I am very happy with my Sebenza and don't think that there are any issues. The only issue I think needs to be addressed is the chrisreeve.com website. When I bought my Sebenza, I was disappointed with the lack of information and the quality/quantity of pictures on the website.
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Issues I think CRK needs to address
- Thread starter DaveH
- Start date
Thanks for chiming in on this thread Dave.
As to the issues brought up in this thread:
I believe that years ago, sebenzas always came smooth from the factory. Unfortunately, the current ones may need breaking in. I think sebenzas should always come smooth from the factory.
It also seems that years ago sebenzas always came sharp. The current ones sometimes do not come very sharp at all from my experience and other posts I've read on the forum.
While a 15 degree angle from the factory would be nice, I'm OK with >20 degrees so long as it actually is less than 20 degrees. If the angle were greater than 20 degrees, even a little greater, it can be a real pain to sharpen initially.
As to the issues brought up in this thread:
I believe that years ago, sebenzas always came smooth from the factory. Unfortunately, the current ones may need breaking in. I think sebenzas should always come smooth from the factory.
It also seems that years ago sebenzas always came sharp. The current ones sometimes do not come very sharp at all from my experience and other posts I've read on the forum.
While a 15 degree angle from the factory would be nice, I'm OK with >20 degrees so long as it actually is less than 20 degrees. If the angle were greater than 20 degrees, even a little greater, it can be a real pain to sharpen initially.
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- Dec 2, 1999
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- 12,249
Dave From CRK,
Thanks for the reply I have a couple of additional comments.
I'm guessing that the sebenza series is the main product and the product that generates the most revenue for CRK. It would be a mistake IMO, to quit paying attention to the product line.
To be frank, saying that you're (CRK) is listening is not enough, either the issues are going to be fixed or they are not. I'll not waste my time trying to help if no action is going to be taken.
Thanks for the reply I have a couple of additional comments.
I'm guessing that the sebenza series is the main product and the product that generates the most revenue for CRK. It would be a mistake IMO, to quit paying attention to the product line.
To be frank, saying that you're (CRK) is listening is not enough, either the issues are going to be fixed or they are not. I'll not waste my time trying to help if no action is going to be taken.
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- Jun 16, 2006
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I purchased a small Classic Sebenza and it should be here within a day or two. I am anxiously waiting to get it in my hands to see if this knife is all that the "Sebenza-ites" claim it to be. Just taking someone's word for it isn't going to work for me and is the reason I purchased this one (used). From this thread as well as in other threads, I see that there are issues with blade sharpness, sticking lockbars and gritty blade opening in several cases (and that is just what is being posted on this forum, never mind the other buyers who don't post on any forums). I still think that with the "quality" that Chris Reeve knives are supposed to possess and for the price that they are selling for, a buyer should not have to send a brand new knife back to have the lockbar adjusted or blade resharpened. Nor should a buyer have to take their new Chris Reeve knife and take it apart and clean it so it open/closes smoothly and for that matter have to "break in" a new knife. For the high price they are selling for and the "tight tolerances" and "excellent" quality they are supposed to have, (I've heard the Rolex or Porsche of production knives several times) I would not consider these issues to be minor. I expect more. Now, I'm still waiting for my small Classic and will wait and see for myself if these knives are "all that". Heck, I'm already looking at a large Unique Graphic model!
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From what I read, I do think CRK is listening to the end-users. The only issue I have with CRKs would be the sharpness and I think that should be dealt with, as that is performance-based. I like the tension on the clip and the grittiness is a non-issue with me. The thing is, with all due respect, perhaps they don't see (based on other users' feedback) some of your issues as "issues". Getting back to the clip, for example. You don't like, while I do.
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- Dec 2, 1999
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Absolutely, I never expected it to be otherwise
That being said, it looks like these issues are more then just mine, especially when one looks back on the quantity of questions asked by new owners.It's up to them what they do, but I'm letting them know I'm not happy with the current situation.
