Recommendation? Lubricants for CRK folders…?

This is what I've been using. Can tell no difference between it and CRK grease. Looks and feels the same. 15oz tub for about $25.
uHDUxAml.jpg
 
I did a direct comparison recently with 3-in-1 and CRK grease.
The oil left the action feeling gritty and not smooth.
Redid immediately with the grease and was back to normal.
In the past I've used Sentry Solutions Tuff Glide and remember it didnt seem to last as long as the grease.
As for migration, 3-In-1 oil is well known for that and is a good penetrant which is why I use it also.
 
Is anyone willing to take down a crk sebenza 31 small and show where and how much of this crk grease to apply. I’m going on two weeks of opening and closing this thing and I think it’s getting harder. If not I understand
 
Swp321 said:
Is anyone willing to take down a crk sebenza 31 small and show where and how much of this crk grease to apply. I’m going on two weeks of opening and closing this thing and I think it’s getting harder. If not I understand
Click to expand...
I just put a little dab on each side of the washers on both sides and spread it around evenly.
A dab'l do ya.
 
I just pulled up a video on YouTube of Tim from crk disassembling a 31 and putting it back together so I did it exactly like he did we will see how the grease spreads. Don’t get me wrong I love the hydraulic feel of it but it wears on the thumb.
 
Swp321 said:
I just pulled up a video on YouTube of Tim from crk disassembling a 31 and putting it back together so I did it exactly like he did we will see how the grease spreads. Don’t get me wrong I love the hydraulic feel of it but it wears on the thumb.
Click to expand...
Dumb question, but are you pushing the thumbstud from the side or pressing down on the thumbstud?
 
In a c pattern it works fine I think it’s just different than what I’m used to and it’s only a week old and it’s my first crk I’ve got a bunch of flippers and flickers so I’m sure it’s just me getting used to it.
 
I use W10 NanoOil in all my knives, including CRKs, except for those with Teflon or Nylon washers which get liquid TriFlow from a needle applicator. My CRKs still have that super smooth, hydraulic feel but come out a lot freer, as I like to flick 'em out rather than employing the slow roll. I also put a dab of FinishLine on the detent ball to alleviate any drag there when opening or closing, though lately I've taken to filling the detent hole in any knife before reassembling which is much more convenient and very effective. I've had that FinishLine syringe applicator for maybe 8 years without any separation and it looks like its contents will certainly outlast me.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Hey guys. I’ve always used the included grease that’s come with the knives. My current users are a large inkosi, a large sebenza 21 and a large sebenza 31.
I tried oil in a buddies large inkosi and I disliked the feeling. It was almost like nails on a chalk board. I however am wondering if there’s a lubricant out there that can get the knife smooth feeling like the grease but without the sticky “hydraulic” feeling. More of a free feeling… if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

Watch this video! All of my CRK's are running on the CRK grease or this Japanese oil that I use for traditionals. That being said i'm thinking i'm going to try this.

 
anthonycastorena2014 said:
Watch this video! All of my CRK's are running on the CRK grease or this Japanese oil that I use for traditionals. That being said i'm thinking i'm going to try this.

Click to expand...

Glad you liked this video that I found for you 😝 I bought that lubricant after seeing the video, and I plan to try it tonight or tomorrow on the Umnumzaan that I got from you.
 
DocJekl said:
Glad you liked this video that I found for you 😝 I bought that lubricant after seeing the video, and I plan to try it tonight or tomorrow on the Umnumzaan that I got from you.
Click to expand...
I think I will not take it apart just yet, and just apply the OCD-4-EDC lubricant to just the ball and detent - my only issue is with getting it open, but it's otherwise very smooth and buttery to open the rest of the way once moving.
 
I use a bicycle lubricant called Finish Line Extreme Fluoro Grease. I like it over what CRK supplies as I think it lasts a bit longer and doesn't foul quite as quickly. The applicator is also better. From a 'feel' perspective, I think it feels kind of between what you get with a grease versus a liquid lubricant, especially once you have really broken the knife in. I think the hydraulic feel you mention is more pronounced when the knife is newer and right after it has been cleaned.

The current CRK tube isn't the best applicator, IMO. CRK used to sell their branded lubricant in a really high-quality syringe.
 
Swp321 said:
In a c pattern it works fine I think it’s just different than what I’m used to and it’s only a week old and it’s my first crk I’ve got a bunch of flippers and flickers so I’m sure it’s just me getting used to it.
Click to expand...
It takes time with some of them.
My small WC 21 gums up pretty quickly. I've added KPL, with decent results; I just haven't committed to switching over entirely.
My small 31 has never felt smooth; but I've chosen not to break it down and give it a good cleaning, yet. It's fairly new (probably got it around the same time you got yours), and I decided to give it more of a break in period before doing so. There may be no benefit to doing so; but, from my experience with the small WC 21, there's not a whole lot to be gained by rushing in, either.
Conversely, my large inkosi has been smooth from the start & routinely sits for 10+ months at time without issue. I also experienced no issues during the short time I had the small inkosi.
 
Last edited:
I recently bought some nano 10 oil for my shirogorov.
I did a breakdown on my small 21 and decided to try the nano 10 instead of the grease.

I much prefer the nano oil. It feels like there is less friction. This is a 10 year old well used small 21 if that makes any difference.

I'm getting a 'new to me' large 31 and will try the nano oil, maybe new sebenzas prefer the grease. We shall see.
 
Will the 10wt nano hold up for any amount of time? Seems like it would need to be done on a regular basis to me? It’s pretty thin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top