Is a sebenza supposed to be difficult to open/close?

mongomondo

mongomondo

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I just bought my first Sebenza, a small regular. The only other knife I own is a griptilian and it is incredibly easy to open. With the sebenza my thumb is starting to hurt from the force required to open it. Since my hand grips the handles the lock kinda make it hard for the blade to come out. If I just hold the handle with a couple fingers and open the blade with my other hand it comes out smooth. I think the bent metal part is bent too much or something. Or is this something that just has to be broken in?
 
The Sebenza will have some resistance from the lock bar. It will get easier to work as it breaks in. I think what you are describing is normal.
 
Sometimes it takes time to break in but once it does it gets very smooth. Maybe your knife needs some more lube?
 
Thanks! I'll go buy some lube to see if that helps. Other than this issue it's a really damn beautiful piece of work.
 
My experience is that they definitely become easier to open after some cycling, and yes, lube helps too.

If it's assembled and lubed properly, I would just cycle/use it for a while before fussing with it more. It will loosen up as things wear in.
 
Hah, Yer doing it wrong!

Just kidding. Several issues which I think should go in the sebbie FAQ.

- Use you thumb to push against the thumb post, not only is ieasier on the thumb, you get better leverage.

- Practice holding it so that you are not putting additional pressure on the lock when opening and closing.

- Clean and replace the factory lube, it's often stiff and dirty.

- The pocket clip can put additional pressure on the lock, I usually bend mine out a little so they are not as tight.

- They will wear in, it will take some time depending on how much you use it.

- A more radical solution is to take it apart and use flitz to polish the blade side where the PB washers are, the washers themselves, iinside of scales where the washers ride and the outer diameter of the blade busing, It like a very fast work in.

- If you are still not happy send it back and ask CRK to fix it.
 
Last edited:
DaveH said:
Hah, Yer doing it wrong!

Just kidding. Several issues which I think should go in the sebbie FAQ.

- Use you thumb to push against the thumb post, not only is ieasier on the thumb, you get better leverage.

- Practice holding it so that you are not putting additional pressure on the lock when opening and closing.

- Clean and replace the factory lube, it's often stiff and dirty.

- The pocket clip can put additional pressure on the lock, I usually bend mine out a little so they are not as tight.

- They will wear in, it will take some time depending on how much you use it.

- If you are still not happy send it back and ask CRK to fix it.
Click to expand...

well put,sir.
i too had MUCH difficulty opening my sm reg.
found out the degree of angle was wrong on the thumb stud. almost have to get behind it not on top. i too came from and still do benchmades.
 
My small regular EDC is 6 months old now and is still hard to start compared to the BMs and Spydies that I'm used to, but I've found that d/a, cleaning and lubing with CRK grease, and r/a helped out quite a bit. It's only starting the opening motion that is hard now. Once the ball comes out of the detent and the blade starts moving, everything is smooth and slick.

Actually, I kinda like it like that. I know that blade is not going to open in my pocket and I don't have any need for a split-second "draw and open" with my Sebbie.
 
Well I lubed it a bit and adjusted the pocket clip a little (it was way too tight) and it's a lot better now. Still can't snap it open like my griptilian but I don't think it was designed to do that anyway. It's really nice and I'm glad I finally bought one. I've been drooling over these for years. Thanks for the tips DaveH.
 
DaveH said:
- The pocket clip can put additional pressure on the lock, I usually bend mine out a little so they are not as tight.
Click to expand...

Do you think removing the pocket clip in anyway adversely effects the longevity of the knife or lock?
 
I don't think it would. In fact, the first Sebenzas were clipless, and even now CRK will sell you an insert to put in place of the clip if you want to carry it without it.
 
The blade of the Sebenza ist "stonewashed", meaning even where it contacts the washers it is scratched all over the place. It needs some time to polish, it will open then very smooth.
 
Remember also that the "direction of the push" should be mostly 'upwards' rather than 'outwards'.
Greg
 
Practice.
I let someone at Blade play with the one I got there.He was used to Spydercos and could not open it.They do open different than most other knives.Once you get the hang of it your hand will remember how to do it.
 
Get to know your Seb on a personal basis. Disassemble it a few times and experiment with different torques on the pivot and stop pin screws and try a few lubricants. Soon you will find the "sweet spot" where your Seb wants to work just the way you want it to... :thumbup:;)
 
I take off all the lube and work the blade open many times, using two hands.

This accelerates the "wearing in" process. Once parts are mated, THEN I lube 'er up !!

.
 
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