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- Mar 27, 2000
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Got Sebenzas, got Mnandi... never found any problem with them. I like slightly convex edge, it's sharp enough and still very durable. Action is just what I like. So you can feel the smoothnes, kind of "safe door closing"... you apply some pressure and feel how smooooth operator Sebenza is. I've tried ALOT of folders and never found better than Sebenza.
Clip? OH MY... best I'm aware of. Works great!
Just IMHO of course.
Clip? OH MY... best I'm aware of. Works great!
Just IMHO of course.
I would surely agree with that. Available woods should be updated when choices are added or deleted. I think the last update on wood inlays was 2004 or something.
I would also like to see an anodizing/wood combo. Anodize the Ti to contrast with the wood inlay. I made reference to this with Heather when inquiring about a Box Elder Inlay.
My plain regular was not as sharp as my NICA, Bocote Inlay or Micarta inlay as well. Otherwise, I love my Sebenzas.
The Snakewood/Snakeskin Damascus Mnandi I bought is just to small and pretty for me to keep. I want something I will use. This one would be a safe queen. So, I sent it off for trade.
MPE
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- Jan 3, 2005
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I've got a large Regular Sebenza for a about a month now and I love it more than any other knife I ever had. Absolutely fantastic knife. However, I've been playing with it a lot - opening and closing non-stop and last night the pivot screw just fell off.
Luckily it happened at home, so I found the screw on the floor right away, but I was not aware of having to check the tightness of these screws. Is this normal and should one check the screws right I away when receiving it? I must say, I never had scews falling of any other folders I've had.
That's really the only problem I had with my sebbie. Oh, and ofcourse the other problem that all my other folders feel like cheap toys now and they get absolutely no more attention or EDC'ing from me.
Luckily it happened at home, so I found the screw on the floor right away, but I was not aware of having to check the tightness of these screws. Is this normal and should one check the screws right I away when receiving it? I must say, I never had scews falling of any other folders I've had.
That's really the only problem I had with my sebbie. Oh, and ofcourse the other problem that all my other folders feel like cheap toys now and they get absolutely no more attention or EDC'ing from me.
northernlight, I have posted about this same screw falling out issue on my new Large Classic. This was the first time this had ever happened to me, out of at least 10 Sebenzas. I am not sure what the cause is, but for me, it seems like once the knife has gotten mostly broken in and feeling the way it should feel...it has appeared to stop happening. It should be noted that I have been working the action of this knife MANY times a day (probably at least 100). And also have taken it apart, cleaned, relubed once a week for the past month. I was doing this to see if the screw issue would cease once it got totally smoothed out. So it appears to have ceased after full break in.
I contacted CRK about a small classic Sebnza I recently purchased from knifeart. The small classic was a little thick at the edge but it was sharp. I contacted CRK by email this morning and they said send it in and they would take care of it ASAP. I also had purchased a Mnandi at the same time but it was very sharp and had an excellent edge geometry. This is my first post anywhere by the btw. I have purchased a ATS34 sebbie in early 90s and I have 2bg42 large sebenza . I gave one of them to my son. I thinks this shows very clearly that this is a company that cares about it's customers.
RKH
RKH
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- Sep 7, 2006
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- 31
I have read before that you can tighten down the pivot screw on a Sebenza, and the blade will still open smoothly, something other knives will not do.
Last week I purchased my first Sebenza, a Large Regular. I have been opening and closing it a lot, and was pleased that the action was smoothing out, but last night I looked at the knife and the pivot screw was nearly all the way out. I fully tightened it, not excessively, and the knife was very stiff. I had to loosen the pivot screw a bit to get the knife to open.
Between this screw, the dull edge, and the resistance to opening I am going back to my Benchmade 710. I am VERY disappointed in the Sebenza.
Last week I purchased my first Sebenza, a Large Regular. I have been opening and closing it a lot, and was pleased that the action was smoothing out, but last night I looked at the knife and the pivot screw was nearly all the way out. I fully tightened it, not excessively, and the knife was very stiff. I had to loosen the pivot screw a bit to get the knife to open.
