Problem with my Sebenza!

[Thalestin]

Hey guys, I cleaned out my seb the other day and it opens nice and smooth. All was great. Last night when I was expecting my sebenza after some use to check for gunk (veggie duty ) I noticed my blade was off center. So first I thought maybe the pivot was a bit loose so I tried to tighten it up. Nothing, it was fine. Then I thought maybe I put it together a bit off or something. So I broke it down, followed the instructions step by step and put her back together. Still nothing. I threw an email to CR but was wondering if you guys had any suggestions.

The blade still locks up tight but when closed its off center by a mm or so.

Just wanted to add that I don't abuse my knives. No prying or such, just cutting for them.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[safetyman]

Perhaps you installed the washers incorrectly? Check to see if they're on the correct side of the blade and also make sure that they fully seat when you put the knife back together. If the blade was centered before you took it apart it should be centered after you put it together correctly which is a good thing which means it's a good thing because the fix is simple.

The biggest problem I have with blades not centering when I put them together is that the washers aren't seating correctly. I think that this is the problem in your case...

 

[Thalestin]

Thats what I thought as well, but that was not the problem, it slid into position with no problems and the small washer was with the S. Ill try once again when I get home tonight

 

[nyefmaker]

I would say the bronze bushing is riding up on the blade pivot bushing. This is pretty common when putting it back together, it has happened to me several times. I would say this is 100% the problem. Especially if it was fine before you took it apart ? It happens on my small sebenza more it seems, maybe because of my bigger paws trying to put it together. The knife will function fine at first, but will get progressivly looser..........I bought my small vines sebenza pre owned, it was supposed to be mint, but when I got it, I noticed the blade was off center slightly. I took it apart, thoroughly cleaned it, then it was okay. When I sent my large sebenza in for engraving, I was telling Heather about it and she recommended I sent it with the sebenza to be engraved just to make sure it was okay. I think they ended up changing a bronze bushing because it wore unevenly because it was not assembled properly. This in turn caused the lock to wear unevenly. The re-heat treated the lock, replaced the bushing, and tuned it all for nothing. They then sent it back along with my engraved sebbie. The small vines is as good as new, but the whole problem started with someone else putting it together wrong and then pawning it off on me. I got the small vines sebbie for $300 including shipping, which was not bad. I still carry it now and then, but my large has taken a firm grip on my pocket. I put it on gard duty in the safe

After I took it apart and put it together properly, the blade was centered. I only sent it to CRK because I was sending one in to be engraved. So it was just precautionary, but even though I could not see anything wrong with it, their trained eyes picked up a few things and addressed them. Heather is absolutely the best..........I find it better to put the scales together with spacers and all, snug everything up a little leaving the middle one slightly looser. I then put the bronze bushings over the blade pivot bushing and slide it inbetween the handle slabs. to me, this helps hold the bronze bushings in place. You can tell right away when it slides in if they are correctly positioned. Then put the blade screw through and your snug everything up, open and close a couple of times and your good to go. I hope this helps. If you have additional questions, feel free to post them and I will reply asap. Thanks, nyefmaker

 

[Thalestin]

Thanks for the post Nye. Ill try your method tonight and see how it goes. Will post back after I try to fix things up. Would love to solve this myself rather than sending it in. Id hate to be away from my seb for so long =D.

Seems I must have just put it together wrong, so try try again is most likely the solution.

Does it matter which way the washers are flipped (i know the small goes with the s) but I noticed on one side the washers are more clean and the other is more grimey, was wondering which side should point out

 

[nyefmaker]

Thanks for the post Nye. Ill try your method tonight and see how it goes. Will post back after I try to fix things up. Would love to solve this myself rather than sending it in. Id hate to be away from my seb for so long =D.

Seems I must have just put it together wrong, so try try again is most likely the solution.

Does it matter which way the washers are flipped (i know the small goes with the s) but I noticed on one side the washers are more clean and the other is more grimey, was wondering which side should point out

I take my washers and lay the flat on a paper towel, hold them flar and rub them on the paper towel. This will take all the grime off of them. I do this to both sides and both washers. It Does matter which side you place the washer. The small one Has to go on the lock side. As for which side goes against the blade ? I always put the sniney side that was against the blade, back against the blade. I always figure it has worn against the blade and it should be put back together the same way. Hope this helps, let me know.

 

[tapedeck74]

Does it matter which way the washers are flipped (i know the small goes with the s) but I noticed on one side the washers are more clean and the other is more grimey, was wondering which side should point out

The more "polished" side of the washer faces the blade.

 

[Thalestin]

great, thanks guys

 

[nyefmaker]

The more "polished" side of the washer faces the blade.

Exactly !

 

[softrockrenegade]

I like to flip them over after every cleaning for even wear... Just like rotating tires lol!!

 

[Daniel]

I find it better to put the scales together with spacers and all, snug everything up a little leaving the middle one slightly looser. I then put the bronze bushings over the blade pivot bushing and slide it in between the handle slabs. to me, this helps hold the bronze bushings in place. You can tell right away when it slides in if they are correctly positioned. Then put the blade screw through and your snug everything up, open and close a couple of times and your good to go. I hope this helps. If you have additional questions, feel free to post them and I will reply asap. Thanks, nyefmaker

If I remember right, this is the way that Reeve says to do it. It works for me!

 

[nyefmaker]

If I remember right, this is the way that Reeve says to do it. It works for me!

I have tried different ways and this one works best for me by far.

 

[Thalestin]

I tried all the posted suggestions and still no luck. I checked the washers to see if maybe one got bent somehow and they look perfect. I guess Ill have to send it in most likely

 

[sticf]

I tried all the posted suggestions and still no luck. I checked the washers to see if maybe one got bent somehow and they look perfect. I guess Ill have to send it in most likely

Sorry to hear that nothing has worked to center the blade. I would be interested in pics if you have any. Pics go much further than words to describe problems.

 

[Thalestin]

sure, ill grab a few pics one sec

 

[Thalestin]

Heres a couple pics of the problem, they arent the best quality but you can see that the blade is favoring the right side...

Hope that helps

 

[sticf]

Yep I see it. I am also interested pics of the pivot. I am running down through a check list in my head about off center blades and all the easy ones seem to be covered in this post. Therefor it must be something else.

I am not sure I can offer any more advice on how to fix the centering, but I like the information for when I have the problem. BTW, I never doubted that it was off center.

 

[Afrankart]

Did you lightly flick it open when you reassembled it? My small classic did the same thing the last time I put it together. I loosened everything, flicked it open, and tightened everything back down. Problem solved.

 

[Thalestin]

Yep I see it. I am also interested pics of the pivot. I am running down through a check list in my head about off center blades and all the easy ones seem to be covered in this post. Therefor it must be something else.

I am not sure I can offer any more advice on how to fix the centering, but I like the information for when I have the problem. BTW, I never doubted that it was off center.

do you mean the pivot when the knife is unassembled? Or with the blade attached?

 

[Thalestin]

Did you lightly flick it open when you reassembled it? My small classic did the same thing the last time I put it together. I loosened everything, flicked it open, and tightened everything back down. Problem solved.

Yeah, I flicked it open. Tried your method with no luck either =(