Sebenza needs an update

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For some reason I thought of this Ron Swanson quote after reading that. I like the knives I have with those other steels but I'm happy if CRK does S35VN right.

 

I just want solid washers. That is all I ask. Solid washers and no more of those perforated ones with the holes in them.

The new washers never really worked for me in smoothness and I owned several with those washers and sold them all.

The other bad thing is when someone sends in their old regular with a issue they replace the good old solid washers with the funny ones with the holes and don't return the old washers. They just throw them away. This also devaluates the old regulars.

I like things simple and not fancy washers with one huge one with holes. They never held the CRK grease in them long for me anyway as the CRK white grease dries up real fast.

I just want solid washers...PLEASE!!!

 

I now own four Regulars, the three shown below and the well-used one that I just got (second photo, better close-ups here). I will say this about them: the blades on each have some detectable side-to-side play both when open and closed, including the large NICA that recently returned from spa treatment. Why that is I can't say but my Classics, 21s, and Umnumzaans don't have detectable play like this. The two 25s I own do have a little bit as well. I can adjust it out of the 25s but the action is too tight when I do. My small Inkosi is spot-on with no play.

I don't think I've opened up the large NICA since it got back so I can't say for sure if they swapped the washers for Swiss cheese versions.

All four Regulars also have gummy lock stick to some degree, including the one just back from the spa. I don't get this on my other CRKs in any significant amount.

Honestly, I don't really care. It doesn't affect my enjoyment of them. However, in my experience the knives post-Regular are superior.

 

@photoman12001
I thought it was just my large regulars. Will be sending them for spa and hope they are able to fix them.

 

Your doing it wrong. And the grease dries on purpose.

 

Those flaws you quote are subjective or nonexistent.

My large micarta 21 has no lock stick. Does your 21 have lock stick?

I just checked all my other liner and/or frame lock knives (high end to inexpensive) and they all operate the same as the L21 in respect to how the detent/lock bar interacts with the blade. Maybe I am misunderstanding what your complaint is but I have some very modern folders that do the same thing.

I guess we have a different definition of the word "middle". To me, the whole appears to be at the rear of the knife, not in the middle of the handle. I personally like the way it looks and I am sure it serves some function especially on the lock bar side.

The 21 is an amazing knife as is. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Sounds like you don't want a 21. Maybe buy something that is more to your liking. I've never really understood the mentality of "I want X but I don't like it, if only they would do this or that to it then I would". There is so much variety in today's market you can find just about anything you want so long as you are willing to look.

 

So, I almost posted this question to folks yesterday, but held back because I didn't want it to come across inflammatory. But I really want to hear peoples' thoughts....

How would moving the pocket clip off of the 21's lockbar compromise its design or function? Admittedly, I'm a lot newer at this than most folks around here, but when I pull the clips, the slight decrease in lockbar pressure tends to improve the action. It's a small difference, but noticable nonetheless.

Obviously, having the clip rest on the lockbar isn't life's greatest misjustice (), but are there any positives to it?

 

Seeing as how CRKs are so thoroughly engineered and carefully produced, @4mer_FMF , I would have to assume that the pressure exerted on the lockbar by the pocket clip has been accounted for in their calculation of lockbar/detent "drag" on the blade when opening. I figure a brand new 21 opens just the way CRK wants, and if they moved the clip off the lockbar then they would increase the tension the latter provides to achieve their desired action.

I love my 21s, but find they are not free enough for my taste, so I have taken down the washer thickness about .015mm each and given them a high polish to make the knives more easily flickable. This counteracts the pressure on the blade and the tension at the bushing pivot just enough to get my knives to where I want them.

 

Well I don't have to worry about it anymore because I only have Regulars (with no gummy lock stick) and don't use the CRK grease for them.

Everybody has their prefrences. One reason I am attracted to CRK Sebenzas was the simple design. When you start to mess with that design, I tend to shy away. Kinda like all metal guns should go with leather holsters type of purist in me. I don't like plastic mixed with my 1911' or S&W revolvers. And I don't care for man made plastic holsters. But that does not mean I don't own several Glocks and Spydercos. And the little holes on the washers and the grease drying up and them not being as smooth just bothers me.

I just wish they would go back to do a run of their original design which made them successful. I think their sales would go through the roof if they brought back the original design for most of us.

 

Longstreet, wasn't really asking why, just a lament.

 

Who said or is acting like it's a perfect knife. There is no such thing, but the Sebenza is perfect for me.
Do you really want to share your views in the nana booboo adolescent way. Well, here's one back at you, the Sebenza's hole( which isn't in the middle of the handle) makes for stunning gem insets and some have personalized with their own gem, an Inkosi can't do that. There's no hole for one. The Sebenza doesn't come with Loctite, the Sebenza only has one break down tool. The Sebenza doesn't have a divot in the spine of the blade. You have the option of using the lanyard pin or lose the pin and tie a lanyard directly to the slabs with a Sebenza. Can't do that with an Inkosi...................and it could go on an on, but what's the point.
So, how many CRK's do you own?????

 

Very well spoken, my friend. Other manufacturers would love to have a "signature" which is not their company name and which most knife fans immediately address to a particular model and as you are saying, it provides nice opps for dressed versions of the Sebenza.

21, UG Blue Sapphier, Basket Weave, 12

21, UG Morning Sun, Raindrop, 10

21, UG Night Sky, Basket Weave, 07

21, UG Silver Contrast, Almandine, 05

 

Jeez, @James Longstreet , you filled the holes in your 21s. You're gonna make the kid's case for him.

Beautiful pics and beautiful knives as usual, man.

 

Count me in for a Medium 21. I would buy multiples.

 

Count me in as well for a medium 21 with the drop point blade.

 

Try using just as much Benchmade Blue Lube on your CRKs. Just put as much as is left over after applying a thin layer then wiping it off with a paper towel. My small 21 flies like this. There is still the Sebenza "hydraulic" action.

My Large inkosi i havent dissected yet but just from dropping abit of blue lube in the pivot it freedrops.

 

I think the sebenza 21 is perfection the way it is now I wouldn't even suggest moving the pocket clip of the lockbar it's symmetrical now and the sideways clip on the inkosi looks unrefined I do like the inkosi and I have a 25 and they are great knives in their on way I definitely like the thicker blade on them I also think that crk should make insingo Damascus blades on the wood inlay models and the plain jains that would be sweet

 

Perfect knives!

 

Certainly haven't minded seeing the new lineups and changes. There's always a certain amount of “older stuff was better” feeling with everything. I'd love some new kitchen knives more than anything else.

 

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With respect to the Pocket Clip on the 21. I have two 21's and found both of them tighter than I wanted them to be and this was partially caused by the pressure from the Pocket Clips. So I simply put pressure by pulling up in the clip from just the center of the clip which eventually slightly bent the clip, just so slightly. This was actually enough change to the overall pressure on the blade when its opened. Now I can easily finger flip open the knives; and the knives are still held securely in my pocket.

Just adjust the knife the way you like it. If you still don't like it I'll be happy to buy them for 50-cents on the dollar. Lol