Just received my first Sebenza! Small Insingo w/Micarta.

[burnside]

My new small Insingo w/micarta inlays arrived a day earlier than expected!

This knife is simply beautiful. I really love the blade shape and stonewash finnish. The small fits comfortably in my large size hands (my fingers are not beefy so maybe that helps), although now that I have been holding it all afternoon, I am beginning to wonder if I should have gone with the large. I should probably just start saving fast for a large to go with my small, lol.

Everything about this knife seems perfect except for one thing... I have noticed that the screw which attaches the clip to the handle extends past the inner wall. In other words, the end of the clip's screw is not flush with the inside wall of the handle. Therefor, you can see that the edge of the tip of the blade is about 1mm or less away from the screw end. Is this normal fit and finnish, or should I be concerned. I wanted to get the opinions of those who have experience with this knife about the screw not being fluch on the inside of the handle before contacting CRK about it. So is this normal?

I also noticed that when the blade is in the closed position, there is very subtle play from side to side which mostly plays towards the lock bar/clip side. Is this cause for concern or normal (the play is very subtle but it is there)?

I will return shortly with some photos of the knife and of the extended part of the screw.

Overall, I think this will become my EDC (unless I get a large, then we will have to wait and see!)

 

[NozhScrap]

I just checked my Large Sebenza 21 and the clip screw does not protrude into the inside of the handle at all. In fact, it is slightly recessed. As far as the blade play is concerned have you disassembled the knife? And if you did are the washers installed correctly? Not the most experienced person when it come to CRK but from what ive read side to side on a Sebenza would be very unusual.

 

[johnhere]

Congrats on the knife. I find myself wanting to like the large Sebenzas more, but it's the smalls that get the most pocket time, but you'll end up with both.

Most, if not all, of my Sebenzas have the pocket clip screw extending past the inside of the scale a short ways.

 

[burnside]

I just checked my Large Sebenza 21 and the clip screw does not protrude into the inside of the handle at all. In fact, it is slightly recessed. As far as the blade play is concerned have you disassembled the knife? And if you did are the washers installed correctly? Not the most experienced person when it come to CRK but from what ive read side to side on a Sebenza would be very unusual.

I haven't taken it apart and I would prefer not to have to if I can avoid it. I just received the knife this afternoon, so it is still shiny and brand new other than handling it.

Congrats on the knife. I find myself wanting to like the large Sebenzas more, but it's the smalls that get the most pocket time, but you'll end up with both.

Most, if not all, of my Sebenzas have the pocket clip screw extending past the inside of the scale a short ways.

Thanks! That is definitely reassuring.

The blade play only occurs when closed. The play is from side to side and occurs more towards the tip of the blade and becomes unnoticeable the higher up the blade I go with my fingers (I am not applying a lot of pressure). I notice that it moves more easily to the clip side ever so slightly more than I can budge it to the other side. Not a big deal, but I've read that people have zero blade movement even when in the closed position. The movement is so subtle that I am talkin' hairs, but it is noticeable and can be felt. Can anyone tell me, if you push near the tip while closed, is there any play at all?

 

[RickeeDee]

I believe what you're experiencing in regards to side-to-side play is the slight oversizing of the bronze washers. Sebenzas almost always require a slight break in period which wears downs the washers and smooths them (as well as polishing the blade); a new Sebenza usually has the slightest extra gap due to the brand new washers which would lead to play.

I remedied this on my small 21 by rubbing my washers on some .5 micron paste on a strop a little bit. This not only reduced their overall width (and thus reduced the gap) it also polishes them, greatly accelerating the break-in period to get a Sebenza smooth as glass when opening. I have zero side play after this minimal adjustment, just be warned that if you remove too much metal from the washers you will end up with a gap again and will have solved nothing.

I believe this minor mod has negative implications regarding warranty though (if not outright voiding it), so you can just open and close your knife repeatedly throughout the next couple days to accomplish the same effect.

Also, my clip screw does extend ever so slightly past the inside face of the scale.

