I resolved my Sebenza thumb

dialton

dialton

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2007
Messages
2,338
Intent and background.
In no way is this intended to be a bash session on the manufacturer, just my experience and resolution hoping others can benefit.
I received a new small Sebenza this week. It is everything you would expect in the fit and finish department. Fits well in my reasonably small hand and is really a beauty. Only one problem. From fully closed the thing was VERYdifficult to get off the detent. It is buttery smooth once it is moving and also falls easily when held upside down once you disengage the frame lock to close it. My only beef was the size and shape of the thumb studs along with the tension on the detent. More good news is that the frame lock side thumb stub fell out of the blade the first day. I’ve never read nor even heard about that happening so we can call it an anomaly. The other side was rock solid and I’m assuming pressed in. I can put the stud back in place and get it to go in position flush like it should be but can also remove it with my fingers. Machined just a little small I suppose. I digress. I did not want to return the knife to the vendor and have not notified CRK (thats all on me). I researched quite a bit and found a few folks using Benchmade thumb studs. I ordered a set for a bugout. I knocked the other side original stud out and replaced it with double torx studs. They required some grinding with the dremmel to get the secondary shoulders to fit in the blade but I was able to get it done. The once unacceptably difficult to open blade is now easy to open with no alternate hand placement or tuffening of my thumb. The new studs are slightly taller I believe and are most certainly not pointed. No more Sebenza thumb!
I am hopeful that some folks who have also done this will reply to this post with info on what studs fit without having to massage them. Anyone care to share that info?image.jpg
 
I'm glad that worked for you. I have have largish hands with abnormally large thumbs. I just can't operate the thumbstuds at all. I believe a knife that expensive should come perfect, otherwise I would have kept mine and had someone put a spydiehole in the blade.
 
K.O.D. said:
I'm glad that worked for you. I have have largish hands with abnormally large thumbs. I just can't operate the thumbstuds at all. I believe a knife that expensive should come perfect, otherwise I would have kept mine and had someone put a spydiehole in the blade.
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You know, it’s a hobby for all of us and I like to think I can fix most anything but I agree with you that they should come flawless and wicked sharp although stuff happens. Its a shame to think that there is even a term “Sebenza thumb” on such a great knife.
Bigger and less pointy studs would be an easy redesign and for me, it transformed the knife from a $500 disappointment to a delight. Reeves may not see it as an issue. I did see a picture of one posted with an enlarged hole where the studs used to be but I’m not quite that brave.
 
K.O.D. said:
I'm glad that worked for you. I have have largish hands with abnormally large thumbs. I just can't operate the thumbstuds at all. I believe a knife that expensive should come perfect, otherwise I would have kept mine and had someone put a spydiehole in the blade.
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^This.

I'd like to add that CRK thumb stud (lug?) is among the worst that I've ever tried on folding knives, if not the worst. Before anyone educates me, yes - I know exactly the "special" technique to open the CRK folders.
 
sharp_edge said:
^This.

I'd like to add that CRK thumb stud (lug?) is among the worst that I've ever tried on folding knives, if not the worst. Before anyone educates me, yes - I know exactly the "special" technique to open the CRK folders.
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Agreed. Again, I certainly don’t intend to start a problem on the forum with the CRK fans. Too many threads have ended up a dead end due to that. I like the knife in every aspect except the thumb studs. The fact is that I proved where the problem lies (at least for my needs and I’m sure for others that have the same issue) by replacing the studs on mine. Immediate resolution. I have owned many many knives and opened many more so telling me that I am the problem, I’m doing it wrong or I need to lay off the lotions and tuffen up my hands doesn’t fool me. The bottom line is that many many Reeves owners can benefit from and enjoy their knives more by a stud change. The ones that like them as is can bypass this conversation. I hope someone will chime in and supply some info on which ones fit well and where to get them.
 
