Opening tension, normal?

Brandonsc said:
The ceramic ball is in the Umnumzaan. All the Sebenzas still use steel detent balls. I would bet the minor opening differences have to do with the width of the bronze washers.
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That's incorrect. The original detents in the Sebenza were steel. Later, and I don't know exactly when, the detent was changed to a ceramic ball. One of the service items on my 1997 Regular when I sent it in for work was replacement of the steel ball with a ceramic ball. I sent a 2006 Classic in at the same time and asked why its detent wasn't being replaced and was told it already had the ceramic detent.
 
Interesting, I apologize. I don't know why I assumed they were steel. Thanks for the info. If its ceramic there probably is no real need for lube on the ball then?
 
They were steel...sometime between 1997 and 2006 they changed...they are still on the flat rather than on the tip of the lockbar of the Seb (obviously)...in theory you might be right about lube? Not sure...I always put a little smear on the track but I'm very old fashioned about lube, probably too old fashioned...

I also think that using a ceramic ball on framelock and linerlock knives is pretty unusual, but I've never tried to figure out who else is using ceramic.

It's all good...
 
I've swapped the blades and the washers on my two smalls.

The easy opening stays with the handles (scales).

I'm convinced it is to do with the lock bar tension.
 
Mike V said:
I'm convinced it is to do with the lock bar tension.
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...which probably varies from knife to knife? That's just speculation. There's an interesting little mention on the CRK DVD of how much titanium varies from lot to lot, even when it's supposed to be the same spec.
 
The washers look like that from factory, FYI.

I've owned 8 sebs, 7 of which were smooth enough to be lightly thumb flicked straight out of the box. There is no sanding required if the knife is fit correctly. Some do sneak out that aren't fit right....

If you press out on the lock bar taking the detent pressure off of the blade, it should swing closed freely.


Steel_Addiction said:
The ones that can be thumb flicked are either really old and worn in or the washers have been sanded down to relieve the tight tolerance between them and the blade.

I have owned a few sebenzas and received a few that I could thumb flick and when I tore them down you could see that the washers had been sanded too much which allowed them to thumb flick open with ease, but then they had some very small side to side play.

I MUCH prefer the solid smooth opening of the Sebenza the way it was intended to be, rather then be able to flick it open.

*Edit* I just watched your video and that is spot on for a new Sebenza.
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Nearly all sebenzas I have handled, both regular,classic,21 have had that hydraulic feel when opening. Some have been smoother opening than others. After a fresh cleaning and CRK lube job, they are naturally smoother than one filled with dirt and pocket lint. Also, some well used sebenzas might have some slight wear to the bronze bushings from improper cleaning or improper assembly at one point. But overall, they have had the very same feeling, that hydraulic feeling.

If your experiencing that slow smooth and steady feeling with the slightest bit of resistance due to the best tolerances in the business, Yes, your sebenza is perfectly fine...........Enjoy It...!!!
 
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