Sticky lock and 90% lockup

Harry Callahan

Harry Callahan

Fresh outta warranty
Gold Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2002
Messages
1,753
Just got a large regular in a trade. It is a user so I sharpened it up and took it apart to apply the CRK grease and turn the screw heads around to the clip side. Also added a one of the new style lanyard bars. Anyhoo, I've got a huge problem that I can't seem to solve...

The lock sticks now. Not to the point of having to use a screwdriver to unlock it, but enough to where you know it ain't right. It "pops" free when you unlock it. Also, the lockbar travels roughly 90% across the tang. It wasn't like this when I got the knife in the mail (however the pivot screw WAS loose as a goose). Now I've had enough experience with Sebs to know about pinched washers upon re-assembly and other common mistakes. So I've checked for all that. This baffles me. The lockface has a little wear mark but appears to be smooth with no burrs, just a shiny area. I've had this thing apart numerous times and it's the same story every time I reassemble. Very frustrating. Turning the stop sleeve doesn't work either (at least it hasn't so far).

The only thing I haven't tried is the pencil lead trick, but I prefer to wait until I can find some pure graphite powder as pencil lead contains clay which is abrasive. So until I can get ahold of some graphite, anybody have other recommendations? :confused:
 
Make sure there is no lube on the blade tang where the lock engages or on the lock bar face.

Loosen all the handle screws and the pivot 1/4 turn. Open and close the blade a few times. Close the blade. (Very important that you don't tighten the screws with the blade locked open for this trick.) Retighten all the screws, starting with the pivot screw and then work your way out from the pivot.

If none of that worked for me I would do the pencil trick!
 
Harry Callahan said:
I prefer to wait until I can find some pure graphite powder as pencil lead contains clay which is abrasive. So until I can get ahold of some graphite, anybody have other recommendations? :confused:
Click to expand...

Ummm, with all due respect... that's ridiculous. It may be true, but imo this is one of the most foolish things I've ever read on these forums. Sorry man, don't take it personally, but come on. :) The minute amount of clay in pencil lead is sooo abrasive that you're afraid of doing harm to your knife? I sincerely hope you solve this 'problem' within your own comfort zone. (lol) Sorry, I just had to comment.
 
Harry Callahan said:
The lock sticks now. Not to the point of having to use a screwdriver to unlock it, but enough to where you know it ain't right. It "pops" free when you unlock it. Also, the lockbar travels roughly 90% across the tang. It wasn't like this when I got the knife in the mail (however the pivot screw WAS loose as a goose). Now I've had enough experience with Sebs to know about pinched washers upon re-assembly and other common mistakes. So I've checked for all that. This baffles me. The lockface has a little wear mark but appears to be smooth with no burrs, just a shiny area. I've had this thing apart numerous times and it's the same story every time I reassemble. Very frustrating. Turning the stop sleeve doesn't work either (at least it hasn't so far).
Click to expand...

Hmmm . . . puzzling indeed. I'd probably have more ideas on this one if the lockbar travel was less than 50%, but 90% . . . do you have enough faith in the history of the knife that you know that the blade hasn't been swapped?
 
I'm fairly certain there hasn't been a blade swap. The dude I got the knife from seems like a straight shooter. I'm gonna take this thing down again and follow Al's advice in reply #3. Having the lock face and tang totally dry is one thing I've not done yet.

I've been dealing with this since yesterday so I'm suffering from a horrible case of Sebenza thumb so if this doesn't work I'm shelving this project until my thumb heals. :(
 
Had it apart a few more times. Turned the stop pin tube. Got all the CRK grease off the lock face and blade tang, etc. Still 90% lockup and still very sticky lock. Getting a little better maybe but nowhere near like it should be. Everything but the lock is butter smooth.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the 90% lock up part so long as there is no blade play, as a lot CRK folders have lock up greater than 75% and stay that way with no visible wear for years.

I've never had my Sebenza get a sticky lock up. Something you did has to be causing it for you, since you said it wasn't like that when you got it. Very odd.
 
Biginboca said:
Make sure there is no lube on the blade tang where the lock engages or on the lock bar face.

Loosen all the handle screws and the pivot 1/4 turn. Open and close the blade a few times. Close the blade. (Very important that you don't tighten the screws with the blade locked open for this trick.) Retighten all the screws, starting with the pivot screw and then work your way out from the pivot.

If none of that worked for me I would do the pencil trick!
Click to expand...



What Boca said, but take it a step further and completely disassemble it and turn the stop pin sleeve a 1/4 turn. Then put it back together as Boca advised. My new Sebenza came with about 75% lock up, but I did the above and it locks at about 30% now.
 
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