Here are a few tips for Sebenza users. Take 'em or leave 'em, it's up to you, but here's what works for me:
To disassemble: open blade 3/4 of the way, loosen all 3 screws slightly, remove pivot screw, use your thumb to remove spring tension while pushing pivot pin out with the wrench, slide blade and washers out. Disassemble handle further if desired. That's it, it's easy.
To assemble: After cleaning, oil the washers and pivot bushing only, but oil them really well. Insert pivot bushing into blade, put the washers in place on blade (the oil will make them stick), remove spring tension with your thumb, slide assembly into handle, insert pivot pin and replace screw, but do not tighten, just slightly snug. Snug up the other two screws and test function. If it's all good, tighten the back two screws and then the pivot screw. You're done.
Takes about 30 sec to disassemble, 1 min to reassemble. My oil of choice is Breakfree.
Blade scratches: Start out with the polished blade. IOW, order this option, even with a plain Seb. When it scratches, use 1500 grit paper to remove the scratches and then finish with Simichrome if desired. The end result will look better than when your blade was new.
Handle/clip scratches: Don't worry about 'em!
Blade accidentally coming open: Carry the knife in your front pocket, with blade fully against the side of pocket and your worries are over. I've never had one come open when carried this way.
Sharpening: Perform frequent light touchup. For any reprofiling or damage repair, send it to CRK. Unless you're pretty good, if you try anything other than touchup and light sharpening, you'll encounter trouble out near the tip. The edge is thin, but the spine is relatively beefy, even out near the tip. This makes for a real challenge when taking on a heavy sharpening project. I've learned this lesson the hard way.
Other tips: Don't flick 'em, don't loan them to friends, store them in the open position, don't lose 'em, USE 'EM, don't sell them (unless you're using the $$ for another Sebenza), BG 42 is still good (so is ATS 34, BTW), use a belt pouch for outdoor activities (hiking, mountain climbing, etc..).
The above recommendations are just my personal opinions and techniques. One more personal opinion that I firmly believe is that the Sebenza is the finest frame lock folder to be had in the world, at any price. To those who think they're too expensive, that's fine, buy something else that suits you better. To those who hold the same opinion that I do, try the above techniques and you're $300 or $400 will allow you to carry one of the world's finest folders for the rest of your life.
Pete
To disassemble: open blade 3/4 of the way, loosen all 3 screws slightly, remove pivot screw, use your thumb to remove spring tension while pushing pivot pin out with the wrench, slide blade and washers out. Disassemble handle further if desired. That's it, it's easy.
To assemble: After cleaning, oil the washers and pivot bushing only, but oil them really well. Insert pivot bushing into blade, put the washers in place on blade (the oil will make them stick), remove spring tension with your thumb, slide assembly into handle, insert pivot pin and replace screw, but do not tighten, just slightly snug. Snug up the other two screws and test function. If it's all good, tighten the back two screws and then the pivot screw. You're done.
Takes about 30 sec to disassemble, 1 min to reassemble. My oil of choice is Breakfree.
Blade scratches: Start out with the polished blade. IOW, order this option, even with a plain Seb. When it scratches, use 1500 grit paper to remove the scratches and then finish with Simichrome if desired. The end result will look better than when your blade was new.
Handle/clip scratches: Don't worry about 'em!
Blade accidentally coming open: Carry the knife in your front pocket, with blade fully against the side of pocket and your worries are over. I've never had one come open when carried this way.
Sharpening: Perform frequent light touchup. For any reprofiling or damage repair, send it to CRK. Unless you're pretty good, if you try anything other than touchup and light sharpening, you'll encounter trouble out near the tip. The edge is thin, but the spine is relatively beefy, even out near the tip. This makes for a real challenge when taking on a heavy sharpening project. I've learned this lesson the hard way.
Other tips: Don't flick 'em, don't loan them to friends, store them in the open position, don't lose 'em, USE 'EM, don't sell them (unless you're using the $$ for another Sebenza), BG 42 is still good (so is ATS 34, BTW), use a belt pouch for outdoor activities (hiking, mountain climbing, etc..).
The above recommendations are just my personal opinions and techniques. One more personal opinion that I firmly believe is that the Sebenza is the finest frame lock folder to be had in the world, at any price. To those who think they're too expensive, that's fine, buy something else that suits you better. To those who hold the same opinion that I do, try the above techniques and you're $300 or $400 will allow you to carry one of the world's finest folders for the rest of your life.
Pete
I'm obsessed with the value and workmanship of the Sebenza, but it is just a tool(a very good tool).