The Regular Sebenza Sticky Lock phenomenon

Steel_Addiction

Steel_Addiction

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Jun 10, 2011
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Just got another Regular Sebenza in, a really nice sample, double lugs and swedge, really want to start using this one, but the first thing I noticed with it, as I do almost all of my other Regular Sebenzas, is the lockup is sticky when disengaging.

More so after some use, but it's not so bad right away, I tore it down and put some Nano-Oil in it, which made it super smooth, but still has a sticky lock.

The lockbar looks pristine, no galling or marks on it. I'm pretty sure it just came back from the CRK spa which they blasted the scales and added the studs and swedge, or something along the lines of that, since it is mint.

Does anyone else have this problem? Or do I just get the bad luck of the draw, I have owned about 6 Regular sebenzas and 5 of those including this one have had this same issue. The only one that was silky smooth like my P's and 21's was a serrated version, which I should have kept and just sent it in for a new blade, since it was smooth. :(

I made a video to demonstrate what I'm talking about. Sorry about the focus, I had to use an old camera which is all that I have to take video.

 
Most of my Regulars have sticky locks. My UG seems to have it less.

Has not bothered me much, I just use a slight bit of extra force when disengaging the lock, nothing extreme by anymeans.

The sticky lock on Regulars seems to be the norm, atleast in our cases.
 
All my CRK's have slight differences in lock up, unlocking, smoothness etc...your knife seems very normalto me
 
my large reg does, my small reg does not. I've cleaned mine up and was great right after, but it will get a tad sticky later. I figured it was just from the previous owner and definitely came to me *used*
 
My small regular UG is sticky as well it seems to come and go though. My other sebenzas are 21's and they don't stick at all.
 
Thanks for the input!

I'm thinking I have to chock this up to just a regular thing for the Regulars.

It's not a deal breaker for me though, I will just use it and see if it changes at all.
Just wanted to see if this was the norm.

P.S. The sharpie or graphite trick never seems to work with my Regulars.

I will call Heather on Tuesday and talk to her about it, see what her input is.
 
Steel_Addiction said:
P.S. The sharpie or graphite trick never seems to work with my Regulars.

I will call Heather on Tuesday and talk to her about it, see what her input is.
Click to expand...

Let us know what they say about it. And as for the sharpie I have never had any luck with it as well on any of my knives.
 
Well I might have just figured out my problem.

I tore it down again and was studying the way the tang hits the lockbar and I noticed the blade tang looked really rough on the edge. I could feel a little burr with my fingernail.

So being the daredevil that I am I took some scotch bright and just lightly scrapped the edge. It only took about 30 seconds and then I couldn't feel the burr anymore.

Washed it with soap and water and then put it back together and surprisingly enough it is no longer sticky. Nor does the lockup get deeper after stripping wires.

Crazy.

Im going to use it for a few weeks to see if it comes back or not before I call in.
 
I've actually experienced sticky locks on both my Sebbies if lube got on the blade to lock bar interface. I've found that keeping both surfaces clean and dry works great.
 
Yup, In my experience most regulars have a slight stick to the lockup. Lock bar usually seems a little stiffer than on the 21's also.
If you get excess oil on the lock bar it will make the stick even worse so watch out for that.
 
hondahirny said:
I've actually experienced sticky locks on both my Sebbies if lube got on the blade to lock bar interface. I've found that keeping both surfaces clean and dry works great.
Click to expand...

CRK recommends using their grease on the lock interface to reduce wear and stickiness. In fact CRK grease was designed to be used on titanium from what I was told by CRK.
 
kawr said:
CRK recommends using their grease on the lock interface to reduce wear and stickiness. In fact CRK grease was designed to be used on titanium from what I was told by CRK.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use any grease on the lock face at all. seems like it would make the lock just move further in and get stickier.

Just my .02
 
^^ I agree with that.

Any grease or crud on the lockbar makes it a little sticky.

Also,
A whole day of use including cutting up boxes to fit in the burning barrel and its still smooth!
 
wolf5391 said:
I wouldn't use any grease on the lock face at all. seems like it would make the lock just move further in and get stickier.

Just my .02
Click to expand...

I would normally agree with you if it was oil or other lubricants in general. I talked to CRK at length about this and they told me their CRK flourinated grease was designed to be used on the titanium lockbar face to reduce wear and make it last a lifetime. The grease does not affect lockup % from my own experience greasing the lockbars on all my CRKs. It does make it a tad harder to disengage but I dont even notice it anymore.
 
One would think it reasonable to manufacture folders without sticky locks. I don't like them either. I guess there is disagreement as to the cause...dissimilar metals, a radius on the blade tang, and so forth. BUT...with all of our great engineers, metallurgists, etc., should we still have to put up with it?
 
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