 

[lisantica]

you can see that the edge of the tip of the blade is about 1mm or less away from the screw end.

I have owned a few Sebenzas and some are flush and some are 1mm or less extended into the inner wall, that part seems normal to me.
I don't think there should be any little bit of side to side play though.

 

[burnside]

I believe what you're experiencing in regards to side-to-side play is the slight oversizing of the bronze washers. Sebenzas almost always require a slight break in period which wears downs the washers and smooths them (as well as polishing the blade); a new Sebenza usually has the slightest extra gap due to the brand new washers which would lead to play.

I remedied this on my small 21 by rubbing my washers on some .5 micron paste on a strop a little bit. This not only reduced their overall width (and thus reduced the gap) it also polishes them, greatly accelerating the break-in period to get a Sebenza smooth as glass when opening. I have zero side play after this minimal adjustment, just be warned that if you remove too much metal from the washers you will end up with a gap again and will have solved nothing.

I believe this minor mod has negative implications regarding warranty though (if not outright voiding it), so you can just open and close your knife repeatedly throughout the next couple days to accomplish the same effect.

Also, my clip screw does extend ever so slightly past the inside face of the scale.

I will not be doing any modifications on my Sebenza. I don't want to void the warranty. I don't even want to take it apart. I don't plan on flicking it open ever. I want to take good care of it. The blade opens nice and smooth. It's a little stiff to open, but the blade movement can definitely be described as 'bank vault on glass' smooth.

I have owned a few Sebenzas and some are flush and some are 1mm or less extended into the inner wall, that part seems normal to me.
I don't think there should be any little bit of side to side play though.

The side to side play that I experience only occurs when the blade is closed and only near the tip of the blade.

So Lisantica, if you push near the tip of your sebenza blade when closed, you cannot move it at all just a little bit? Not even a hair? I cant get play the further away from the tip I go, but if I push it to the side near the tip, it moves a few hairs.

 

[lisantica]

If I go to the very tip of my closed knife, yes just a little bit of movement...less than a hair shaft and only because I am applying pressure....never tried that before....seems all my knives do it, Sebenzas or not....but MUCH worse on non-Sebenza knife.

 

[RiverRat84]

First off, congrats on your new knife!

In regards to the side to side play, you should only be worried about it when your knife is in the locked position and your experiencing play.

My Sebs do that aswell, although I had to open my 21's slightly to check as the tip on those don't stick out like the Insigno.

None of my clip screws stick out, but if its not touching your blade I wouldn't worry about that either.

Just enjoy your knife and if you find come Monday your still bothered give CRK a call and im sure they'll put your mind at ease:thumbup:

 

[atony]

Congrats on the small Micarta, I also have a large and small micarta neither have any play. The clip screw on the small does protrude a little bit. Congrats on the knife again, and use the heck out of that little sucker.

 

[beau007]

I have two small Insingo's (or is it Insingoes, or Insingos, or possibly Insingi?), and both have clip screws that extend inward slightly past the scale. And both have the movement you described when closed. I had noticed the screw protrusion before you mentioned it (due to my tendency to stare at Sebenza's for long periods of time), but not the blade movement. I kind of wish the screws were flush to the wall for no better reason than to satisfy my fussy nature. It has no affect on function because the blade is perfectly centered. And, I am not really concerned (unless someone has a good reason why I should be) about the movement because it doesn't affect the function either.

Maybe I am not as fussy as I thought! .......No! I am!

@lisantica: Owned just "a few Sebenza's"? I should say so!

 

[Tim616]

I have owned a few Sebenzas and some are flush and some are 1mm or less extended into the inner wall, that part seems normal to me.
I don't think there should be any little bit of side to side play though.

lol..

 

[burnside]

If I go to the very tip of my closed knife, yes just a little bit of movement...less than a hair shaft and only because I am applying pressure....never tried that before....seems all my knives do it, Sebenzas or not....but MUCH worse on non-Sebenza knife.

