"Flicking Open" Sebenzas...

M

MisterWilson

Joined
Feb 6, 2009
Messages
6
So I just picked up my first gently used Sebenza today and I've got a question.

I've heard several times, regarding Sebenzas specifically, that you shouldn't sling them open or otherwise open them without using the thumb stud, as it can peen the blade and loosen over time.

Is this a real issue/concern?

Is it something that can be repaired by a trip back to the shop?

I LOVE the knife but I also like opening it quickly & easily... like all my other knives.
 
DONT flick it.
Its one of the smoothest knives you'll ever open, the tolerences are tight, the action is slick (should be anyway). Hi speed metal to ti is never a good thing. Enjoy the sebbie and open it the way it was meant to. Treat it with respect, use it but dont abuse it and you'll have a knife for life. One to be proud of.
 
this has been discussed at length. some people say you should never flick a knife open, some say it won't hurt it.

i dont know, but i have a few that have been flicked open quite a bit. in particular my emerson's that get waved impart significant pressure on the backspacer and lock.

ive yet to notice any damage or peening. ymmv.
 
IMHO I can open my sebbies quicker and safer by using the thumb stud. I can't understand why people are so hung up on the flicking issue.:confused:
 
Scott Dog said:
IMHO I can open my sebbies quicker and safer by using the thumb stud. I can't understand why people are so hung up on the flicking issue.:confused:
Click to expand...

Self stimulating.
It's the cuttlery equivalent of playing with yourself. . . Sorry, need to stay away from W&C :o.

Seriously, if you're a really, really enthusiastic flicker; you'll probably wear out the hard oxide coating on the lock (eventually), which is easy to fix back at the shop.
You'll know when it happens because the lock will start to stick. Occasionally the lock breaks with light use so don't feel bad if it happens to you. A sticking lock is not necessarily a sign of abuse. Once it starts; send it back. It won't get better on its own but it will get worse. Do it too much or let it go too long and there may be so much deformation that the lock will go over too far after the repair.

I'm not sure if that repair is always covered by the warranty, but if you know that you haven't abused your knife and you're the original owner then it probably will be.
The repair involves: stoning out any deformity on the lock surface, re-heat treating the lock, masking the lock and re-sandblasting the handle.
Don't attempt the repair on your own. It'll turn out bad, take a lot of your time, you'll still have to send it back, un-doing your handiwork will not be covered, and we will be forced to laugh at you and mock (sorry again).
 
If you don't like flicking a seb then send it to me! Other wise I think buy a umnum. It has o rings to absorb the impact of a flip.
 
I can't flick open either of my Sebenzas, even if I wanted to. I can flick open most of my other 1 hand folders, just not my Sebbies. It just doesn't work.
 
It is something inherent with liner/frame locks... the tolerances do not allow for much travel where the lock and tang come together... It's not a huge issue... but it is a good idea to keep in mind with this design. Wear will develop on the stop pin and lock face regardless, so I say enjoy your knife, but be aware of what you are dealing with.
 
I also see no need for the flick. So as not to scare the sheeple, I sometimes use the old two handed blade pinch to open mine, because sometimes even using the thumstud to one hand open a knife draws too much attention.
 
I can't flick Seb's, haven't learned how. :confused:
I can flick Spyderco's, I can flick Striders, I can flick Kershaws, but not Sebenzas.
 
I wouldn't flick the knife and the extra wear inflicted is also the reason I'm no fan of of AO's. I remember soneone once equating flicking to slamming the door on your car too hard. That stuck with me.
 
nifegrinder said:
Self stimulating.
It's the cuttlery equivalent of playing with yourself. . . Sorry, need to stay away from W&C :o.

Seriously, if you're a really, really enthusiastic flicker; you'll probably wear out the hard oxide coating on the lock (eventually), which is easy to fix back at the shop.
You'll know when it happens because the lock will start to stick. Occasionally the lock breaks with light use so don't feel bad if it happens to you. A sticking lock is not necessarily a sign of abuse. Once it starts; send it back. It won't get better on its own but it will get worse. Do it too much or let it go too long and there may be so much deformation that the lock will go over too far after the repair.

I'm not sure if that repair is always covered by the warranty, but if you know that you haven't abused your knife and you're the original owner then it probably will be.
The repair involves: stoning out any deformity on the lock surface, re-heat treating the lock, masking the lock and re-sandblasting the handle.
Don't attempt the repair on your own. It'll turn out bad, take a lot of your time, you'll still have to send it back, un-doing your handiwork will not be covered, and we will be forced to laugh at you and mock (sorry again).
Click to expand...

There you have it folks, an answer from an employee on the floor.

I think this should be the standard answer to what has seemingly become a hot topic amongst many people on several forums. Especially the first line.....

Anyone who thinks that the flick of the knife is a safer, speedier way to open a knife in a situation of dire emergeny has been watching way to many bad movies.

To me at least, I think people who have to flick open their knives just like the extra attention. Whether its to show off or to appear menacing (just conjecture), the flicking of a knife only makes it's owner look like a tool using a weapon.

If you intend on using your knives as weapons, then I dont think that the Sebenza is the knife for you. The truely smooth action only rewards those
who take the time to use the proper technique to open thier knives.
 
Wow, asking about "flicking" sure does evoke some...interesting...responses.

It just struck me as odd that something that can be done to any "lesser" knife with no ill effects cannot be done to a "top shelf" work-knife.

the tolerances do not allow for much travel where the lock and tang come together... It's not a huge issue
Click to expand...

Okay, I'll buy that. Makes perfect sense, I just wanted to clarify before making it a habit on this knife.



As to the rest of you who apparently view "flicking" as something akin to spitting in public or some other "taboo" behavior among the knife owning elite... what can I say, it's just handy. It's not pretentious, only simply another way of doing something.
 
I flick my Sebs open using the thumb stud.
It just seems totally natural to do it that way rather
than following the stud all the way to the open position.

I do this with pretty much all my folders.
 
I should add to my previous post between the difference between a simple thumb flick and the wrist snap flick, of which the latter is the culprit of my dislike.

I can understand the simple thumb-flick. It works for all of my Benchmades, and in a Sebenza I dont forsee it to cause a problem. I think that the "West Side Story" wrist flick is what most people would be using to create damage.

Every friend that has held my Seb intially tries to flick it open like described above, and to their dismay, it opens just a little bit. They then generally have a puzzled look on their face and shrug, usually adding something to the effect of "I though you said it was smooth." I have watched all sorts of people at work opening their knives with a loud, violent snap of the wrist. In general, thats how a lot of people think your supposed to do it.

Again, I didnt want to offend people by my general description of "flicking" a knife. I'd be one hypocritical SOB if I didnt clear that up.
 
I was actually referring to the quick "west side" flick, in which you don't actually touch the thumb stud.

I'm so used to going "Oh, something needs cutting...flip, cut, put away."


It's not terribly inconvenient to use the stud, I just wanted to know if I had to correct this habit, which I do. No biggie.
 
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