New sebenza 21 - harsh detent help?

strokednbored

strokednbored

Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Messages
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Hi all,
I apologize in advance if this had been answered, but my search didn't really return what I was looking for. Also, I almost never post here, but lurk around a lot.


I recently bit the bullet and bought my first sebenza. I've not handled one before, so I'm asking for input on the detent/lock bar feel.

Problem: (or what I currently perceive to be)
The detent/lock bar tension in the closed position is extremely stiff. I mean thumb hurting stiff. It feels like I'm trying to open my ZT flipper using the "not thumb studs" studs

The action after the detent is very smooth, no rough spots.

I've opened/closed the blade - 2 handed - sitting on the couch for several hours and it doesn't seem to be helping much.

Any input would be appreciated.
 
Check if you're pressing on the lockbar when trying to open. Also on the 21/25/Inkosi models the thumbstuds work a bit differently than on other folders. Push out perpendicular to the handle and sweep around to the locked position. You end up drawing an arc with your thumb.
 
Put a tiny drop of lube on the detent ball or detent hole. Don't need much. See if that helps.
 
Thank you guys for the current suggestions and any future ones that might come along.

Deployement:
Not that I'm trying to flick it open, but a thumb flick is absolutely not possible with this knife. I imagine it would come out with substantial wrist movement though.

Angle: I've been trying to go perpendicular from the handle - making an arc as stated above. Still very tight, hurts the thumb.
Pressing lockbar: my knife has double thumb lugs - i get the same tension in the left hand where the lock bar would not be a factor - almost can't open it this way. still painful (to be fair my left hand is not good at opening blades)

Grease/lube: I should have added that I already put a dab of flourunated grease in the detent hole to try to reduce the friction a bit, I can't tell much of a difference - still hurts to open.

Any suggestions on possibly tweaking the lock bar to reduce tension? (I've thought about this and decided against it so far)
 
strokednbored said:
Grease/lube: I should have added that I already put a dab of flourunated grease in the detent hole to try to reduce the friction a bit, I can't tell much of a difference - still hurts to open.
Click to expand...
do you have any oil? it would work better than grease for the detent.

but due to the issue all together i dont think it wil help much, just figured it would be something to try to factor it out.

have you contacted CRK support? maybe they could help resolve the problem over email or you may have to send it in for warranty repair.
 
Thanks for the inputs, I'm going to keep working the knife for a day or two to see if it loosens up before I go contacting CRK. I'm hoping it's probably me being over sensitive and IT JUST needs some more time to loosen up a bit.
 
What CRK did you buy???? A pic would be nice. For some reason the plain jane 21's are discussed the most for a stiff detent. There are several threads about it and so far a sore thumb is a normal occurrence. It will take a few days and a sore thumb before it gets smoother.
You can break it down, clean it, re lube and just snug the stop pin and pivot to see if that helps any.
 
Ajack60 said:
What CRK did you buy???? A pic would be nice. For some reason the plain jane 21's are discussed the most for a stiff detent. There are several threads about it and so far a sore thumb is a normal occurrence. It will take a few days and a sore thumb before it gets smoother.
You can break it down, clean it, re lube and just snug the stop pin and pivot to see if that helps any.
Click to expand...

She's a plain large 21 CP with double lugs.
 
It takes some time to get accustomed to the proper angle and thumb sweep when opening a Sebenza. In most cases of having issues opening a Sebenza, it's not the detent...it's the operator. Just don't push down, which is very common for new users. Once you get it, it's a breeze.
 
I'd give it (and your thumb) a week or so. I wasn't able to thumb flick my 21 for quite awhile. Now? No problems. It does take some getting used to.
 
Same exact thing when I first got mine. Carry it everyday, use it appropriately, clean it once a week until smooth. Small 21 seb is probably the stiffest CRK new out of the box on average IMO. Mine broke in nicely after a month.
 
I find it easier if you spray a bit of WD40 all around the pivot areas, tang & lock/detent.

Don't worry about overspray, just wipe it down. After a while, the WD40 will dry up, so apply it when needed. If when applied, it easier to open/close the folder, then its a matter of breaking in the folder.

btw, how is the lock? is there any stick when fully opened?
 
Mine (small Sebenza) came in dry and stiff. I lubed it, and it was still hard to open, until I got used to it (I did develop my CRK thumb).

OP ( strokednbored strokednbored )
Try to pinch the blade to open at around the thumb rug. You should be able to lift the blade up fairly easily. If not, it needs more breaking in or probably adjustment at CRK.
 
Thanks all,

She's getting easier to open.
I dropped a dab or 2 of SLP 2000 in with the grease on the bearings just to give it a bit less viscosity,.

No sticky lock issues when full open. its about 50~60 percent lockup.

I feel like it's a learning experience for me and the knife. She's very picky at the angle of approach to the thumb stud. But sitting around and opening/closing it for a few hours this weekend has me more practiced and the knife a bit easier to open (or so it seems) .

I've seen videos of guys thumb flicking them open - this one is still waaaay away from that (even if I dig in with the thumb nail over the meat of it) but that's not a big concern.
 
In the competition firearm community Shooter's Choice FP 10 is the agreed upon best lube ever. I use it exclusively on anything that should move. Please buy a bottle to go with Butch's bore shine and you're set. Fp 10 has worked the best in all of my folders.
 
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