Sebenza (huge) blade play

There will be flex, just not 31 flex, some of them even show flex using just your thumb holding the knife.

Have you even read this thread? Do you really think all those post came out of nothing??!

Sebenza 31 Lock Rock?!

All, it was brought to my attention by a well known YouTube reviewer who I sent both of my new Sebenza Large & Small 31's to that the small 31 has lock rock. Apparently CRK wrote back to someone else who reported this issue saying "this is normal due to the different locking arm of the Sebenza...
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353 said:
There will be flex, just not 31 flex, some of them even show flex using just your thumb holding the knife.

Have you even read this thread? Do you really think all those post came out of nothing??!

Sebenza 31 Lock Rock?!

All, it was brought to my attention by a well known YouTube reviewer who I sent both of my new Sebenza Large & Small 31's to that the small 31 has lock rock. Apparently CRK wrote back to someone else who reported this issue saying "this is normal due to the different locking arm of the Sebenza...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
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I think everyone has seen that thread. But I think some people just put more weight on the severity of the problem.
Because in my way of thinking the only way this problem is ever brought to light is when people check for flex using that way of pushing down on the blade like that.
I haven't heard of any lock failures, slipped lock ups, or any real life failures. And in my own experience having owned quite a few sebenzas,inkosis, umnumzaans over the years I've never had a hiccup of failure.
But I do get why some people who just bought a 500-600 knife get worried when a lot of people are concerned. I just don't think there's a real reason to be concerned.
 
Alpha556 said:
Place your 21 on a table like in the video and put your weight down on the tip of the blade. If there is any flex or if it's rock solid post your results.
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Tried it, took A LOT of force to even make it move, did not have a chance of getting the edge to touch the table. Also did the same thing on my bathroom weight; 30kg of force to make it move and it really didn't move much. Off course the weight also registered the weighth of the other hand holding the handle down so maybe not the best "test". Also this was on a small 21.

The OP can make the edge hit the table EASY and even stated he could easily make it go further if the table wasn't in the way.
 
jlauffer said:
This is why I don't like the ceramic ball interface and prefer the lock on the 21. Since the ball is the only thing touching the blade tang, it basically creates a pivot point, so the blade can move until it hits the flat part of the lock face. The 21 doesn't have this, so it's a flat-on-flat interface with more surface area.

View attachment 1780501
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My Umnumzaan has the ceramic ball and has been fine for over 10 years, and it's been put through a lot of crap.
 
353 said:
Tried it, took A LOT of force to even make it move, did not have a chance of getting the edge to touch the table. Also did the same thing on my bathroom weight; 30kg of force to make it move and it really didn't move much. Off course the weight also registered the weighth of the other hand holding the handle down so maybe not the best "test". Also this was on a small 21.

The OP can make the edge hit the table EASY and even stated he could easily make it go further if the table wasn't in the way.
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As I said im making 5 to 9 kg of preassure there, not more.
 
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After reading all your comments i agree with the ones who say that this is not an issue because it really isnt. There is no work that ill be making with this knife that will apply that force there and i dont think anyone will.
I have to also agree with the ones that say that this is a flaw of a 400 usd knife (even more expensive here in Europe) because it is an "error" than most knives dont have even at much lower prices.
Ive started the thread for many reasons.
First of all because i bought the sebenza 31 a week ago and im still able to return it and pick a different knife.
Another reason is because ive been watching many videos and threads about 31 vs 21 and most of the people who gave their opinion said that the 21 was a better knife overall even in comparison with the 31 in s45vn. I know lot of you have or have had several sebenzas and some could share their opinions based on their experience with both de 21 and the 31.
And last reason because im pretty new to the knife world and would like what other owners thought about that type of locking.
 
I'm happy overall with my 31. Does it have this issue? No as far as I can tell in my use, and it's been fairly well used in the year or so I've had it (camping, some farm work, landscaping, home repairs, etc.). Furthermore, when I set it on a table like the OP mine does not seem to do that. In fact it seems rock solid. Am I going to test it any further than that, along with my normal use? Hell no. I see no need to. I do understand the issue though, and can certainly see why most prefer the 21 (not to mention preferring when Mr. Reeve the elder was in charge). Do I wish I had made a different decision when I purchased mine, and picked up a 21 instead, back when they were both available new at the same time? Obviously at this point yes, but I'm not loosing any sleep over it. Do I have any doubt that my 31 will serve me well for a lifetime? None whatsoever.
 
