnandi when I couldn't put it back together right.

Nathan S · Apr 5, 2004

That's one of the things I love about Sebbies: they're so easy to disassemble (and reassemble, of course). They are just about impossible to screw up.