New sebenza sticky lock?

Gmrpnk21 · Jan 24, 2014

Hey guys! I got my first CRK this week, an I am in love! I purchased a small sebenza insingo with micarta inlays. It was extremely stiff to open for a while, but after steadily opening and closing it, it started to break in better. However, I noticed that when I would disengage the lock bar, it wasn't smooth, and kind of popped over instead. I did some reading and cleaned the tang, which made it freeze in the locked position. I did a bit more reading and followed the disassembly and greasing instructions found on the Chris Reeves site. This is when I saw the instructions to put grease on the tang where it meets the lockbar! I have never owned a knife that required the lockbar to be lubricated, in fact, all of mine are completely clean. I followed the instructions and sure enough, the stick went away, and the knife is super smooth, but I am starting to wonder if this is normal? I would appreciate any feedback from other crk owners.

kidcongo · Jan 24, 2014

I have had a lock go sticky for an hour or two at most when the knife was brand new. The edge of the lock bar just needs to break in and wear a bit. It helps if you don't flick the knife open, which can wedge the lockbar. The backside of the blade, and the face of the lockbar will play together nicely once they get more acquainted.

HwangJino · Jan 24, 2014

I do the no.2 pencil trick and mark the back back of lock so it glides better.

Gmrpnk21 · Jan 24, 2014

Thanks kid Congo. I haven't flicked it, just opened all the way and closed all the way

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kidcongo · Jan 25, 2014

Gmrpnk21 said:
Thanks kid Congo. I haven't flicked it, just opened all the way and closed all the way .

If the knife is destined to be user there's no worries. After a while everything just seats itself and you're set. For example, my 1st large 21 could not be tightened all the way down, but as of yesterday (2 years later), it can. So my 21 is finally a real sebenza. These knives are as close to flawless as they come, but some have a quirk or two. Sticky lock will go away. That's an easy problem, blade centering is a little harder to manage if that's off.

Another note: fruit juice etc will make the lock face sticky if it dries there.

Barabus · Jan 25, 2014

Call Cris Reeves. He claims that he personally opens every knife that leaves his shop. As to my Seb, hard to believe since mine could not be opened one handed until it gotten broken in.

kidcongo · Jan 25, 2014

Barabus said:
Call Cris Reeves. He claims that he personally opens every knife that leaves his shop. As to my Seb, hard to believe since mine could not be opened one handed until it gotten broken in.

I think your info is out of date. Chris no longer makes that claim. Watch the BladeHQ video. He says he does his best, but can't inspect every knife. He would have to sit there all day at the rate they are making them now......and still have time to take personal calls regarding sticky locks. Give me a break!

Barabus · Jan 25, 2014

kidcongo said:
I think your info is out of date. Chris no longer makes that claim. Watch the BladeHQ video. He says he does his best, but can't inspect every knife. He would have to sit there all day at the rate they are making them now......and still have time to take personal calls regarding sticky locks. Give me a break!

Wrong. Talked to him no less than a month ago. The man himself represented and verified the fact on the phone. There is your break.

kidcongo · Jan 25, 2014

That's an amazing fact you've uncovered. If true, I'm very glad that Chris has personally opened and closed every CRK I own. I would be glad to be wrong.

Barabus said:
Call Cris Reeves. He claims that he personally opens every knife that leaves his shop. As to my Seb, hard to believe since mine could not be opened one handed until it gotten broken in......................................Wrong. Talked to him no less than a month ago. The man himself represented and verified the fact on the phone.

I guess what I don't understand is whether you believe he checked your knife, or are you skeptical?

Gmrpnk21 · Jan 25, 2014

kidcongo said:
If the knife is destined to be user there's no worries. After a while everything just seats itself and you're set. For example, my 1st large 21 could not be tightened all the way down, but as of yesterday (2 years later), it can. So my 21 is finally a real sebenza. These knives are as close to flawless as they come, but some have a quirk or two. Sticky lock will go away. That's an easy problem, blade centering is a little harder to manage if that's off.

Another note: fruit juice etc will make the lock face sticky if it dries there.

I am worried that it wasn't heat treated properly, like some of the other posts I've read. When the tang and lock face are bone dry, it literally wouldn't close. I haven't tested it since I rebuilt the knife because I automatically put crk grease on the tang per his online instructions. I will wipe the tang and lock face clean and report back later. I really don't wanna to send my three day old knife in the service already

LonnyRS · Jan 25, 2014

Another method people are using with great success, is by using a black "Sharpie" pen. marke the lock face with it, let it dry, and mark it again, letting it dry again. Your lock will now be smooth! I have tried it myself, and it works!

Cowboy1629 · Jan 25, 2014

Gmrpnk21 said:
I am worried that it wasn't heat treated properly, like some of the other posts I've read. When the tang and lock face are bone dry, it literally wouldn't close. I haven't tested it since I rebuilt the knife because I automatically put crk grease on the tang per his online instructions. I will wipe the tang and lock face clean and report back later. I really don't wanna to send my three day old knife in the service already

I would just give it a couple weeks to break in. All of my CRKs have been tight and somewhat awkward to work at first but they have all lined out just fine or maybe it was me... After a couple of weeks if it isn't performing to your satisfaction contact CRK by phone and see what they have to say.

Let us know how it works out. And welcome to the CRK family!

Gmrpnk21 · Jan 25, 2014

Cowboy1629 said:
I would just give it a couple weeks to break in. All of my CRKs have been tight and somewhat awkward to work at first but they have all lined out just fine or maybe it was me... After a couple of weeks if it isn't performing to your satisfaction contact CRK by phone and see what they have to say.

Let us know how it works out. And welcome to the CRK family!

Thanks for the welcome! I love this little knife, and I think a large sebenza is in my future...

marthinus · Jan 26, 2014

My advice: Use it, if the problem persists then send it back. IMO and experience with CRK and numerous other makers a sticky lock is not a real issue and will go away after some time.

At the end, if you are unhappy you can contact them and send the knife back.