Pivot Tension on the 21

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Peakbagger46

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I recently bought a large Micarta 21 Insingo off the exchange and love it. After a disassembly and lube, I put it together and (inserting the short end of the Allen key for more leverage) cranked down the pivot.

The action was pretty tight so I loosened it and then put the long end of the Allen key in and made it finger tight. It’s pretty sweet now and very smooth. But... I wonder if it will hold without loctite.

What’s the proper amount of pivot tension for a 21?
 
You should be able to firmly tighten the pivot bolt. With most 21s I've had, the blade will free drop when the lock is fully disengaged.

Some needed a little break in time, but you should still be able tighten it fully because of the bushing tolerances in the pivot. Also, too much flouro grease can make it feel tight.
 
This is a great question! I would also like to know the answer! I have a torque screwdriver; I bought it for my firearms. Rifle scope rings and action screws often have a torque value.

Who can tell us what the factory recommended torque value for both the 21 and the Mnandi?
 
I think the official level of screw tightness is "snug" but it's more of a feel thing that you get used to over time. Tight Sebenza screws tend to make a snap sound when you loosen them.
 
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I have had hundreds of Sebenzas and have always just snugged them up a bit is all. I use a Whia driver I bought off eBay. It’s just a single driver for the dedicated Sebenza size screw. Just a snug or finger tight is all you need. I have never in all my years had them back out on me. I have Never used loctite on any Sebenza.
 
One of my 21s gets really difficult to open when the pivot screw is snug. I have to leave it just barely finger tight. My assumption is that the washers need a little time to break in, with use and wear I'm guessing I'll eventually be able to fully tighten it to spec.
 
I have a large and small and both are smooth with the pivot snug. I will say that it took a handful of months of constant use before they freed up.
 
I have a 2014 L21 and it didnt come with loctite nor does it need it. For maintaining my sabenza, I use a 5/64" MIP hex driver and with the included CRK grease is all I use. So far I have yet to encounter any of the hardware backing out. Unlike my umnumzaan, loctite is required for the pivot.
 
Evany said:
One of my 21s gets really difficult to open when the pivot screw is snug. I have to leave it just barely finger tight. My assumption is that the washers need a little time to break in, with use and wear I'm guessing I'll eventually be able to fully tighten it to spec.
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Your blade probably has side-to-side play. If the washers are are too thick, reduce the thickness.
 
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