Reassembly of Sebenza

[Lenny]

Now I know the FAQ's tell you to reassemble the handles loosely before inserting the blade/pivot/washer sandwich between the slabs. But why?
I've been reassembling mine completely like a sandwich from the bench up, then putting all 3 screws in at the same time.
Never had a problem with reassembling it this way.
Are there any logical reasons why not to do it my way?
Just curious.
Lenny

 

[cerulean]

It's so you don't pinch the washers, I believe. When you reassemble it in the sandwich manner (by stacking the washers and blade, then putting the top handle slab on), it’s possible to get one of the washers stuck between the pivot bushing and the handle if you’re not careful. That can make opening the blade very difficult and may damage the washer. If you screw together the handle slabs first though, then slide the blade/bushing/washers assembly in, there’s not much risk of accidentally pinching one of the washers.

IMO, this is a big advantage that the Sebenza has over other folders that don’t use a pivot bushing: you don’t have to completely disassemble the knife in order to reinsert the blade and washers. With most knives, trying to slide the blade and washers back into the handle is extremely frustrating; there’s nothing to keep the holes in the washers aligned with the hole in the blade. You’re best bet with those types of knives is to reassemble in the sandwich manner (which often means breaking out those fun little microscopic torx drivers). On the Sebenza though, the bushing holds the washers in place, so there’s no need to completely take the knife apart in order to put the blade back in.

 

[TedV]

Now I know the FAQ's tell you to reassemble the handles loosely before inserting the blade/pivot/washer sandwich between the slabs. But why?
I've been reassembling mine completely like a sandwich from the bench up, then putting all 3 screws in at the same time.
Never had a problem with reassembling it this way.
Are there any logical reasons why not to do it my way?
Just curious.
Lenny

Have not checked the FAQ ( I assume you're refering to James's thread) recently, but the way I wrote it (that other sticky thread) is the exact way how they are assembling it at the factory. That's not the sandwhich method, but the 'insertion' method, with the 3 screws tightened all the way before inserting. If you were refering to my thread, where does it say that the handles should be loosely assembled?