Excessive Flicking = Damage?!

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Nov 29, 2009
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Chris Reeve's website states that excessively flicking open the Sebenza can damage it. Have any of you experienced this? This is awfully disappointing considering most people (myself included) flick their folding knives open all the time when watching TV etc. just for the hell of it. It's playful fun.

I think I should be able to flick open my knife as often as I like without worrying about it breaking, especially if I paid $330+ for it.


From Chris Reeve's website:

"Please note that excessive flicking of the blade will also produce a rough action. Continuous wrist flicking will eventually damage the lock because the stop pin and back of the blade are not designed for that sort of continual shock."

Source: http://www.chrisreeve.com/faq.htm
 
...
I think I should be able to flick open my knife as often as I like without worrying about it breaking, especially if I paid $330+ for it.
...
Exactly. I' ve always wondered about that. Realistically speaking, flicking the knife open really can' t damage it...
And I' ve been flicking mine open alot, and have never noticed any problems.
 
The Sebenza and Umnumzaan are both very well made knives, made from great materials
but those materials still have limitations regarless of how much you pay for them.

There is also a difference between flicking the blade out with your thumb and doing the
same with a flick of the wrist. The later is bad for any knife if done over and over.
 
..There is also a difference between flicking the blade out with your thumb and doing the same with a flick of the wrist. The later is bad for any knife if done over and over.

Exactly. Also avoid driving over it with your D9 Cat.

Chris Reeve folders are stouter than most. Chris Reeve actually
approves of thumb flicking open a CRK knife.

Any folder you continually wrist slam open will eventally have problems. Period.

I've been thumb flicking my lg Seb for 10 years. After a while you
can do it so it gently falls open. Mine is still smooth as silk, perfect.

There are enough user Sebs out there over 10 years old to attest this.

Regardless, this is a non-issue. I've never heard of CRK refusing
warranty service for anything. Even if you could damage it from flicking.

Just use common sense and the CRK will last a lifetime.

-Ron

sebflick2.jpg
 
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Why would you beat any horse!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!? :mad::mad::mad:

Anyway, if flicking a knife open damages your knife, then Auto and AO folders are very strange inventions.
 
I know 4 a fact that Chris Reeve has been flicking the hell out of his personal knife....i think he just wants 2 have all the fun. :D
 
I'll thumb flick till it breaks, and if old age arthritis still allows me, I'll buy another one and flick it till Alzheimers makes me forget how:D
 
Any folder you continually wrist slam open will eventally have problems. Period.

I agree with your logic, but not every knife maker forbids wrist flicking. I wrote to EKI last week asking about it, and this is what I got back (apparently from Ernie Emerson himself):

----------
Dear Sir,

Thank you for your kind comments.

I doubt that you will be able to thumb flick the knife open. You can wrist flick as often as you want. Hope you enjoy the knife.

Best Regards,
Ernest R. Emerson

Emerson, Inc.
P.O. Box 4180
Torrance, CA 90510-4180

P 310.212.7455
F 310.212.7289
www.emersonknives.com
www.emersonbrandapparel.com
----------

This seems to make sense, since using the Wave on an Emerson would seem to impart the same amount of shock and force as wrist flicking, if not more. If Waving can't hurt my Emerson, then flicking shouldn't either.

Actually, I wrote to Chris Reeve also and Heather at CRK gave a pretty definitive answer. I'll make another thread about that.
 
I say go ahead and slam open that Sebenza, and then loosen up that Emerson and wrist slam it. See which one stands up to that.:)
 
Why would you beat any horse!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!? :mad::mad::mad:

Anyway, if flicking a knife open damages your knife, then Auto and AO folders are very strange inventions.

Yeah man..I think you're right....

I myself flick an SnG and it's still in great condition!
But there are ways to flick; if you do it the right way it gently flicks open. Use thumb and wrist action.
 
I'll thumb flick till it breaks, and if old age arthritis still allows me, I'll buy another one and flick it till Alzheimers makes me forget how:D

I hear you, that's funny. Hopefilly they'll fix it for you if it did break.

I figure I thumb flick my lg '99 Seb maybe 2 dozen times a day
using it at work. I usually have to open and close it one handed.

Maybe 125 times a week, that's conservative.
125 x 52 wks x 10 yrs = 65,000 flicks.
I usually carry something smaller off work.

It is very smooth and still at about 75% lockup.
I'd be bummed if someone said I was abusing my Seb.
 
I agree with your logic, but not every knife maker forbids wrist flicking. I wrote to EKI last week asking about it, and this is what I got back (apparently from Ernie Emerson himself):

----------
Dear Sir,

Thank you for your kind comments.

I doubt that you will be able to thumb flick the knife open. You can wrist flick as often as you want. Hope you enjoy the knife.

Best Regards,
Ernest R. Emerson

Emerson, Inc.
P.O. Box 4180
Torrance, CA 90510-4180

P 310.212.7455
F 310.212.7289
www.emersonknives.com
www.emersonbrandapparel.com
----------

This seems to make sense, since using the Wave on an Emerson would seem to impart the same amount of shock and force as wrist flicking, if not more. If Waving can't hurt my Emerson, then flicking shouldn't either.

Actually, I wrote to Chris Reeve also and Heather at CRK gave a pretty definitive answer. I'll make another thread about that.

Thats why I love my Emerson.
 
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