Issues I think CRK needs to address

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
12,249
I sent the following email to CRK. I love the knives, but I feel there are some issues that should be addressed. Comments?

Dear CRK,

I love CRK knives but there are a few issues that
I have experienced, and have also seen repeated in
the forums.

1) Sharpening angle of sebenzas. They now come
several degrees more then the 40 degree setting
(20 per side) of the Spyderco sharpmaker. In order
to sharpen a sebenza I first must have to reprofile
the blade before I can actually sharpen the edge itself.

2) Over all sharpness of new sebenzas. I also like
Spyderco knives, and when new they are sharper,
sometimes feeling much sharper then a new sebenza.
I’ve never had edge durability problems with Spyderco
knives. So it seems that sebenzas could be made at
least as sharp without problems.

3) Grit in pivot of new sebenzas. I’ve purchased a
number of new sebenzas and my recollection is that
each one needed taken apart, wiped out and relubed
upon receipt. I just recently purchased a mammoth
inlay from true north knives, and it was gritty upon
receipt.

4) Pocket clip ease of opening. In the last several
years it seems that the pocket clip tension has increased
to the point that it’s affecting the ease of opening. I
talked to Lisa about this at blade show last year. She
explained it’s so the pocket clip doesn’t make the
“sproing” sound when opening. I understand that, but
I think it’s not the right solution, because the downside
is it’s harder to open, sometimes a lot harder. One of
the first things I do with a new knife is to bend the pocket
Click to expand...
 
I would like to see the Sebenza's polished all over so you dont see the pocket scuffing as much on the sides.

and

On one-piece knives, please put the "Piter's-Scout" into production. I think it would be a popular seller, a lot more popular then the "Inyoni"
Also, bring back some of the larger saw back models or at least the options of having a sawback, other then the 4" Aviator

thanks,:thumbup:

Jules
 
I'm with your sharpness issues 100% Dave, who wouldn't be? Certainly the good stuff can support edges at 40 or less inclusive. There is even a definite vibe and has been for a while now, from Sal Glesser himself, that today's steels are so good that some (and only some) of the advantages that used to be given by serrations are now redundant.

But I do want to add, if only for the future benefit of anyone doing research via the Search function (some still do, I hope ;) ) The new Large Regular Sebenza I just got is fantastically sharp.

As I said in my post announcing its arrival, sharpness issues were something that concerned me with CRK. -Not enough to not make the purchase. I knew I could always sharpen it on the Sharpmaker, and if I have it forever I obviously will, many times. But I agree with you, you shouldn't have to out of the box and the angle need never be greater than the base 40. There are (using the Search function) too many posts citing less than optimal factory edges.

So, for balance, I'm extremely pleased with how sharp this one is. If they were all like this out of the box, you wouldn't have had to write that note. I'm glad you did, and being new to CRK, I'm curious if there'll be a response as you'd expect from, say Golden. :confused:
 
As far as the sharpening goes I do have the edges on spydercos to roll or flatten out because they are so thin.This is not that big of a deal as it is very easy to sharpen them to a really great edge because the main bevel is all ready there.The Sebenza could stand to come a little sharper but they would not want to make it thin enough that people would complain that it will not hold an edge.I know many that will not try to sharpen a Sebenza on their own.
 
In regards to a response, my experience has been that questions or comments I've sent of this nature are printed out but not replied to. I've called myself to discuss them, but that's it.
 
I agree with #1. I don't see any reason why a good knife with premium steel should have a > 40 degree edge. Just under 40 would be fine. I wouldn't want it too then -- you can always reprofile if you want something thinner -- but going the other way isn't practical. Also, I've found the edge angles tend to be even more obtuse near the tip.

# 2. I haven't handled enough new Sebbies to say whether some come less than sharp. I will say, however, that the polished edge mine came with feel and cut differently than, say, a Spyderco edge, which isn't polished. Polished edges excell in push cutting; courser edges are better for draw cuts.

I haven't experienced # 3 but then I've taken apart only 3 new Sebs.

#4. I like the clip to be tight -- I feel it makes it less likely that I'll lose the knife.
 
DaveH said:
In regards to a response, my experience has been that questions or comments I've sent of this nature are printed out but not replied to.
Click to expand...

Too bad. I really appreciate the give and take with the ELU approach. :(
 
# 2. I haven't handled enough new Sebbies to say whether some come less than sharp
Click to expand...
I have noticed that inlay and CGG Sebies do seem to come sharper than plain models.
What seems to work best for me on all my knives is a 35 degree angle.
 
I agree about the sharpening issues - I spent about 2 hours sharpening my Sebenza on a Sharpmaker (reccomended by CRK themselves) before I was even hitting the edge.

Also, I think the S30V should be heat treated harder - my Sebenza loses its hair popping edge incredibly quickly, probably three or more cuts on anything but paper and it is down to a little more than shaving sharp. (And yes, I've checked to make sure its not a burr problem or anything)
 
Dave H - I have not had the same issues as you on #1, #2 & #3 although the sharpness issue surprises me because CRK recommends the Sharpmaker, so the idea that their angles are greater than 20/20 doesn't make sense.

