The Joy of Owning a Small Sebenza

Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Messages
555
I am not very good at mechanical things. I change lightbulbs. I'll paint...indoors. I've been known the clean the gutters on the lowest portion of the roof. But that's about it. I don't take things apart, because when I do they never go back together.

But a small Sebenza is a different story.

I've owned mine now for over a month. When I first received it I decided to take it apart, put in a new lanyard, and put it back together again. It took four tries, I used nearly an entire tube of Chris Reeve grease, but I did it.

Today a few more supplies arrived: an insert for the clip, a pocket slip, a new lanyard that I like much better, and another tube of grease.

When I disassemble the knife, I write down which side the screws go in, which sides of the blade the washers go on. And then I put the parts in cups. But I put the pivot in the middle cup, not the first, and there I learned a lesson.

This time it took only two major attempts to put the knife back together: but - one must remember that the blade and its pivot go in the first hole, not the middle hole. It works much better that way.

The first tube of Chris Reeve grease is now all gone, but I'm learning to make fewer mistakes, so I hope this new tube will last at least two more cleanings/greasings.

People talk about selling/trading their Chris Reeve knives. I cannot imagine ever willingly letting this one go, until I pass it on to a grandchild (should I have one). It fits my smallish hand perfectly, and I can take it apart and put it back together again. No need to mention the virtues: if you're reading this, you already are aware of them.








 
Last edited:
Yep, its a great knife. Only have one; a small Sebenza 21. Carry it the same way. Great pics by the way. Enjoy it for a long time.
 
Beautiful! That's a real gem of a knife you have there. The value of a CRK can only be fully appreciated when you use it. Good luck and great choice in a knife!
 
Andy, that lanyard looks perfect on that knife. Mine is in the leather pouch as I type this. I left the clip on because I do clip mine to my pocket occasionally.
 
Andy, that lanyard looks perfect on that knife. Mine is in the leather pouch as I type this. I left the clip on because I do clip mine to my pocket occasionally.

I have pathetically small hands. The small Sebenza is not exactly a small knife for me. And I found that the clip would dig into my palm when using the knife for nearly any cutting. Once I removed the clip, the knife just fit into my hand as if it were designed especially for me.

I may one day want to carry the with the clip - and it's a very easy process to put it back on. But for now, clipless and the pocket slip is a perfect setup for me. I also have several KSF belt pouches that this knife fits in perfectly, should I choose to carry it on my belt.
 
Last edited:
Your setup looks very nice. I agree about the small 21. It is the perfect form factor for me. Even though I am NOT collecting the micarta is on my wish list.
 
Small micarta 21 is likely my next CRK. I sometimes carry my small in the pocket slip, but leave the clip on for when I want it clipped. I also find the clip gives it just a tad more "bite" in the slip for retention though I don't think it'd ever come out on its own anyway while clipless.
 
Congratulations, the Small Micarta is my favorite. The Micarta makes a great knife, a super knife. It's a user, you know.
 
Congratulations, the Small Micarta is my favorite. The Micarta makes a great knife, a super knife. It's a user, you know.

The photos I took don't show the light scratches it's already accumulated. Also, a bit of WD40 tends to make the scratches disappear for a while. I spray some on a cloth and rub it into the titanium. The micarta has darkened through no effort on my part - just use.
 
This time it took only two major attempts to put the knife back together: but - one must remember that the blade and its pivot go in the first hole, not the middle hole. It works much better that way.

I actually laughed out loud at this... Not at you, with you.
 
Keep taking it apart and you'll be able to put it together in the dark! I love my small Sebenzas, I have 4 of them at the moment, don't have a micarta one yet but after looking at your set up I might remedy that.

Nice bead on that lanyard also, dresses up the knife nicely. I've got a few titanium beads from Peter Atwood, I really his stuff.
 
You're using too much lubrication! I've had a tube of CRK lube for several years now and probably won't use it up within my lifetime. Each time I lube the knife I probably waste more lube wiping the tip of the tube dry and I actually put on the knife. Think half a dozen 1/32" dots of lube per washer, no more.

Unless of course you like purchasing very expensive lubricants . . .
 
My one grows on me every day .



My problem is that the type of work I do often often dictates that a Multitool is much more useful to me during the day than just a single bladed knife .
Even though I carry both I find myself reaching for my Leatherman Surge more than the Seb .
Weekends are where the Seb rides alone and gets used .
Today I paired it up with a Skeletool CX .
But again the Multitool did most of the work .
I just tell myself its nearly the weekend:)



Ken



Ken
 
Looks great but yeah, you're using too much lube. You only need a little bit as the rest gets squeezed out and unless wiped away starts collecting pocket lint. Also, I'd say don't worry about the which side the screws go in. Sometimes they look better the other way :) I wish they still used the old screws...
 
Back
Top