Upon more inspection, I do not think it is fair of me to call what I have been describing as 'blade play'. When closer down the spine of the blade where it gets thicker and toward the hilt, the play virtually vanishes..there is nothing. When close to the tip, I can budge the blade a hair, but I wouldn't call it 'play'. I would say every folding knife that exists can and will exhibit this when closed at the tip. It isn't really play so much. Just the tip is slightly malleable because of thinness and leverage. The blade when pushed in the middle where it is thick has zero movement. My bad for being OCD, lol... (I bet there is a lot of that around here). The blade is perfectly centered in any case. Good news is that I'm not worried about it anymore!

First off, congrats on your new knife!

In regards to the side to side play, you should only be worried about it when your knife is in the locked position and your experiencing play.

My Sebs do that aswell, although I had to open my 21's slightly to check as the tip on those don't stick out like the Insigno.

None of my clip screws stick out, but if its not touching your blade I wouldn't worry about that either.

Just enjoy your knife and if you find come Monday your still bothered give CRK a call and im sure they'll put your mind at ease:thumbup:

Thanks! I've decided that what I'm experiencing is normal physics and is not blade play. When Done with my Spyderco PM2 M390, the blade moves significantly with very little pressure. The Sebenza is tight as a rock and smooth as ice. I love the action of this blade. No way will I be flicking it open..it feels too good when opening it slowly.

Congrats on the small Micarta, I also have a large and small micarta neither have any play. The clip screw on the small does protrude a little bit. Congrats on the knife again, and use the heck out of that little sucker.

Thanks! Mine doesn't have any play. I bet what I described can be noticed in any folder. It definitely is not real 'blade play' in any case.

I have two small Insingo's (or is it Insingoes, or Insingos, or possibly Insingi?), and both have clip screws that extend inward slightly past the scale. And both have the movement you described when closed. I had noticed the screw protrusion before you mentioned it (due to my tendency to stare at Sebenza's for long periods of time), but not the blade movement. I kind of wish the screws were flush to the wall for no better reason than to satisfy my fussy nature. It has no affect on function because the blade is perfectly centered. And, I am not really concerned (unless someone has a good reason why I should be) about the movement because it doesn't affect the function either.

Maybe I am not as fussy as I thought! .......No! I am!

@lisantica: Owned just "a few Sebenza's"? I should say so!

Thanks for the words of encouragement! It's good to know there is nothing wrong with my new Sebe! If the protruding screw really bothers me enough, I'll just take it out and sand it down until it fits flush (or I'll try to get a better fitting screw from CRK). I definitely let my ocd go overboard when spending cash like I did on the sebenza. Good to know others with discriminating taste love these knives. That tells volumes about the quality of CRK. I can definitely see the difference in quality between my Insingo and my PM2 M390 (Insingo ftw).

___________________

Now my only problem, is trying to figure out if I should return it for the large or not. I can't get it out of my head that the large will just feel better in my hand.

If I bought a large and keep the small, I'm not sure if I'd want to have two Insingo blades, or if I would rather have a large 21 or tanto, or what. Ugh. My local B&M knife and tool shop has a new large Sebenza 21 with s30V steel in stock for $375.00 (good deal?). ....Or maybe I would rather have a large insingo and a small tanto? Or maybe a Large tanto and keep the small? ....then there is the Umnanzaan tanto at TNK. This is gonna drive me a little nuts over the next 24-48 hours. If I only keep one for now, then I think my decision ultimately comes down to either the small insingo that I currently own or the large Insingo (with or without micarta). Any suggestions?

 

[beau007]

If I don't say it, someone else will. So.... you need one of each!
1 Large 21
1 Large Tanto
1 Large Insingo
1 Large Insingo w/micarta
1 Small Tanto
1 Small Insingo
1 Small Insingo w/micarta

That recipe yields one nice collection.

 

[burnside]

If I don't say it, someone else will. So.... you need one of each!

