Quick simple fix for late lockup and sticky lock bar

[The Logical One]

I received a brand new small sebenza a couple days ago and to my disappointment the lockup was pretty late (85%-90%) depending on whether I open it gently or firmly. Also the lockbar was sticky. I figured it's not a big enough issue for me to exchange the knife or send it in to CRK, but the more I played with it the more it bugged me.

I read somewhere that to cure the late lockup problem is to put larger diameter back spacer. So just for curiosity sake I stuck a small piece of paper between the back spacer and the blade..... viola! Lockup was at 50%.

So I got the idea of removing the back spacer, clean it up nicely with rubbing alcohol, and cut a strip of tape (I used 3m packing tape). I carefully wrapped the strip of tape around the back spacer once, put the knife back together and now the lockup sits right at 50% and the lock is no longer sticky. Took me less than 3 mins.

Here is the lock up before:

Here is the lock up now:

Here is the picture of the back spacer with tape. I cut the strip exactly the width of the spacer so you can't even tell it's there even if you look really closely.

So for those who has worn out sebenzas or got the ones with late lock up and a sticky lock you could give this a shot for a quick fix.

 

[Haze]

It's not really as simple as just puting a larger stop pin in. That will/can cause the detent ball that keeps the blade closed to no longer seat properly in the dimple on the blade. That as well as having things out of kilter can cause problems in the short and long run. If one is not happy with a knife they should send it back rather than try to fix it with a botch job. Even if the quick fix works now it will need to be redone time and time again in the knives life. It could also mean you find you have a void warranty when you do need it.

 

[The Logical One]

It's not really as simple as just puting a larger stop pin in. That will/can cause the detent ball that keeps the blade closed to no longer seat properly in the dimple on the blade. That as well as having things out of kilter can cause problems in the short and long run. If one is not happy with a knife they should send it back rather than try to fix it with a botch job. Even if the quick fix works now it will need to be redone time and time again in the knives life. It could also mean you find you have a void warranty when you do need it.

Ahhh thanks for the advice, I'll reverse it RIGHT NOW! :thumbup:

 

[RiverRat84]

Ahhh thanks for the advice, I'll reverse it RIGHT NOW! :thumbup:

Give CRK a call bub, they'll fix it for you.

 

[Don M]

Changing the lockup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw3TPYFOp_c

 

[The Logical One]

Changing the lockup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw3TPYFOp_c

I've tried that, didn't work for me.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

I recently purchased a small Insingo and it also had late lockup that appeared to be out of spec to me--it was a bit later than any other Sebenza I own and looks to be in the exact same position yours is in. There is zero play in any direction and the knife functions flawlessly, but I decided to go ahead and send it in to CRK for them to evaluate and determine if there was an issue. Chris inspected it and determined that it is within spec and there is no cause for concern. I have attached an image (albeit low quality) for you to compare.

 

[The Logical One]

I recently purchased a small Insingo and it also had late lockup that appeared to be out of spec to me--it was a bit later than any other Sebenza I own and looks to be in the exact same position yours is in. There is zero play in any direction and the knife functions flawlessly, but I decided to go ahead and send it in to CRK for them to evaluate and determine if there was an issue. Chris inspected it and determined that it is within spec and there is no cause for concern. I have attached an image (albeit low quality) for you to compare.

View attachment 286918

Yea that's what I've been told by them too. The late lockup thing I can live with, even though I really don't like it. The sticky lock was what bugged me because my thumb started getting really sore after playing with it for a while. My old large sebenza was absolutely buttery smooth when disengaging the lock bar so I know how a perfect sebenza is suppose to feel. I'll get it fixed the right way.

 

[spydiesteve]

I did the youtube trick to all of my sebenzas and it worked everytime. Loosen all three screws barely, then put pressure from bottom to top on the none locking side and from top to bottom on locking side. While holding pressure tighten screws and you should have earlier lock up. pretty simple and does not effect warranty. It probably wasnt the tape the changed your lock-up more than likley it was the way it went back together.

 

[The_Guide]

The sticky lock [on my brand new sebenza] was what bugged me because my thumb started getting really sore after playing with it for a while. My old large sebenza was absolutely buttery smooth ...

I don't think your finger getting sore after "playing with it for a while" is a reason for concern. To Quote Mr. Reeve, "Its a tool, not a stress ball"

They take time to break in, thats why the old one feels better. I doubt its a manufacturing defect.

:thumbup:

 

[The Logical One]

Well, Chris and Heather was generous enough to offer me free shipping to have the knife sent back to have them take a look at it. So that's what I'll be doing and see how it goes.