Finally, the Sebenza!

[ehhh]

Finally got my hands on the famous Sebenza (small classic).
Had to trade a couple knives for it, but boy am I glad I did.

The titanium framelock is so much stiffer feeling than the titanium Leek I used to have, and it is simply the most solid folding knife I have ever handled!
The fit and finish on these is truly amazing. Not a single flaw that I can find, and trust me, I'm good at finding them.

The action is a little stiffer and rougher than I thought it would be, and seems to be largely due to the ball detent, because it is very smooth if I hold the lock open. It was so easy to disassemble and put back together, I just love it.

I do have a couple questions though:
Do these have to be oiled to get smooth operation?
I cleaned it but I don't oil my folders because they all work fine without it and it always attracts lint, dust, etc.

What is that little film or whatever on the lock face?

And lastly, some pictures!

 

[KamSingh]

Congratulations and great pics!

I would put some Militec on the washers to make it smooth.

That area on the lockbar has been heated to help reduce wear, by heating the lock bar contacting surface, a very thin layer of Ti carbides are formed. This layer is very hard, approx 90HRC.

 

[ehhh]

Thank you for the quick answer. I guess I won't need to worry that some of the carbides are worn off the side of the lock then.

I guess I'll dab some oil on it next time I open it up.

 

[Andy_L]

I wouldn't use one without lube

 

[xzhang]

Congratulations and great pics!

I would put some Militec on the washers to make it smooth.

That area on the lockbar has been heated to help reduce wear, by heating the lock bar contacting surface, a very thin layer of Ti carbides are formed. This layer is very hard, approx 90HRC.

Good to know. I have one question about the Ti carbides: is Sebenza the only knife which has that layer? never heard Strider or other knives use that. Thanks,

 

[ehhh]

I've never seen another knife with a layer quite like that. It's very even and smooth and I thought it was some sort of hard film or coating they applied.

Never handled a Strider, that's probably gonna be my next big knife acquisition.
Buck/Strider 880/881 liner locks are heat treated at the lockup, though it looks nothing like the Sebenza. It's a more gradual transition and it doesn't look like a layer. Makes me wonder how it's done on the Sebenza to look so even and have no color transition.

 

[Professor]

Congrats on picking up a Sebenza. It is the folder that ended my quest for folders.

Professor.

 

[iamsmiling]

This is part of what you paid for . . .

a. Heat treated (hardened) locking bar
b. Inset ball detent (not just a dimple in the lock bar
c. Tight tolerances

I find that lubing the ball detent (I use Chris' grease but oil works too) really improves opening. If you keep the amount of lube between the washers and the blade to a minimum, I've found the knife really attracts no more lint than if dry.

I just use canned air once a month or so to blow any lint out of all the crevices and relube the blade when it begins to stiffen up (6-8 weeks with my usage).

 

[ehhh]

That Trail Master definitely is serving me well, Professor

I don't know if my quest will ever end, but the Sebenza will be one of those that come along for the journey...and probably multiply, too!

I applied some oil with a q-tip on the washers, bushing and the ball detent and it really is doing quite well. I haven't carried it yet, but it hasn't been attracting much dust and it opens real smooth.

I have to say, the knife definitely seems worth the money now that I've handled one.

 

[proguide]

1.)The end of the lock bar is hit with a torch. 2.)After the heating a small piece of what looks like tape is placed over the end of the lock face. 3.) The entire handle is then sand blasted, leaving a small uniform spot on the lock face. You have to love the simplicity of the Sebenza.