Sebenza 21 lube choice . . .

[expidia1]

I’ve got at least 50 CRK’s, my safe queens haven’t been taken apart by me. No need to. I’ve taken apart most all that I own. That ranges from early Sebenza’s to 2017. I’ve got them with solid washers, the round hole washers and the ones that are being used today. I have yet to see one where the washers extend beyond the pivot bushing, making it too thick. What amazes me is that when you put the washers and the blade together, the sum of those three equals the length of the pivot bushing. Maybe I’m just lucky that I’ve never seen one that the washer is beyond the pivot bushing, but I doubt it. Now, I have seen where a burr on the washer has caused resistance and has been removed. I believe the washers are stamped out, so little inconsistencies will occur with the washers. As a matter of fact, in the two part video of the CRK shop tour, there is one segment that shows a Sebenza being fitted for a blade. I did see the washers being honed to make it smoother. I don’t think it was polished, just honed. But, in case you missed that video in your search, it’s very educational to watch. I believe BladeHQ made the video.

Great, thanks for pointing me to that link. I love learning more about each brand. I started with collecting BM's and enjoyed their factory tour on youtube. After watching youtube vids for answers to various issues I found that I did not have the too thick washer issue. After cleaning I used the assemble the two halves together first method leaving the screw next to the pivot screw loose enough to allow the blade with the stuck on washers with the pivot bushing in blade hole and the washers were perfectly flush with the bushing on each side and it just slides in easily into the handle with a little pressure taken off the lockbar so as to get the pivot screw in place.

Then I started searching for other possible answers. Then I found it pretty obvious that the inital stiffness in the action after taking the lockbar pressure off was clearly from the lockbar itself as with no pressure the blade swings freely . . . this ruled out any washer issue. Seems the pressure of the lockbar adds to the stiffness until the washers seat or wear in a little. My problem is I bought both 21's used. They were not safe queens. So one would think they would be already broken in. Not so.

This is probably the reason CRK will not ship you new washers and you have to send it in and then wait 4-8 weeks (I'll only do that once and sharpen edges myself now). They know it is almost never the washer as the issue. But i know NOW its the lockbar pressure and it will just take more time for the entire unit to break in as most say thats exactly what a CRK does.

Im not trying to repeat myself with this post. Its just that some responders in past threads, tend to jump in without reading the first few posts and tend to start flipping out when they see a post that someone is even "thinking" about adjusting any CRK in any way shape or form. Its a form of blasphemy to them. You should read some of the comments in the youtube threads when someone posts a vid of a possible solution to any issue could be knives, guns, cars ect. They are out there laying in wait to pounce

 

[HST]

I keep it simple and use CRK’s. No need to go any further.

 

[Ajack60]

Great, thanks for pointing me to that link. I love learning more about each brand. I started with collecting BM's and enjoyed their factory tour on youtube. After watching youtube vids for answers to various issues I found that I did not have the too thick washer issue. After cleaning I used the assemble the two halves together first method leaving the screw next to the pivot screw loose enough to allow the blade with the stuck on washers with the pivot bushing in blade hole and the washers were perfectly flush with the bushing on each side and it just slides in easily into the handle with a little pressure taken off the lockbar so as to get the pivot screw in place.

Then I started searching for other possible answers. Then I found it pretty obvious that the inital stiffness in the action after taking the lockbar pressure off was clearly from the lockbar itself as with no pressure the blade swings freely . . . this ruled out any washer issue. Seems the pressure of the lockbar adds to the stiffness until the washers seat or wear in a little. My problem is I bought both 21's used. They were not safe queens. So one would think they would be already broken in. Not so.

This is probably the reason CRK will not ship you new washers and you have to send it in and then wait 4-8 weeks (I'll only do that once and sharpen edges myself now). They know it is almost never the washer as the issue. But i know NOW its the lockbar pressure and it will just take more time for the entire unit to break in as most say thats exactly what a CRK does.

Im not trying to repeat myself with this post. Its just that some responders in past threads, tend to jump in without reading the first few posts and tend to start flipping out when they see a post that someone is even "thinking" about adjusting any CRK in any way shape or form. Its a form of blasphemy to them. You should read some of the comments in the youtube threads when someone posts a vid of a possible solution to any issue could be knives, guns, cars ect. They are out there laying in wait to pounce

No, not really. Truth be told, most responses are because it’s been tried before and didn’t work or failed miserably where it was beyond repair. I take those responses as a stern warning not to do something that will result in harming the product or having to really pay for something. It reminds me of a saying down here in the south “Hey y’all, watch this”, which never results in a positive note, or reading all the warning labels on just about everything you buy now. You can bet that comes from people doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing.
I have read that on occasion,CRK has refused to send a knife back to it’s owner because it was deemed as unsafe.

