Sebenza Quirks; Or Design Features?

Lenny

Lenny

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Oct 15, 1998
Messages
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These 2 things seem strange to me, but there might be reasons why they're there.

1. Why is the lock bar chamfered/scalloped on the opposite side of where your thumb activates it?
Seems to me it would make the space that your forefinger occupies more comfortable if it weren't chamfered.
IMG_5264.jpeg

2. Why was this part of the tang left out in the open? It seems unsightly.
Seems like a tiny reshaping of the handle slabs would be enough to cover it up and look more pleasing to the eye?
IMG_5267.jpeg
3. Why am I even concerned about these things?
OCD???

Thanks all
 
You literally asked the same question (#2) before …

Annoying Sebenza "Feature"

Why is this here? I see no purpose for this part of the blade tang to protrude from the scales. It certainly doesn't follow the Sebenza aesthetic of an otherwise elegant and organic shape. A very subtle reshaping or lengthening of that part of the handle slabs would completely hide this. Does...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

So yes, OCD or something else.
 
BTTLBRN said:
You literally asked the same question (#2) before …

Annoying Sebenza "Feature"

Why is this here? I see no purpose for this part of the blade tang to protrude from the scales. It certainly doesn't follow the Sebenza aesthetic of an otherwise elegant and organic shape. A very subtle reshaping or lengthening of that part of the handle slabs would completely hide this. Does...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

So yes, OCD or something else.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know.
Didn't get a real answer in that thread, though.
Thought I'd give it another shot!
 
Looks like both of those are biased to the knife being open/used. The cutout in the lockbar is for when you're cutting and the exposed steel when folded is needed to get the particular shape of the spine when open.
 
"The cutout in the lockbar is for when you're cutting"
Not following you here.
Like I said up top, the cutout makes it less comfortable when cutting.
 
Lenny said:
1. Why is the lock bar chamfered/scalloped on the opposite side of where your thumb activates it?
Click to expand...
At least in my hand, and with the caveat that I'm talking about the Inkosi, this chamfering is super comfortable. My finger naturally settles into the perfect position. YMMV.
Lenny said:
2. Why was this part of the tang left out in the open? It seems unsightly.
Click to expand...
Roll the blade open slowly and watch where your thumb is relative to the extra/reshaped handle you'd need to cover that bit of exposed tang. I don't think it would work nearly as nicely with more handle.

Emerson is another brand known for fantastic ergos, and many of their knives also have that protruding portion.
 
"Roll the blade open slowly and watch where your thumb is relative to the extra/reshaped handle you'd need to cover that bit of exposed tang. I don't think it would work nearly as nicely with more handle."
Yes, I see your point, thanks.
As somebody above mentioned, I do wish the back of the handle were straight instead of curved inward.
The old BG-42 Classic Sebenzas (think thats what they were called) had straight backs and were more comfortable in hand.
 
For #1, the 21 is less chamfered than the 31 and comparing those, I don’t feel much difference when cutting. However it feels a bit easier to open off handed with double lugs, so maybe that’s the reason.

For #2, I think the downsides of enlarging the scale to accommodate were stated well above. Would interfere with your thumb and add not value added weight although slight. For a design like the Sebenza iterated over 30 years, I’m inclined to trust CRK that if it didn’t hit the chopping block by now they’ve considered the pros and cons of the nub and the pros won. I don’t mind it and I have used it to open CRKs like a front flipper (incidentally it’s useful for ones that don’t have double lugs and the mnandi).
 
JAB JAB hit it on the head, it’s there for when people send one in to have dual lugs installed, it can be done without an extra charge. Those folks at CRK, what will they come up with next ?????
The original Sebenza does not have that feature, it’s just a straight lockbar with no means of adding dual lugs.
The little piece of blade/nub that pokes out beyond the slabs have been there since day one, all of my CRK’s have it. I guess it’s part of the original design that has weathered the design changes and CRK feels there’s no reason to change it.
 
I always thought of these items as design features rather than quirks. With all of the thought that goes into CRK knives I can't imagine they overlook any detail like these.
 
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