Sebenza 31 Lock Rock?!

[V-1]

I'm still trying to get my head around CRK saying the "lock rock" that makes a clicking sound like in the video posted in this thread is acceptable by their standards. That blows my mind. From aerospace manufacturing tolerances to OK on lock movement that actually makes noise slipping back and forth when locked open. Talk about a company losing it's way. It seems CRK may be missing Chris Reeve's leadership and influence.
Well on a positive note, they did save me a ton of $ on a new small 31 natural micarta inlay and a new large 31 black micarta inlay. No way I'd buy one now with such inconsistency present in the 31 line.

 

[353]

What's the point of putting pressure on the top of the blade, and not just use the knife for its intended purpose?

I'm still trying to get my head around CRK saying the "lock rock" that makes a clicking sound like in the video posted in this thread is acceptable by their standards. That blows my mind. From aerospace manufacturing tolerances to OK on lock movement that actually makes noise slipping back and forth when locked open. Talk about a company losing it's way. It seems CRK may be missing Chris Reeve's leadership and influence.
Well on a positive note, they did save me a ton of $ on a new small 31 natural micarta inlay and a new large 31 black micarta inlay. No way I'd buy one now with such inconsistency present in the 31 line.

 

[V a d i m]

Still don't get it!
CRK says the "lock rock" is normal.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Still don't get it!
CRK says the "lock rock" is normal.

But the ? is-should it be normal, or is it normal for a flawed design.
I would like to hear more from the company in defense of the design, and why they feel this isn't a problem. I am sure they have spent countless hours on this, so who should know more. They very well may have the answers, but so far there are just ?'s.

 

[Tyd450]

My answer just arrived today!

 

[kylemiller]

I'm still trying to get my head around CRK saying the "lock rock" that makes a clicking sound like in the video posted in this thread is acceptable by their standards. That blows my mind. From aerospace manufacturing tolerances to OK on lock movement that actually makes noise slipping back and forth when locked open. Talk about a company losing it's way. It seems CRK may be missing Chris Reeve's leadership and influence.
Well on a positive note, they did save me a ton of $ on a new small 31 natural micarta inlay and a new large 31 black micarta inlay. No way I'd buy one now with such inconsistency present in the 31 line.

It's take a mad genius to make something like the CRK knives of yore. I don't think companies that rely on that kind of radical contrast from the competition can survive without that leader. It relies on going against sensible advice from partners and investors. That doesn't work when something is run by committee.

 

[V a d i m]

But the ? is-should it be normal, or is it normal for a flawed design.
I would like to hear more from the company in defense of the design, and why they feel this isn't a problem. I am sure they have spent countless hours on this, so who should know more. They very well may have the answers, but so far there are just ?'s.

The first post clearly states that "rock rock" is normal. This is what CRK said.
What are all these discussions about, I do not understand.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

The first post clearly states that "rock rock" is normal. Th is is what CRK said.
What are all these discussions about, I do not understand.

Normal does not necessarily translate to acceptable by the customer, and many here are saying it is not acceptable. Lock Rock is not considered a good quality for a knife to have.
CRK has been making excellent knives for many years and this does not correlate well with that history. They have never been a company that compromises quality just to put a product out.
They may have a good explanation, but just saying normal is not going to do. At present they are loosing some sales.
At this point I am just waiting to hear more from CRK. If it isn't a problem they should be able to specifically say why.
I hope this doesn't turn into a story of a great company living off their past, while putting out inferior products. Time will tell.

 

[brownshoe]

Normal is only a setting on the washing machine

Spyderco claims a small amont of play in a mid lock is normal, other companies do not.

When it comes to Ti frame locks, my only one with play is a Buck Mayo TNT. Buck says it's not normal but they no longer have the parts. They will give me Buck online store credit, but I kept the knife since I like it, the movement is minor and Buck says it's still safe. But I've gotten many years of hard use and I'm the second owner.

If you think it's unsatisfactory, return the knife. Buy the real deal, a CRK made when Chris was the boss

 

[V a d i m]

Normal does not necessarily translate to acceptable by the customer, and many here...

This is a Ceramic Ball interface, which means that a slight "movement" is normal because it is a ball, not a straight frame locking bar.

At this point I am just waiting to hear more from CRK.

Send a message or call to CRK and ask if it's normal,what are you waiting for?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

This is a Ceramic Ball interface, which means that a slight "movement" is normal because it is a ball, not a straight frame locking bar.



Send a message or call to CRK and ask if it's normal,what are you waiting for?

First off...whats with the attitude?
Second...why don’t you pick up the phone and get us all some answers? We already know what the answer is.
Why is it our responsibility as a consumer to find out why there is “lock play?”
I’ve made my decision, and its no more 31’s.
Now it is up to the company to try to explain to me why I should purchase their product.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Send a message or call to CRK and ask if it's normal,what are you waiting for?

I have just been answering your ? about why all the discussion. Many members aren't accepting a one line response of normal and it all goes away. I wish CRK and Tim the best, but he is going to have to give a better response to this IMO. I am not going to chase him for it, this is his job. For now at least I will just stay away from the knife-problem solved

 

[mds694]

First off...whats with the attitude?
Second...why don’t you pick up the phone and get us all some answers? We already know what the answer is.
Why is it our responsibility as a consumer to find out why there is “lock play?”
I’ve made my decision, and its no more 31’s.
Now it is up to the company to try to explain to me why I should purchase their product.

