Sebenza action question.

Redwood25

Redwood25

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Mar 31, 2015
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I have both a large and small 21 Sebenza. These are two beautiful knives of great and obvious quality.
But to me, the action is very stiff, the thumb stud oddly shaped, and the knives are just hard to open. I've sent the
small 21 in to CRK for a spa treatment, sharpening, etc (I bought it used), and made my requests about the ease of the action
known to them. The knife is shipping back to me today.

I'm curious to see how the action feels once it gets back. If it's as I'd like, 'll go ahead and send the Large in for the same thing.

By the way, I sent the small in on March #rd, and they're shipping it back to me today. Much quicker than the 4-8 weeks the website
said the service could take.
 
My large insingo feels like what you are describing. When it was new, it was very difficult to open. Still very smooth but had a lot of resistance. Over time, as the washers wear in it became easier.

The thing is.....a sebenza is more of a hydraulic smooth feel to it. Nothing like a bearing pivot. I was admittedly frustrated with how my first one felt, and almost parted with it soon after.

But after some time with it, figuring out the easiest way for me to open it, and letting the knife wear in, it is now perfect.

Hopefully it will come back and be a little smoother for you.
 
Already been said, but... Sebenzas will always have a bit of a "hydraulic" feel to them, even when broken in. That's how they're designed. Personally, I like it. I don't like knife blades that rotate freely and I keep the action on all my folders set so the blade stops wherever it is when I stop pushing on it, whether I'm opening or closing it.

The thumb lug shape has been discussed quite a bit. It's an "either you like it or you don't" kind of thing, not too many folks are neutral about it. I'm one of the "don't like its" but I keep a couple of Sebenzas around and just overlook that when I'm carrying them. They're mostly occasional dress knives for me so I don't have to worry about the thumb lugs very often.
 
I felt the same way with my first Sebenza because it was my first knife that the tolerances are that tight. Since then and many CRK's later, I've grown accustom to the knives and feel that when I, on occasion use something else, well, it's just flimsy. Not that any of my other knives are of bad quality, because they're not.
I've found that with some CRK's, they do need a break in time, others don't. All my 25's were stiff for a bit, whereas my Umnumzaan's were smooth from the box. Same way with the 21's.
There is a method to opening the Sebenza that's different from other brands. An arc motion with the thumb as close to the blade as possible works for me. Using just the top portion of the thumb lug yields a sore thumb.
The other thing I've learned is when you tighten the pivot, you don't need to get it so tight that the allen wrench starts to twist. I've always snugged them so the screw starts to bind on the Ti and stop there even though I can go a bit more. It probably doesn't make any difference, by I'm convinced it helps.
 
I really can't complain about the action on my small Insingo....

It doesn't "flick" open, but I don't really want that, although with time it may get there?

It's very smooth once you pass the detent, all the way to lock-up.

There are a couple of ways to make them fly open like they are "on bearings" and a Google/YT search will give you the info if you want to go down that road.
I know Mark (Gizler00) has tried it with success...

If my Seb. was really tight, I would break it down and re-grease the washers, but I am sure that will be done with the Spa treatment...
 
Probably the most common question and/or complaint is on the tight action of the sebs. Most of the time it's a combination of the thumb action being a bit different to open these knives and/or washers that are not yet broken in. Lots of time the users grip is putting pressure on the lock against the blade when trying to open. That's most common with the smalls as they are harder to grip without pushing off the lock bar.

Some people accelerate the break in period by opening and closing a few thousand times without the thumb. Others sand/polish washers (not officially recommend.) The bronze washers are relatively soft.

Regardless, within a couple weeks most folks report that they're happy with the action either because the knife broke in or their thumb motion got better.

Lots of people, myself included, learn to like a little stiffer action as long as it's not difficult. When mine get too loose I'll likely send in for new washers.

Please report back when it comes from the spa. I'd be interested to know if they made an adjustment.
 
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Well, I got the small 21 back and it's good. Also, I spent a bit of time just opening the large 21. And I get it now. Figured out the movement after a bit, and I love it. The small, too. Great stuff.
 
On a new CRK - or freshly torn down, greased, and reassembled - I think the grease has to be worked a little bit. They will "free up" a bit after being worked a little.
 
Put sideways pressure on the blade and, at the same time, exercise it open and closed for a short bit. It just might make the action feel much more free.
 
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