dialton said:
Agreed. Again, I certainly don’t intend to start a problem on the forum with the CRK fans. Too many threads have ended up a dead end due to that. I like the knife in every aspect except the thumb studs. The fact is that I proved where the problem lies (at least for my needs and I’m sure for others that have the same issue) by replacing the studs on mine. Immediate resolution. I have owned many many knives and opened many more so telling me that I am the problem, I’m doing it wrong or I need to lay off the lotions and tuffen up my hands doesn’t fool me. The bottom line is that many many Reeves owners can benefit from and enjoy their knives more by a stud change. The ones that like them as is can bypass this conversation. I hope someone will chime in and supply some info on which ones fit well and where to get them.
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Hey if it didn’t work for you out if the box, nobody’s opinion is going to change that. You didn’t go ripping on the brand and everybody else who loves it, you just explained the problem you’re having with one particular knife, and then set out to fix it. You not only did it the right way, you shared a solution that could very well help other owners. I’m not seeing anything here that should ruffle anyone’s feathers - quite the opposite. Sorry I don’t have anything else to offer, but hopefully someone else has some info on other workable thumb stud substitutes.
 
It only looks strange because sebenza lugs are rarely changed. If its an improvement and it works for you, i say great. The original slippery cone shaped stud isnt the best,and being a lefty i cant understand why only the inkosi and zaan have double lugs standard.
 
Nice job gettin her done yourself! I have an opening hole (Mayo style is what I call it) on mine. But to be completely honest I like the stock double thumbstuds better.

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The Sebenza is a fine knife, nothing "bad" about it. A thumbhole or the umnumzaan studs, insingo blade, wood inlays, and I might still own one. I had a large 21 with bocote wood inlay, beautiful knife, good ergos. Just couldn't open it one handed.
 
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I’m certain that there are many different ideas but a couple of tips I picked up on while researching this issue:
make certain your fingers are not applying pressure on the frame lock bar (which is very easy to do while gripping it) because that only makes the detent harder to break. some put their index finger on the top of the knife for a bit different holding leverage and adjust their thumb position more toward the bottom of the stud instead of the back. Possibly around the 4-5 o’clock position. This also adjusts the pressure somewhat from just outward to slightly upward. I did find that helpful somewhat but not enough. I also read to use your thumbnail face by putting your thumb in at a downward angle and use a sort of flicking type motion at the start. I bet there are many more as they are a pain to open. I also had no luck standing on my left foot with my tongue sticking out the right side of my mouth clucking like a 🐔 either. Humorous but not helpful. The stud change was magic for me. The frame lockbar on mine has so much pressure holding that little ball in the hole that getting it broke loose and started is difficult at best. You realize just how much tension is there when you go to close the knife. Plenty secure for sure. It certainly won’t be coming open on its own! Possibly others have more helpful methods to try.
 
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Nice job you did on that, and I'm glad you found what works for you. I have large hands & my thumbs were tough to begin with, so after then initial period of getting acquainted with the knife, I never had a problem opening my CRK's. Unless of course, I was holding something in my left hand, and really needed to get the darn knife open quickly.:)
 
I and 1000s of other users have no trouble opening a Sebenza. No special methid required. Mine is a ChrisReeve model, made when he was the boss, not a Ann&Tim special. No knife is for everyone. If swift opening is your goal, maybe a Sebenza's not for you.
 
The studs on my Inkosi and Sebenza’s don’t bother me one bit and they functionally perform just fine for me and are aesthetically pleasing. Not every knife is going to be perfect for everyone.

I don’t see an issue modding the thumb studs to your liking. (Even though I’m a purist myself and it voids the warranty).

Another thing to consider… the term “Sebenza thumb” was coined because folks sit there and fidget their knives non stop for hours on end every day…. I’m definitely guilty of this as well. But this knife is not designed to be a fidget toy and if you use it as it’s intended and don’t fidget it constantly the OEM studs should never cause issue.

I’m happy you found a solution to your problem and are enjoying a fantastic knife.
 
It seems like you found a solution that works for you, while I will admit the CRK thumb studs are not my favorite,
I have no issues opening the knife with one hand. It just a knife that I for one cannot flick open when new, it is not a fidget knife, like say a Shiro or Koenig
 
the term sebenza thumb is fitting! because the knife is not really fight friendly ' the knife was made by CRK to be a hard use folder, the thumb studs don't bother me as I have larger hands but I now have a large calais on my right thumb....
 
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