Cold Steel tests the Sebenza against their Cold Steel Code 4

[grailhunter78]

I dont think Demko got any satisfaction out of that test at all personally. He said headquarters ordered the test because he was avoiding it. It would be interesting to see Chris Reeves reaction if he bumps into Lynn or Demko. I hear hes kind of awnry.

 

[Professor]

Guys, I love me some CRK as much as anyone here. Carried a small regular Seb for 10+ years and have some BEAUTIFUL annual inlays in my collection.

However, this test was meaningful to me.

 

[HwangJino]

Hahaha cold steel.... This caters to the tacticool guys.

 

[retzius]

You can see it in Demko's face several times throughout the video that he wasn't enjoying himself.



Well if they actually showed how/where it failed it might be of use to CRK. I would guess the lock cutout buckled, BUT at that low of weight I think it was just slipping off the blade tang.

It looked like lock slip to me. Mr Demko said as much during the test. I think he said a few times that the the lockup still felt solid but that it just kept slipping during the testing. Interesting data point IMHO.

 

[sh00ter01]

It looked like lock slip to me. Mr Demko said as much during the test. I think he said a few times that the the lockup still felt solid but that it just kept slipping during the testing. Interesting data point IMHO.

It was slipping. usually when you see a frame lock fail from a weight hang, there some buckling at the lock cutout, but the weight was too low, hence the, "I would guess the lock cutout buckled, BUT at that low of weight I think it was just slipping off the blade tang"

 

[Professor]

I dont think Demko got any satisfaction out of that test at all personally. He said headquarters ordered the test because he was avoiding it. It would be interesting to see Chris Reeves reaction if he bumps into Lynn or Demko. I hear hes kind of awnry.

Agreed, he didn't seem too thrilled about it at all.

 

[Joe58]

I'll admit I was a bit surprised to see the NIB knife slip that easily. Least that what it looked like as already mentioned. I thought it'd eventually slip off, but under a bit more weight. I don't put much credence in the spine whack.

I'm curious then if there's a way to figure about how much upward pressure or twisting action you'd have to do in your hand, like if your blade is stuck in something and you're trying to free it. I guess I'm not sure how much "weight" you can apply with just hand pressure.

 

[bld522]

Guys, I love me some CRK as much as anyone here. Carried a small regular Seb for 10+ years and have some BEAUTIFUL annual inlays in my collection.

However, this test was meaningful to me.

Was it because in the 10+ years you carried your small regular Seb the lock failed for some reason? If not, in what way is the test meaningful to you? Just curious.

 

[retzius]

Was it because in the 10+ years you carried your small regular Seb the lock failed for some reason? If not, in what way is the test meaningful to you? Just curious.

Coming from an engineering background I can tell you we tested things to failure all the time. You can learn a lot about a design, the materials, construction methods, and quality control/improvements by testing an item to failure. Even if the test is outside of the scope of usage, it usually still yields data that gives engineering insight.

 

[DngrRuss1]

Was it because in the 10+ years you carried your small regular Seb the lock failed for some reason? If not, in what way is the test meaningful to you? Just curious.

I'm sure that there are an awful lot of people that drove Toyotas with Takata air bags for years that never needed them either, however, if the air bag fails the one time you need it to function, you will probably be very sad.

I hear the "if you use a knife properly, you shouldn't need that strong of a lock" argument quite a bit. Well, if I drive properly, I should not need seat belts and air bags either.

I mean, if lock strength is not relevant to your use, then stick with slip joints. But people use their knives from very gently to very hard, and I would think that protecting your fingers should be at the top of any manufacturer's priorities when it comes to folding knife design.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[bld522]

Coming from an engineering background I can tell you we tested things to failure all the time. You can learn a lot about a design, the materials, construction methods, and quality control/improvements by testing an item to failure. Even if the test is outside of the scope of usage, it usually still yields data that gives engineering insight.

That makes sense. On the other hand, I've rarely heard of a Sebenza lock failing in actual use. I was wondering if Professor's interest was scientific or pragmatic.

 

[bld522]

I'm sure that there are an awful lot of people that drove Toyotas with Takata air bags for years that never needed them either, however, if the air bag fails the one time you need it to function, you will probably be very sad.

I hear the "if you use a knife properly, you shouldn't need that strong of a lock" argument quite a bit. Well, if I drive properly, I should not need seat belts and air bags either.

I mean, if lock strength is not relevant to your use, then stick with slip joints. But people use their knives from very gently to very hard, and I would think that protecting your fingers should be at the top of any manufacturer's priorities when it comes to folding knife design.

Just my 2 cents...

Yep. Light user here. I tend to defer to things that don't fold for hard use. I've never had a problem protecting my fingers that way.

 

[DJC72]

I have no problem with these tests. The results don't surprise me. Cold Steel has been doing them for years. When I use a Sebenza or any frame lock for that matter, my grip secures the lock bar in place, I feel confident using Chris Reeve knives just as much as my Cold Steel blades.

 

[Professor]

Was it because in the 10+ years you carried your small regular Seb the lock failed for some reason? If not, in what way is the test meaningful to you? Just curious.

It just subjectively was meaningful to me. The very same way altruistic acts, a woman's touch, kittens, and a well-made, reliable firearm are all meaningful to me. This is where I take my leave of any attempt at an argumentative trap, for I am the Walrus. I suck at arguing anyway.

Put more scientifically, Retzius nailed it IMHO.

 

[KBA]

I did think the Seb would hold more weight, at least the newer one used, and have to admit that I am taken back by how quick it broke. It doesn't take the 21 Insingo out of my pocket but it is troubling to see.

 

[powernoodle]

What idiot would EVER do that to their knife? That extreme treatment is silly and unrealistic, imo.

That's true. But Mercedes drives their S-Class sedans into fixed objects, and no consumer would ever do that on purpose either.

I don't make much of these tests. I've been using knives for 35 years and have never come even remotely close to placing any serious load on a lock interface. I use my knives to slice cut, and occasionally push cut. But never to pry up manhole covers.

 

[Acadian]

lets not forget guys - we've been safely using non locking traditional folding knives for centuries

 

[Acadian]

I don't make much of these tests. I've been using knives for 35 years and have never come even remotely close to placing any serious load on a lock interface. I use my knives to slice cut, and occasionally push cut. But never to pry up manhole covers.

I've used my knife to break up ice in the winter - actually did just that this past weekend when tons of ice got stuck in the wheel well of my car. Granted it didn't take that much force to break, this is a good example where a good solid lock is important. You "could" get seriously hurt if your lock failed (eg. depending how you are striking).

 

[Gizler00]

I still love my seb and will continue to use it. I was initially surprised also to see the results but after some time to process it, I realize that these tests are not a big deal to me. I will never use it in a situation where it would get spine whacked like that.

And when using my knife in a way that there is massive pressure on the handle.....there will be equal pressure on the blade going in the opposite direction as shown in the video.

But who cares. I don't own a cold steel never have and probably never will. I'm going to go look on the crk exchange for guys dumping their sebs now.

 

[HwangJino]

I still love my seb and will continue to use it. I was initially surprised also to see the results but after some time to process it, I realize that these tests are not a big deal to me. I will never use it in a situation where it would get spine whacked like that.

And when using my knife in a way that there is massive pressure on the handle.....there will be equal pressure on the blade going in the opposite direction as shown in the video.

But who cares. I don't own a cold steel never have and probably never will. I'm going to go look on the crk exchange for guys dumping their sebs now.

Hmmmm, that's a good tactic...