First CRK + Detent Question

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Peakbagger46

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Apr 20, 2017
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I found a used 2014 Umnumzam and threw out an offer of $270. Offer was accepted and now I have a Chris Reeve knife in hand for the cost of a new ZT! Im blown away at the quality and how well the hollow ground blade cuts.

Are the detents on CRK knives usually really light? I can barely feel it “turn over” as I open the knife.

Edit- here’s a picture of the knife along side some dinosaur vertebrae taken on a hike in the high desert today:

https://i.imgur.com/FG4Omge_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium
 
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21 detente are nice and solid and won't shake out. The Inkosi is pretty good too.

It could be dirty.

Did you take it apart and clean it?
 
BellaBlades said:
21 detente are nice and solid and won't shake out. The Inkosi is pretty good too.

It could be dirty.



Did you take it apart and clean it?
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I did take it apart and clean/grease it. Maybe I shouldn’t have greased the detent ball and track?
 
Peakbagger46 said:
I did take it apart and clean/grease it. Maybe I shouldn’t have greased the detent ball and track?
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No. That is fine and should be done actually.

I've heard of Ummy Detent being a tad softer but maybe it's due to the design and how it opens.

Weak detents do bother me though. Does this one have the lock bar insert to prevent over extending?
 
Tried removing the O rings, no change. I’m going to try and mess with the pivot.

It does have a lock bar stabilizer. Lock bar tension seems great too.
 
If there’s a little hesitation when you first start opening the blade then that’s normal for an older CRK that has been broken in. The Umnumzaan is a different feel compared to other CRK’s due to the way you open the knife. With a Umnumzaan, you push straight up on the thumb stud and once it starts to open, a arcing motion completes the process. With new CRK’s, sometimes adding grease to the detent helps the break in period. On older ones, it just makes it feel like there’s no resistance when the detent ball clears the detent hole. Adding a touch more pivot tension may help with the feel of the detent ball being unseated initially.
 
Ajack60 said:
If there’s a little hesitation when you first start opening the blade then that’s normal for an older CRK that has been broken in. The Umnumzaan is a different feel compared to other CRK’s due to the way you open the knife. With a Umnumzaan, you push straight up on the thumb stud and once it starts to open, a arcing motion completes the process. With new CRK’s, sometimes adding grease to the detent helps the break in period. On older ones, it just makes it feel like there’s no resistance when the detent ball clears the detent hole. Adding a touch more pivot tension may help with the feel of the detent ball being unseated initially.
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That makes some sense. This is the only CRK I’ve handled so I don’t have anything to compare it to.

Should I avoid greasing the detent ball/path?
 
Peakbagger46 said:
That makes some sense. This is the only CRK I’ve handled so I don’t have anything to compare it to.

Should I avoid greasing the detent ball/path?
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I wouldn’t take it apart again just to clean the grease from the detent track, in the future, you probably don’t need it. I’ve got some older regulars that have a light detent. I’ve never had one open up unintentionally. Consider yourself lucky that you don’t have to go through the break in period. :) The next one you may not be so fortunate.
BTW, congratulations on your first CRK. Let us know if you’re enjoying it and post some pics !
 
I have been searching the internets for the opposite problem. This break in period for my Small Inkosi is no joke. I also have a small 31 that is still being broken in but it's not nearly as bad as the Inkosi. I can tighten the pivot all the way on the Sebenza because of the bushing, but with the Inkosi, I just wasn't able to loosen the pivot at all without getting side play on the blade. I've got it as loose as possible (with lock tite) and I'm just working my way through the break in period. Anyone have any other advice for me?
 
Avi Locke said:
I have been searching the internets for the opposite problem. This break in period for my Small Inkosi is no joke. I also have a small 31 that is still being broken in but it's not nearly as bad as the Inkosi. I can tighten the pivot all the way on the Sebenza because of the bushing, but with the Inkosi, I just wasn't able to loosen the pivot at all without getting side play on the blade. I've got it as loose as possible (with lock tite) and I'm just working my way through the break in period. Anyone have any other advice for me?
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That sounds odd for an Inkosi.

Have you taken it apart for cleaning and (sparingly) regreasing the washers and detent path?

If so, any chance it may not have gotten back together perfectly, or with a pinched washer?
 
Was it purchased here?
If it's real, you've got the option of sending it to CRK to have them check it. Personally, I don't mind soft/light detents; as long as the blade doesn't start to open on its own. (Im even good with being able to use a light- moderate shake to open)
 
Avi Locke, the 2 Inkosis that I have experience with are rock solid, smooth and they open effortlessly. One I bought used, but the one I got new was pretty much identical out of the box. I would advise sending yours in to CRK.
 
Thanks. I have already put in the request for a spa treatment. Just waiting to hear from CRK before sending it off.
 
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