Sloppy screw heads...

J

James Knight

Joined
Nov 30, 1998
Messages
61
Has anyone else noticed that the screw heads on some of the recent production Sebenza's have a sloppy fit to the allen wrench? :confused:

I can wiggle the allen wrench back and forth quite a bit. On the old ones the allen wrench fit the screw heads rather snug and felt more precise.

I have 2 large Sebenza's that were made this year and they both have sloppy screw heads.:barf:
 
I checked my 2002 small redwood inlay with a 2000 CGG and there seemed to be no difference. I'll check my large when I get it back from CRK.:confused:
 
Yup.

I bought a Stars and Stripes a few months ago (new), and planned on removing the clip, as I carry all my knives in a pocket holster. Once I started to remove the screws, I realized that with a couple more hard turns I'd probably strip them altogether. It's a problem I wish I didn't have on a knife this expensive, but I figured I'd let it go until I wanted to return the knife for a sharpening and overall "buffing up." I really don't want to send it in and be told it will be returned in a couple of weeks. geegee
 
Maybe Chris Reeve gave you guys a poor quality or the incorrect sized Allen wrench. Have you tried the same wrench on a good and a bad Sebenza? Try a different wrench. I’m pretty sure the correct size is 5/64. I really hope it isn’t the screws. :(
 
Any chance of the hex head screws being replaced with Torx screws?
 
It's your duty as human beings to let Chris Reeve Knives know that you are a collector, fimiliar with quality knives and tools. Let them know that you are NOT satisfied with the quality of the screws on your Sebenza. I imagine just a few calls would be enough to make them "weed out" any sloppy screws. I carry a sebenza every day, and I sell CRKs. I would expect MY customer to let me know that they were not satisfied. After all... we're talking about a distinguished cutler and his small crew, not like calling Gerber Knives... geez, I bet Gerber would send you some screws for free.

I have had a sloppy fit on my clip screw before... I just figured I would not be moving it anyway.
 
What a lot of glum faces :( !

I have to say that we are entirely perplexed by James' post. We have Sebenza screws made for us 5,000 at a time - that is more than 2 years' supply. For large Sebenzas - and that's where the apparent complaint is directed - we have been using screws from the same batch since November 2002. We have used the same supplier for Allen Wrenches for as long as we have been making Sebenzas. Ken spent some time this morning randomly picking up screws from the storage drawer and matching them with randomly selected wrenches. Every one of the dozens that he tried was a correct fit.

Each knife is assembled with close attention to fit and feel of all the parts. If one of our people in assembly came across a "sloppy screw", it would not make it into the knife.

I checked with Bridget for her feedback since she is the one in most constant communication with our customers. Her comment was that from time to time we have people ask for replacement screws because they have stripped the heads. We check Sebenzas over when they are returned to us for service - and we quite frequently find stripped screws (which we replace). This comes from over tightening the screw - the wrench is harder than the screw - if you over tighten, the shape of the hex becomes distorted. Firm finger tight is good - huge torque is not good!

I don't know if this is the cause of "sloppy screws". James - prior to your purchasing them, perhaps the knives were disassembled and then reassembled with a bit too much torque. I have no idea from whom you bought them, so please don't think I am pointing any fingers here - I am only trying to find a solution to the problem. Could it be that there is some lint in the bottom of the screws? Knowing your attention to your knives, I doubt it, but it's a thought.

We'd be happy to send you new screws - we would like to see the sloppy ones so that we know just what the complaint is. As I have said many times before, diagnostics over the internet is not very effective. Let us see your problem, then we can take action.

Anne
 
I've seen this on occasion but didn't think too much of it until this post. SO, I took my wood inlay out, the wrench as well and put the shorter end of the wrench into each of the screws, all had much play, if looking at a circle, about 15 to 25 degrees of swing of the handle.

BUT, when I took the LONG end of the wrench, might as well try that end since it's there, and low and behold, it was a good fit, no real play in the screw head. My guess, and it's a hazard of one, is that the wrenches are at some fault, and being on the short end where they are turned to a 90 degree angle, the stretch may take some of the actual dimension away from the very end?

My couple of cents, and if anyone overtightens a Sebenza, shame shame on you...;)

G2
 
I also wondered at first if it was more of a wrench problem than a screw problem, and so tried using my own. Same results.
We'd be happy to send you new screws - we would like to see the sloppy ones so that we know just what the complaint is. As I have said many times before, diagnostics over the internet is not very effective. Let us see your problem, then we can take action.
Click to expand...
The problem I'm experiencing won't allow me to remove the screws-I'll have to send the knife back. That's why the screws are still in there-I couldn't unloosen them more that a turn or two, so I just tightened them back to keep them in the clip and knife.

This wasn't a result of over-tightening, believe me. Every folder I own receives the same treatment once it's out of it's box: off comes the pocket clip! In the case of my new Stars & Stripes, I wasn't about to fool around and damage it, do I just left it as is.

I hate to say it...dare I? Alright...I'll send it back for repairs! I'll try to get it sent out tomorrow. Thanks, geegee
 
Good for you Gee Gee. Send it back. Can't fix a knife over the internet. CRK will make it right. And you can take that to the bank. The only way to fix it is to have Chris take a look at it. You will be satisfied.:eek: :cool: :D ;) :p
 
OK, OK, archieblue and Scott Dog. Your "tough love" won out. I sent my Stars and Stripes back to CRK today (deep sigh!). :( I placed a call to them and talked to Stephanie, and told her it was on the way...I guess it's all...for the...best.I'll be ok.... :( :( geegee
 
I've tried 4 different allen wrenches and they all fit the screw heads the same. Both of these large sebenzas were purchased brand new from a dealer and the screws have never been tightened more than snug.

I'm gonna see if Anne can ship me some replacements and I will return these so they can have a look at them.
 
After reading this post I thought to myself "Am I overtightening the clip screw?" I asked this because I noticed that the wrench does have a bit of play in the screw. The screw also has a noticeable "ripple" around the rim on the top of the head. I am of the opinion that is due to my bad habit of overtightening the clip screw. Don't ask me why I do it, I just do. I'm a bad boy.
 

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Oh yes, you have screwed your screw.
Mine looks just like yours. The reason I stripped mine is that it is hard to tighten down since the clip fits in the recess so snugly. I think I'm going to have to get another clip screw.


BTW my wrench doesnt fit my screws as tight as it should either.
My wrench fits just like Garys wrench does. Meaning the "short"end has too much play and the "long" end has very little play, And fits properly. could be the wrench.
 
Update:
The Brown truck just drove off...:D I inspected my Stars and Stripes and of course checked the screws. Everything was just as it should be, plus the edge received a little touch up (scary sharp!). Naturally, there was no charge for that or the screws being replaced.

Many thanks to Bridget and those fine folks back in Boise. :) geegee
 
geegee great news. CRK simply has the best customer service I have ever dealt with in the ten years I've been in the knife world.
Add that to the knives they produce and count them #1 right now.
Love the sebbies:D
 
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