Between this screw, the dull edge, and the resistance to opening I am going back to my Benchmade 710. I am VERY disappointed in the Sebenza.
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- Mar 15, 2000
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bodromarsh:
Sometimes the easiest thing to do is send the knife back with a check for about $10 for return shipping. Last night I took apart my large Micarta Seb, wiped it down relubed and reassembled and I had the same problem. It was very difficult to open. It took me about three tries to get it right and now it performs like a champ. Did you you buy your Seb new or used? Even if new it may have been on the self for a while and if used you can't be sure what or how the previous owner did to the knife. Sharpenning the knife to your liking and learning to take apart clean and reassemble the Seb is not easy due to the tight tolerances and let me tell you that I've taken apart many a Seb and I still rarely get it back together right the first time. For example, the knife I cleaned last night I bought new from True North Knives. It's birthdate was 2002 or 2003. So it had been sitting around in a box for a couple years. It wasn't unreasonble that a good cleaning was in order. When you do get the reassembly process done correctly it is a great feeling of accopmlishment but you need to be patient. Don't let this experience keep you from enjoying what a great product the Seb is in its prime working condition. I bet you won't be sorry.
Sometimes the easiest thing to do is send the knife back with a check for about $10 for return shipping. Last night I took apart my large Micarta Seb, wiped it down relubed and reassembled and I had the same problem. It was very difficult to open. It took me about three tries to get it right and now it performs like a champ. Did you you buy your Seb new or used? Even if new it may have been on the self for a while and if used you can't be sure what or how the previous owner did to the knife. Sharpenning the knife to your liking and learning to take apart clean and reassemble the Seb is not easy due to the tight tolerances and let me tell you that I've taken apart many a Seb and I still rarely get it back together right the first time. For example, the knife I cleaned last night I bought new from True North Knives. It's birthdate was 2002 or 2003. So it had been sitting around in a box for a couple years. It wasn't unreasonble that a good cleaning was in order. When you do get the reassembly process done correctly it is a great feeling of accopmlishment but you need to be patient. Don't let this experience keep you from enjoying what a great product the Seb is in its prime working condition. I bet you won't be sorry.
bodromarsh:
Sometimes the easiest thing to do is send the knife back with a check for about $10 for return shipping. Last night I took apart my large Micarta Seb, wiped it down relubed and reassembled and I had the same problem. It was very difficult to open. It took me about three tries to get it right and now it performs like a champ. Did you you buy your Seb new or used? Even if new it may have been on the self for a while and if used you can't be sure what or how the previous owner did to the knife. Sharpenning the knife to your liking and learning to take apart clean and reassemble the Seb is not easy due to the tight tolerances and let me tell you that I've taken apart many a Seb and I still rarely get it back together right the first time. For example, the knife I cleaned last night I bought new from True North Knives. It's birthdate was 2002 or 2003. So it had been sitting around in a box for a couple years. It wasn't unreasonble that a good cleaning was in order. When you do get the reassembly process done correctly it is a great feeling of accopmlishment but you need to be patient. Don't let this experience keep you from enjoying what a great product the Seb is in its prime working condition. I bet you won't be sorry.
Scott Dog, The Micarta Sebby you have, does that have the partial seratted blade? I think it was you I seen post a while back saying you bought one. I just bought one as well from 2theHilt and just love it. This knife came smooth and sharp. I am very pleased with CRK on this one. This is how they all should come. Scott Dog, thanks for inspiring me to get a Micarta Sebby.
MPE
In regards to the screws falling out, the screws should be tightened down fully -- "finger tight" according to Anne. If tightening the pivot causes the action to become stiff then it definitely needs to be sent back to CRK. Hopefully CRK will pay more attention to this issue as this is one of the things that makes a sebenza, a sebenza. It does sound like CRK is slipping a little as of late. When your quality is at the top the only direction you can go is down. I'm sure CRK will work on this, they are just as passionate about their knives as we are.
Seriously though, the first step is to put the issues out on the table and make it clear. Then it's up to CRK to do something about it.