New CRK Small Sebenza owner... a few questions/concerns

SyNaPsE

SyNaPsE

Joined
Sep 3, 2016
Messages
81
Newer to the forums but I just received a new Sebenza from an authorized dealer and had a couple questions if this is normal. Never owning one and having zero dealers within 100 miles of Minneapolis I relied on you as my experts!

1. The birthday card has that stripped white out covering unique graphic and again over the blade hardness and has 59-60 hand written. I know this is the normal hardness but wasn't it changed back in like 2013? So why do they still have cards they need to manually white out?

2. This thing is stiff. With no pressure on the lock it is very difficult to open.

3. a fair amount of white stuff (crk greese?) on the top of the knife blade and inside of handle when it is closed

4. The blade is VERY close to the edge when the knife is closed. Actually cut my pinky running it down the back.

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CRK recycled some birthcards until the new ones arrived if I remember correctly.

Take it down..clean it out and lube it up. They typically need to be broken in to allow all the parts to mate correctly, but they shouldn't be so stiff you can't open them.

I have heard of the blade this close to the spine when closed..You should check this again after cleaning..if it's still an issue, give CRK a call.
 
Bhyde knows his ish'... so following his direction to break it down and give it a clean and lube. (ps. The Apostle P on YouTube has a good video how to do it)

I'm no expert, but the thing that jumped out at me is the box. I only have one Sebenza out of my collection that has that style... and it is 2012 year. A 2016... I would have expected one of the newer style boxes.

If it bugs you give the dealer a call and ask about your concerns.
 
Thanks guys, also, the tool for takedown is taped to the top of the box and the lube is loose... is it suppose to be like that? Plus the box was the other thing that threw me off as I have been watching lots of vids and haven't seen any like these on newer models. I'll take it down and clean it out. While I certainly have no problem performing some maintenance I just didn't think I would need to immediately do it.
 
I made a post about the box a while back. Seems CRK was transitioning from their recent packaging to their new packaging in June / July, so they shipped several rounds of knives in the old style hard boxes (sans foam insert). My Large Inkosi and Large 21 w/ Carbon Fiber (born June 1 and July 16) both came in old style boxes.

As Bhyde said, take the knife down and clean / lube it. I wish CRK would do a more consistent job of this at the factory, but I kind of enjoy doing it myself. Most of my CRKs feel completely different after my day 1 cleaning.

I have never experienced the blade / spine issue, but I've heard others complain about it. Contact CRK of the issue persists after your initial reassembly.
 
the box is legit......and the new cards are no longer signed by Chris. In the very near future the card you have will be in demand. Hang on.
 
SyNaPsE said:
Thanks guys, also, the tool for takedown is taped to the top of the box and the lube is loose... is it suppose to be like that? Plus the box was the other thing that threw me off as I have been watching lots of vids and haven't seen any like these on newer models. I'll take it down and clean it out. While I certainly have no problem performing some maintenance I just didn't think I would need to immediately do it.
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The last 25 I bought has the old style box. It's a BladeHQ left handed carbon fiber inlay with a bday of May 2016.
 
Ok, you have had some of the big guns around here (certainly not me) weigh in say all is good.

Clean it out and I bet the next post will be you saying how slick it is.
 
Iron City said:
Ok, you have had some of the big guns around here (certainly not me) weigh in say all is good.

Clean it out and I bet the next post will be you saying how slick it is.
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lol thanks everyone for the help, I really appreciate it! I cleaned it and lubed it and still super tight on initial opening. The rest of the action is super smooth but the force on the initial open is ouchies on my thumb... I knew it needed some break-in and came a little stiff I guess i was surprised at how stiff it is.

I'm sure with a little time it will be amazing so not to worried just wanted to make sure it was legit! Thanks again!
 
I guess you are saying the opening detent is fairly strong? Does it snap down pretty hard when you come close to closing it? Like the last 1.4" before the blade detent pulls in the blade?

My concernis t he blade being VERY close to the edge when the knife is closed, possibly cutting you. That is an issue some of the fake Sebenzas have sold from chinese manufactuerers.
 
