Finish Line Extreme Fluoro getting dried out

I

Ianmorrow21

Joined
Nov 19, 2015
Messages
49
Hello everyone! This is my first post, and it is great to be here.

I have a question for those of you that use the Finish Line Extreme Fluoro grease for your CRKs. My first and only CRK is a small 21 micarta that was born this time last year, that I got in October 2015. At the suggestion of the Apostle P on Youtube, I started using Extreme Fluoro for lubrication.

The grease works really well and makes my Sebenza super smooth, for about two weeks. Then it starts getting less and less smooth over the next couple of days until it just feels sluggish. Every time I take it apart, the grease looks really dry and crumbly, and doesn't seem to be doing a whole lot of lubrication. Is this normal? Do you have any suggestions for making it last longer between cleanings?


Thanks!

Ian
 
I used to use Finish Line, but went back to CRK grease. To me, I can definitely notice a difference with CRK grease having the edge. First off I would ask how much grease are you using? It literally only takes a drop. The way I do it is to put just a drop on the tang under where the washer will sit. Then I'll take one of those small artists paintbrushes to spread it out. Literally just a film. If my knife gets stiff, I just rinse it under water and let dry. It must have been last year sometime when I last took my EDC Sebenza apart. It is still smooth as ever.

Edit to add: Welcome Ian!!!
 
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I keep hearing stories about how people don't clean out their CRKs for a year or longer. Thats crazy! I guess I need some more experience with this knife. It just feels like it needs a good cleaning every month or two, otherwise it feels kind of stiff. I am definitely using more than a drop of grease. I try my best to emulate the amount of grease that Rob (the Apostle P) uses in his "Sebenza maintenance" video. It doesn't seem excessive, just enough to cover the washers and a small amount in the pivot bushing itself.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums! An extra-special welcome to our Chris Reeve sub-forum! :thumbup:

Chris Reeve recommends using the flourinated grease supplied by CRK. Mr. Reeve recommends it so highly that a tube is in every CRK box. The reason is not so they can sell more of their grease; the reason is because it works the best for CRK knives. CRK grease is the only grease/lubricant I use on my CRK's, and every tube should last you quite a while. The more new CRK's you buy, the more grease you will have (or if any is included with used CRK's that you buy).

You should never run out of the grease, but if you do, buy the CRK grease. Your CRK's deserve it. :)
 
socom1970 said:
Welcome to Blade Forums! An extra-special welcome to our Chris Reeve sub-forum! :thumbup:

Chris Reeve recommends using the flourinated grease supplied by CRK. Mr. Reeve recommends it so highly that a tube is in every CRK box. The reason is not so they can sell more of their grease; the reason is because it works the best for CRK knives. CRK grease is the only grease/lubricant I use on my CRK's, and every tube should last you quite a while. The more new CRK's you buy, the more grease you will have (or if any is included with used CRK's that you buy).

You should never run out of the grease, but if you do, buy the CRK grease. Your CRK's deserve it. :)
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I should have some extra CRK grease lying around. I will give that a shot next time I clean it out. Thanks a lot for the advice.
 
I still do use my CRK grease from time to time. I just prefer the Finish Line one because it it so much easier to apply with that needle point applicator. I think I might just transfer my CRK greases to the Finish Line container once it runs out... lol
 
Welcome to BFC!!!!!
Believe it or not, some folks don't use any grease at all on their CRK's. They run them dry. That being said, you can't always go by what others do. The only time I take mine apart is when they start feeling gritty opening one. I've got several that not have yet been taken down, and they're in my rotation. I've gotten a couple that have felt rough not long after I've gotten them. I will tell you this, from the factory, there's very little grease on them.
I have been known to put too much grease, but that was before I learned that less is better.
I have used lithium grease before using the grease from CRK. It has worked just fine, but now I use CRK grease because they send it with the knife.
 
Ajack60 said:
Welcome to BFC!!!!!
Believe it or not, some folks don't use any grease at all on their CRK's. They run them dry. That being said, you can't always go by what others do. The only time I take mine apart is when they start feeling gritty opening one. I've got several that not have yet been taken down, and they're in my rotation. I've gotten a couple that have felt rough not long after I've gotten them. I will tell you this, from the factory, there's very little grease on them.
I have been known to put too much grease, but that was before I learned that less is better.
I have used lithium grease before using the grease from CRK. It has worked just fine, but now I use CRK grease because they send it with the knife.
Click to expand...
What is the consequence of using too much grease? The only thing I can think of is that it can cause a mess, or get on the lock face and effect the lock up.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
Ianmorrow21 said:
I keep hearing stories about how people don't clean out their CRKs for a year or longer. Thats crazy! I guess I need some more experience with this knife. It just feels like it needs a good cleaning every month or two, otherwise it feels kind of stiff. I am definitely using more than a drop of grease. I try my best to emulate the amount of grease that Rob (the Apostle P) uses in his "Sebenza maintenance" video. It doesn't seem excessive, just enough to cover the washers and a small amount in the pivot bushing itself.
Click to expand...

I use the correct grease and only take down every 2 years for a relube. To clean the Sebenza I wash it in soap and water, dry with a paper towel. That's what CRK told me is routine cleaning. CRK told me that you should take down for a clean/lube when needed depending upon how the knife is used; when pressed they said once a year. CRK said using their grease was important not only for lubrication, but to keep the pivot assembly rust free. The grease that you use, since it drys out, will not provide the protection your Sebenza requires.

Why believe an internet apostle over the company that makes the device?
 
Thanks for the advice everyone! I am going to wait until this batch of grease dries out, and then I will start using the CRK grease again. This time in sparing amounts!
 
I only use the CRK grease. No reason to even try anything else as it works perfectly and lasts for years.
 
Ianmorrow21 said:
What is the consequence of using too much grease? The only thing I can think of is that it can cause a mess, or get on the lock face and effect the lock up.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
.

It can and will attract gunk which will make the action stiff. Also, I can see how thicker grease application would effectively makes the washers seem a bit thicker (if that makes sense).
 
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I wish I could use the crk grease. Unfortunately, its runny probably not suited to the hot and humid weather here in Malaysia. It gets to the lock face and gets sticky too. However, I also do not use the sebby dry as that would lead to higher wear on the mating surfaces. As a replacement, I use SKF blue bearing grease which is of the food safe version. Its not runny and safe to use in food prep. For cleaning the sebby after usage, I would use soapy water and rinse out. For heavy soil, WD40. So far I have only disassembled the 21L twice (gritty) since I started using it since august 2015. Another oil that I also use is the Victorinox Oil. Very light oil that wipes off easily.
 
Greetings!

I tried the Finish Line Extreme grease on two knives about two months ago. I had the same experience you've had. Great at first, gum on a sidewalk after two weeks. When I took down the knives to clean them the stuff had hardened into wax. Terrible.

Use CRK grease. More expensive but definitely better.
 
I cleaned out my Sebenza today to inspect the Finish line grease, and to replace it with the CRK stuff. The finish line stuff already showed signs of drying out. I replaced it with a sparing amount of CRK and all seems well right now. I also ordered some Super Lube high viscosity synthetic PTFE oil to try out. I will test a few different lubricants and report my findings.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
I do a lube job every 2 months or so. My ti lock really appreciates it. But does not require it like a sebenza.

I've tried others. I use crk lube only now.
 
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