My Sebenza get's stiff when tightened!

bigmark408 said:
Obviously the OP does not have the skill to repair his own knife so he needs to send it in.
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Maybe he is just interested in letting the professionals take care of it, rather than attacking it with sandpaper or a dremel tool as a garage "knifesmith".

I would say maintaining his warranty by letting CRK do the work would be a major part of it too, but I doubt that it holds a warranty after the blade has been swapped.
 
The OP's skill in anything was never part of the question so quite unnecessarily mentioned IMO.

Unfortunately the warranty on that knife is indeed shot as he was sold a knife with a swapped out blade. The very reason he is having the problems he was asking about.
 
mantzao said:
Shall i send it back?
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The question was whether the OP should send it back.
I say yes, send it back.
No need to purchase a problem on the internet, enough will come your way for free.
Find one with an original blade that is functioning properly, and buy it.
 
when i asked if i should send it back, i meant to the original owner.
in case you still didn't realise(i probably didn't explain correctely) it was bought used! English is not my mother tongue:)
The original owner swapped the blades and already agreed to take it back with full refund.

Thanks to all. It was very enlightening:)
 
four_shore said:
i've had 6 sebs and every single one stiffens when tightened (most were brand new).

i know they're not supposed to, but they did nonetheless..

i should also mention that i hadn't tampered with blade swaps or even disassembly prior to noticing this...
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This is exactly my experience.
 
With both of my sebbies snug is all it takes. Any stiffening of that pivot would take a very deliberate overtightening. With the supplied allen wrench, I dont think it would be possible to apply too much torque without breaking the wrench. With both of mine there is definitely no compromising involved. This is one of the great things about them imo. I dont have to break it in, deal with the pivot coming loose constantly and eventually give in and loctite screw in place. Sebenza offers no room at all for error.
 
Tripton said:
Maybe he is just interested in letting the professionals take care of it, rather than attacking it with sandpaper or a dremel tool as a garage "knifesmith".

I would say maintaining his warranty by letting CRK do the work would be a major part of it too, but I doubt that it holds a warranty after the blade has been swapped.
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I do pritty nice work in my garage...lol.
 
These knives are tight for a reason....liability for Chris.

Personally i prefer them looser than stock which requires a lil work.

All of you that say the pivot should be backed off are wrong.

Set up correctly....the pivot should be snug....thats why the pivot bushing is used ( ask Chris ).
 
mantzao said:
when i asked if i should send it back, i meant to the original owner.
in case you still didn't realise(i probably didn't explain correctely) it was bought used! English is not my mother tongue:)
The original owner swapped the blades and already agreed to take it back with full refund.

Thanks to all. It was very enlightening:)
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When you replied to my post with "mate" i assumed you were out of the US and sending it to CRK for repair might be an issue, thats why i offered my help.

If you don't have the tools or skills, I suggest you return it for a refund and purchase another.

All my posts have been made with no dissrespect intended.
 
bigmark408 said:
When you replied to my post with "mate" i assumed you were out of the US and sending it to CRK for repair might be an issue, thats why i offered my help.

If you don't have the tools or skills, I suggest you return it for a refund and purchase another.

All my posts have been made with no dissrespect intended.
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no worries:)
thanks for the help;)
 
"These knives are tight for a reason....liability for Chris.
Personally i prefer them looser than stock which requires a lil work.
All of you that say the pivot should be backed off are wrong.
Set up correctly....the pivot should be snug....thats why the pivot bushing is used ( ask Chris ). "

...does this include the Umnumzaan BigMark? When putting it back together after added a new lanyard I had to back off a 1/4 turn because the blade wouldn't open or move at all if tightened all the way. This is a brand new knife btw.
 
Umnumzaan if a different pivot entirely. Theres no bushing so no you can not tighten it all the way. If you buy the tool kit for the umnum it will be supplied with some loc tite.
So you find the tension that works best for you and a drop of loc tite will keep it there.
 
Nah, dirty isn't the right word for it. Just some misinformation on the Sebenza mechanics/design and lack of good sense.

Why anyone would contemplate shortening the pivot or thinning the washers is beyond me. It's a shortcut that will lead to other problems.

The OP has bought a knife that has been severely compromised by swapping blades. The seller thus is obliged to take it back.
Failing that, the knife has to be sent to the Spa for proper fitting.
 
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maybe i'm late to the party but i've recently learned that if you follow this method of re-assembly http://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenzaclean.htm
everything works properly.

as others have mentioned it's almost guaranteed to be a pinched washer.

now my sebs are as smooth as ever with the pivot tightened down firmly.

:)
 
I finally got the CRK grease that I should have got YEARS ago.

Took apart, cleaned, and lubed 5 Sebenzas last night. Three 21s, a regular, and a classic. All of them tightened down tight. All of them smooth as ever, perfect tension.
 
mantzao said:
when i asked if i should send it back, i meant to the original owner.
in case you still didn't realise(i probably didn't explain correctely) it was bought used! English is not my mother tongue:)
The original owner swapped the blades and already agreed to take it back with full refund.

Thanks to all. It was very enlightening:)
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Are you sending it back? Across the pond or on your side? I'd rather lose some shipping $$ than ship it to CRK and incur an even larger bill for refurbishing. So yes, I'd say to send it back to the owner for a full refund. Just my $.02 :)
 
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