Framelock/blade engagement

[Stainz]

I was shocked Saturday when I visited a busy local knife emporium and looked over a brand new large Sebenza with inlaid mammoth scales. It wasn't the store's price - $800 - it wasn't the relatively plain cream-white inlaid pieces - it was the framelock/blade engagement. The entirety of the framelock edge was, albeit just barely, in contact with the blade edge - and that was after gingerly openning the knife with the thumbstud (It was new!). I've never seen 100% engagement in a framelock - even a well worn inexpensive example. My only two CR folders are still after much use as they were new. A small plain S35VN Sebbie bought 7/11 remains near 60% while my first-ever CR purchase, a Wilson Combat 'StarTac' Umnumzaan bought 9/10 remains at 50%, as new, despite a lot of carry and use. I had a Buck 172 Mayo TNT, a Ti/S30V framelock very similar to a small Sebbie, and carried and used it for years when I bought my first CR knife - it is still at 40% engagement.

Two questions have come from my visit:
1. What is the allowable engagement of the blade/framelock?

2. How did such an expensive example of a large Sebenza make it through Quality Control?

Thank you!

Stainz

 

[Ken44]

If its over far enough on the tang to lock the knife its good enough for me.
Hard to tell without pics. I've never seen a Sebenza with a lockbar that didn't go over far enough. And if it wasn't it would be an easy fix for them.
Not saying a CRK knife has never got past QC with no problem, but feel far less do than with any other knife company I've bought from, and I've bought from many.

 

[Stainz]

Ken44, you misunderstood - the lockbar is entirely in contact with the blade - 100% engagement!

Stainz

 

[Ken44]

Ken44, you misunderstood - the lockbar is entirely in contact with the blade - 100% engagement!

Stainz

Many, or most go past 50%, and 70% is normal on many CRK's out of the box. They do go over a little more than most others, but takes a long time to go over any farther. I had a Sage 2 once, and the lock went over a good bit in a year.

If it was touching the other scale, or 80% or farther it would bother me on a new one. If it was touching the scale they would fix it no matter if the knife was new or not.

 

[brownshoe]

I believe 70-80% is "normal." Given the width of the lock bar compared to the blade thickness at 75%, it is normal for the "entirety of the framelock edge was, albeit just barely, in contact with the blade edge". There is no QC problem. The full lockup is a selling feature for those that want a reliable lockup under stressful situations.