Large Sebenza blade off center...

stevekolt · Jul 13, 2011

The blade of my large Sebenza is definitely not centered. Could I have done this when replacing the lanyard, and not centered it on reassembly? Kind of new to CRK, my fourth should be here on Friday

Any help would be appreciated.

roughneckrob · Jul 13, 2011

Can I see a pic? I have never heard of such a thing unless it was not put together properly. Take it apart and be sure the washers are in the proper place when you reassemble.

65535 · Jul 13, 2011

Define off center? It's not uncommon for frame-locks to angle towards the non lock side due to the lockbar pressure.

macmiddlebrooks · Jul 13, 2011

Mine is as well ,but I can tell it's just due to the grind being off by a bit. Wabi Sabi from a hand made tool! Dig it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi

stevekolt · Jul 13, 2011

Here are a couple pics...

Bluesummers · Jul 13, 2011

Here is a question for you. Was it centered before you took it apart?

Brandon13 · Jul 13, 2011

You might have pinched a washer between the handle and pivot bushing. It's happened to me a few time after cleaning mine, all you need to do is take it apart and make sure the washers are in place before you tighten the pivot.

snowreaper1 · Jul 13, 2011

Im not sure if this is the reason your sebbies looks off centered but I had a small annual regualr once that looked
like it was off center but it was really because the blade grind was uneven and it looked like the tip was almost
a little bent to one side.

stevekolt · Jul 13, 2011

Bluesummers said:
Here is a question for you. Was it centered before you took it apart?

Ah, there's the rub...I don't remember checking. I guess I should try to take it apart and put it back together to see if that will do it.

The Logical One · Jul 13, 2011

When you first reassemble it, you will notice the blade will be off centered because the screws weren't screwed on tightly. Also what you want to try is to loosen up all the screws, and gradually tighten the screws one by one and repeat the process until they're all firm (kinda like when torquing down the bolts for a wheel on the car in the 5-star pattern).

JNewell · Jul 13, 2011

Unless the blade grinds are way off, it's virtually impossible for a Sebenza to be off-center like that if it's properly assembled.

stevekolt · Jul 13, 2011

JNewell said:
Unless the blade grinds are way off, it's virtually impossible for a Sebenza to be off-center like that if it's properly assembled.

That must have been it. One of the metal washers (?) that sit on each side of the hole in the blade wasn't seated correctly. Much better now. Thanks for all the help everyone!

stevekolt · Jul 13, 2011

Brandon13 said:
You might have pinched a washer between the handle and pivot bushing. It's happened to me a few time after cleaning mine, all you need to do is take it apart and make sure the washers are in place before you tighten the pivot.

That was it!

Fferrell1 · Jul 13, 2011

Brandon13 said:
You might have pinched a washer between the handle and pivot bushing. It's happened to me a few time after cleaning mine, all you need to do is take it apart and make sure the washers are in place before you tighten the pivot.

100% have a washer "crimped". I promise. I did EXACTLY the same thing to my umnumzaan!

Fferrell1 · Jul 13, 2011

AND I just finished reading that you fixed it... that's what I get for not reading through to the end. :0P

Heiheit · Jul 13, 2011

Glad you got it fixed man. I knew something was really wrong seeing that Seb so off center!

JNewell · Jul 14, 2011

I can absolutely guarantee you that you are NOT the first to have this happen, and you are not the last!

stevekolt said:
That must have been it. One of the metal washers (?) that sit on each side of the hole in the blade wasn't seated correctly. Much better now. Thanks for all the help everyone!

Undertow82 · Jul 15, 2011

The Logical One said:
When you first reassemble it, you will notice the blade will be off centered because the screws weren't screwed on tightly. Also what you want to try is to loosen up all the screws, and gradually tighten the screws one by one and repeat the process until they're all firm (kinda like when torquing down the bolts for a wheel on the car in the 5-star pattern).

I'm gonna have to disagree with your advice. I realize the problem has been worked out but I felt compelled to correct you in your thinking regarding this particular issue. CRK recommends having the handle assembly together and fully tightened before sliding the blade-bushing-washers into position. You shouldn't loosen the handle screws if the blade is still inside the scales. The order in which the screws are tighten shouldn't ever be considered because it doesn't matter which order you screw/unscrew the handle slabs as long as the blade is out, per CRK instructions. I've done it exactly how they recommend and haven't had any problems.

Like some have said, it's impossible for a Sebenza or any CRK to be off-centered due to how tight the tolerances are. Your method might work for some other folder designs but it goes against the proven CRK method.

Here's CRK's exact method for disassembling a Sebenza. I recommend you and the OP check it out so you know how not to do any harm in the future. http://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenzaclean.htm

au5t3n5 · Jul 15, 2011

I would agree with undertow on this one. I found it is best to tighten everything, slide the washes/blade in, screw that in, then go back and make sure everything is tight again just to be safe.

brancron · Sep 7, 2018

Brandon13 said:
You might have pinched a washer between the handle and pivot bushing. It's happened to me a few time after cleaning mine, all you need to do is take it apart and make sure the washers are in place before you tighten the pivot.

Super old post, I know, but your comment just saved me some major grief. My Sebenza has always been perfectly centered after disassembly, but this last time it wasn’t, and lo and behold, the larger washer turned out to be off center by a smidge. Thank you!