non-perforated washers

M

Muaddib1116

Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
1,091
CRK's perforated washers make sense to me when using grease, but I prefer a dry lube like tuff-glyde which I think would be benefited by non-perforated washers. It would nice if CRK offered them as an alternative.
 
Actually, the way I see it is even if you use dry lube, the perforated washer would still reduce drag due to there being less surface area in contact with the blade...
 
I'm not sure. As I understand it, the benefit of perforated washers is that the cavities allow extra grease to be stored, which re-applies with every blade swing, as well as scraping up particulate and giving gunk a place to escape to that is not directly between the washer and the blade. But the way dry-lube works is different than grease, and I would think that the perforations would sort of scrape away the dried-lube coating on the blade tang. Whereas a solid washer would create a continuous surface where the dry-lube layer on the blade will ride on top of the dry-lube layer on the solid washer, simply compressing them together. And since dry-lube collects much less particulate, you don't need the perforations to give gunk an escape.
 
You may be right. I just don't see anything "gunky" getting in between the blade and washer when the pivot is tightened down to an adequate tightness. There is just no room for anything other than liquid. I thought the perforated washers were meant to hold grease, not give room for any particulate matter room to escape.
 
I think what BigMark is suggesting is that the real world performance of the perforated washers isn't much different from the solid washers, if at all. I have to say that my experience wouldn't lead me to disagree with him on that, if that's what he's saying.
 
I have several sebenzas with each, and after they get broken in they feel the same to me. I can see how the holes hold the grease better, but the feeling of smoothness seems to be a toss up.
To address the OP, I wish they still had both (along with the old hardware!) to keep my older knives original
 
I had a large Regular Sebenza converted to perforated washers as part of a CRK spa visit. It does retain more grease now but the smoothness feels about the same.

The original solid washers were returned with the knife. I don't need them anymore so if you want them shoot me a pm.
 
JNewell said:
I think what BigMark is suggesting is that the real world performance of the perforated washers isn't much different from the solid washers, if at all. I have to say that my experience wouldn't lead me to disagree with him on that, if that's what he's saying.
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Thank you, 100% correct...I have had several of both types and no noticeable difference (IMO)....Dry lube , wet lube, what ever trips your trigger. :)
 
Two observations on the perforated washers with a YMMV disclaimer up front.

First, I definitely don't find them any smoother. That's based on Sebenzas with and without, and also several that started out with solid washers and got converted. They all feel the same.

Second, when I break down and clean the knives with perforated washers, I can't say that the perforations are really holding much grease. It's not like, for example, a wheel or axle bearing packed with grease that (hopefully) is still packed with grease when you take it out some time down the road.

My personal verdict is that I'm happy either way and I wouldn't send any Sebenza in to get the washers changed. I think CRK got it right enough the first time that this improvement is more theoretical, at least for my uses, than real. :)

Ernie1980 said:
I have several sebenzas with each, and after they get broken in they feel the same to me. I can see how the holes hold the grease better, but the feeling of smoothness seems to be a toss up.
To address the OP, I wish they still had both (along with the old hardware!) to keep my older knives original
Click to expand...

MVG said:
I had a large Regular Sebenza converted to perforated washers as part of a CRK spa visit. It does retain more grease now but the smoothness feels about the same.

The original solid washers were returned with the knife. I don't need them anymore so if you want them shoot me a pm.
Click to expand...

bigmark408 said:
Thank you, 100% correct...I have had several of both types and no noticeable difference (IMO)....Dry lube , wet lube, what ever trips your trigger. :)
Click to expand...
 
I thought the purpose of the holes was to give space for any grit that found its way into the pivot a place to reside until you next clean it. Might be a hard thing to test for, but sounds plausible.
 
Per crk website.

• Larger perforations in the washers reduce friction, store more lubricant and offer space for small dirt
particles to move away from the blade/washer 
interface, helping to prevent blade action from 
becoming “sticky”.
 
Yeah. The question is if it's just marketing schtick or if it actually does that, and does it make a difference?
 
I'm wondering if Chris is thinking of the "Everyman" when adding the holes in the washers.....this is the guy who is not a knife-nut, and does not even know his Sebenza has washers, and never cleans, lubes, or breaks down his knife. Maybe in the very long term, lets say 2-3 years with no maintenance, and daily use, the perforated knife would prove itself better. Most people on this forum are unlikely to create the sort of situation where the perforated washers prove their worth, so it might be hard to judge.
 
kidcongo said:
I'm wondering if Chris is thinking of the "Everyman" when adding the holes in the washers.....this is the guy who is not a knife-nut, and does not even know his Sebenza has washers, and never cleans, lubes, or breaks down his knife. Maybe in the very long term, lets say 2-3 years with no maintenance, and daily use, the perforated knife would prove itself better. Most people on this forum are unlikely to create the sort of situation where the perforated washers prove their worth, so it might be hard to judge.
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That's a good point. It could be a long-term, low maintenance performance benefit. Although, do you really think there are many CRK owners who are not knife-nuts?
 
Muaddib1116 said:
That's a good point. It could be a long-term, low maintenance performance benefit. Although, do you really think there are many CRK owners who are not knife-nuts?
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Very good point yourself Muaddib. I agree there can be no CRK owner who is not a knife nut. If you bought one by mistake, it would turn you into one very quickly. It would be impossible to carry a Sebenza for two years, and ignore it. So my point is moot. :rolleyes:
 
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