Large Wilson combat Sebenza 21 interesting pivot

UAB89 · Jan 4, 2016

So I was cleaning my Large Wilson combat Sebenza 21 and I noticed the phosphor bronze washer on the lock side is a little different and thought I would share

It's a July 2015 version.. Anyone know what they did it?

Also does anyone know when they started increasing the Rc on their blades? Cause I have one from October that looks like it was whited out and 59-60 was written in but July version says 58-59 not that this really matters I'm just curious
Thanks

tchapman414 · Jan 4, 2016

The washer switch was at some point mid-2015 as far as I know. Someone here will be able to chime in with a more exact time frame, I'm sure.

My July 2015 Large 21 Basketweave has the same lockside washer. I see no huge difference in performance for my uses, but I do appreciate the engineering in that little part.

makariotes · Jan 4, 2016

I noticed that too, I found that kind of washer in a carbon fiber inlay 21 when I opened it up for cleaning. I'm not sure but I think they rolled those out with the Inkosi, at least I remember seeing them in a video of Shot Show. At any rate, they're pretty cool, I think.

gull wing · Jan 4, 2016

Great mill work, love it.
What is that extra hole in the bottom end?

makariotes · Jan 4, 2016

gull wing said:
Great mill work, love it.
What is that extra hole in the bottom end?

You have good eyes, I also noticed those extra holes, I assume you're talking about the holes that are next to the spacer and next to the lanyard hole; they appear to be locating holes for the carbon fiber inlays, the inlays appear to have a pin built into them; I can see the back of the inlays through those holes. I might be wrong but they seem to serve that purpose, to locate the inlays.
If I am correct in this assumption, then it means the inlays have also been machined in some way; no matter how I look at it, you're right, it is a beautiful thing; no wonder the CF inlay 21 retails for 510.00.

UAB89 · Jan 4, 2016

makariotes said:
I noticed that too, I found that kind of washer in a carbon fiber inlay 21 when I opened it up for cleaning. I'm not sure but I think they rolled those out with the Inkosi, at least I remember seeing them in a video of Shot Show. At any rate, they're pretty cool, I think.

Very nice!! Yeah what I found interesting is my knife art exclusive large cf 21 which has a birthday of October had the old washer lock side..? Maybe using the remainder of what they had? Or something to do with the cf?

makariotes · Jan 4, 2016

UAB89 said:
Very nice!! Yeah what I found interesting is my knife art exclusive large cf 21 which has a birthday of October had the old washer lock side..? Maybe using the remainder of what they had? Or something to do with the cf?

I really don't know but those rectangular perforations on the small washer are super cool, they seem to be able to hold more grease but have less surface area of friction against the blade and handles.
I have two of those CFs from KA, a 21 and a 25 (which uses a fixed washer) and none of them had this kind of washer in them, just the old type like the one in the picture in the non lock side.
I would think the rectangular perforated ones will eventually make their way into all the models, but who knows, all I know is that they're very cool.
Ball bearings? We don't need no stinking ball bearings!

UAB89 · Jan 4, 2016

tchapman414 said:
The washer switch was at some point mid-2015 as far as I know. Someone here will be able to chime in with a more exact time frame, I'm sure.

My July 2015 Large 21 Basketweave has the same lockside washer. I see no huge difference in performance for my uses, but I do appreciate the engineering in that little part.

Thank you for the help!

makariotes · Jan 4, 2016

I have a starbenza just like yours made in March 23-2015 and it still has the old type washers, so I think tchapman is right about the mid 2015 being the time frame for the switch.

UAB89 · Jan 4, 2016

makariotes said:
I really don't know but those rectangular perforations on the small washer are super cool, they seem to be able to hold more grease but have less surface area of friction against the blade and handles.
I have two of those CFs from KA, a 21 and a 25 (which uses a fixed washer) and none of them had this kind of washer in them, just the old type like the one in the picture in the non lock side.
I would think the rectangular perforated ones will eventually make their way into all the models, but who knows, all I know is that they're very cool.
Ball bearings? We don't need no stinking ball bearings!