 

[expidia1]

I keep it simple and use CRK’s. No need to go any further.

Hey, isn't that Brad Pitt that is holding a huge knife in your avatar? Didn't he just denouce the USA and move his family to Austraila? I always see ads for his movies with him brandishing guns. Guess when his movies flopped all he had left was to blame the USA for all of its violence. Buh bye Brad

 

[Lapedog]

My Seb. 21 came a few days ago. Bought it as used anyway so I opened it up, cleaned it and applied the CRK included flourinated grease.

I've read in a thread that this grease is supposed to get slicker when it dries.
I've also watched a few youtube lubing your Seb. vids one of which Nick Shabazz used the FL extreme pepe grease in the syringe to lube it.

From a previous question I asked in a thread as to thoughts on the best grease I had ordered & delivered by amazon:
.1 finish line dry bike lube with teflon
.2 finish line extreme flouro pepe grease
and
.3 I have the CRK flourinated grease that comes with the knife.

My goal is to get the blade swinging as loose as I can (within the CRK tolerances for what they consider to be inline for the way they designed the knife).
I'm not a flicker (I have assisted models for that) and I know from after receiving my small Seb. and what I learned here . . . CRK’s action is supposed to be hydraulic by design. I'm fine with that or I certainly wouldn't have ordered the 21 and another 21 will be shortly purchased by me.

But I see many on youtube (like the Apostle vids) have theirs working very smoothly, for easier one hand operation. From vids, pushing the thumb stud out, up and away instead of the natural tendency to move it circular definitely helps. But the hydraulic action is still overly stiff for my tastes. I can also see that many CRK operate easier or harder right from the factory even of the exact same models. So clearly their washers come from the factory with varying thickness. And why some break in faster than others.

I'm not looking forward for what might be years for the knife to operate easier as the washers break in. I have many other folders now that I need to also give EDC time too. So the two Sebs. won't be seeing a lot of use for faster break in. I'd like to at least to start with the slickest lube, before I take other measures.

Reason being I have stiff joints and this 2nd one is quite tight just like my first small Seb. that I bought here a few weeks ago. I sent it back for them to try and loosen it up a little and to check for bent washers that might have been pinched by previous owner.

*Aside . . . CRK's return time is even longer than I thought (damn) hopefully CRK under promises and over delivers, meaning maybe it will come back sooner.
Here is the reps email: This is a courtesy email letting you know that your Small Sebenza 21 has arrived here safely. There will be a turnaround of about 4-8 weeks. We will contact you again when service is complete.

Holly Shiz . . maybe 8 weeks! Thats a big chunk of time for many of us to go without their EDC IMO. Good reason to learn how to service our knives ourselves. BM is not much better in turnaround time. I currently have 4 knives in Spa limbo.
No more sending knives back for me. I'll service and lube them myself as most of you do here.

This Seb. came with a previously sharpened KME edge which I will convert over to a mirrored Wicked Edge after I get a few more beaters done for practice. I probably have 20 knives done so far on the WE system, but it takes 15 plus knives for new diamond stones just to starting wearing down enough to produce the elusive potentially scratchless mirrored edge when viewed through a loop.

So whats the consensus here regarding which lube for the loosest seb. blade action?
1, 2, or 3 or yet another recommendation?

Thx

Personally I don’t use the flourinated grease. Grease will make the action less free and more “hydaulic”.

I used Benchmade blue lube for the longest time and never tried nano lube till just recently. Benchmade blue lube was great, nano oil was exceptional. I recommend the 10 weight nano oil.

I recommend blue lube or nano oil for a freer action. Generally oil gives a freer action than grease but grease seems to generally last longer.

 

[expidia1]

saying down here in the south “Hey y’all, watch this”
I have read that on occasion,CRK has refused to send a knife back to it’s owner because it was deemed as unsafe.

Y'all watch this . . . Now Dats funny and so true! also sad is how popular the Jackass movies were which fits with that expression.

But I guess it OK for CRK to deem a knife unsafe . . . But what about selling their knives to buyers that are unsafe . . . Now thats just something to ponder

And while i still have you have you on the line . . . do you know what abbreviation the members use here for a Sebenza like they do for a Zaan?
Thx

 

[Ajack60]

I’ve seen “Sebbie” used.

 

[expidia1]

I’ve seen “Sebbie” used.

thx but Sebbie is only "1" letter short of Sebenza . . . At least if I used sebbie, I might not keep typing Subenza by error!