SyNaPsE said:
lol thanks everyone for the help, I really appreciate it! I cleaned it and lubed it and still super tight on initial opening. The rest of the action is super smooth but the force on the initial open is ouchies on my thumb... I knew it needed some break-in and came a little stiff I guess i was surprised at how stiff it is.

I'm sure with a little time it will be amazing so not to worried just wanted to make sure it was legit! Thanks again!
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I have had 1 Sebenza and a rebladed Umnumzaan that were pretty tight..both of them became smoother with many cycles (open and closed while reading..not really necessary to close all the way or open all the way)

By the way- Welcome to the CRK subforum and Bladeforums!
No doubt, the picture threads are dangerous to the wallet to peruse, but who doesn't like to live dangerously now and then? :p
 
colubrid said:
I guess you are saying the opening detent is fairly strong? Does it snap down pretty hard when you come close to closing it? Like the last 1.4" before the blade detent pulls in the blade?

My concernis t he blade being VERY close to the edge when the knife is closed, possibly cutting you. That is an issue some of the fake Sebenzas have sold from chinese manufactuerers.
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Opening detent is quite strong for the first .5" and when it closes it is very smooth until maybe the last couple mm when it comes down but I wouldn't say overly snappy. Again, I did purchase this from a well known dealer on these forums. As for the blade edge I could not replicate cutting myself unless i stuck my pinky in sideways so perhaps taking it apart did something.
 
bhyde said:
I have had 1 Sebenza and a rebladed Umnumzaan that were pretty tight..both of them became smoother with many cycles (open and closed while reading..not really necessary to close all the way or open all the way)

By the way- Welcome to the CRK subforum and Bladeforums!
No doubt, the picture threads are dangerous to the wallet to peruse, but who doesn't like to live dangerously now and then? :p
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Thanks for the welcome and yes this forum has been dangerous. I thought this would be a cheaper alternative to my gun obsession so I started looking for some nice benchmades and spydercos... then I discovered CRK.
 
Just wanted to do a quick follow up. After a couple day break-in period the knife has become super smooth. I thought about selling it before I got it scratched up due to my disappointment. For anyone who just bought their first CRK 21... like a quality 1911 it needs a little break-in. I just sold a couple of my other knives because I know I won't be carrying them anymore. Now just need to decide on CRK #2... a large 21 or inkosi... decisions decisions.
 
SyNaPsE said:
Just wanted to do a quick follow up. After a couple day break-in period the knife has become super smooth. I thought about selling it before I got it scratched up due to my disappointment. For anyone who just bought their first CRK 21... like a quality 1911 it needs a little break-in. I just sold a couple of my other knives because I know I won't be carrying them anymore. Now just need to decide on CRK #2... a large 21 or inkosi... decisions decisions.
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Get a large 21. I started with a small 21 then moved to a 25, large 21, Umnumzaan, small Classic, then a small regular. There is not a bad one among them (I am very fond of the 25) but I think you need a large version with a pivot bushing before you can fully appreciate the design. It could be a 21, Classic, or Regular.

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A large Micarta inlaid 21 would be my recommendation for your number 2 CRK. It's a leading contender for the best large/medium EDC out there in my opinion.
 
Yeah! Opening is quite stiff, it doesnt fly open like your common Spyderco or Benchmade but will get better.
 
Opening is different than a Benchmade. With BM you just put your thumb on top of the stud. If you do that with a CRK it will wear out your thumb. With CRK you put your thumb on the side of the stud and push in the direction of opening. Once the motion becomes muscle memory it will feel normal.
 
My opinion on the opening of you very fine CRK is that it doesn't "flick" open like ANY other knife..a CRK is a push with the tip of your thumb,and if you're not used too it it can be somewhat uncomfortable till you get the hang of opening your new knife..my 25 opens nothing like my umnumzaan and my new 21 (tomorrow 😆) won't be like the other two.Welcome to the CRK family Sir!
 
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