Finally broke down and got a couple.

Paradiggum

Paradiggum

Joined
Jul 4, 2001
Messages
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I know I'm not a familiar face around here as I don't post much or even frequent the forums like I used to. I do check them out from time to time though. What brings me here today are a couple of new knives I picked up. I've owned and carried CRK knives for years. CRK is one of the few companies that makes a really nice high end folder in a dedicated left handed format. After I bought my first one as many of you know, it kind of snowballed. I have sought out older Regulars, classics but the ones I carry the most are a large and small LH Sebenza 21. Where I'm going and my mood dictates LG or SM. I bought a small Inkosi earlier this year and while it won't replace my small 21, it is a very nice knife. I haven't seen or been able to find a large Inkosi in LH so I decided to try out the Sebenza 25 and see what I thought. They arrived yesterday and I'm pleased with them. The micarta one is perfect out of the box. The standard one was a pain to open. I'd use the word pry to explain how hard it was to open. So I broke it down and it was extremely dirty. I don't know where it's been stored but the grease was almost black. After a good cleaning, lube and reassembly it works just like the micarta one. I'm glad this wasn't my first CRK. I remember being a little nervous the first time I took a 21 apart to clean and lube. Now it's just part of regular maintenance since I carry and use my knives. I'll carry the 25 now for a little while but I don't think it'll replace the 21 as I still feel it's smoother and I like that you don't have to mess with the tension on the pivot. But they are very nice knives and I'm happy I took the plunge.
IMG_20161111_144749078_HDR_zpsqsojwttg.jpg
 
I hope it didn't come from the factory like that? Did you buy them new or used?

Thanks for sharing your story.

EDIT: I see now that you stated "new" knives. But I didn't know if you meant NIB or "new to you".
 
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I am glad to hear it was a quick fix! What is the birthday? I am just wondering if it was stored a long time or if something else happened to it...
 
They were both purchased new. The tight ones birthdate is March 17, 2015. The micarta one is March 19, 2015. I was a little iffy on taking the tight one apart because the place I bought it only gives 3 days inspection time for returns and it has to be in the same condition received. I'm guessing disassembly would blow that condition. But I thought about it and figured at the worst case there's something wrong but CRK could fix it up. I've sent a couple in for the spa treatment over the years and they've always come back in new condition. I figured I didn't have much to lose. But it was just dirty. I have probably around 30 CRK folders and this is the first and only one to come this way. Even the used ones I've bought. The blade isn't as centered as the rest of my CRK folders but it's not so far out that I'm going to take issue with it. As long as it functions smoothly I'm good. My thumb is trashed from trying to play with it last night though. LOL! That little thumb stud works fine until the blade doesn't want to move. :)
 
Sounds like some loctite worked its way into the pivot. That could have happened at CRK. The loctite mixes with the grease and never hardens, but turns the grease into a dark paste.
 
Great pair! Nice to see a fellow lefty collector. If you don't mind, I'd like to talk with you about the small Inkosi. Would you mind sending me an email to billy.dawson@hotmail.com or text/call 573-614-1191? Thanks!
 
Sweet pair!!!!!
The first LH Wilson Combat Starbenza I had was like that. Sat on the shelf and was stiff out of the box. Had to do the same thing for it to be smooth. Such is the life of a lefty.
I've turned most of my collection from RH to LH.
 
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