I know, I know lol. But I'm going to have to pace it and spread out my purchases (not to mention sell stuff like other knives in order to afford this terrible affliction). As far as having multiple sebenzas go, I would like to start off with the one that will be my all time edc. The one that if I could only have one, this would be it. I'm pretty sure it will come down to weather I prefer the large to the small. I can't decide because I haven't felt the large yet. The local knife shop has a 21 in s30V for 375.00. That is definitely tempting. If I could talk the owner down in price to 350.00 including tax, I'll probably jump on it. I think we all know whats going to happen (I'm screwed... LOL).

 

[burnside]

I'm probably just going to have to go through a bunch to find that one special Sebenza which will become my lifer.

 

[RiverRat84]

I think you are in a perfect position. Ask to handle the Large at your local B&M. Get a feel for it. However go with cash as once you handle it you'll want it

I have three user Sebenzas, had four but had to get rid of one as it was too darn pretty to use and I didn't want to ruin it! Talk about OCD

They're all users, all Large, and all rotated on a regular basis.

I'll tell you this, I wouldn't get rid of my Large Micarta Insigno for anything:thumbup:

 

[burnside]

I think you are in a perfect position. Ask to handle the Large at your local B&M. Get a feel for it. However go with cash as once you handle it you'll want it

I have three user Sebenzas, had four but had to get rid of one as it was too darn pretty to use and I didn't want to ruin it! Talk about OCD

They're all users, all Large, and all rotated on a regular basis.

I'll tell you this, I wouldn't get rid of my Large Micarta Insigno for anything:thumbup:

The more I think about the Sebenza that is at my local knife shop, the more I feel a pull towards it. I'm hoping to try and talk the owner down even lower in price (I doubt he will go lower than 375, but if he does, I won't hesitate to snatch it up). The discounted price is the main thing that is keeping my interest in the s30V 21. .

I really like my new small iningo w/micarta, but I can't help and wonder about the large sizes and the feel of plane jane titanium. The small seems to be a little difficult for me to close due to my larger hand size, so I think the large might be a better fit ergonomically. I've been staring at the large Insingo w/micarta at TNK but it costs 520.00 w/ the double lugs. I am either on day one or two of the three day testing period for my new small..So if I really wanted to, I could return it and go for the plane jane large or wait for the micarta insingo w. single lug to restock at knifeart. I wonder about what the plane scales feel like compared to the micarta and if I might prefer it or not. The only way for me to know is to try.

I figure I should be able to get my money back minus shipping if I keep the small insingo and decide to sell it down the road here or on the 'bay (as long as it is unused and remains new). If I use it and then decide to sell it, I should be able to still get near what I paid (probably take a loss of anywhere form 25-50 bucks depending on the condition). I think I'm going to hang on to it after all...That way I can compare it to the large. Who knows, after comparing, I might realize that I prefer the small to the large (which would be a bad situation if I had already gotten rid of the small). Too bad I don't know of any CRK collectors in my area so as to check out the various models before purchasing!

Now I just have to decide which large to go with...Large Sebenza 21 w/S30v (at a discount), large Insingo plane jane, large Insingo w/micarta single lugged (have to wait for restock, or large Insingo w/micarta double lugged (most expensive option for me). I was seriously considering the tanto blade, but my small Insingo has me sold on the modified warncliff blade, and I don't think I want to deal with the extra care needed to sharpen both tanto edges.

 

[RiverRat84]

Hmm...

Well micarta inlays do make for a better grip in my opinion. Double lugs are cool, my large Micarta 21 just came back the other day sporting em.

BUT $375 is a damn good price and getting to handle it prior to purchase is a plus.

Then there's the Large Insigno..the shinning star in the few Sebenzas I have...

I say snag the one at your local B&M. Good price, you get to handle it on the spot, you get a different blade style from what you have, you get to try out the plain titanium scale, and you get to give the Large size a go.:thumbup:

 

[RiverRat84]

You forgot 1 Large 21 w/micarta :thumbup:

If I don't say it, someone else will. So.... you need one of each!
1 Large 21
1 Large Tanto
1 Large Insingo
1 Large Insingo w/micarta
1 Small Tanto
1 Small Insingo
1 Small Insingo w/micarta

That recipe yields one nice collection.