So far I'm not impressed...

[ToddM]

"break in" is a slippery term, more often than not it's used to simply shift the time/labor to properly finish and mate parts from the manufacturer to the customer. You see it claimed all the time in the firearms industry when a gun doesn't function properly the customer is told to put 500-1000 rounds through it before sending it in. Basically the manufacturer is hoping the out of tolerance or poorly finished part(s) wear enough in those 500-1000 rounds that the gun works like it should have out of the box. In those cases it's simply an excuse for poor quality control and not putting the tolerances/effort into final finishing and fitting of the parts. With CRK I highly doubt that's the case, it appears something certainly is amiss with the knife beyond just a little high tolerance surface polishing/mating. There's a big difference between "break in" where high tolerance parts mate with some initial use going from smooth to super smooth and something that isn't functioning as intended.

I have noticed that a lot of grease similar to CRK's, Tetra, TW-25b etc. work amazing when "fresh" but tend to "gum up" quickly over the course of a few weeks/months. I've gone away from those lubes unless it's on an item I'm doing maintenance on frequently. So I'd give the knife a full tear down, inspection, and relube and see how it feels, it's possible it's just too much/old lube or a tight pivot, or a washer binding. If it still doesn't work right, or you don't want to mess with it, between KSF and CRK they will get you something you will be satisfied with.

 

[kidcongo]

I have noticed that a lot of grease similar to CRK's, Tetra, TW-25b etc. work amazing when "fresh" but tend to "gum up" quickly over the course of a few weeks/months. I've gone away from those lubes unless it's on an item I'm doing maintenance on frequently. So I'd give the knife a full tear down, inspection, and relube and see how it feels, it's possible it's just too much/old lube or a tight pivot, or a washer binding. If it still doesn't work right, or you don't want to mess with it, between KSF and CRK they will get you something you will be satisfied with.

The CRK grease does not gum up, ever, in my experience. It's just not that kind of thing. Its more like a dry lube, with a clear carrier fluid that mainly disappears. If you get a grease in a CRK tube that goes gummy on you, the knife is likely a clone.

 

[ToddM]

It's possible I'm applying too much and once the carrier evaporates there's just too much "dry lube" left gumming up the works. All were purchased from CRK dealers so I doubt they are clones, but I suppose anything is possible.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

It's possible I'm applying too much and once the carrier evaporates there's just too much "dry lube" left gumming up the works. All were purchased from CRK dealers so I doubt they are clones, but I suppose anything is possible.

That's possible, you're just supposed to use a minuscule amount.

And if you got your knives from authorized dealers, you're fine there.

 

[tjweeks]

I just got my Sebenza 21 Insingo last week and am having the exact same problem. I have got a raw thumb from trying to open this knife. The only other thumbstud opening knife I ever saw with this problem was a $13 Sanmenru that I bought on a whim. It immediately became my experimental knife for anything I was scared to try on my good knives. This one is a little too expensive to be an experimental knife though.

 

[lemmuhj]

I just got my Sebenza 21 Insingo last week and am having the exact same problem. I have got a raw thumb from trying to open this knife. The only other thumbstud opening knife I ever saw with this problem was a $13 Sanmenru that I bought on a whim. It immediately became my experimental knife for anything I was scared to try on my good knives. This one is a little too expensive to be an experimental knife though.

Youre going to have to be patient with the learning curve on CRKs. A good tip is if your thumb is sore, wait about 4 days or so and then give it a go again. Youll be surprised at how your thumb wont hurt anymore.

 

[makariotes]

Youre going to have to be patient with the learning curve on CRKs. A good tip is if your thumb is sore, wait about 4 days or so and then give it a go again. Youll be surprised at how your thumb wont hurt anymore.

Man, that is so true! When I first got my Umnumzaan I thought there was something wrong with the knife, now I can just flip it open without any effort and without whacking the heck out of it.

I am actually very new to CRK knives (so I am compelled to throw in my two cents), probably only a few months, I always wanted one but could never afford one; my very first was a 25 carbon fiber sided from Knife Art, the thing is so pretty it is still in the box, is one of those that have a number engraved on the carbon fiber scale; I thought it was kind of hard to open, then I got a StarTac, and I actually separated the flesh of my thumb from my finger nail trying to open the darned thing; I had to wait for my thumb to heal to give it another shot.

In the last few weeks I got a few 21's here in the exchange, two of them used, a plain 21 and a 21 micarta Insingo; and another one in new condition which turned out to be my favorite since it is so easy to open, the ones that are used more are a tiny bit harder to open but I discover it was the way I was opening the blade, there is nothing wrong with either one of them.

I had the same frustrations the OP has, at least with the new ones; so I understand perfectly the reasoning behind his complaint, but I agree with most of what has been said above. I found, as someone has already mentioned, that using the tip of my fingernail (thumb nail) works best for me; and at the same time a side ways motion towards ten o'clock, as is also recommended by CRK, at least for the 21 and the 25. For the Umnumzaan, it actually comes with an instruction sheet that clearly explains to use a straight up motion. I know, it sounds confusing, but it is actually very simple. The reason I say all this is because they are a bit different than other knives, at least in my experience.

One thing that might help the Original Poster, is to read the "Sticky" in this subforum called " Unofficial Sebenza FAQ long version" or something like that; Anne Reeve goes into some detail as to how to open a Sebenza.

After the dust has settled down, CRK asks to give them the opportunity to fix whatever the problem is first; and I trust that they will fix it, if there is a problem with it, that is their guarantee, and it is solid as a rock; I have not used their customer service yet because I haven't needed it, but they have responded to all my email inquiries within 24 hours without exceptions. (I also agree the guys at KSF are awesome).

I am convinced that you will end up enjoying your new Sebenza 21 (sounds like you've got a killer one), and eventually you will end up with more than one, you have made a good investment for sure, so start saving for the next one Everything is going to be alright, you'll see.