Sebenza 21 frame lock dragging?

P

Paul Dragosljvich

Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
159
Hey guys, I have a question concerning the frame lock on the small Sebenza 21 with S35VN steel. I am new to the forum setting and this is my first post, so please bear with me..

I received my first Sebenza a couple of days ago. So far, I am extremely pleased with the construction, look, and feel of the knife. However, when I disengage the frame lock from the open position, I can hear what seems to be a slight rubbing noise against the blade's steel. I've disassembled and applied new lube in an attempt to lessen the friction between the titanium lock bar and the steel...No success. I've read other threads describing a "sticky" lock bar that proved to be very difficult to disengage, and produced a loud "clicking" noise. The lock bar on my Sebenza is not stiff, sticky, or make clicking sounds. The rubbing noise I described isn't very audible, but now that I've heard it, it's got me a little worried. I'm being extremely OCD about any potential defects in Mr. Reeve's work of art due to the amount it cost me, which I'm sure any Sebenza owner can understand. This is also my first knife with a frame lock, so I have no idea if this is normal. If I didn't describe my situation well enough, please let me know so I can elaborate.

Thanks!
-Paul
 
It could be sratching made by the detent ball, I don't seem to have that problem with my Sebenzas but it does happen with my Umnumzaans from time to time. Make sure the detent ball is clean and there are no foreign materials caught up in the detent and it will polish its self out in no time. If I indeed read your problem correctly. :)
 
By detent ball, you're talking about the tiny ceramic ball, correct? That thought crossed my mind as well, but I wiped it off and applied a good amount of grease to it; the rubbing is still there. This Sebenza was made May 28, 2013...Could it be possible that I just need to break it in?
 
Yes, indeed I do mean the ceramic ball. It will be dragging on the blade but will polish its self out in short order, I promise. :p I have had the same thing happen to me a few times, as I say. You can get a wee bit of sand, or for me often crap from the work shop, in there and it gets dragged along the travel path of the detent causing a scratch(es) on the blade. The ceramic ball is harder than the blade obviosly so it just needs a bit of time to wear in again. That is about the only thing I can think of that is happening here and I have never managed to fix it any other way. :)
 
I have had some rubbing roughness happen on mine also. It was some abrasive dirt between the detent ball and blade. A thorough cleaning did the trick!

This happened once right after cutting cardboard. Something got in and made the knife scratchy during opening.
 
I may have to take it apart once again...I oiled the blade and applied lube on the bushings and detent ball, so I'm not sure how any dirt or dust could have gotten on it!
 
I may have to take it apart once again...I oiled the blade and applied lube on the bushings and detent ball, so I'm not sure how any dirt or dust could have gotten on it!
 
On a new knife it can happen just because the ceramic detent is harder than the blade and just needs abit of time to cut a path in the blade, so to speak. If it is still like that in a month after using it regularly I would start to wonder what was going on. :)
 
Sounds good to me. I actually didn't even look at the birth card until my post...Now I'm guessing it's just that the knife is barely over a month old.
Thanks again for the replies!
 
I agree with above but I am assuming this is your first sebenza and it's new new? I mean like factory fresh no prev owners.

If that's the case and take down cleaning does not work it may just need a break in period. Most of the sebenza I buy are from dealers and o have noticed that they either godly smooth right out of the box and getting only a little better with the break in period or they are not as smooth out of the box and will really smooth out with a break in period. It will definitely get there. I almost perfer the ones you need to break in because I feel during that times it really becomes "yours". Patients is a virtue but trust me it's worth it.

If you give it some time you have two options. You can send it back to crk for a tune up which may or may not help. Sometimes when they fit the washers they don't nail it the first time and it needs to be tweaked.. If you don't know what I am talking about you should watch the meet the maker video on crk from Blade HQ. You tube it seriously!

Or you can help it along. I have took a couple of my sebenzas and played with polishing the washers and even the blade. It sweet how smooth it gets but I think this may void the warranty so try the break in period and if after a month or so we can talk again about that haha.. My guess is one day it will break in for you and you will say "ohhh there bit is!"

Cheers, congrats, welcome, and and good luck!
 
As HAZE stated, it will take time to wear and it normal for a new sebenza until the detent ball makes its path along the blade, you will hear that rough noise sometimes. Also, dirt is key as well......Also I will add, did you happen to take the knife apart....?? If so, a pinched washer from incorrect assembly will make a dragging/rough sound as well. Just a thought....!!! In my CRK experience, those 3 things will cause the noise that you hear. All are easily fixable, so no worries.
 
nyefmaker said:
As HAZE stated, it will take time to wear and it normal for a new sebenza until the detent ball makes its path along the blade, you will hear that rough noise sometimes. Also, dirt is key as well......Also I will add, did you happen to take the knife apart....?? If so, a pinched washer from incorrect assembly will make a dragging/rough sound as well. Just a thought....!!! In my CRK experience, those 3 things will cause the noise that you hear. All are easily fixable, so no worries.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear I was not talking about the detent ball. I was referring more to the actual "wear" between the washers and the blade. In my experience it needs to break in at the detent and the washers. Paul, Take a look at the age side of your washers now and at a months times. There will be a clear difference. You should also check the washers to make sure there are not pinched as maker stated.. What you are looking for is a Crescent shape scratch on the washer from one point of the edge to the other.
 
