First sebenza...uh oh. What's wrong?

S

Scottcityman

Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
64
Bought a 21 used of eBay. just 3 months old). I can't open it with one hand! Now I'm not an MMA fighter but I don't think I'm that big a wuss either..
It won't open pushing with the thumb. Is something too tight? It's in great shape (I think). Blade looks great..clean...no scratches. Opens great with two hands (like an old fashioned pocketknife). Any thoughts?...pretty disappointed.
By the by:
A small is much smaller than I'd pictured (been carrying a benchmade griptilian)
And..I think the "Idaho made" thing is cool..
 
Try taking it apart and cleaning it. Make sure all of the pieces are in the right spot, use some good lube, and don't pinch the washers. Good luck.
 
First sebenza...uh oh. What's wrong?

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Bought a 21 used of eBay. just 3 months old). I can't open it with one hand! Now I'm not an MMA fighter but I don't think I'm that big a wuss either..
It won't open pushing with the thumb. Is something too tight? It's in great shape (I think). Blade looks great..clean...no scratches. Opens great with two hands (like an old fashioned pocketknife). Any thoughts?...pretty disappointed.
By the by:
A small is much smaller than I'd pictured (been carrying a benchmade griptilian)
And..I think the "Idaho made" thing is cool..
 
A pinched washer will make it tight and blade off-center. No lube in it will do that also. Also, just plain crud in it will cause it to be slightly tight also. Anytime I get a new sebenza ( used one ), I take it all apart and scrub it up. Reassemble and its like new again. After that, I rarely take them apart again as not everyone takes "good" care of their knives. It is possible the blade pivot scew is tightened down way too tight. Sebenzas though, you basically just tighten down the pivot screw and its good, while the umnumzaan you have to set the tension. Just a thorough cleaning should do it though. Let us know how you make out. Lots of people here to help !!!

By the way, congrats on your first sebenza.
 
Are you sure you aren't putting pressure on the outside of the lockbar when holding the knife and trying to open it one-handed? That'll make any framelock hard to open, and it's especially easy to do on smaller ones (such as the Small Seb) where there isn't a lot of real estate for your fingers.
 
Figured out feel stupid. You were right..my fingers were holding the lock bar and keeping it from opening. Gonna take it apart and clean it anyway. It has the new S35 blade so I'll let you know how it wears..
 
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