I have problem opening my Seb

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
and it's most upsetting. Got my first one the Thursday before Thanksgiving, and it is a joy to own, the fit and finish are perfect, love the knife.
Opening has been a problem from the start, but I thought I would break it in before I spoke up....done that! The ball really doesn't hold the blade too tightly it is just a matter of leverage. There isn't enough space between the stud and handle to force my thumb in and push. In my opinion(which is not worth spit) the blade is parked too deeply into the handle. see photos 1. how it is. 2. how i think it should be


Here is what I am going to do:
1. Wait till the CRK greese I ordered comes in, and clean and lube. Try again.
Although, as I said the ball does not hold the blade too tightly.
2. As a last resort, fit a slimer stud into place. To get more space.
Although, "fixing" a $330.- seems foolish.

It's thumb against metal and the metal wins every time. My thumb is still very sore, this is not acceptable. I hate to just leave it in the box.

Any thoughts on this?
 
I got my first Sebenza a week before you did. My thumb was sore too;]

Lubrication may be an issue, so you will see if that problem resolves itself when you get your fluorinated grease.

The space between the thumbstud and handle on your Sebenza is exactly the same as on mine, and the same as it is on all other Sebernzas I have seen. To use the thumbstud, use the back of your thumb--your thumbnail. You will find that you now have more than enough relief to open the knife.

PS If your CRK grease will not get to you for a few days, you can always put a little WD40 or other light oil on the hinge. This will smooth it out in the interim, and you can clean it off before you put the fluorinated stuff on.
 
I've often noticed some people have trouble opening the Sebenza and I never could figure it out. i think the problem is that they are trying to push the thumbstud away from the handle (perpendicular to the length of the handle) when, instead they need to push more towards the front of the handle (closer to parallel with the length of the handle) Then, they seem to be able to open it with no problem at all.

Not sure if that could be a part of the problem, but something you could check.
 
If this isn't in the sticky in should be.

Things to check:

- The pocket clip often puts additonal pressure on the lock bar, to much IMO and I back it off after taking it off the knife and bending it out. I talked with CRK about it, and they do it that way so it "sounds" better, but the result is a whole lotta extra lock bar pressure new from the factory.

- When you open one handed are you inadvertantly putting additional pressure on the lock bar with some stray fingers? To test hold carefully at the end on one hand and pull open on the other.

- For some reason new sebs seem to come a little gritty and stiff, at least they have in my experience. Once you get your grease take it apart and carefully wipe the old lube out, clean and relube.

- I did this and was skeptical at first then I came a believer. I took the seb apart and with some 0000 steel wool and some flitz I carefully polished both sides of both washers and both sides of the blade where the flat washers rub, and each side where the handle where the washers lie against. I also polished the pivot bushing, around the outside diamter only, not the length. After a day or two of being in the pocket I realized it made a huge difference.
 
Oh I should add that the classic seb has a larger thumb access cutout, much better IMO, though regular sebs are still OK for me.
 
slide13 said:
I've often noticed some people have trouble opening the Sebenza and I never could figure it out. i think the problem is that they are trying to push the thumbstud away from the handle (perpendicular to the length of the handle) when, instead they need to push more towards the front of the handle (closer to parallel with the length of the handle) Then, they seem to be able to open it with no problem at all.

Not sure if that could be a part of the problem, but something you could check.
Click to expand...

This is the trouble I had with my frist one.After I got used to opening it there was no trouble.The stud does not work the same as on many other knives.
 
These are great ideas. Some, like the "clip" and "finger pressure on the lock" could be an issue.
I will try ALL of them and get back.
Thank you all.
 
"Sebenza Thumb" is a common malady that afflicts new Sebbie owners. I got it too when I first bought a Sebenza. :)

I'd clean the knife and re-lube it first, then just use it. It will eventually break in more and you'll learn how to open it better.

I agree that the thumbstud on the Sebbie doesn't really work the same as on other knives. Slide13 did a good job of describing how to open it properly.
 
Yup, what they all said, plus its a thing you have to get used to; also after about 100 cycles of opening and closing things fall into place. After all its a sebenza each one is checked before it leaves crk, i doubt it has any kind of flaw. Now get cracking with cycles:D enjoy.
 
You got a bad one. You'd better ship it to me for extensive testing. I'll let you know when it's ready to return to you, maybe a year or two or three.:D

Let it wear a little, it'll free up
 
I only got my first Sebenza, a large classic, about 2 weeks ago. I never really experienced any trouble. Ok, it was a bit hard to open at first, but since then it broke in and it opens up more easily now.
Ive never had trouble with my thumb, trying to open it. Its a bit different (harder) to open than my old Spyderco Police (with thumb hole), yet it is ok-or so it seems.

So, all in all, I agree that it will break in after a certain amount of cycles... .
 
I believe it is the opening technique, at least that it was for me. I can not explain that though.
 
I've been using one hand knives for years .I find the trick is to bring your hand further up on the handle so that the first thumb joint is bent about 90 degrees . That should make it much easier.
 
If you have double thumb studs?

I like to use my thumb and forefinger on the double thumb studs to "help" the blade out, then use just my thumb to retract the blade the rest of the way.
 
DaveH said:
Oh I should add that the classic seb has a larger thumb access cutout, much better IMO, though regular sebs are still OK for me.
Click to expand...

You are so right. I once had a small regular Sebenza that needed effort to open with very wide fingers, and I've found that my large Classic with larger thumb-access cutout opens oh so naturally without conscious effort. And yes, don't push the thumbstud sideways. Push it forward. It will become so easy and effortless.
 
You know, you are right about the classic vs. regualar.I just checked my small Sebbies; as 1 is Classic and the other is a regular. I prefer the Classic over the regular.
 
The secret is to push the thumbstud up along the frame in the direction that the knife is openning. I've had people that have a hard time openning my Seb. I believe it's technique that is causing your problem. Get your thumb inbetween the thumblug and the frame and push up using the side of the thumblug. Try it I think you'll like it.:thumbup: :cool: ;)
 
Go to walmart [or else where ] and buy some Rem-oil,its in the sporting goods with the gun cleaning stuff,this stuff is FANTASTIC for Seb's etc.. its all I've used for the last 5 years on all my knives and guns,and it only costs about $2.00!unlike some other oils and grease it won't attract dust:thumbup:

Dave
 
Scott Dog said:
The secret is to push the thumbstud up along the frame in the direction that the knife is openning. I've had people that have a hard time openning my Seb. I believe it's technique that is causing your problem. Get your thumb inbetween the thumblug and the frame and push up using the side of the thumblug. Try it I think you'll like it.:thumbup: :cool: ;)
Click to expand...
Yup, THAT is the technique that I have been using for a long time. Thanks to this forum. It will make a world of difference!
 
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