Clip Thickness-Gauge Change...

Professor

Professor

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Just an observation, but I noticed that the gauge of the clip on an '07 small Sebenza that I just took delivery of is thinner (not the side-to-side width but rather the gauge of ti material it is either stamped or machined from) than that of the '02 small Sebenza that I've edc'd since '02. It makes for a significantly less stiff clip on draw and re-insertion in your pocket--haven't decided if that's something I like or not.

Just wondering if anyone else had noticed this?
 
I don't have on with a older clip but I have noticed that the ones I have are a little weak. Is the 02 clip the same shape?
 
Yeah, I caught that too Prof. I just picked up an unique Damascus from TNK and the first thing I did was remove the pc. Wish I had a digital camera to show what you're talking about. The part almost seems stamped and very thin. The back of the clip has no finishing detail at all either.

Another cool detail that is not being done anymore is the grooved sides of the handles. There use to be gripping grooves cut on the regular Sebenza. I know that companies cut small corners to reduce costs, but these are the kind of details that set CRK apart from others. Seems odd and kind of disappointing that Chris has decided to make these changes but still increased the price of his knives.
:(
 
That's interesting. I remember a forumite asking the same question a little while back after he almost lost his Sebenza a few times. I think his concern was basically dismissed. Perhaps he was onto something?
 
Hmmm, I just ordered a replacement clip for my large Sebbie. It has the old style clip and I prefer the newer style. I'll mike them both when I get it.
 
It looks like the Large Classic Sebenza I received from CRK in November, '07 has the new clip. It has rounded edges vs. the square cut edges on the old clip.
It does look like the new clip is a little thinner, even taking into account the difference in the shape of the edges.

........................Left, old Sebenza clip. .................. Right, new Sebenza clip.
 
blackend said:
Another cool detail that is not being done anymore is the grooved sides of the handles. There use to be gripping grooves cut on the regular Sebenza.
:(
Click to expand...

I noticed this on my 08 small sebenza. My older Large Sebenza has the grooves but did they get rid of the grooves on the new Large Sebs?
 
But personally, I like the extra security via tension of the old clips. Wonder if CRK has any of the old ones for sale still?

If nothing else, take your new (lesser-tension) clip off, wrap electrical tape around the connection point (where the hole is), tighten it up in a vice (the tape will keep the clip from getting scratched by the vice--little blocks of wood work well on both sides too), and bend it to create more tension.

As an added measure, since I've had my clip on my '02 small Seb "move around" in the clip cutout from years of carry, while the clip's off, take a little epoxy on a toothpick and rub it around the edge of the clip that's secured in the handle when attached--a micro-dab will do you; you should hardly even see what you've applied. Let the epoxy cure before re-attaching the clip. The "gumminess" of the epoxy will prevent movement in the clip cutout on the handle. It makes for a rock-solid clip, which in my opinion was already one of the best (if not the best) in the industry.

Professor.
 
Thanks for bringing this up, Professor!

I had not noticed there was such a big difference in how securely the different clips hold the knife in my pocket. The new (2007) clips don't hold nearly as well.

The "dent" in the middle of the old clip is closer to the frame of the knife. The dent seems to do much of the holding on the edge of the pocket. So, the change
isn't just the thickness of the clip.

In the photo, on the left are two 2006 Sebenzas, Large and Small Classics with Micarta inlay. On the right are two 2007 Sebenzas,
Large and Small Classics with damascus blades. The small 2007 on the far right got pulled out of my pocket, at night. I was lucky to find it.

 
Rich357 said:
It looks like the Large Classic Sebenza I received from CRK in November, '07 has the new clip. It has rounded edges vs. the square cut edges on the old clip.
It does look like the new clip is a little thinner, even taking into account the difference in the shape of the edges.

........................Left, old Sebenza clip. .................. Right, new Sebenza clip.
Click to expand...

I guess my earlier pic is even better at showing the difference in the shapes of the old and new clips. Notice the difference in the gaps between the frame of the knife the the dents in the middle of the clips.
 
Capt. Carl said:
I noticed this on my 08 small sebenza. My older Large Sebenza has the grooves but did they get rid of the grooves on the new Large Sebs?
Click to expand...

I just asked about this earlier this week and Heather said they stopped cutting the grooves several years ago to speed up production. I have a large regular, a '98 that is grooved but my 200x small Sebbie doesn't. I'm not sure I really care for them anyway.

As for the clip, that is an excellent photo. It does look thinner but it also seems like it is under greater tension. As long as it has the same longevity without losing tension, it's fine by me. We'll see when I get my new clip . . . perhaps this weekend.
 
The new clip in the photo isn't under greater tension. Also, the dent in the middle of the clip is farther away from the frame,
causing the clip not to hold as well to the edge of my pocket.

.
 
Well, I have one in the mail to me now so . . . we'll see. I bought it on the strength of the one on my small Sebbie. I hope they haven't cheapened it too much. For the price we pay for these I don't think material cost should ever be an issue.
 
I noticed that when I got my 2007 LE mammoth damascus. Took the clip off, bent it, I'm happy now. I do prefer the old style clip, though. I don't know why they reduced the thickness.
 
I think there were a number of complaints about the older clip tearing up people's pants. Seems like the idea was to reduce spring force on the clip.
 
To me it's still amazing that the prices of Sebenzas haven't increased. When I visited them in December I heard that the price they pay for Titanium has tripled from what it was I think no more than a year or two ago. Besides saving pockets maybe the thinner titanium was a way to stave off a price increase for a little while longer.

-Troy
 
Though I think it had more to do with the spring tension. I'd always thought the Seb had great spring tension on the early 2000 and prior models than any other folder with a clip on the market, and I liked it!

I'd never let a little thing like clip tension, which can be adjusted per my post above, stop me from purchasing a Sebenza!

Professor.
 
OK, these are "ballpark" measurements 'cause I just have a flat end mike. Each is the thinnest measurement made. Yes, the new ones are thinner by about 0.007".

0.048" - Old Style (1998) large Sebenza clip
0.042" - New Style (2006) small Sebenza clip
0.041" - Just purchased clip for large Sebenza

I've had no complaints with my small Sebbie with the "newer" clip in terms of retention. On the large Sebbie you may have a point as it is heavier. I ordered the new clip as I wasn't happy with the old style, it kept hanging up on things.
 
To me it's still amazing that the prices of Sebenzas haven't increased.
Click to expand...

Periodically they take a jump up, It's been a little while but they do go up in prioe.
 
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