Reducing lockbar tension?

MEJ

MEJ

Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Messages
1,283
How exactly should i go about reducing the lockbar tension on my sebenza 21? Say i have weak fingers, or whatever :p, but I'd like to be able to close it a tad bit easier. I have had it a while and have adjusted the clip so its definitely broken in.

Thanks,
Micah J
 
Advice: Dont attempt!

Take it from someone who tried this with a brand new Umnumzaan, and RUINED the lock up! Ihad to send it in to get fixed.

The overtravel disc was implemented for idiots like me.
 
The spring on the lock bar is not particularly strong, you really have absolutely no need to to adjust the tension in the lock bar. I dare say addressing a change in your opening technique is the better choice. :)
 
If you can't solve the problem by adjusting your technique, you should really sell the knife. :(
 
The first question to ask yourself is it worth voiding your warranty?

If it is, simply little by little bending the lock bar out will do it. Keep in mind the lighter the action the more likely to slip off it is, as well.
 
The lock bar does not need altered, ever. The weight needed to move the bar is minimal. Every man, woman, child and some dogs have the hand strength to manipulate the lock. If you are having problems it may be you're putting pressure the wrong way and making it harder. Messing with the lock is not going to do anything good and will just cause problems.

Take your knife apart and lay the lock side handle slab on a table. Press the lock bar down and feel how much (little) pressure is needed to move it. The weight needed to move it is probably in ounces at most, it's not Kg anyway. :p
 
I wouldn't mess with that,
The one sebenza i played with was extremely easy to close, compared to some other frame locks, so i'm thinking, is the lock bar sticking a bit ?
 
Please don't.
The only tweaking of lock-bar tension I ever do is to increase the tension.
You don't want that lock disengaging at inopportune moments.
 
Do not do it, your asking for problems. Problems that are not there. Sebenzas are different from other folders, even other frame locks. Just gotta get used to it is all.
 
I don't know if this is recommended with Sebenza's or not (never had a problem disengaging the Sebenza), but you could try rubbing the tang with a little graphite(No. 2 pencil). I have used this on some other brand knives that were a bear to open until broken in. Either that or hand exercises to toughen you up:)
 
This is a bummer, i love the knife but im not gonna end up using a knife that hurts my hand. I guess its good the resell is easy.
 
Try (if you aren't anyway) pushing at about 45% on the lock bar when unlocking the knife, you only have to get the lock face off the tang. It should really be no more difficult than opening the knife. :)
 
Haze said:
Try (if you aren't anyway) pushing at about 45% on the lock bar when unlocking the knife, you only have to get the lock face off the tang. It should really be no more difficult than opening the knife. :)
Click to expand...

Ill mess around with it, see if im doing it wrong.
 
kreole said:
The first question to ask yourself is it worth voiding your warranty?

If it is, simply little by little bending the lock bar out will do it. Keep in mind the lighter the action the more likely to slip off it is, as well.
Click to expand...

Do not take this advice.
I don't think you would, but wanted to mention it just in case.

MEJ said:
This is a bummer, i love the knife but im not gonna end up using a knife that hurts my hand. I guess its good the resell is easy.
Click to expand...

I'm very sorry to hear about your hand. I had surgery on my right thumb and couldn't open a knife for a while. Still gives me trouble, but I can at least open and close my Sebenza's again.

Good luck.
 
Well it is your knife and you deserve to enjoy it. You can bend it if you do it properly at the relief cut.
If you take the knife apart you may see that there is over bend. Maybe an extra mm further than the end of the tang. You can remove a little if you need to without worrying about it failing. If it is a matter of you enjoying something. Then go for it. You just want to get it dont the first time and not risk bending it back and forth. Another trick is to loosen all the screws and slide the lock bar side up and tighten the handle screws. This will result in earlier lock up and make it easier to unlock. Is it sticking or just too much spring?
Matt
 
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It may or may not help if you were to describe the problem in a little more detail. Is it sticking, do you have other framelocks that aren't a problem or is it just the lock bar itself is too strong after the initial release. Bending it yourself isn't the answer, but there may be one.
 
Haze said:
The lock bar does not need altered, ever. The weight needed to move the bar is minimal. Every man, woman, child and some dogs have the hand strength to manipulate the lock. If you are having problems it may be you're putting pressure the wrong way and making it harder. Messing with the lock is not going to do anything good and will just cause problems.

Take your knife apart and lay the lock side handle slab on a table. Press the lock bar down and feel how much (little) pressure is needed to move it. The weight needed to move it is probably in ounces at most, it's not Kg anyway. :p
Click to expand...

This is not really completely factual.

My grandkid's gerbil opened a large 21.

;)

And yes, I know something about disabilities first-hand (pardon the pun). Eight of my 10 digits have had industrial accidents, and one of my thumbs is severely arthritic as a result. I have no problems with any of the various Sebenza versions.
 
I had the same issue with my Umnumzaan. It was my first CRK so hand/finger re-positioning was in order. What really helped was leaving the folder half-opened overnight for a couple of nights. Now the tension is pretty much perfect.
 
Leaving the knife half open would be just the same as leaving it in the closed position. I don't see how that would make any difference to the spring ? :confused:

ps72 said:
I had the same issue with my Umnumzaan. It was my first CRK so hand/finger re-positioning was in order. What really helped was leaving the folder half-opened overnight for a couple of nights. Now the tension is pretty much perfect.
Click to expand...
 
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