Picked up a new (pre-owned) Large Classic Sebenza today and have a couple of questions. Unfortunately, it didn't come with box or papers, so I don't know how old it is and what steel blade it has. It's in great condition, still has what looks like a factory edge (extremely sharp, too), and only shows a couple of minor scuff marks on handles. Both handles are marked B 00 on the inside, so does it mean it was made in early-mid 2000? Is there any way to tell what steel it's made of (the blade I mean)? Also, I broke it down for cleaning (it felt a little dry when I got it) and re-lubed everything, and now I can't put it together the right way. I've seen the video, and I've disassembled my other Sebenzas a couple of times, so I'm not really new to it, but for some reason I can't get the blade centered when closed, and I can even hear it rub one of the handles when closing. It's also now extremely hard to open the last 3rd of the way; much worse than before. I know it wasnt this way before I took it apart. Any idea what could be causing this? My other Sebenzas are all very smooth and perfectly centered. Thanks in advance.
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New Large Classic and a few questions.
- Thread starter Aleko
- Start date
I have always heard the blade markings are only for internal use at CRK (as to the lot they came from) and cannot be used to date/etc. a knife. But I have never asked them directly, so I cannot be certain of that.
I have not taken any of mine apart yet so cannot be of help on the other matter, sorry.
I have not taken any of mine apart yet so cannot be of help on the other matter, sorry.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2000
- Messages
- 1,289
Aleko, sounds like you pinched a washer. I would take a close look at them and see if they're still in good shape. You can try a tiny drop of metal polish to clean them and check if they're still flat.
As for assembly, when you are inserting the blade in the knife, does that go OK? Make sure that the stop-pin screw and backspacer screw are tightned all the way before inserting the blade/bushing/washers assembly.
Before you center the pivot and insert the screw, you can already test the action. Just move the lockbar out of the way, and check if the blade moves smoothly.
Good luck,
Ted
As for assembly, when you are inserting the blade in the knife, does that go OK? Make sure that the stop-pin screw and backspacer screw are tightned all the way before inserting the blade/bushing/washers assembly.
Before you center the pivot and insert the screw, you can already test the action. Just move the lockbar out of the way, and check if the blade moves smoothly.
Good luck,
Ted
Ted,
I cleaned both washers, as well as all other parts with some Breakfree CLP, and then used Wilson Combat Ultima Lube on bushings and washers. Both washers appear to be in good shape. Here's one thing that I noticed during assembly that was different from another Sebenza I disassembled recently. When I put the other one together, I insert the bushing into the blade, and then I add washers to both sides. When I do that, both washers snap onto the bushing, with a faint but positive click. Then they stay on the bushing even when blade is turned over (the bushing stays put as well). On this knife, washers don't click and don't stay on the bushing, and when the blade is turned sideways, the bushing "floats" back and forth allowing washer to slip around. Does it make sense? When I then insert the blade into assembled handles, those washers move around making assembly a little hard. One thing I was doing wrong (according to your post) is that I didn't have the stop-pin screw and backspacer screw tightened all the way before inserting the blade/bushing/washers assembly - they were still loose, and I tightened them only after inserting the blade and pivot.
Thanks,
Alex.
I cleaned both washers, as well as all other parts with some Breakfree CLP, and then used Wilson Combat Ultima Lube on bushings and washers. Both washers appear to be in good shape. Here's one thing that I noticed during assembly that was different from another Sebenza I disassembled recently. When I put the other one together, I insert the bushing into the blade, and then I add washers to both sides. When I do that, both washers snap onto the bushing, with a faint but positive click. Then they stay on the bushing even when blade is turned over (the bushing stays put as well). On this knife, washers don't click and don't stay on the bushing, and when the blade is turned sideways, the bushing "floats" back and forth allowing washer to slip around. Does it make sense? When I then insert the blade into assembled handles, those washers move around making assembly a little hard. One thing I was doing wrong (according to your post) is that I didn't have the stop-pin screw and backspacer screw tightened all the way before inserting the blade/bushing/washers assembly - they were still loose, and I tightened them only after inserting the blade and pivot.
Thanks,
Alex.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2000
- Messages
- 1,289
Aleko, it sounds like your bushing is not the proper height. (maybe it has been filed down?)
Also, the part where you describe that on your other Sebbie, where the washers snap on the bushing with a click doesn't sound right to me.
When, you assemble it before inserting into the handles, does it look exactly like as in these pictures?
You can also try calling CRK. Don't be surprised if you get the man himself on the line to talk you through the process.
Ted
Also, the part where you describe that on your other Sebbie, where the washers snap on the bushing with a click doesn't sound right to me.
When, you assemble it before inserting into the handles, does it look exactly like as in these pictures?
You can also try calling CRK. Don't be surprised if you get the man himself on the line to talk you through the process.
Ted
The bushing appears to be the right size, and it's flush with washers on both sides when blade/bushing/washers assembly is put together. There are no filing marks on the bushing either, so I don't believe it's been altered. And yes, my "assembly" looks exactly like that pictured above. As far as that click goes, maybe that other knife was newer and/or had tighter tolerances, so it felt like washers snapped over the bushing. 
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2000
- Messages
- 1,289
Aleko said:The bushing appears to be the right size, and it's flush with washers on both sides when blade/bushing/washers assembly is put together. There are no filing marks on the bushing either, so I don't believe it's been altered. And yes, my "assembly" looks exactly like that pictured above. As far as that click goes, maybe that other knife was newer and/or had tighter tolerances, so it felt like washers snapped over the bushing.
Aleko, if that's the case, try re-assembling with the stop-pin-screw and backspacer-screw tightened all the way. Doing it that way, there's no possibility for the washers to slide under the bushing when inserting the bladee and get pinched when tightening the pivot screw.
Well, I pulled it apart again, re-cleaned and re-lubed everything, and assembled it the right way now (fully tightened both the stop-pin screw and backspacer screw before inserting the blade/bushing/washers assembly), and it sure did the trick - the blade is now perfectly centered and the action is smooth all the way. I guess one of the washers must have been getting misaligned before due to loose fit. Thanks again for setting me straight, Ted!
- Alex.
- Alex.
You're right, Mark; it is a relief. It's one heck of a nice knife. I finally got rid of my Large Regular and replaced it with this Large Classic, and I like it much better. It appears to be an older model, but still in great shape and very sharp; it actually feels sharper than my brand new Large Classic Ironwood model. It may even have an older BG-42 blade, but there is no way to tell, unfortunately.