New Large Sebenza not very smooth, having a hard time adjusting the pivot.

too solid

too solid

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Apr 17, 2011
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Hey guys, I just got my large sebenza (african blackwood) and it seems extremely stiff and hard to open. When I try to adjust the pivot screw it just loosens it much to the point where it's sliding from side to side. Does it just need to be worked in?
 
You've probably pinched one of the washers. No harm done - disassemble and try again. If necessary, check the suggested method of reassembly in the sticky up top in this forum. I don't do it that way, but if you follow those instructions you literally cannot get it wrong. :)
 
Mine smoothed out a bit after a few hundred openings... assisted by a drop of BreakFree from time to time.
 
I did take it apart and it didn't make it any better. I probably haven't even opened it 100 times so I think it may just need some opening and closing. What do you mean i may have bent the washer? By tightening the screws to tight you mean? They looked perfect to me when I took it apart.
 
If you took it apart and put it back together, did you put any fluorinated grease on the washers? When it closes, is the blade dead center or off a little? If your off even a little (with the washers) it wont open and close the way it should. If this is your first time, make sure the washers are seated properly.
 
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My small Sebenza 21 out of the box was stiff and hard to open.
I lubed it with small amount of Militec and after a few weeks of use it became very smooth.
Now I know what some folks has refer to Sebenza's smoothness as hydraulic feeling.
 
The first thing I do when I receive a sebenza is take it apart (that's what I absolutely love about these folders) clean it and reassemble, very important to get Fluorinated Grease for the washers (CRK sells it) and BAM Perfect.



too solid said:
I didn't put any oil, maybe I'll give it a try. Blade is dead center.
Click to expand...
 
My passion is Damascus on a Sebenza and let me tell you, if you clean, lube the washers (even with damascus) you shouldn't have to wait a few weeks, BAM it's there. I use CRK Fluorinated Grease. I'm doing it right now, just received 2 large sebenza's

P1160621.jpg




Sunby said:
My small Sebenza 21 out of the box was stiff and hard to open.
I lubed it with small amount of Militec and after a few weeks of use it became very smooth.
Now I know what some folks has refer to Sebenza's smoothness as hydraulic feeling.
Click to expand...
 
That is strange, I've never had a sebenza come stiff, they have always been smooth as glass right out of the box.

Just got a Large Ebony from onlyfineknives and it was smooth as silk, I too like to disassemble and reassemble with crk grease when I get them just to inspect and make sure the grease hasn't broken down from sitting around.

When you put the knife back together, put the handles back together first, making sure to fully tighten all the screws.
Next assemble the blade - pivot bushing - and washers, and then slide the assmebly into the handles.
Push in the pivot screw and fully tighten the pivot.
This method makes sure that you don't pinch a washer because the blade won't slide in if a washer is off.

There should NOT be any adjustment on the pivot, fully tightened is the only way because of the pivot bushing construction.

Good luck! And enjoy one of the best knives ever made!
 
Thanks guys! I'll buy some grease tomorrow. Is crk's fluoridated grease good for all my knives? I just got an xm-24 and ZT 560 that need some grease. Do you just put it on the washers? A bit or a lot?
 
Every once and awhile if you get New-Older stock and the grease used feels thicker and takes more effort to open and close. The CGG "Freedom" I just received was born 10/2008 but once I cleaned and put Fluorinated Grease, Perfect.



Steel_Addiction said:
That is strange, I've never had a sebenza come stiff, they have always been smooth as glass right out of the box.

Just got a Large Ebony from onlyfineknives and it was smooth as silk, I too like to disassemble and reassemble with crk grease when I get them just to inspect and make sure the grease hasn't broken down from sitting around.

When you put the knife back together, put the handles back together first, making sure to fully tighten all the screws.
Next assemble the blade - pivot bushing - and washers, and then slide the assmebly into the handles.
Push in the pivot screw and fully tighten the pivot.
This method makes sure that you don't pinch a washer because the blade won't slide in if a washer is off.

There should NOT be any adjustment on the pivot, fully tightened is the only way because of the pivot bushing construction.

Good luck! And enjoy one of the best knives ever made!
Click to expand...
 
Yes CRK fluorinated grease is good for all knives and very little goes a long way. After you grease the washers please lets us know how it worked out for you.


too solid said:
Thanks guys! I'll buy some grease tomorrow. Is crk's fluoridated grease good for all my knives? I just got an xm-24 and ZT 560 that need some grease. Do you just put it on the washers? A bit or a lot?
Click to expand...
 
dinokay said:
Every once and awhile if you get New-Older stock and the grease used feels thicker and takes more effort to open and close. The CGG "Freedom" I just received was born 10/2008 but once I cleaned and put Fluorinated Grease, Perfect.
Click to expand...

^^^ This. If the knife has been sitting around for a while the grease will dry up a little. I also take my knife apart and re lube when ever I get a new knife.
 
too solid said:
Thanks, I'll go to srknives tomorrow and hope they have some in stock.
Click to expand...

I don't think they carry that kind of CRK stuff. Ive called in the past and they've never had any. They do seem to be stocking more CRK stuff these day tho. So please let me know if you score some. As I'm about due and ordering it from the States is a pain.
 
Damn Too Solid you are on a tear with the new knifes, some beauties too, an XM, Sebenza and a 0560 in just a few days, wow. Wish I had the cash to match my taste. You are a lucky dog enjoy those beauties.
 
I'll let you know frontline.

@tradestar, thanks buddy. I also got a couple victorinox sak's this week. A deliver tinker w/ onyx scale and pioneer w/ black alox. I definitely won't be buying any for a while now. Lol but yes it's been an exciting week.
 
Hi too solid.
Welcome to the club of new Sebenza and 0560 owners :applouse:
Like many here I disassemble every new knife and renew the lubrication like I wrote in your 0560 thread before.
The grease is good for all your knives. I have some in the mail on the way myself.

On youtube you can find many good videos about how to maintain / dis- and reassemble Sebenzas. Watch a few and you'll get the Idea.

Peter
 
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