 

[Ajack60]

thx but Sebbie is only "1" letter short of Sebenza . . . At least if I used sebbie, I might not keep typing Subenza by error!

Well, you can’t have everything, because if you did, where would put it all

I think “Seb” has been used also.

 

[expidia1]

Personally I don’t use the flourinated grease. Grease will make the action less free and more “hydaulic”.

I used Benchmade blue lube for the longest time and never tried nano lube till just recently. Benchmade blue lube was great, nano oil was exceptional. I recommend the 10 weight nano oil.

I recommend blue lube or nano oil for a freer action. Generally oil gives a freer action than grease but grease seems to generally last longer.

!
I went to pick up some nano on amazon yesterday but its only with their outside vendors who not only are charging $17 and they dont even list how much is in the tube and then charge like $5.95 for hipping on top of that. Its like superglue that comes in a bottle and then you find there is a tiny tube of it inside.

Amazon doesnt even carry Benchmade blue from what I see and even when you buy a brand new $220 BM I've never any oil included . . . real sports. . . At least for $450 plus, CRK gives you a whiff of their lube

 

[HST]

Hey, isn't that Brad Pitt that is holding a huge knife in your avatar? Didn't he just denouce the USA and move his family to Austraila? I always see ads for his movies with him brandishing guns. Guess when his movies flopped all he had left was to blame the USA for all of its violence. Buh bye Brad

I did not know that - if it’s true - but I don’t watch entertainment news or care what some actor is doing. I liked the character that was played by Brad in Inglorious Basterds. I could care less about Brad or what he is doing; however, real Americans celebrate another’s free speech, views and/or ideas. As a rule, I don’t judge other’s actions, because who am I to judge.

Your avatar is a racist alcoholic dog with a large dose of narcissism. Is that what you were thinking about when you choose your avatar?

All to often, people read into things too much. Like when you think you need to find an alternative to CRK’s lube on a CRK.

Enjoy the day.

 

[Hackenslash]

Expidia1, I mean this as genuinely as possible. There is no snark intended, only a constructive comment regarding your knife hobby:
I think it might be best for you to move on from CRK knives.

You seem to want them to be something they aren't. You want to "fix" things that aren't broken. You're even developing a bit of animosity toward the company as the knives fail to mold into your preconceived "hole".

There are so many great brands out there and CRK won't work for everyone. Rather than trying to keep forcing it, why not move on and try something different?

 

[Lapedog]

!
I went to pick up some nano on amazon yesterday but its only with their outside vendors who not only are charging $17 and they dont even list how much is in the tube and then charge like $5.95 for hipping on top of that. Its like superglue that comes in a bottle and then you find there is a tiny tube of it inside.

Amazon doesnt even carry Benchmade blue from what I see and even when you buy a brand new $220 BM I've never any oil included . . . real sports. . . At least for $450 plus, CRK gives you a whiff of their lube

Nano oil is abit over priced. Honestly that little bottle will last you a long time. You should only put a tiny drop of oil on each side of the blade. Overlubing only attracts dirt.

You could try some regular mineral oil for now.

 

[Sergeua]

I have a kershaw emerson that is smoother than CRK on its nylon washers and metal detent ball, but i prefer the sebenza action feel over it. Its plenty smooth for me and has premium feel. The lockbar tension is what it's supposed to be so you don't guillotine you fingers. I don't think there's anything wrong with an all tightly fit metal knife having a break in period, its not unreasonable at all in my mind.

 

[expidia1]

I did not know that - if it’s true - but I don’t watch entertainment news or care what some actor is doing. I liked the character that was played by Brad in Inglorious Basterds. I could care less about Brad or what he is doing; however, real Americans celebrate another’s free speech, views and/or ideas. As a rule, I don’t judge other’s actions, because who am I to judge.

Your avatar is a racist alcoholic dog with a large dose of narcissism. Is that what you were thinking about when you choose your avatar?

All to often, people read into things too much. Like when you think you need to find an alternative to CRK’s lube on a CRK.

Enjoy the day.

** When you registered both you and I agreed to not use the service to submit or link to any Content which is defamatory, abusive, hateful threatening, spam or spam-like, likely to offend. In your future posts to others, please try and live up to the terms we both agreed too.
No need to reply. You have made my ignore list... buh bye**

 

[expidia1]

Expidia1, I mean this as genuinely as possible. There is no snark intended, only a constructive comment regarding your knife hobby:
I think it might be best for you to move on from CRK knives.

