How often should I take my Sebenza apart and clean?

Terry M.

Terry M.

Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2006
Messages
2,967
I've read the sticky post and watched some videos and feel comfortable doing it but just wondering how often you guys clean yours? Just as needed or on a regular cycle?

Thanks!
 
Id say it's more dependent on use (how often) and nature of the job it was used for.

Regular light duty I'd say maybe annually or bi annually

This all varies by person I'm sure
 
Honestly, I suggest you do it as seldom as possible.

Every time I service it, I swear it's a little stiffer than before I took it apart. A few days later, the blade is back to swinging on its own weight (with the lock bar pushed aside).

I carry mine daily and get in some pretty nasty environments, I have taken it apart 2 times in the last 6 months, and that was probably two more times than was necessary.
 
Only when needed. I have had my 25 2 years and have yet to take it apart. On regulars and 21's, if I am carrying it alot. Maybe once a year, maybe twice. Really no need to more often than that. A toothpick removes pocket lint.
 
Only when it feels gritty. Usually hot water cleans it up, but if still gritty I'll disassemble. I've only done it about twice, the first time because of being curious. I'd say, even with daily use, once a year should be normal, unless you're cutting dirtier stuff than I am, mostly boxes and plastic.
 
I should add that I got an Umnumzaan in 2008 and gave it away...I see it a couple times a year and its owner carries it 3-4 days a week and relies on me for all the care of this knife. It's buttery smooth and has never been disassembled. I have the CRK tools for doing it...whenever it finally needs it.

(Old style pivot, pre Idaho stamp, pre over travel stop, S30V. It's a nice knife;)
 
Only have twice in the last 14+ years cause I was bored. :D
Flush mine with carb cleaner, and just add a drop of Marvel Mystery oil to the blade pivot.
LG
 
i'm in complete agreeance that is hardly every needs to be done. It's fun to tinker nonetheless, and taking the knife apart also results in the stop pin getting rotated (at least on a 21), which some folk like to do if they think their lock-up is getting too late.
 
Terry, I agree with the others. It should be done rarely for maintenance purposes. Once or twice a year sounds about right. I've taken some of mine apart several times in the process of anodizing parts of the scales, the whole scales, changing lanyards, etc. If was able to just leave well enough alone I'd probably never take mine apart more than once a year unless very dirty.
 
I take mine apart every couple of years. You can keep them clean with a paint brush (light dusting) or a toothbrush (heavier grime) pretty well. Just keep it lubed and lint free and it will be fine.
 
I probably take it apart for a clean about twice a year for normal carry, but if the knife gets totally manky with blood or mud or what ever then I'll obviously clean that out. I don't see why anyone would dismantle and clean the knife on a regular cycle or just for the sake of it. Clean it when it's dirty. :)
 
The knife will tell you when it needs to be cleaned. If the action feels a little sluggish, or gritty, it is time for a cleaning. No need for a set schedual. Of course, if you enjoy disassembling the knife, I don't think you will hurt it by taking it apart too often. Just don't strip any screws or pinch a washer and you can take it apart as often as you like. Also, the beauty of the open back design is that often times a quick rinse is all that is needed to clean the knife.
 
Question. Apple juice got into my knife in my pocket (don't ask) and ran all into the pivot area. At the time all I had available was hot water so I flushed it out with super hot water and dried it. Is there a need to grease after a washing like that, or will the grease remain?
 
It depends on which greese is used. For example, a lot of people use high end lubes designed for mountain bikes. Theese lubes are pretty resistant to rinsing out, while others will wash away fairly easisily. The knife will tell you if it is dry and needs lube.
 
For most knives I see no need to take them apart to clean. Hot water, soap, qtips, paper towles, etc.

In fact a lot of knIves are constructed so they cant be taken apart (slip joints, and many friction folders).


I don't understand the need to take apart a knife just to clean it.

I have knives that will likely never be dissassembled.
 
"Just as needed."
While I like the posssibility to disassemble my knife I do it seldom.
There are many knives out there that can't even be taken apart and if maintained properly give the user many years of service.
Of course ervery CRK fan should take one apart at least once - just for the sake of it.

red mag
 
I asked CRK. Soap and water is all that is needed for routine cleaning. The grease protects the pivot area. As far as take down and re-lubrication, they said it depends upon use. They suggested to do it every so often because the grease not only lubricates but helps protect the pivot components and blade area from rust. They recommended to do it about once a year. You can't really lubricate the Sebenza w/o opening up due to the use of grease. I do it about every 2 years and have seen no problems with rust.

Just as a reminder, per CRK FAQ:

What is the best lubricant to use on the folders?
The pivot of all folding knives needs to be kept lubricated for optimum performance. We have experimented with a wide variety of products and have found a Fluorinated Grease that is very slippery but does not get sticky or attract lint very easily. CRK Fluorinated Grease fits the tolerances of our folding knives well – other lubricants tend to be either too viscose so it interferes with the tolerance or too thin and it dissipates too quickly. It isn’t necessary to use much because a little drop goes a long way.
 
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