True true!

kidcongo · Jan 4, 2016

Cool. My 2013 Mnandi has a similar washer: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1233952-New-Mnandi-washer-style-both-sides-perforated?highlight=new+mnandi+washer

I think these new cut-out gear-pattern washers were first introduced on the Mnandi

makariotes · Jan 5, 2016

kidcongo said:
Cool. My 2013 Mnandi has a similar washer: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1233952-New-Mnandi-washer-style-both-sides-perforated?highlight=new+mnandi+washer

I think these new cut-out gear-pattern washers were first introduced on the Mnandi

Thanks for the info Kiddo! I was actually wondering if you knew about this, and of course you do.
I haven't taken my Mnandi (the only one I have) apart yet but I bet it has the same washer as yours; this is so very interesting to me, CRK really blows my mind in the way they do little things that make a big difference. Sometimes they are just aesthetics and sometimes they are mechanical; and that are not easily seen except when one digs a little deeper, like the groove on the tang of the Inkosi, that's true innovation, I think.

kidcongo · Jan 5, 2016

makariotes said:
Thanks for the info Kiddo! I was actually wondering if you knew about this, and of course you do.
I haven't taken my Mnandi (the only one I have) apart yet but I bet it has the same washer as yours; this is so very interesting to me, CRK really blows my mind in the way they do little things that make a big difference. Sometimes they are just aesthetics and sometimes they are mechanical; and that are not easily seen except when one digs a little deeper, like the groove on the tang of the Inkosi, that's true innovation, I think.

you are welcome!

If you look closely down into the pivot, with a flashlight, you may be able to see the notches on the outside of the smaller washer, which are not there on the solid washer, indicating you have the new style. Let me know if this works.

makariotes · Jan 5, 2016

It worked like a charm and it does have it, thanks for the tip (again):

makariotes · Jan 5, 2016

I just discovered one of those little things I was talking about, I don't know how I missed it during the first inspection, the logo on the pivot is not only engraved but also blue anodized! See what I mean?

I know I'm getting sidetracked but this ties into the manufacturing excellence I'm so fond of with CRK, these little Mnandis, though too small for my hands, are a work of art, I think.

kidcongo · Jan 5, 2016

makariotes said:
It worked like a charm and it does have it, thanks for the tip (again):

Cool!

kidcongo · Jan 5, 2016

makariotes said:
I just discovered one of those little things I was talking about, I don't know how I missed it during the first inspection, the logo on the pivot is not only engraved but also blue anodized! See what I mean?

I know I'm getting sidetracked but this ties into the manufacturing excellence I'm so fond of with CRK, these little Mnandis, though too small for my hands, are a work of art, I think.

If you haven't already noticed, check out the underside of the pocket clip for the cool traction nubs under there. Also neat with the Mnandi is the subtle upsweep of the clip point, with is a true clip. If you hold a straight edge against the top of the Mnandi blade it had a nice upsweep.

kidcongo · Jan 5, 2016

I hear yah on the size of the Mnandi. i have one but have yet to really carry it. Most of my CRKs are well used, but I just don't have a role for the Mnandi being so small. Having said that, I won't sell it because I really like it. I imagine some day having a home office or study, and having the Mnandi as my letter opener, though I am sure it is capable of greater tasks than that.

makariotes · Jan 5, 2016

kidcongo said:
If you haven't already noticed, check out the underside of the pocket clip for the cool traction nubs under there. Also neat with the Mnandi is the subtle upsweep of the clip point, with is a true clip. If you hold a straight edge against the top of the Mnandi blade it had a nice upsweep.

Wow, you're right, again; how cool is that; here it is for those who don't have one to see what is being discussed:

And the blade is definitely upswept, I hope you can see the line on the paper:

And I'm with you on the idea of a desk knife, I also don't use mine because it is just too beautiful to mess it up. This is fun.

kidcongo · Jan 5, 2016

makariotes said:
Wow, you're right, again; how cool is that; here it is for those who don't have one to see what is being discussed:

And the blade is definitely upswept, I hope you can see the line on the paper:

And I'm with you on the idea of a desk knife, I also don't use mine because it is just too beautiful to mess it up. This is fun.

Great example pics. One thing I forgot to mention, is the Mnandi is my birthday party and Christmas morning knife. It's a good one for slicing ribbons and opening blister packs in mixed company.