CRK Smoothest Deployment... which one?

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MSP13

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Feb 14, 2015
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Question: So I have small sebenza. I love virtually everything about it. My one gripe is the relative "stiffness" in opening/deploying the blade one handed. Now I want to make it clear, I'm not talking flipping; simply opening it up with my thumb. I have attributed this partly to the size. Generally, the smaller the handle/knife, the more difficult to open with one hand. So I am thinking about a larger CRK. But which one is smoothest, easiest, to open. For reference I love the ease of opening of the PM2. What is the collective wisdom of the group on which CRK is easiest to deploy? Large 21? 25? Zaan?
 
I also find the large is easier to open (leverage from pivot maybe) but I did make the small quite easy by polishing the washers a bit on 2000 grit sand paper. Carefully.
 
Certainly not my Ti Lock and most definitely the 21 series. The 25 and Zaan was close but no cigar.
 
They are the same for me. There was no difference in smoothness between the large and the small when I had them. The only difference was it sometimes could be a little harder to effectively open the small as easily as the large. But I have XXL hands.
 
Only have the 21&25. Twenty One much easier. May have to readjust the 25, but still having to overcome the ceramic ball...;-)
 
Honestly, ive had at least 75-100 CRKs pass thru my hands and ive had ULTRA smooth knives in EVERY category. I think the smoothest CRK ive had was a 2011 Annual. I think CRK did some extra TLC to the washers/entire pivot on those knives. A close second was one of the original run Umnumzaans. Almost unreal smooth.

They are ALL smooth knives. Some will take time and some come really smooth, just depends.
 
My small micarta 21 has extremely light and smooth action. I also have a well broken-in 25 that is uber smooth, but that small just barely beats it.
 
My experience is pretty similar.
While the small opens smooth, the large one seems to open a tad better, which i also attribute to the size.
The opening-hole of the PM is sure easy to locate under most circumstances.
The stud of the 21's is probably the next best choice.
If you are used to the small 21, the the large seems to be the locical next step, as it work on the same principle.
The Zaan and the 25 are different.
hope this makes sense.
red mag
 
Thanks all. I'll be polishing those washers to see how it affects opening action. Then if improved I'll likely go for a large 21. I love the size, weight, and quality of the knife but wished it opened as easily as many of the Spydies.
 
The smoothest CRKs I own are the ones without the preforated washers - my S30V 21 and Lg Regular.
 
MSP13 said:
Thanks all. I'll be polishing those washers to see how it affects opening action. Then if improved I'll likely go for a large 21. I love the size, weight, and quality of the knife but wished it opened as easily as many of the Spydies.
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In general CRK does not recommend polishing washers. If you significantly reduce the thickness of the washer, it will negatively affect your knife's performance. When cleaning a sebenza, just remove the dirt and old grease. The action of the knife plus time will "polish" the washers all they need. Sebenzas get "smoother" over time, time being measured in months and years.

If you want PM2 "ease of opening" you may not get it from a CRK product.
 
brownshoe said:
In general CRK does not recommend polishing washers. If you significantly reduce the thickness of the washer, it will negatively affect your knife's performance. When cleaning a sebenza, just remove the dirt and old grease. The action of the knife plus time will "polish" the washers all they need. Sebenzas get "smoother" over time, time being measured in months and years.

If you want PM2 "ease of opening" you may not get it from a CRK product.
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Thanks Brownshoe. Any polishing would be very gentle, maybe equal to a few months of use. As for whether CRK is what I'm looking for, I'll keep exploring. I appreciate all the perspectives provided.
 
For ease of opening, not much is going to beat a Spyder hole. In terms of smoothness, there can be a noticeable difference between 20 identical Sebenzas straight out of the box.

My large 21 is unreal to the point where depressing the lock sends the blade with some serious force into my thumbnail. You'd swear the washers have been highly polished, but they haven't been touched. My small was a lot stiffer and would not drop free even after a year, but after a light polish it was much much better. Made the knife a lot more enjoyable.
 
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They're not all made the same as we'd wish to think.

When I was buying mine in store, i played with many to pick my small. I opened a few smalls and they felt different and even sounded different.
My small bocote is by far my smoothest CRK.
 
The Umnums that I've owned were incredibly smooth at the pivot. However, on all of them, they seem to feel to have a stronger detent. Although I cannot confirm this, I believe that it is partially due to the fact that it has a unique way to open it. If you don't have it down, they will feel stiff.
 
I too have a PM2 and indeed, the spyderco opens much easier and smoother than the L21 and Umnum that have. From the start, I had a lot of issues with the Umnum, and having to re-train my fingers/thumb. After awhile it got easier and smoother now. I wouldn't polish washers too. I did make that mistake once.
 
MSP13 said:
*snip*
My one gripe is the relative "stiffness" in opening/deploying the blade one handed.
*snip*
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It sounds like you're talking about getting it started out of the frame. Not really sure though, and you may be talking about the whole motion.
If you are only talking about getting it started the detent controls that, and it will break in some with time.

I've found the detents to be lighter on the older Classics and Regulars. I had right thumb surgery in 2011(that didn't help much), and I now have a hard time with a strong detent. I've bought a few 21's, and had trouble with each detent, except for a 2011 Annual. Sold them all, and just stick with my Classics and Regulars.

It seems most all companies have went to a stronger detent these days, as that's what most all want now. I've read in other forums(here on BF) that many like a stronger detent so they can flick better, and a few say they like it stronger for safety reasons.
I may be wrong about detents getting stronger over the years, but my bad thumb sure doesn't feel like I'm wrong :p
 
Once again Ken44 you're right :D ^^^^^^
My regulars and the one classic are really smooth and I can feel just a slight detent drop closing the knife. I've gotten a couple of new CRK's that have been as smooth, but more have had a strong detent. Mine has gotten smoother with break in time coupled with a break down and fresh grease.
I've only honed the washers one to see if it made a difference. From my limited experience, honing the washers really didn't do anything. Of course, I may have not honed them enough.
It was indeed the detent that needed to wear a groove before it got smooth.
 
Gentlemen, you both hit the nail on the head. It's the detent I must be reacting to. Once free of the detent the blade swing freely. So I guess what I am curious about is the force required to get different CRK blades free of detent. Is the detent stronger on small sebenzas or on the larger blades? Or is it just the new ones?
 
I would open the knife up a quarter of an inch then close it, repeat repeat repeat.
A tight detent now maybe "just right" in 10-15 yrs
I had a knife open up in my pocket after 2 or 3 yrs of daily carry (axis lock 720). So I prefer a little stiff
I've got a classic and a couple of regulars and I agree the detente are not as strong
Good day to you sir
 
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