No fluorinated grease in the pantry

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
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Not available in Canada. Ridiculously expensive to order and ship from U.S. BUT, I noticed in the Sebenza FAQ that once upon a time before fluorinated grease, CRK packaged and sold a "pure Teflon" lube under their name which they recommended for Sebbies.

As it happens, I found a DuPont product called "Teflon Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant". It is indicated for chains, garage doors, hinges, windows, bike parts, firearms, tools and more. Will not absorb dirt or grime.

Anyone have any experience with this or any other Teflon-based lube? Yes, I know that any good quality oil/grease/lube will do fine in a Sebenza. I'm not asking if you guys think I should use it or not. Just looking for anyone with knowledge of this type of lubricant.

ALSO, I'm curious about the use of mineral oil in Sebbies. Most say it's fine for folders, however, it totally seized up my mini Rittergrip only a couple days after application.

ONE MORE THING -- Is it recommended (by you users) to break the Sebenza down, clean then lubricate it, first thing upon receiving it? Or should the stiffness just be worked out through normal use?
 
I've used Mineral oil in Sebbies with great results.

As to the Teflon lube I have no experience to share.

I have never bothered with taking them apart on arrival.

Good luck and let us know how that lube works for you :D
 
The stiffness works out over time. It is your choice to lube it or not. I did not, until I felt it was necessary. I made my own mix of lube. and its been working well for me.

The stiffness will work out due to the washers 'polishing' the blade. If I take my bechmade apart the washers have polished it so much it looks like a mirror in a round circle. so the same I believe will happen to the seb.
 
Being a plumber, there is a pipe dope that I use that is all Teflon. I have always wondered if I could use that. It's thick, and I'm guessing if you can use it on pipe threads why couldn't you use it on a knife. Any body know what I am referring too? If so what are your thoughts on it?
 
I wouldn't try pipe dope on a knife .It's not designed for that.Something like lubriplate ought to work well.
 
Mete, I see you’re a metallurgist; I am certainly not going to argue with you. What I wrote was a question not a statement. What I am getting at it, do you know the paste I am referring too? One brand is SLIK- TIGHT. There are other brands but they all have bits of Teflon floating in the mix. I just always wondered if it would be better than an oil, if that makes any sense, Thanks, Jake.
 
When I got my user tanto Sebenza, the pivot was totally gunked up with some black sludge. I took the knife completely apart and rubbed every part down with a Tuff-Cloth -- mineral spirits. Put it back together. It is so clean, so polished, so smooth since then that it flies open at a touch, like an axis lock.

You don't need the mineral spirits, just clean everything and rub down those phosphor bronze washers well and let the knife break in naturally. But make shure you don't build up any kind of grit or lint ... or sludge. The less lubricant of any sort, the better.
 
As mentioned here before the Sebenza WILL work itself in and become very smooth and loose just from every day usage etc... However we (myself included) can be very impatient and by a re-lube etc in the early days of ownership will help expedite the process.
 
Jake , I've done my own plumbing for many years ! I have teflon tape and teflon goop.For threads I usually use tape. The teflon in the goop is there to make it easier to tighten the threads. Other stuff in the goop is to seal the joint and that might not be helpful in a knife.
My Sebenzas worked perfectly from day one so I never had to experiment . However with other items a good lube is helpful for break-in. Browning O/U shotguns are very stiff when new and it's best to use a grease for high pressure applications [RIG+P] .Remember that lubes has the habit of collecting dust and dirt and only small amounts should be used after break-in. The AGRussell One Hand knife instructions say no lube for this reason. The knives that have bronze or Nylatron [nylon + solid lube] washers shouldn't need much lube as the washers are the lube.
 
Another teflon based lubricant I recommend is called REM OIL as in Remington. I got a small bottle of it off that auction site a few years ago. I remember it cost me roughly $12 and all you need is a drop. I use it on all of my folders with great results.

After you have taken the Sebenza down, just a drop on either side of the blade and you should be good to go.

I see in GB&U you ordered a Seb. Does this mean you are already wanting to take it apart? A new Seb from CRK should not require any maintenance at all.
 
