Sebenza/Inkosi lockup interface - far future mod/repair

H

Honzis

Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Messages
48
I have one question. Now its non issue, but I would like to leave one CRK knife for passing down the family line. But I know that there will come the time when the blade will be just too worn out and will have to be replaced, but Im affraid that after long time. The titanium side of the framelock interface would be beyond saving. Do you think that after that, will some handy knifemaker be able to install new steel framelock interface like on the ZT knives etc? So the knife will be usable for even longer than intended originaly?

Im imagining it like this:

mod3.jpg


Thanks for your opinions.

H
 
An Inkosi would serve you better because there should be no appreciable wear on the lock interface. Throw a new blade in every decade (because of sharpening not because the tang wears out).
 
On steel interface- there are many clever people out there. It likely could be done, but then you will loose the CRK support.
As long as CRK is in business and has the parts they will fix the knife, if it is ever needed. Some things are under warranty some things cost. Likely the lockside would be warranty.
On hand me downs-they seem to be appreciated much more if it was the persons user then a safe queen. User comes with memories. Though I doubt anyone is to upset on receiving either.
 
Also I've never heard of a Sebenza lockbar wearing out (blade play developed). It's an exceptionally well designed knife and I really don't think there's any concern with either design.

However, the ceramic ball is 60% harder than the blade, it's not going to wear out. You could run new blades through it for decades and see no wear.
 
Decent job and thank you for sharing.

Id call it interesting but certainly not an improvement unless the blade was flopping around.

The only way I would ever do that to my own knife is if it was damaged beyond repair as well. However, unless they discontinue the 21 they can always replace the blade or lock side.
 
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I thought this was one reason CRK uses an outer sleeve on the stop pin? Installing a slightly larger diameter stop-pin sleeve will reduce lock bar travel.

Also, when fitting the blade, they grind the tang ramp of the blade down to match the lock-up, so a new blade, with less grinding, would also reduce travel.
 
Josh K said:
An Inkosi would serve you better because there should be no appreciable wear on the lock interface. Throw a new blade in every decade (because of sharpening not because the tang wears out).
Click to expand...

I don’t know how much wear will proceed but on my Inkosi it seems like the wear is almost opposite with the ceramic lockface slowly wearing a track into the tang of the knife rather than the tang wearing awah the lockface as we are used to seeing.

To answer the OP’s question, should that fateful day arrive have it sent into crk for service. Although the Sebenza has a carburizes lock face which should do alot to minimize wear to the lock.
 
Lapedog said:
I don’t know how much wear will proceed but on my Inkosi it seems like the wear is almost opposite with the ceramic lockface slowly wearing a track into the tang of the knife rather than the tang wearing awah the lockface as we are used to seeing.

To answer the OP’s question, should that fateful day arrive have it sent into crk for service. Although the Sebenza has a carburizes lock face which should do alot to minimize wear to the lock.
Click to expand...
The Inkosi ceramic ball depresses/burnishes the steel tang rather than wearing it away. As a result a groove with more dense steel is created. The theory is that as the ceramic ball works across the tang every next micrometer of push becomes more difficult because the steel becomes more dense.
 
Lapedog said:
I don’t know how much wear will proceed but on my Inkosi it seems like the wear is almost opposite with the ceramic lockface slowly wearing a track into the tang of the knife rather than the tang wearing awah the lockface as we are used to seeing.
Click to expand...

My limited understanding is what happens here is the initial wear track is made and then it's "fixed" at that point since it's created a stable geometry.

Imagine the case where it does "wear out" completely. On the 21 the lock bar wears so you'll have to fit an entirely new scale on that side of the knife, adjust it to the blade, and get everything balanced between the tang and stop pin sleeve. On the Umnumzaan / Inkosi they just drop a new blade in and you're good to go. I think this is better since the blade is inherently consumable (use and sharpening over time will use the blade) anyways. By transferring any wear (arguably there is none but let's say there is) on the lock interface to the blade puts all the consumables in one component.
 
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