Couple new Sebenzas and a couple questions

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oscar zeta

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Apr 27, 2001
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I've had Sebenzas before but have always had to sell them off for financial reasons when I was younger and probably shouldn't have bought them in the first place. Fast forward several years and I'm finally able to purchase and actually enjoy a couple of Sebenzas.

So I just got these two over the past 1-2 weeks. They're everything I remembered and expected as far as fit, finish and overall utility. I'm using these as alternating EDCs, depending on the occasion, how I'm dressed, etc.

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I do have a couple of questions on the 25 and hopefully someone can help me out. I (perhaps foolishly) disassembled it a few days after I received it and I'm having trouble with the pivot. It doesn't seem to have as much of an effect on the looseness of the blade opening as I would think it should. Also, when I have it set to where I want it, I can push the pivot pins back and forth through the hole just slightly when the knife is closed. Is that normal? I can tighten it down all the way but then it's just a bit tighter than I would like it. When I totally remove the front pivot, the blade still opens up the same, no real difference.

Should I be adjusting both sides of the pivot?
Should the knife be opening more smoothly when I loosen the pivot?

When I took it apart, I accidentally bent the back washer, but I believe I straightened it just fine. And I'm pretty sure it hasn't affected performance. I think it was like this even before I took it apart.

Thanks for any help! I've been reading and searching through here and couldn't find a similar topic.
 
It could have a bit to do with the best washer as the tolerances are very tight.

When you adjust it, it is very small adjustments that are needed. The end of the hex key should move mm at a time and then open to test. I snug it loosely down then open it, make micro adjustments from there.

Being able to move the pivot back and forth isn't something I'd expect.
 
Interesting. Even before I took it apart, I could adjust the pivot way more than a few mm with hardly any noticeable effect. The reason I took it apart is because I figured it needed to be lubed due to the pivot issues. Maybe I should send it in? Would kind of suck to send it in right after I got it but if it's necessary I suppose I'll have to.
 
One washer has a bent tab that fits into a little hole in the Ti handle.

I tighten the pivot just enough until there is NO blade play, whatsoever, but also enough as to have no back and forth movement on the pivot. The blade, at this point, will still seem just a little stiff in movement, as I've found that every time I disassemble/reassemble, it's just like starting over with a brand new knife, as far as having to "break it in", again.

If put together properly, with properly seated washers, you should be able to sit and open/close it a few dozen times until it loosens up/smooths out again.
 
Are others able to have a loose pivot and a blade that is very smooth-opening? I'm actually happy with how it is now, but just want to make sure nothing is wrong with it.
 
When you say you "bent the washer" are you referring to the small tab that SHOULD be bent?
 
Thanks Razzle, that's a good description and seems to describe how mine is working. I'm a little worried I didn't get the washer perfectly straight but it sits flat on a flat surface no problem. And the knife seems to work just as it did before I took it apart.

The only weird thing is that even when I take the front pivot pin all the way off, there still isn't any real play and the blade isn't totally loose like I figured it should be. Is this normal?
 
Actually that small tab did bend and I bent it back, which caused the actual washer to bend slightly. I then spent time flattening the washer, which seems to have worked. It sits perfectly flat. Should I be worried about thay? As I said, it works the same way as it did before I took it apart. I don't mind sending it in, if I have to.
 
When you say "bent the back washer" do you mean the one with the little tab that sits into the hole in lock side frame ? That washer is supposed to have the bent down tab and flatening that tab out would indeed cause issues. If that is not what has happened than there is some other problem with fit.
The pivot pin may rotate when seated in position, that is normal, but it should have no other "movement" once it's tightened into the frame and blade. If you are finding space in places where there should be none then something isn't right. :)

Edit: It seems we posted at the same time....
 
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If I hold the knife open horizontally and unlock the blade, the blade does fall. It's just not as loose or easy opening as my Benchmade or Hinderers. I don't mind that at all, if that's how it's supposed to be.
 
