Sebenza issues...

KnifeCarsen10

KnifeCarsen10

Joined
Sep 12, 2018
Messages
167
So I have a small sebenza micarta, which is absolutely beautiful and smooth, but when the lock bar engages and when I disengage it while retracting the blade, I can feel like a gritty feeling, that isn’t present on any of my other framelocks. Any ideas as to what this is and how can I fix it? Thank you in advance!
 
Clean the lock interface, both the titanium end of the lock-bar and the back of the blade that contacts the lock-bar.
On that knife, the pocket clip can rub on the lock-bar giving a gritty feel. Put a piece of paper under the clip and see if thats the problem..
The clip could have to much tension pushing and rubbing on the lock-bar...
 
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Just tried the paper trick, didn’t seem to work, I’m wondering if the hardening if the lockbar has worn out? The knife was bought secondhand and I don’t know when it was made. It was just sent in for reblade and spa before I received it. Is this a possibility? Also, as soon as i received it I disassembled and relived it, and I think I pinched a washer. It’s smooth now, but could the time in between pinched washer and fixing it, could the blade have rubbed off the coating on the lock face?
 
Do you think the gritty feeling is coming from the lock surface itself or the detent ball? Have you tried a drop or two of fluorinated grease or mineral oil on the pivot and detent area?
 
Take it apart and put it back together again. You'd be surprised at just how tight and finicky a Sebenza can be. ...and it may just alleviate your problems.
pay attention to fully seating the rear spacer.
 
I think the issue is directly where the lockbar contacts the blade. I took it apart, and there was one spot on the lock face that was more silver looking than the other parts. Is this normal wear?
 
I think the issue is directly where the lockbar contacts the blade. I took it apart, and there was one spot on the lock face that was more silver looking than the other parts. Is this normal wear? Or maybe that “feeling” is normal in sebenzas and I need to just get used to it? It occurs when you are pushing blade in while releasing the lock, or while opening very slowly
 
The lock bar face is carburized. That's means the Titanium on the lock bar won't wear as it engages the steel. Once you disengage the lock bar, it does not touch the blade. At that point, the ceramic detent ball rides on the steel until it is fully open or closed.
When you are disengaging the lock bar, if you don't push the lock bar over very much, you'll feel the detent ball jump onto the blade. That's not an issue. If you push it over a tad bit more, you won't feel the detent ball when it starts to ride on the blade. You should see the detent track on the blade when it's apart. If there is any build up on the detent ball from dirt, dried juice, or anything else, it will feel gritty.
Clean the detent ball, as mentioned daub a bit of grease on it and see if feels better. The pinched washer is going to affect the feel of the knife.
 
I should clarify, when closing, it is in between completely open, and riding in detention ball when grittiness occurs. I can feel it jump onto the detent ball, and is smooth. I think I am beginning to overthink this, maybe it is normal for sebenzas?
 
I don't feel that with any of mine. Now, when it's dirty, I can feel not so much as a gritty feeling, but more like resistance, kinda like a jerking motion and not a smooth steady motion, if that makes any sense.
Also, if you did pinch a washer, you may be feeling the blade against the part of the washer that is not flat. If lubed correctly, the washer will seat on the slab preventing it from moving when the blade moves. That could explain why you're feeling it at a certain point.
 
So what does it feel like when you start pushing in the blade(when it is locked open) and then slowly release the lockbar... is it smooth? Would feels almost like rubbing ti on ti.
 
Alright, so the way I can explain it that is accurate is this...


Take a pm2 or para 3, and push on the blade as you would to close it, and while you are doing that release the compression lock. If you feel the gritty type of feeling, that is basically the same as I am experiencing on the sebenza.
 
KnifeCarsen10 said:
Alright, so the way I can explain it that is accurate is this...


Take a pm2 or para 3, and push on the blade as you would to close it, and while you are doing that release the compression lock. If you feel the gritty type of feeling, that is basically the same as I am experiencing on the sebenza.
Click to expand...

It’s fine.
 
This is most likely due to -
1. Dirt in your washers
2. A pinched washer
3. A dirty detent ball
4. A dirty detent track
These are the four things I have come across when cleaning other peoples Sebenzas that have caused a gritty feeling.

This is my experience.
Like others have said, do a full breakdown and a good cleaning...use acetone or alcohol, make sure you clean the washers and apply a light coat of the CRK grease. Re-assemble and pay attention that everything goes back together correctly.
Also, use a lint free cloth when cleaning, not paper towel or terricloths.

Hope this helps.

ETA: One time those 4 things werent the problem...but the owner had some how very slightly bent a screw...that caused a gritty feeling. Ordered a new set of hardware, and bam! gritty feeling gone. The Sebenza universe was in alignment again. ;)
 
You need to sell that thing fast , its damaged and faulty. Ill by it for $75:D

Does it rub on the top? (green arrow) or side? (red circle)
If its fresh from the spa, it will take some time for the newly silica blasted surface to rub smooth again...or you could do it with scotch-brite pad or rough pencil eraser to speed it up...
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I would say it is rubbing near where the arrow points, I will ask the original owner when he sent it in...
 
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