You seem to want them to be something they aren't. You want to "fix" things that aren't broken. You're even developing a bit of animosity toward the company as the knives fail to mold into your preconceived "hole".

There are so many great brands out there and CRK won't work for everyone. Rather than trying to keep forcing it, why not move on and try something different?

** When you registered both you and I agreed to not use the service to submit or link to any Content which is defamatory, abusive, hateful threatening, spam or spam-like, likely to offend. In your future posts to others, please try and live up to the terms we both agreed too.
No need to reply. You have made my ignore list... buh bye**

 

[expidia1]

Nano oil is abit over priced. Honestly that little bottle will last you a long time. You should only put a tiny drop of oil on each side of the blade. Overlubing only attracts dirt.

You could try some regular mineral oil for now.

Thanks. I’ll find some nano eventually from a cheaper source. Same goes for the benchmade blue oil.

 

[expidia1]

I have a kershaw emerson that is smoother than CRK on its nylon washers and metal detent ball, but i prefer the sebenza action feel over it. Its plenty smooth for me and has premium feel. The lockbar tension is what it's supposed to be so you don't guillotine you fingers. I don't think there's anything wrong with an all tightly fit metal knife having a break in period, its not unreasonable at all in my mind.

I agree. Another knife I first picked up to start my collection with was the iconic Para 2. That IMO is another knife that has awfully stiff overall blade action. So much so, I wouldn’t even bother to open it and I’ve seen youtubes that show a fix. I just picked up My first ZT here yesterday. The ZT 0562 Cf here will replace the Para. I also like flipper released blades, just to switch off.

The Para 2 compared to the feel of the Sebenza is night and day. To me the Para now feels like a toy. The Sebenza feels “like a knife”. I can readily see why the brand has such a following. Im looking forward to them breaking in.

The problem I’ve found with building a collection is you have to buy a certain model to see if it fits with ones likes and objectives. The other problem is the more I learn about the hobby the faster my tastes change. I’m moving more towards customs as I appreciate a quality build. Since my two Sebenza’s, Im looking to add a 3rd and I can already see about 1/2 of my collection going up for sale.

 

[Lapedog]

I agree. Another knife I first picked up to start my collection with was the iconic Para 2. That IMO is another knife that has awfully stiff overall blade action. So much so, I wouldn’t even bother to open it and I’ve seen youtubes that show a fix. I just picked up My first ZT here yesterday. The ZT 0562 Cf here will replace the Para. I also like flipper released blades, just to switch off.

The Para 2 compared to the feel of the Sebenza is night and day. To me the Para now feels like a toy. The Sebenza feels “like a knife”. I can readily see why the brand has such a following. Im looking forward to them breaking in.

The problem I’ve found with building a collection is you have to buy a certain model to see if it fits with ones likes and objectives. The other problem is the more I learn about the hobby the faster my tastes change. I’m moving more towards customs as I appreciate a quality build. Since my two Sebenza’s, Im looking to add a 3rd and I can already see about 1/2 of my collection going up for sale.

There are certainly extremely well made customs. However from my limited number of custom knives I handled few of them are built as well as Chris Reeve knives. CRKs are some of the best built knives I have ever seen.

 

[expidia1]

I agree. Another knife I first picked up to start my collection with was the iconic Para 2. That IMO is another knife that has awfully stiff overall blade action. So much so, I wouldn’t even bother to open it and I’ve seen youtubes that show a fix. I just picked up My first ZT here yesterday. The ZT 0562 Cf here will replace the Para. I also like flipper released blades, just to switch off.

The Para 2 compared to the feel of the Sebenza is night and day. To me the Para now feels like a toy. The Sebenza feels “like a knife”. I can readily see why the brand has such a following. Im looking forward to them breaking in.

The problem I’ve found with building a collection is you have to buy a certain model to see if it fits with ones likes and objectives. The other problem is the more I learn about the hobby the faster my tastes change. I’m moving more towards customs as I appreciate a quality build. Since my two Sebenza’s, Im looking to add a 3rd and I can already see about 1/2 of my collection going up for sale.

There are certainly extremely well made customs. However from my limited number of custom knives I handled few of them are built as well as Chris Reeve knives. CRKs are some of the best built knives I have ever seen.

Lapedog (or anyone) rather than start another post could someone answer this. Ive tried searches for "hole in handle" but nothing specific comes up. On Sebenzas I see this hole in the handle. Almost looks like its there to push like a piece of paracord into the hole and the blade when you fold it would chop it off. But I doubt this is why its there since the clip also blocks one from pushing paracord totally through. Whats the hole for?