Is my new Sebenza Insingo OK?

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Jul 9, 2013
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Just received my first CRK folder. It's new, from an authorized dealer. As I open it, it stops opening at a detent position about 30 degrees before fully opening. Then I can move it the rest of the way into open & locked position. There is a shelf in the rear of the blade that creates a slight bump the lock bar has to ride up and over. I can see the shelf, which appears to be deliberately lined up with the end of the lock bar, as if it belongs there. And I can feel the lock bar rise up slightly as it rides up and over the shelf. I never noticed anyone talking about this. I wasn't expecting this, not sure I like it, and don't see the point. So is this a normal feature of a CRK small Sebenza Insingo?

PS: I see what everyone means by "Sebenza thumb!" Does this ease up, or are you supposed to grow a callus?
 
Sounds normal to me. What you are witnessing is the small Ceramic detent ball that is set into the lockbar on a Sebenza 21 (the thing that holds the blade closed when it's in your pocket) riding up onto the blade, or falling off the blade, both of which happen before the knife is fully opened or fully folded.

This is normal for 99% of framelocks, if what I think is happening, is what you are experiencing. It's the infamous "double-click" of a Titanium framelock style knife.

Have a closer look in case I am right.
 
I believe what your experiencing is the ceramic ball dropping off the blade tang before the lock-bar completely deploys... sort of a tick at 20-30 degrees and then the much stronger click when the knife is 100% open and lock-bar deployed... which is normal on both the small and the large 21. The discontinued Sebenza 25 and the Inkosi's use the ceramic ball to also interface the lockup on the tang and therefore you experience only 1 thunk and a smoother deploy.

I have seen pictures posted here and maybe someone with a better memory and skills can link that former thread.

I think the knife gets smoother, and also the ceramic ball will channel path out of the detent hole making deployment easier thus relieving the sebenza thumb... give it 2 weeks.
 
One other thing: The card that came with it is not signed. Is Chris no longer signing them?
 
Many knives are a bit stiff when new, for a variety of reasons. But some of the "Sebenza thumb" has nothing to do with wearing in. It's more a matter of technique. For one thing, don't press on the lock bar when you're opening it. For another, try opening it by placing your thumb behind the thumb stud and pushing forward. If this is still a problem, push it outward, then forward. Some models work best one way but not the other.
 
I'm curious what the manufacture date is on the Chris Reeve card- more than a year or two old? It may need a cleaning--

I recently received a new/unused/virgin small Sebenza 21 from a well-known authorized dealer but was surprised at how old it was. The first thing I did was to open it up and perform a thorough cleaning and re-lubrication. After a good cleaning and proper lube & reassembly, it's perfect.
 
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Wavicle, thanks for that information! The date of manufacture is August 25, 2016. So I assume it is fresh enough that the grease should not be a problem. I thought of taking it apart and re-lubing, but not sure if that might void my return privileges with Recon One, who I understand is an authorized dealer. And I wouldn't want to open the lube tube supplied with the knife, if I am not going to keep it. I thought of trying some Mobile 1 with added Slick 50 teflon I keep around, but that might void my return privilege also. My thumb is still sore from last night!

I wonder if part of the problem is that it is too small for me? Possibly the large would leave more room for me to get my thumb in the right place?
 
@ ESAV Benyamin, Yes, I see what you mean about not pressing on the lock bar. Trouble is, I haven't found a way to hold the knife without pressing the lock bar! I can do it if I hold it in a very awkward position, but nowhere close to a comfortable grip!
 
Wavicle, thanks for that information! The date of manufacture is August 25, 2016. So I assume it is fresh enough that the grease should not be a problem. I thought of taking it apart and re-lubing, but not sure if that might void my return privileges with Recon One, who I understand is an authorized dealer. And I wouldn't want to open the lube tube supplied with the knife, if I am not going to keep it. I thought of trying some Mobile 1 with added Slick 50 teflon I keep around, but that might void my return privilege also. My thumb is still sore from last night!

I wonder if part of the problem is that it is too small for me? Possibly the large would leave more room for me to get my thumb in the right place?

If you decide to keep the knife, it's never a bad idea to take it apart, clean it up and lubricate.

Fresh lubricant isn't a bad thing, but more importantly, it will give you a chance to take a look at all the parts and get to know/understand how everything works.

As far as using Mobile 1, I suggest sticking to the fluorinated grease supplied with the knife. It's a much better lubricant in a knife application.

As for the lock bar, two things will happen:

It will wear in and loosen up a bit.
Your thumb will toughen up.
 
I decided against it. I feel that a knife should not be that difficult to use, and ought to be more comfortable in the hand. I'd rather use my MCusta or my Benchmade mini Griptilian. So the Sebenza is going back in the morning. Thanks for all the help!
 
I wonder if part of the problem is that it is too small for me? Possibly the large would leave more room for me to get my thumb in the right place?

Sorry to hear your knife is going back. FWIW, I have never been able to fall in love with small Sebenzas either. In distinct contradiction, I find the large models (Umnumzaan included) amazing. Hopefully you'll get to try one soon.
 
I know it is total heresy and the town elders may take action, but I've always thought secretly that a Seb with a Spydie thumbhole might be kinda cool. It'd sorta resemble the old Spyderco C03 Hunter. While I do have several Sebs, they do seem to take awhile to get the hang of opening easily and not fighting the mechanism. I've noticed other threads here on this topic as well. I also think part of the problem some have with the deployment is in part due to the rather non-standard thumbstud they use. A more typically styled thumbstud would help too IMHO. But I've gotten off track. The CRK isn't for everyone and if it's not for you, the choices out there are amazing anymore.
 
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