Not sure what CRK's you own but picked up my third this year today. Small Inkosi with natural micarta inlay. Really likeing it so far. The other two were PJ Large Inkosi and PJ Small Sebenza 31. All 3 have had vertical blade play. All 3 are on the same locking system. The 31 was by far the worst, then the small followed by the large Inkosi. Never tried a 21 or or a zaan. Point being, the "issue" is not a new one specific to the 31 and new management. Its always been there, its just now being blasted on the internet.

 

[mds694]

I have just been answering your ? about why all the discussion. Many members aren't accepting a one line response of normal and it all goes away. I wish CRK and Tim the best, but he is going to have to give a better response to this IMO. I am not going to chase him for it, this is his job. For now at least I will just stay away from the knife-problem solved

Alot of Chris's fans are throwing Tim under the bus IMO. This is not a new issue, its present on both large and small Inkosi's. Was the Inkosi not one of Chris's designs or am I mistaken?

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Alot of Chris's fans are throwing Tim under the bus IMO. This is not a new issue, its present on both large and small Inkosi's. Was the Inkosi not one of Chris's designs or am I mistaken?

I believe you are correct that those were Chris's designs.
I am not throwing Tim under the bus and have in fact been pulling for his success since taking over. I am glad the Co. remained in family hands. I also realize it isn't an easy task following an icon like his father. I do however think he is dropping the ball on this one. He shouldn't just dismiss this, but come on here(or another outlet and the info transferred here)and explain his new product and why he feels it is right. At this point I wouldn't be able to determine if any of those with movement should be sending their knives in, or if they are addressing this in any way for a fix. Maybe if Blade was happening much of this would have been addressed there, but it isn't. Once a full explanation was given, it basically would come down to do I want to buy one or not. Right now he has a number of people sitting on the sidelines looking to see what happens as well as a number that are going to pass.
Just my opinion and thoughts on this, but I think Chris would have been on here showing us how he was right and we had no clue.

 

[V a d i m]

First off...whats with the attitude?
Second...why don’t you pick up the phone and get us all some answers? We already know what the answer is.
Why is it our responsibility as a consumer to find out why there is “lock play?”
I’ve made my decision, and its no more 31’s.
Now it is up to the company to try to explain to me why I should purchase their product.

There is no "lock play",what you call "lock play" is normal,with the ceramic ball added to the lock arm,and the shape of the overall lock arm on this model.

I like more Sebenza 21,but it doesn't mean that the Sebenza 31 is made with some defective design, it's just another locking mechanism.

 

[mds694]

I believe you are correct that those were Chris's designs.
I am not throwing Tim under the bus and have in fact been pulling for his success since taking over. I am glad the Co. remained in family hands. I also realize it isn't an easy task following an icon like his father. I do however think he is dropping the ball on this one. He shouldn't just dismiss this, but come on here(or another outlet and the info transferred here)and explain his new product and why he feels it is right. At this point I wouldn't be able to determine if any of those with movement should be sending their knives in, or if they are addressing this in any way for a fix. Maybe if Blade was happening much of this would have been addressed there, but it isn't. Once a full explanation was given, it basically would come down to do I want to buy one or not. Right now he has a number of people sitting on the sidelines looking to see what happens as well as a number that are going to pass.
Just my opinion and thoughts on this, but I think Chris would have been on here showing us how he was right and we had no clue.

My question remains though, why was this not a big deal when the Inkosi was originally released? Maybe it was and I just don’t know about it. But it sure looks like Chris got off scot-free on this one and now that he’s gone there’s an outrage. So to say he would be on here addressing the issue seems inaccurate given he had a chance to when he originally released this new lockface design on the Inkosi.

 

[V-1]

My question remains though, why was this not a big deal when the Inkosi was originally released? Maybe it was and I just don’t know about it. But it sure looks like Chris got off scot-free on this one and now that he’s gone there’s an outrage. So to say he would be on here addressing the issue seems inaccurate given he had a chance to when he originally released this new lockface design on the Inkosi.

In my case it's because the lock on my small Inkosi doesn't make a clicking noise as the lock and blade moves back and forth when the blade is locked open. Neither does my large PJ 21. Or my small wood inlay 21. Or my Umnumzaan.
This is a company forum and I am simply stating my opinion of their current product in hopes of improvement. They state that it is currently OK and I'm providing my feedback that in my opinion it is not.
I'd like to buy a couple 31's. They are expensive and a large expense to me. I can't see saving up the cash to spend on a product that shows that much inconsistency.
I would think the company would appreciate the free feedback.

 

[archieblue]

I got my 31 in the mail two days ago. Love it so far! It does not seem to have the movement in the lock. I’ll certainly report anything if it pops up. For now, here are my initial impressions and some thoughts on the 31 vs 21 & Inkosi. Enjoy!

 

[canyon56]

I have two Chris Reeve knives, a small Sebenza 31 and a Sebenza 25 both with the ceramic ball lock. Both of my knives are rock solid with zero movement on the blade. I know some people are having a different experience, but I wanted to share my positive experience.