Question For Small Sebenza Owners

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se4g4e

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May 15, 2010
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I recently acquired an ebony inlay small Sebenza. It's my first small Seb. Really a sweet little knife. Just beautiful.

That said, I'm wondering how this knife is meant to be opened one-handed. The detent seems tight, considering it's not easy to get a good push on the (small, pointy) thumb lug. When I place the meat of my thumb on the lug, it just digs into my thumb and the blade refuses to open. I've tried the suggestions for alternate pushing direction, C-shaped motion, not pushing back against the lock bar, etc - no dice.

The only way I can open this knife one-handed is to place the tip of my thumb behind the lug and push with my thumbnail. Here's a pic to illustrate: It actually opens fairly readily this way. Once the detent releases it swings open nice and smooth.

So, my question for small Sebby owners: Is this the way you all open yours?
 
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I have the same situation when opening small Sebenzas. I thought it may be because I was grasping the lock bar and adding to the closure detent force but that's not it- they like to stay closed tight. So I use two hands-- I know that's lame but Sebenzas are not intended to fly open and not recommended either according to their web site. When I really want to I can open it with one thumb so if I had to cut a seat belt to free myself that's no problem, but that doesn't happen too often.
 
Try "Curling" your thumb like in this video. This is on a large, but I had similar problems when I first got my Seb.

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-5ask8VoQhY[/video]
 
The only way I can open this knife one-handed is to place the tip of my thumb behind the lug and push with my thumbnail.
Click to expand...

I have the same situation when opening small Sebenzas.... I know that's lame but Sebenzas are not intended to fly open and not recommended either according to their web site.
Click to expand...

I believe Sebenzas are designed to be opened with two hands. There is a you tube video that shows Mr. Reeve opening his large 21 with both hands where he calls flicking the blade open "knife abuse".
 
redsparrow said:
I believe Sebenzas are designed to be opened with two hands. There is a you tube video that shows Mr. Reeve opening his large 21 with both hands where he calls one hand opening "knife abuse".
Click to expand...

Can you provide a link? I find this hard to believe since they offer both single and double stud versions.
 
My error. The above message has been edited to read "flicking the knife open" (knife abuse) not one hand opening. If your interested look for a video of Mr. Reeve touring his facilities.
 
One handed is pretty easy (right handed). Put your last three fingers on the pocket clip and leave your index finger floating in the air and push down and out with your thumb. Should open right up.
 
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se4g4e said:
The only way I can open this knife one-handed is to place the tip of my thumb behind the lug and push with my thumbnail. Here's a photo to illustrate. It actually opens fairly readily this way. Once the detent releases it swings open nice and smooth.

So, my question for small Sebby owners: Is this the way you all open yours?
Click to expand...
I can't open the photo, but it sounds like the technique I use. The idea is to use your thumbnail to wedge the blade open. I use that technique on a number of my small folders with strong detents.
 
I have one that was hard to open. I took it apart wiped everything down and reapplied grease. It still has a strong detent, but it's smoother when opening. It may need more break in time
 
I really don't know of any special technique I use, but have never had a problem opening a small right handed. Opening a double lug left handed can be a problem. When I have trouble opening a knife the 1st thing I look at is if I am pushing on the lockbar.
 
Sounds silly but "practice makes perfect". A few things will happen for you in time:

1 - You will develop muscle memory and determine the perfect angle to apply force (draw an imaginary line between the center of the pivot and the center of the thumbstud and push perpendicular to that).
2 - You will develop a callous that will make the pain less pronouced
3 - Your knife detent ball with wear a little ramp in it's seating hole and be easier to break free.

I wedge my thumbnail too on small sebenzas, but don't really think about it any more. The CRK thumbstud has three consideration in it's design. It looks good, It doesn't snag on your pocket, and it allows you to open the knife one handed (with practice). Ergos are not the only consideration.
 
One thing I noticed when I first started carrying a Sebenza was that it was easier to open it one-handed if I held it parallel to the ground instead of perpendicular. I think it is more the mechanics of my thumb than the knife.
 
The small is still new i presume? Take a moment to break it in. It is going toget smoother down the road.

No special technique really. During my small's initial days, i find it hard to open it and my thumb even get sore. But after a while, it only got smoother. So, just break it in an enjoy 😊
 
Double thumb studs help a lot. Use your index finger on the lock side stud to help get past the detent.
 
My small lefty was REALLY tight when i got is compared to my large seb. Took a while but is smoothened out nice
 
I'm at work right now, and it's unfortunately not a knife friendly atmosphere , or else I'd post a video. One handed open is pretty easy for me, slow and flicking. My four fingers rest on the clip and I push out a tiny bit first, then take the upstroke. To flick it open, I seem to HAVE to use my nail. Which is no biggie, it don't flick it often... No need. One of my buddies can use the pad of his thumb to flick it. I'm sure if I practiced enough I could. When I get home, I will try to post a video to demonstrate. As others have said, it will break in over time. I also would recommend opening it up, cleaning it, and relubing it. The grease mine came with was already a little chunky. Now it's butter smooth, and rocks. Just make sure when you reassemble it, not to pinch the washers. Congrats on the purchase!
 
OP here. Thanks for all the responses gents. Yep I did disassemble, clean and relube the knife almost first thing (it is new). The action is very smooth. With the lockbar released the blade almost swings free so that's fine.

I'll just keep opening the knife with my thumbnail as shown in the photo above. I've pretty much got this method down pat by now and actually kind of like it. Opens up nicely.

I'll wrap up this thread with a photo of my growing CRK family:

GuguAi1.jpg
 
If your trying to push it out upwards try a more sideways motion, not using your finger nail.
 
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