Sebenza flip

spunky45

spunky45

Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
225
Now i've heard you're not supposed to flip a sebenza but I flip mine sometimes, it just won't flip consistantly am i doing something wrong?
 
Nope. Sebbie's can take it better than most. It just wears out any liner/frame lock folder at a faster pace (a LONG time in a Sebenza).
 
Sebenza isn't a flipper, no flipper on it. It's a one hand opener, you could wrist flick it, but it ain't gonna flip.
 
I'm pretty sure OP is talking about how the Sebenza doesn't flip consistently when thumb-flicking it.

In that case, it's because the Sebenza doesn't have a very strong detent that allows you to build pressure up. In other words, it won't give you that "pop" when flicking it open.
 
Others have 'tuned' their Sebs to thumb-flick smoothly and consistently by carefully polishing the washers--just to the point where the blade drops freely when the lock is disengaged. I typically don't flick my one-handers, so I haven't felt the need to do this to my Sebs. Might be an option for you though, OP!

Good luck! :)

-Brett
 
timberweasel said:
Others have 'tuned' their Sebs to thumb-flick smoothly and consistently by carefully polishing the washers--just to the point where the blade drops freely when the lock is disengaged. I typically don't flick my one-handers, so I haven't felt the need to do this to my Sebs. Might be an option for you though, OP!

Good luck! :)

-Brett
Click to expand...

I would strongly suggest not doing this. Polishing the washers will not make the blade fall freely. The only way to make that happen is to tune the pressure of the lockbar (i.e. make it weaker).

If you release the lock and hold it, the blade will already fall freely. It's a common misconception that bearings or polished washers make a knife "fall shut freely", but in reality it's just the pressure of the lockbar pushing on the blade tang.

Removing material from the washers (polishing) will just throw off your tolerances and possibly off-center the blade or cause blade-play.
 
Blues Bender said:
I would strongly suggest not doing this. Polishing the washers will not make the blade fall freely. The only way to make that happen is to tune the pressure of the lockbar (i.e. make it weaker).

If you release the lock and hold it, the blade will already fall freely. It's a common misconception that bearings or polished washers make a knife "fall shut freely", but in reality it's just the pressure of the lockbar pushing on the blade tang.

Removing material from the washers (polishing) will just throw off your tolerances and possibly off-center the blade or cause blade-play.
Click to expand...

Hand polishing the washers is actually done at CRK to tune the action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6p8p6vfZQ (as seen around 7:05.)
 
jill jackson said:
Sebenza isn't a flipper, no flipper on it. It's a one hand opener, you could wrist flick it, but it ain't gonna flip.
Click to expand...

Blues Bender said:
I'm pretty sure OP is talking about how the Sebenza doesn't flip consistently when thumb-flicking it.

In that case, it's because the Sebenza doesn't have a very strong detent that allows you to build pressure up. In other words, it won't give you that "pop" when flicking it open.
Click to expand...

I have a small Insingo and a small Box Elder 21 and can flip both easily with the back of my thumbnail with no wrist at all.
Neither has a strong detent.
It's very easy to do, I just choose not to most of the time.

Edit: I guess that's "flicking" and not "flipping," but maybe that's just semantics.
 
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timberweasel said:
Hand polishing the washers is actually done at CRK to tune the action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6p8p6vfZQ (as seen around 7:05.)
Click to expand...

Yes, and so they usually come from the factory correctly tuned: so that the lockbar is the main force keeping the blade from swinging (nearly) free. Further polishing of those washers will not reduce the pressure that the lockbar applies, so isn't a reliable way to make the blade swing faster.
 
If you can sometimes and not others that probably means you're not consistent in the way you are trying to flick it open. Look at your grip and try to notice what you're doing different.
 
I think the warranty issue is against using inertia from a wrist flick to open the knife. Flicking it open with your thumb or middle finger does not void your warranty and is how most people open the knives anyway.

Just don't slam it open, that's all Mr. Reeves asks of you.
 
Thanks to all for the replies I did mean flicking and I am getting better with my thumbnail
 
arskrg said:
I have a small Insingo and a small Box Elder 21 and can flip both easily with the back of my thumbnail with no wrist at all.
Neither has a strong detent.
It's very easy to do, I just choose not to most of the time.

Edit: I guess that's "flicking" and not "flipping," but maybe that's just semantics.
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong, they're definately flickable, but I have many knives that flick much better. By comparison, the Sebenza is a terrible "flicker". I have a Diskin Fire, and the flickability is far better than the Seb.

Anyways, the Sebenza was designed to be opened normally without flicking, so we're essentially discussing something that's pointless.

Dangerously said:
Yes, and so they usually come from the factory correctly tuned: so that the lockbar is the main force keeping the blade from swinging (nearly) free. Further polishing of those washers will not reduce the pressure that the lockbar applies, so isn't a reliable way to make the blade swing faster.
Click to expand...

Exactly:thumbup:
 
When flicking a knife open you are working mainly against the detent, not the pivot washers.

It's a thing that takes practice. You'll eventually get it. You have to develop a consistent thumb.

EDIT: Try this....draw a line between the pivot and the thumbstud...make your flick at exactly 90-degrees (perpendicular) to that.
 
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I have no issues flicking my small sebbie 21 insingo consistently. You just have to find the right position of the thumb on the stud. In my case I have to do it with the "meaty" part of the thumb just below the fingernail and also flick it almost straight forward (not on an angle as with most knives). I must say that it does hurt the thumb after a bunch of flicks, so I try not to do it to often.
 
Dangerously said:
Yes, and so they usually come from the factory correctly tuned: so that the lockbar is the main force keeping the blade from swinging (nearly) free. Further polishing of those washers will not reduce the pressure that the lockbar applies, so isn't a reliable way to make the blade swing faster.
Click to expand...

That may very well be the case. But if the OP is getting a close 7/8 deployment on a thumb-flick on his Seb right out-of-the-box, getting rid of a slight bit of pivot 'sticktion' might be all he needs to bring it home. Never saw the need m'self, but as I said, I'm not much a flicker anyway. If the OP is interested, he can search "sebenza washers" on Youtube, watch a couple of videos, and decide for himself. Food for thought, as it were.

-Brett
 
I use to think polishing washers was a good way to go. However, after being here a bit and hearing more theory behind the practice from other (like blues and especially revdevil) I would not do it unless to remove tarnish, rust, or other gunk. You are removing metal that cannot be put back. If you think your knife is out of adjustment, send it back to the factory, especially when it comes to a crk.

Another aspect to consistent no wrist opening of a seb is that the thumbstuds are different than others. It takes some getting use to and practice.
 
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