Sticky Lockup

mikejr

mikejr

Joined
Jun 16, 2015
Messages
43
Hey guys - another question about my new large 21.

The lock has developed some significant stick - to the point there's an audible 'pop' when breaking it free. I'm unable to break it loose with my thumb and instead need to reposition and use my index finger (or use two hands).

Being that the knife was bought new 3 days ago - is this something that will wear in? I don't mind giving it some time, but the problem seems to be getting worse. The Sharpie trick did help...

Edit: I should add that it's not unbearable, just a little too stiff to be conveniently able to operate one-handed.
 
I've noticed with sebenzas that if the lockbar lock face or the blade tang get dirty/greasy/oily, the lock will start to stick a little bit.

Try cleaning off the portion of the blade tang that interfaces with the lock bar as well as the lock bar lock face (I usually fold a piece of paper a few times and run it between the frame and lock face and on the blade tang when the knife is closed).

New crks might displace a bit of excess grease within the first few days.
 
I tried cleaning it w/ rubbing alcohol, pencil lead, paper... only the Sharpie worked and just for a few cycles.
 
Well, the CRK page states this: "Also put some oil on the tang where the lock bar normally engages." in their "how to" clean you're sebenza.
 
353 is correct. Unlike some manufacturers, CRK advises that the tang of the blade be lightly oiled when cleaned, so as to allow smooth disengagement. If I completely clean the tang of my Large 21 Tanto with isopropyl alcohol, it will have a similar disengagement to what you have described, OP. With a dab of CRK grease or oil, it is perfectly smooth. You can fold a napkin or paper towel to a thin, stiff corner and add a little grease to the tang without disassembling the knife, if you prefer. Nano-oil with the needle applicator works well, also.

Let us know what the results are.
 
I tried a drop of grease on the tang, seems to have just made it more inconsistent...
 
mikejr said:
Hey guys - another question about my new large 21.

The lock has developed some significant stick - to the point there's an audible 'pop' when breaking it free. I'm unable to break it loose with my thumb and instead need to reposition and use my index finger (or use two hands).

Being that the knife was bought new 3 days ago - is this something that will wear in? I don't mind giving it some time, but the problem seems to be getting worse. The Sharpie trick did help...

Edit: I should add that it's not unbearable, just a little too stiff to be conveniently able to operate one-handed.
Click to expand...

This sounds very serious. If this problem developed after only 3 days that you had this knife, I would say it would be better to get an exchange or send it in to CRK for a fix.

I think once a knife develops a sticky lock-up and does not disappear after you have completely cleaned and re-assembled it properly, then nothing short of sending it in to CRK would fix the problem.
 
ice_man said:
This sounds very serious. If this problem developed after only 3 days that you had this knife, I would say it would be better to get an exchange or send it in to CRK for a fix.

I think once a knife develops a sticky lock-up and does not disappear after you have completely cleaned and re-assembled it properly, then nothing short of sending it in to CRK would fix the problem.
Click to expand...

A trip to CRK would be the best fix at this point, especially considering that the knife is new.
 
If you can't even break it loose with your thumb there is a problem.
Send it in, and they will make it right.
 
At least give them a call and maybe they can suggest something, but I think it will be to send it in.
 
353 said:
Well, the CRK page states this: "Also put some oil on the tang where the lock bar normally engages." in their "how to" clean you're sebenza.
Click to expand...

That is so bizarre, it has always had the opposite effects on my CRKs. When the tang or lock face are oily, dirty or greasy, the lock sticks (ever so slightly). When it's all clean, there is absolutely no friction of stick. At all.
 
Sounds like the lock bar has too much tension causing the sticking. Usually, the lock face of the blade and bar are matched to wear together over time. If the bar moves over too much during that wear period, it digs into the blade lock face.
If that's the case, sending it in for adjustment is the safest bet. They can examine the lock face of the blade for unnecessary wear.
 
MIKE969 said:
That is so bizarre, it has always had the opposite effects on my CRKs. When the tang or lock face are oily, dirty or greasy, the lock sticks (ever so slightly). When it's all clean, there is absolutely no friction of stick. At all.
Click to expand...

I am with you MIKE69. I do have the same outcome. It is when the tang/lock face is extremely dirty with gunk or excess oils, etc that my 21L sticks. I have tried following crk manual and putting oil at the tang did not fare well. So what I did was use WD40 and spray all around the lock bar/tang area, and use soft tissue and a hair dryer to dry off the excess WD40. And its back to normal. It may differ from the manual, but it works by eliminating any stickiness though..
 
jumpstat said:
I am with you MIKE69. I do have the same outcome. It is when the tang/lock face is extremely dirty with gunk or excess oils, etc that my 21L sticks. I have tried following crk manual and putting oil at the tang did not fare well. So what I did was use WD40 and spray all around the lock bar/tang area, and use soft tissue and a hair dryer to dry off the excess WD40. And its back to normal. It may differ from the manual, but it works by eliminating any stickiness though..
Click to expand...

That's an interesting experience. Both of my Large 21s (Tanto and Damascus) have smoothest disengagement of the lock with a touch of oil on the tang. I'll keep your experience in mind if I run into an example where that method does not work.
 
I'm just going to hang on to it for the time being, I didn't buy a brand new knife just to send it off for a couple weeks....
 
How tight is the pocket clip? A tight clip can add tension to the lock bar.
 
mikejr said:
I'm just going to hang on to it for the time being, I didn't buy a brand new knife just to send it off for a couple weeks....
Click to expand...

I can understand your hesitation to part with your new knife.

How many times have you cycled it open/closed? This could be something that wears in, possibly, so it may be worth cycling it while in front of the television to see if it smooths out at all.
 
You should ask CRK not here. Send them an e-mail.

Those instructions are out of date since CRK now uses grease not oil. I have used CRK grease on my sebenza tang/lock interface w/o any problem. It's also helped out other frame locks that had stickiness or wiggle. Lubricants should not be used on some tangs because the liner or frame lock and tang geometry is not suited for it, but this is not the case with a CRK.

WD40 is not really a lubricant, but a cleaner. Sometimes a lock can stick because of sticky gunk; such as apple and grapefruit juice and WD40 would clean it off...with the grease. I just wash my sebenza in soapy water. About every 2 years I do a take down, clean and lube. Never had a problem.
 
I sent them an email, the reply appeared to be a form response regarding pivot break in...

I tried loosening the screws and putting pressure on the lock side scale, this brought the lockup down to 50% and the stickiness is much diminished. This seems to have resolved the issue.
 
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