RNST said:
Another teflon based lubricant I recommend is called REM OIL as in Remington. I got a small bottle of it off that auction site a few years ago. I remember it cost me roughly $12 and all you need is a drop. I use it on all of my folders with great results.

After you have taken the Sebenza down, just a drop on either side of the blade and you should be good to go.

I see in GB&U you ordered a Seb. Does this mean you are already wanting to take it apart? A new Seb from CRK should not require any maintenance at all.
Click to expand...

Well, I took it apart just out of curiosity and discovered that there was no visible lubrication around the washers and pivot hole. It was immaculate but greaseless. It's birthday was Sept. 2007 so I figured most of the factory grease had simply degraded over time. The action was a bit stiff and I wanted to try out this DupPont Teflon Dry Wax Lube I have, so I gave it a go (just minutes ago, actually). Made it worse. But now it's starting loosen up a bit more, but not where I want it. I'm sure that level of buttery smoothness can only come after properly breaking it in and some good honest use. Looking forward to the journey. Thanks to all for your input.
 
Well that is too bad I suppose curiousity made you do have a look inside.

Have you per chance given Neil @ TNK a call? He is one of CRK's flagship dealers and I am 99.999% sure he can sell you the flourinated grease. It is kept in stock in Canada.

If for whatever reason you do encounter a problem with your Sebenza it is backed up with a great warranty too. Even if it is something that is not under warranty, CRK always make it right and charge nominal amount of money too. For instance, taking it apart and not putting it back together again properly.


:D
 
RNST said:
Well that is too bad I suppose curiousity made you do have a look inside.

Have you per chance given Neil @ TNK a call? He is one of CRK's flagship dealers and I am 99.999% sure he can sell you the flourinated grease. It is kept in stock in Canada.

If for whatever reason you do encounter a problem with your Sebenza it is backed up with a great warranty too. Even if it is something that is not under warranty, CRK always make it right and charge nominal amount of money too. For instance, taking it apart and not putting it back together again properly.


:D
Click to expand...

It's running better now. I cleaned out the teflon crap, polished up the washers real good and applied a mineral oil/wahl clipper oil mix I made. Why mix? I feel mineral oil gets too gummy after some time and isn't slippy enough (at least the thicker kind I have access to) and the hair clipper stuff is a little too thin but is plenty slick, so in combo'ing them I get the best both have to offer while addressing each of their deficiencies. And to give credit where credit is due, marthinus gave me the mix idea earlier in this thread. But I'd really like to just play it safe and use the fluoro grease CRK recommends. Thanks for pointing out TKN should carry it. Unfortunately, I think I upset Neil with everything that went down between us and with what I wrote in the GB&U. I emailed him an apology this morning but have not heard back yet. And I don't blame him should he choose not to reply. But I wish I'd known he carried it when I ordered my knife so I could have included it with the delivery. I don't think I want to pay another $20 USD to have a $10 or $15 tube of lube UPS'd to me. I'll throw some pics of the seb up sometime this weekend.
 
Call Neil at True North Knives. They have the fluorinated grease there. Plus they are great to deal with. :)
 
KarlMaldensNose

I agree with you it would be nice to have some CRK special mix, but as you sed. Sending $ involved forces me not to buy it. Shipping etc involved either directly or through a dealer will almost be as much as a spyderco d4 for me. That is just bad economics for me if I were to do that.

My mix is a mix of 1/2 part crease that you buy at any garage that can be used for motor vehicles. 1 and 1/2 part non silicone lubricant (the name escapes me) and 1 part lansky honing oil (that i have found nice to apply to clippers, scissors etc) that is my mix. then into a syringe. I have used it on all my knives and only have to apply a really small amount. Its gonna tale me a year to finish the syringe at least and its a small one!
 
Mete, I gave you the respect of your trade, please don't let on you know my trade. I'm not a handyman. I'm a licensed master plumber, I don’t need any explanation on “goop” from somebody who dabbles in a skilled trade trying to explain materials used. Once again it was just a question about materials. Maybe I should have not asked you about the info if I was going to get such a technical answer.
 
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