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sailfish said:
Guess I need to make any future 31 purchases direct from CRK since with dealer inventory I risk getting one that someone pressed the spine into the table on and returned.
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I think your speaking without knowledge here.
I have not returned the knife.
I havent said that im going to return it. Just said that i CAN return it.
After speaking with Chris Reeve directly they offered me to send the knife so it will go to them either from me or the retailer as the knife will be "defective".
 
I’ll put in my 3 cents 😁
I’ve had three 31’s a large and 2 smalls. I think there great knives and all mine had very little to no blade play like that but that’s just holding it on my hand and forcing it lightly in a direction it’s not suppose to have constant pressure on and definitely Not on a table . But I do understand the thread starters concerns and questions . Maybe his has more play then others? No disrespect intended but man that test is really putting a lot pressure to areas there is not suppose be. I imagine if you keep doing that your also going to get some nice Divots on the lock bar face and may cause issues in other areas. I truly Believe if this was a issue when the knife is used as it was designed CRK would of already did something about it. Also CRK has a outstanding warranty so I say just use it like it was designed to be used and if then you have problems send it back for warranty work.
 
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D Dadex

curious before your table testing..did ya hold it in your one hand and try to see if there was any blade play by applying upward and downward pressure with your other hand?
 
jbmonkey said:
D Dadex

curious before your table testing..did ya hold it in your one hand and try to see of there was any blade play by putting force with your other hand?
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I have not tried that because it would be risky. I did it on the table because it is a more stable surface. Ive tried holding it with one hand and pushing with the fat finger of that hand (what i consider a normal use for a knife) and it moves only a bit and it makes a "click".
 
Dadex said:
I have not tried that because it would be risky. I did it on the table because it is a more stable surface. Ive tried holding it with one hand and pushing with the fat finger of that hand (what i consider a normal use for a knife) and it moves only a bit and it makes a "click".
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sorry I changed that post after ya quoted it..to be a bit clearer...meant not putting force only downward...more so see if blade moves with some up and down movement pinching the blade spine neat the point and trying to move it up and down while holding the knife in the other hand.....

in other words...does knife have any up and down blade play..... besides that hard pressure on spine table testing........

thanks.
 
Dadex said:
I have not tried that because it would be risky. I did it on the table because it is a more stable surface. Ive tried holding it with one hand and pushing with the fat finger of that hand (what i consider a normal use for a knife) and it moves only a bit and it makes a "click".
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You are not the first reporting this. But some are sturdier than others it seems. I live in EU as well so I know the hazzle of returning.

But I would return it and get my money back. If you can make movement happen with only your thumb in the hand your holding the knife with, it's bad.
 
Never in my life have I seen a folder "tested" like that. I don't know if it's a good test or not, I've just never seen it.

I wonder if this is going to become a trend, the new way to "test" the quality of a knife, the "table press". Perhaps in a few years this will become as common as the "spine-whack test".

I imagine a lot of people are going to read this thread, and start pressing, or trying to press their blades against a table top to see what happens (if you haven't already ;)).

How long before it shows up in Youtube videos? If it hasn't already. Youtubers are always looking for new ways to review and test knives.
 
Dadex said:
I think your speaking without knowledge here.
I have not returned the knife.
I havent said that im going to return it. Just said that i CAN return it.
After speaking with Chris Reeve directly they offered me to send the knife so it will go to them either from me or the retailer as the knife will be "defective".
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Never said you did. But this dumb test has been pervasive enough that you know people have.
 
killgar said:
I imagine a lot of people are going to read this thread, and start pressing, or trying to press their blades against a table top to see what happens.
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I can tell you I'm not one of them. Hold the knife in one hand, pinch the blade with the other and try to give it some wiggle. If it locks up fine it's good to go. Pretty much every locking folder I own (31 included) passes this test with flying colors.
 
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