In regard to #4 - well....I was always told if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything. I'll just leave it that CRK has done nothing to advance the Sebenza clip design in years.

The best thing about their clip system is that they make an insert so that when you remove the clip, you can fill in the hole!

As regards the Mnandi clips - they are a work of art and supremely functional.
 
I like my sebenza, but I was telling my son, it is the worst cutting knife I own. The flat ground spyderco's cut like a razor compared to the sebenza's. I don't see why a sebenza could not cut as good as a spyderco. I did not say this to make anyone mad, but that is just the way I see it.
 
That's part of my issue, if CRK reccomends a sharpmaker, then a sebenza should sharpen on a sharpmaker. But they don't, at least none of the ones made in the last few years do. The below is from the FAQ.

Sebenzas are sharpened at 19-20 degrees. We recommend the Spyderco Sharpmaker because it is so easy to use. The way to have a sharp knife is to begin with it properly sharpened and then maintain it! Don't let it get really dull because it can be hard to get an edge back again Because the Spyderco system is so easy to use, a person is inclined to use it. It seems that a lot of people put off the maintenance of things because it is a hassle to get out the equipment and do the necessary!
Click to expand...

On the Mayo customized seb (that I lost the other day) the edge was thinned quite a bit, it will sharpen on the 40 degree setting.

About the pocket clip, I like it, I think it works. My point is is shouldn't wreck the ability to open the knife easily, just because they don't like the sproing sound. If the sounds is a problem, go up a little on the clip thickness.

I think in the last few years my expectation of sharp has gone up quite a bit, I think the Number one quality knife should be the sharpest NIB, the last thing I want to do is spend $630 on a new knife, to find that it's dull and has a dirty pivot.
 
This is just off the top of my head, but couldn't you design a clip that widens at the bottom so that it stradles both the lock bar and the rest of the handle? If part of it rests on the non-lock bar portion of the handle, it wouldn't press down on the lock bar.
 
That's an excellent idea, wider for better retention, less overall tension, and no pressure on the lock bar. :thumbup:
 
That would probably only work on plain models, though. Ive got an inlayed large Classic, and theres maybe 1-2mm worth of handle between the inlay and the edge (towards the lock bar). It would be a very tight fit and may cause wear on the inlay...... .

As for the clip issue itself-luckily theres none for me, on my EDC. :)
 
My biggest issue with them is the loosening screw issue. Particularly the stop pin one.

I had a 2004 annual edition that got sent in twice for that issue. I am now having the same problem on a 2005 large classic
 
I have a recently purchased Large Classic, first one to me. I am not impressed with the clip fit in the recess myself. When you snug it up, you have to really snug it to keep it from having side to side play. Then, as we well know, the screwhead is soft or something, and the wrench starts eroding the hex, until it darn near strips.

I would also agree with the grit in the action of new Sebs, and they are not as sharp as they used to be a few years ago. And I have had at least a dozen different models since 1999.

One thing they do fantastic though, is their customer service...as we all know. The original large Classic I bought had a lockbar issue. The lock bar face felt like it was almost galled to the blade tang, it was so darn hard to release. Also the clip on this particular one, would not sit down into the recess. (I had to take jewelers files and adjust the clip head so that it would fit in the recess.) When I sent it back to CRK, they agreed something wasn't right with the lock. They tried re-heat treatment of the lockbar face and several other things, to no avail. Within a week or so, I got a call saying they didn't know what the problem was, so they were going to send me a new knife. Problems happen, and its all in how a company handles them that makes a HUGE difference. Try to get something fixed by Microtech...lol!:jerkit:
 
I agree their CS is good, I'd just like to see a better job on some issues.

I have had the pocket clip won't fit in pocket, strip screw issue in the past, but I generally don't take the pocket clip off any longer.
 
My small regular, purchased last September, came as sharp as I am able to get a knife on a leather strop. No complaints there. But I would like a thinner edge. I have not made any attempt to thin it, but at some point I probably will.
 
DaveH said:
I sent the following email to CRK. I love the knives, but I feel there are some issues that should be addressed. Comments?
Click to expand...

DaveH, and all who are commenting in this thread:

Thanks for the inputs so far. Just wanted to chime in and let everyone know that we try to keep up with BladeForum discussions (although we don't engage in many discussions -- there just aren't enough hours in the day :( ). Of course, we enjoy hearing what is right with our product -- that tells us what we should continue doing. We especially pay attention to those discussions with constructive criticism and suggestions from actual owners/users of CRK products. Without feedback such as is contained in this thread, we're not going to be as accurate allocating our engineering where it really counts.

I can't promise that we'll address every issue that is mentioned, but we'll do our best. It seems like we're extraordinarily busy in the shop now days, and at times it's frustrating to have to let good ideas go w/o action, in favor of getting to the great ones.

Keep the inputs coming -- they are most appreciated.

Best regards,

Dave
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top