CRKT My Sebenza 21 Small Arrived!

Peter Hartwig said:
Third party lubes will not hurt it, but I suggest using the CRK grease or something similar. IMO it is going to work best and last the longest. They use a perforated washer on all the newer knives that holds some grease.
It will break in just fine with time, so don't resort to any of the more drastic measures, like polishing or sanding the washers.
and has been mentioned make sure you are not pressing down on the lockbar
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Believe it or not I have to send it in.
Yesterday I took it apart to lube it up and bent a washer trying to put it back together.
Also the lock bar doesn’t have the same lock up.
I literally just got this awesome knife.
I never can leave well enough alone.
V/R,
Chris
 
WreckedVeteran said:
Believe it or not I have to send it in.
Yesterday I took it apart to lube it up and bent a washer trying to put it back together.
Also the lock bar doesn’t have the same lock up.
I literally just got this awesome knife.
I never can leave well enough alone.
V/R,
Chris
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That's a bummer, but don't let it discourage you from taking it apart in the future. They are really easy to maintain & re-assemble and although bending a washer is the most common mistake, I have yet to do it. I assemble the handle 1st and slide the blade washers and bushing in. There are plenty of videos & full descriptions out there.
Looks like a slight delay until you can start using it, but the knife last a lifetime and you will be able to see how good the customer service is.
 
Oops I was too late to reply. But anyway here it is for other newbys.....

Its a CRK 21 and it will have tight action

No need to check to see if it has grease, it was built right in Idaho.
No need to fool with third party grease, oil, nano this or that. The grease that was used and shipped with the knife is what it needs.
Even if you use two hands open it and keep all fingers off the lock bar it will be slow to open when new. Don't bother taking it apart.
The small has not ever been considered to be a flipper. If you want a flipper there are many other manufacturers to choose from that are not made in Idaho.

IF you read about CRK knives the term "bank vault lockup" will eventually be described by many. The only way to get this description is to have tight tolerances and that means not flipper friendly.

Enjoy your knife when it comes back and don't think you can disassemble, inspect, adjust, lube and reassemble better than the craftsmen in Idaho. Don't over think it, just use it and enjoy like the rest of us.
 
Tight tolerances definitely do not mean not flipper friendly. The point of tight tolerances is to be solid yet free moving. The seb in my pocket right now can certainly be flipped and is solid as a rock.
 
WreckedVeteran WreckedVeteran , I can totally empathize! I’m a repeat offender when it comes to washer pinching. :( As such, I’ve never pinched a washer so bad that it derailed the lockup. I have, however, had the lockup and centering go wonky when I’ve put it back together with something not quite fully aligned.

Prior to sending it in, you might try another disassembly with a few figure-8 passes of the pinched washer on 1000 grit sandpaper, just enough to smooth out the pinch. Taking too much material off will of course run the risk of inducing side-to-side play or going off center....but if it’s really on it’s way back to Bosie, you’ve got nothing to loose.

Of course if you really bent the washer (not just a pinch), you may be beyond that.

If you do wind up sending it in, have them fit an extra set of washers for you, that way you’ll have a spare.

Rest assured, I’ve been in your position. Most recently I messed up a Large Thuya within a few days of ownership. (It was late that night—my judgement and dexterity were impaired! ;)) It came back from Idaho better than ever though.
 
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WreckedVeteran said:
Believe it or not I have to send it in.
Yesterday I took it apart to lube it up and bent a washer trying to put it back together.
Also the lock bar doesn’t have the same lock up.
I literally just got this awesome knife.
I never can leave well enough alone.
V/R,
Chris
Click to expand...
Ouch that's rough! I just got a Mnandi and haven't taken it apart yet... part of me really wants to out of curiosity but another part of me figures just leave well enough alone until I actually need to take it apart.
 
My first sebenza was a small plain 21 as well, and it was very stiff and hard to open. A looooot of opening and closing, and its smoothed out.
 
I would recommend watch some youtube videos while you are taking apart and reassembling your sebenza.

It helps with the steps so you can do them in the correct order and /or not put things in backwards.
 
I would just order a new washer. That way you won't be without your new sebenza because sending it in for maintenance takes a while.
 
If it hasn’t been said already. Open the stud “out” from the knife, not “up” like most studs.
 
You really don't need to take it apart. I'm coming up on 10 years of use with my Umnumzaan and have never disassembled it and it's very smooth. I lube it up about twice a year.
 
unwisefool said:
You really don't need to take it apart. I'm coming up on 10 years of use with my Umnumzaan and have never disassembled it and it's very smooth. I lube it up about twice a year.
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Yeah this is true.. But I think the whole reason to have one of these it the simplicity and ease of taking it apart.

That is part of the magic of a sebenza. Though I would be less inclined to take apart a Umnumzaan than a 21.

The Op is getting the opportunity to get to know his knife and not repeat mistakes. Hopefully he will refer to one of the Youtube videos on assembly.
 
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colubrid said:
I would just order a new washer. That way you won't be without your new sebenza because sending it in for maintenance takes a while.
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Unfortunately you have to send the knife in for washers. There is a fitting process, and they won't mail them out.
 
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