It looks like the others in here have your questions answered, so I'll just drool over that Night Sky. :thumbup:
 
My 25 doesn't fall free. Mine might be a little more snug than others might like but it opens smoothly. So yours might be fine, just needs to be tightened a hair. I don't think not being able to fall freely as a bad thing but others might.
 
oscar zeta said:
If I hold the knife open horizontally and unlock the blade, the blade does fall. It's just not as loose or easy opening as my Benchmade or Hinderers. I don't mind that at all, if that's how it's supposed to be.
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Every time you reassemble a CRK, it will almost revert back to new knife status, as the washer/blade interface will have to be slightly broken in, again. I know what you mean about the pivot pin moving, as I have experienced that....it is not correct! You may want to take the knife apart, again, and be sure the washers are in their correct locations, with the bent washer tab in its slot.

After reassembly, and before you "break it in, again", your blade will never be as loose, or able to drop freely, as a Benchmade, etc., as the tolerances on your CRK are much tighter.
 
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oscar zeta said:
The only weird thing is that even when I take the front pivot pin all the way off, there still isn't any real play and the blade isn't totally loose like I figured it should be. Is this normal?
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CRK tight tolerances! If you remove the pivot pin from most any other knife, the blade falls out, no?
 
Beautiful knives you have and great taste in options, and I'm not just saying that just because I have the same two :)

It appears that although you think the washer with the tab is flat, it's not. If you have a hard honing stone, take the washer with the tab and with your index finger make a figure eight pattern on the stone using the weight of the index finger. After several passes look at the washer to see if it has any high spots or is warped.
In attempting to flatten it back out, you may have created a high spot in the washer which would explain why there is play in the pivot. I have taken the pivot screw out and the blade function like it was there.

You may have to send it in to get the washer replaced. I don't think CRK will send a washer.
 
Ok, thanks for all the clarification. Yes, Razzle that makes perfect sense. Thanks for your patience.

If I try to "flick" it open, it stops before completely opening at about 75-85% open. Then I push it the rest of the way. If I flick it open a bit harder, it will open all the way the first time, no problem. (I don't normally flick them open - I know we're not supposed to). But just wondering if that's also indicative of tight tolerances or is that an issue?

In many ways I wish it had the bushing. I don't remember having all these questions or concerns about past Sebenzas. Thanks again everyone.
 
I have three 21's and one 25.....completely different animals, for sure.

Seating the washers correctly is imperative in all of them. After regreasing/reassembly they will all feel just a bit "tight" again, until you work 'em in.

The biggest difference is the use of locking compound in the 25....once you are sure everything is seated correctly, remove the male side of the pivot pin, add a bit of the blue locking compound, snug it up just enough to remove any play....then let it sit for a day to set up.

Then....play with it until it smooths up again.
 
Ajack60, that's what I'm worried about. Although, when I pull the pivot screw out the blade does function as if it were there. Maybe I should send it in just for peace of mind.
 
oscar zeta said:
Ajack60, that's what I'm worried about. Although, when I pull the pivot screw out the blade does function as if it were there. Maybe I should send it in just for peace of mind.
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That's what I'd do. Then you'll know it's right.
 
oscar zeta said:
Ok, thanks for all the clarification. Yes, Razzle that makes perfect sense. Thanks for your patience.

If I try to "flick" it open, it stops before completely opening at about 75-85% open. Then I push it the rest of the way. If I flick it open a bit harder, it will open all the way the first time, no problem. (I don't normally flick them open - I know we're not supposed to). But just wondering if that's also indicative of tight tolerances or is that an issue?

In many ways I wish it had the bushing. I don't remember having all these questions or concerns about past Sebenzas. Thanks again everyone.
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I'm wondering if the stop pin is moving on you. There is a flat spot on the stop pin that has to be positioned correctly for the blade to open without hitting it. If it's too far out of position the blade will barely open. That has happened to me. I've read that some folks have issues with the stop pin moving on them when it is reassembled.
I believe the remedy is to put a dab of locktite on the end of the stop pin to hold it in place once the alignment is correct.
 
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