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Be careful not to over lubricate. Specifically on the lock face (this is a matter of contention for some so if you think differently, ignore that part). Are you using CRK grease? You don't need to use much. Just a little goes a long way! I know this is overboard but I use the the CRK grease and nano oil mix on the pivot and washers. If I have a problem with a detent ball dragging (on any knife, not just CRK. As a matter of fact, it is more likely an issue on other knives:) ) I put a tiny drop of nano oil on the detent ball.
 
I've found grittiness usually means something is stuck to the detent like a few other's have mentioned. I usually use some alcohol to clean it off and then hit it with a can of compressed air. So far it's worked every time:thumbup:
 
I love the Nano/CRK grease combo also. A speck of 10 w Nano on the detent path can do wonder's:thumbup:
 
Sharpski said:
I agree with above but I am assuming this is your first sebenza and it's new new? I mean like factory fresh no prev owners.

If that's the case and take down cleaning does not work it may just need a break in period. Most of the sebenza I buy are from dealers and o have noticed that they either godly smooth right out of the box and getting only a little better with the break in period or they are not as smooth out of the box and will really smooth out with a break in period. It will definitely get there. I almost prefer the ones you need to break in because I feel during that times it really becomes "yours". Patients is a virtue but trust me it's worth it.
Click to expand...

Yes, this particular Sebenza is barely over a month old, and "factory fresh". Normally I would take this into consideration, but on almost every forum I've read about Sebenzas being smooth right out of the box. And I agree, it adds a bit more sentimental value. Thank you for your input!

nyefmaker said:
As HAZE stated, it will take time to wear and it normal for a new sebenza until the detent ball makes its path along the blade, you will hear that rough noise sometimes. Also, dirt is key as well......Also I will add, did you happen to take the knife apart....?? If so, a pinched washer from incorrect assembly will make a dragging/rough sound as well. Just a thought....!!! In my CRK experience, those 3 things will cause the noise that you hear. All are easily fixable, so no worries.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response, nyefmaker! I've read many of your posts on this forum, and they're all extremely informative! This post is no exception, as I hadn't thought about the detent ball needing to make a path along the blade. Yes, I've probably taken it apart 10+ times in the past two days. I've made sure that both washers were perfectly centered when I put the knife back together, so I hope that isn't the problem! I've read that if the washers are out of place, it affects the blade centering, and mine is perfectly aligned.

MRaymond said:
Be careful not to over lubricate. Specifically on the lock face (this is a matter of contention for some so if you think differently, ignore that part). Are you using CRK grease? You don't need to use much. Just a little goes a long way! I know this is overboard but I use the the CRK grease and nano oil mix on the pivot and washers. If I have a problem with a detent ball dragging (on any knife, not just CRK. As a matter of fact, it is more likely an issue on other knives:) ) I put a tiny drop of nano oil on the detent ball.
Click to expand...

I used Super Lube teflon grease on the bushings and detent ball. I've read about the over lubricating on previous threads, so I made sure to apply small amounts. Thank you Raymond, I'll try the oil on the detent ball!

jwolf90 said:
I've found grittiness usually means something is stuck to the detent like a few other's have mentioned. I usually use some alcohol to clean it off and then hit it with a can of compressed air. So far it's worked every time:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I took it apart again last night and wiped off the detent ball. However, I haven't given the alcohol and compressed air a try..Thank you for the idea!!
 
Haha don't always believe what you read in the Internet. There are different levels of smooth even for CRK, you will learn. Have you ever bought a used knife when the seller said "razor sharp". Sharp? Sure but this depends on your standards. It's a common saying that's all you need to take it with a grain of salt. People like to follow the crowd and will say it's so smooth out of the box. It is yes, but will it get smoother?.. well you will see. Plus some sebenzas are smoother than other out of the box. No doubt, trust me.

Like I said I can take the smoothest of sebenzas right out of the box sebenzas and make it smoother. 100% Guaranteed.. I may not have thousands of posts but I only comment when I know what I am talking about.

I am not taking offense and i am not trying to be defensive. I am just trying to help out. I fixed this problem myself in a day without doing anything to the detent ball.
 
Sharpski said:
Haha don't always believe what you read in the Internet. There are different levels of smooth even for CRK, you will learn. Have you ever bought a used knife when the seller said "razor sharp". Sharp? Sure but this depends on your standards. It's a common saying that's all you need to take it with a grain of salt. People like to follow the crowd and will say it's so smooth out of the box. It is yes, but will it get smoother?.. well you will see. Plus some sebenzas are smoother than other out of the box. No doubt, trust me.

Like I said I can take the smoothest of sebenzas right out of the box sebenzas and make it smoother. 100% Guaranteed.. I may not have thousands of posts but I only comment when I know what I am talking about.

I am not taking offense and i am not trying to be defensive. I am just trying to help out. I fixed this problem myself in a day without doing anything to the detent ball.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with believing what's on the internet. That's why I actually refuse to buy used knives...You can never really trust anyone nowadays, people will do what they can just to make a buck. I can already tell that it's somewhat smoother from the day I got it. But that may just be from me getting used to the unique deployment of the blade. I have read several of your posts on the forum and have agreed with pretty much every one of them that I've seen. I wasn't disagreeing with you in my previous post, my friend!
 
Paul D,
No worries I am really just trying to help. You should read up on polishing washers. I took it so far to polish one of my blades where it contacted the washers.. Did I void my warranty... Not sure, but you should feel this thing! haha keep us post we all hope things get straightened out!
 
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