Flickability?

naccibobacci

naccibobacci

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Jun 5, 2006
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I am considering picking up a large classic Sebenza. I love to flick my knives open. How is the Sebenzas' flickability? Also, say the knife does flick well, have any of you had any experience with contacting Chris Reeves? My purpose would be to purchase the large classic with no thumb stud, a pure unadulterated blade. Nacci.
 
The Sebenza will be impossible to open without a thumbstud, and I doubt they would sell you a Sebenza without one. The ceramic ball detent holds the blade in place very well - you cannot flick it using inertia only. You can flick the Sebenza with some effort using the thumbstud and a wrist flick, but Chris Reeve strongly advises that you not do this. Over time it can wear the knife and blade play will develop.

Most people say they cannot even flick their Sebenza using the thumbstud. If you manage to open it with inertia only: I feel very sorry for your Sebenza.
 
There is not a knife company out there that recomends you to flip open there knives, that doesn't stop us from doing it. Being flipped open will be the least of the sebenzas worries. I'll work the thing like a rented mule and if it loosens or develops wears i'll send it back to Chris and Anne for repair then pay whatever they ask. Don't feel sorry for it. It is a tool not a lost puppy. I've yet to come across a knife that I couldn't flip open so the tolerances on the sebenza must be wicked thight. Anyone else out there sucessful in flicking this knife open? Nacci.
 
I think Django summed it up perfectly regarding the Sebenza flicking philosophy...
and yes, the Sebenza tolerances are "wicked tight". I dont think there is any way you could flick open a Sebenza without using the thumbstud and even then...I dont think you could get one to flick all the way into the locked position. The knife just isnt designed for superfast opening. The only time the blade is that loose on mine are when I am re-assembling them and thats just because I havent tightened the pivot down yet.

This topic has come up often so others might have something else to say.

BTW, Nacci still missing that Modded AR! Thanks again for letting me in on your passaround:D

jryan
 
I can flick open larges only after they have been broken in and with the help of the thumb stud and wrist action. But then again I'm not terribly tactical.

Buy one, try it, let us know. :)
 
I can flick my large open as well using the thumbstud, but it does take some effort. I am going to listen to the person who designed what many call the perfect knife, and he says that the Sebenza should not be flicked.
 
There are plenty of knives designed to be flicked open hard. (all Assisted knives, autos, Waved knives, flippers, etc) I wouldn't buy and flick a knife the manufacturer claims will be damaged by flicking.
 
I have flicked open my small sebenza on occation. You can adjust the pivot tightness with the hex wrench supplied.
 
Mike, I am not advocating flicking any knife open "hard". After you flick a knife open a few times you learn just how much momentum you need to give to allow the locking mechanism to catch. My people all carry knives, we all flick them open. Everyone has there own technique but all of us use only what force is nessesary. It is one handed, it is slick, it is pure. EWCHIU3 that is just the type of info I was looking for, nicely done. I have at several times taken out the pivot on a knife, re-locktighted it, then reinstalled it at the tension that would allow me to flick my knife open. Anyways, I've written Chris Reeves knives and asked them if the would sell me direct a classic large sabenza with no thumbstud. I like the look of the knife with the exception of the hump on the blade spine that allows for the thumbstud. If I can get the sebenza to flick I'll slow grind that hump flat. I don't think twice about modifying a knife if I think the modification will better suit my needs or whims. Any other experience Flicking this knife? If not I'll leave you fellas be. Nacci
 
I can flick my small regular open, but I make a point not to do it. Metal parts slamming together will wear on one another, and prematurely wear out a fine tool. While not necessarily a good idea, it's not that hard to do, it just requires the right technique.
 
Well, that shows what I know, apparently several people are able to "flick" their Sebenzas. Mine dont really open that fast, hmmmm...may be time for cleaning and lube treatment...not that I'll be flicking them anyhow

jryan
 
They're not impossible to flick but it takes a lot of effort (at least for me it does). So much easier to use the thumbstud.:p
 
You can use an inertial opening that I call "the slam" to open a Sebenza without touching the thumbstud. (At least, I'm able to do it on my Large Regular that's well broken in, though it takes quite a bit of force.) Hold the knife in a very tight grip near the butt end and make sure that your fingers aren't pressing down on the lock bar. Then, make a powerful overhand throwing motion with your arm - like you're pitching a baseball into the ground two feet in front of you. If you do it right, the blade should pop open and swing up into the locked position. (Yeah... opening a Sebenza this way is pretty stupid, for a multitude of reasons. :p )

naccibobacci said:
I have at several times taken out the pivot on a knife, re-locktighted it, then reinstalled it at the tension that would allow me to flick my knife open.
Click to expand...

The Sebenza isn't really designed for that. Unlike most folders, it uses a pivot bushing, which allows you to tighten down the pivot screw as tight as it will go. Also, its construction is so rigid that I can actually completely remove the pivot screw on my Sebenza and still not see much of a change in its flickability.
 
i put some lube on my small and large and they both flick open with little effort. they are also both well worn in which also aids. when the large was new i could not flick open, the small could from the day i bought it.
 
Adjusting the pivot does nothing to the Sebenza. The pivot bushing prevents any change in tightness. If the knife flicks open easier when you loosen the pivot, it is probably all in your head. The placebo effect is very strong.

CRK says that Loc-Tite should not be used on their screws. The Sebenza is built to such tolerances that the screws will not come loose by themselves.
 
Well it's not only in my head Django606, my Large Classic is looser if i change the pivot tightness without doubt, not in my head at all.

I just tighten it and it's a lot tighter, i just loosened it and guess what, it looser.

James
 
Django066 is right, you can't get tighter than a certain tightness, trying to adjust the pivot tension to change the action of the blade is completely opposite what a sebenza stands for.

If you want it looser by way of pivot tension why not buy some other lesser knife.
 
Yes, to put it simply - the Sebenza is not made for flicking. Go buy an axis lock or something, or even, wait, don't say it, a BALISONG.
 
We're grown men and we'll buy what we want. Chris reeves himself could ask me not to try to flick his knive open and I'd do it on the spot. My wife asks me to not pull wheelies on me Moto and to not inhale my cigars, that doesn't keep me from doing it. If a man wants to flick his knife open then do it. Does he need our permission? No. The question is not whether it is permissable but whether it is possible.
 
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