Sebenza 21 Opening Mechanics

pmek5 · Apr 13, 2011

OK, so I have had my new Small Sebenza 21 now for about three weeks. Have taken apart, and greased it with CRK grease. I have been reading lots of threads about this knife, and the smooth opening action. I have to admit that when I first received it, it was hard to open, but have sinced learned how to use the thumb stud properly. I read alot how people say theirs is a "smooth as butter", and have a question. I was wondering what percentage the ceramic ball, and the ball race created from it has on the friction resistantance, and smoothness. If I push out the titanium lock bar to release the friction of the ball on the blade race, the knife has very little resistance from the bearing pivot, and washers. It seems a majority the opening smoothness & resistance is contributed from the ceramic ball. So will my knife really get any smoother? The problem is I don't have another large or small Sebenza to compare to. Maybe I'm at the "butter" level, or, maybe I just thinking about this to much & want to start a new thread. :jerkit:

kaosu04 · Apr 13, 2011

I think people tend to get smooth and easy confused around here. My sebenza's action is wonderfully smooth. It feels solid when opening, the resistance is the same throughout the opening. Is it easy to open? Sure, after you learn the proper technique, proper thumb stud usage and staying off of the lockbar. With enough practice I can thumb flick my sebenza open quite easily.

lamesalegend · Apr 13, 2011

Just got mine in January. It was very stiff but smooth for the first couple mouths. Last night I pulled the blade out washed everything and lubed it. Huge difference in ease of opening. It has always been smooth. But previously it was harder to open. Although the initial stiffer feeling opening was not a concern of mine.

Haze · Apr 14, 2011

I find the large Sebenzas have a very smooth action but they still have some resistance to that action. The best way I can describe it is to say it has a some what "hydraulic" feel to it. I find the small Sebenza, while still smooth, can have a more blocky feel to opening. In that it seems to pause half way. I have had 2 smalls that were like that but I have never had or seen a large that opened like that.

snowreaper1 · Apr 14, 2011

Take it apart and relube it with the CRK grease. Some times if the knife was sitting unused for a while the lube can dry out a little and cause more friction while opening.
And trust me, once you get your sebbie to optimal working order you will notice why everyone says the action is like butter.

kurtras · Apr 14, 2011

The ONLY time I had an issue with opening my sebenza (i.e. it was stiff) was when I....for whatever reason...didn't put the lube on it fully. I also found that putting a spot of lube on the ceramic ball does wonders as well.

I describe the "feel" of opening my knife as "smooth and confident".

dinokay · Apr 14, 2011

I have the same problem with a Wlison Combat Star-Tac I just received (crazy stiff opening action) now I'm waiting for the tool and the lube to arrive. Not a big deal cuz I have quite a few folders from CRK and I know that its not the norm but for someone buying their first Chris Reeve folder Not Good.

marthinus · Apr 14, 2011

The Ceramic ball with the stone washed finish blade does have a lot more friction compared to that of the polished blade. If you had both in your hands and compared the two. (I was shocked at how smooth the polished blade was)

As time goes by the area under the ceramic ball and washers will polish the blade and contact surface and this should really increase the smoothness of the knife. Happened with my old small Regular and with my Insingo.

The classification of butter smooth depends on each person, for me I think a CRK is more like a well build safe hinges when opening and closing. Solid, smooth as long as there is constant force applied IMO.