Ugh, bad lockbar…

Mchad65

Mchad65

Joined
Mar 20, 2022
Messages
183
Sad to get my Christmas present to myself today only to find the lockbar is malfunctioning. I noticed as soon as I took it out of the box and opened it, it didn’t “snap” like my other CRK’s. Looking at it and thankfully I didn’t injure myself when I put a little pressure on the blade and it closed with finger pressure… Ugh. I know I could send it in, but honestly I think the reseller should do that. So I’ve requested a return/exchange.

Have a look:

 
This is a perfect opportunity for me to go on a long-simmering semi-rant. The Sebenza (and all other CRK folders) deserves a better lock.

I laughed to myself when I first read the oft-repeated claim that the Sebenza has a “bank vault lockup.” “Guess they’ve never used the Triad lock,” I think to myself every time I read it. Say what you will about Cold Steel, but if there’s a stronger lock on the market than the Triad, I’ll eat my hat. I recognize the improbability of any other company using a lock that they’d have to pay another company for the privilege of using, but surely CRK could design its own backlock to rival the Triad.

I can literally hear all you modernist, fidget-friendly-folder fiends screaming about the concept of a backlock, but I submit that it is the best knife lock!!! It’s the strongest (in general), ambidextrous by default, allows both scales to be pretty, and can still be operated one-handedly (assuming you’re careful about it). Also, let’s not forget that a frame lock isn’t fidget friendly either.

Alright, semi-rant over. Now pile the abuse on me.
 
No abuse, but why so rigid? Why not appreciate the knives for what they are, and what they are not?

I evaluate each knife I own on its own...not like it should have been a Demko, or Reeve, or some other iteration of folding knife. That said, I really like the Shark lock, but haven't been concerned that it's not on my other pieces.

But if it makes you feel better to wish it were something it isn't, rant away. I'm okay with it.
 
Dang... Alright, yeah you definitely got a bad one. It happens with every manufacturer, production and custom alike. Sorry it had to happen to you on your christmas present 😓. The dealer should send that back for you, or you can send it to CRK yourself. I've never seen a CRK do anything like that.
 
LimpCroissant said:
Dang... Alright, yeah you definitely got a bad one. It happens with every manufacturer, production and custom alike. Sorry it had to happen to you on your christmas present 😓. The dealer should send that back for you, or you can send it to CRK yourself. I've never seen a CRK do anything like that.
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Agree. Surprised to see that in a new CRK!
 
Blues said:
No abuse, but why so rigid? Why not appreciate the knives for what they are, and what they are not?

I evaluate each knife I own on its own...not like it should have been a Demko, or Reeve, or some other iteration of folding knife. That said, I really like the Shark lock, but haven't been concerned that it's not on my other pieces.

But if it makes you feel better to wish it were something it isn't, rant away. I'm okay with it.
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I’m not actually that rigid. I just love the Sebenza — it’s aesthetic, the philosophy behind it, the materials — and I want it to be *even* better. Of course, I also realize that putting a back lock on a Sebenza might require changes to the shape of the handle, which might then require changes to the blade to balance out, thus changing the knife enough that it would hardly be a Sebenza anymore, so I’m only half-serious about all of this.

Now an integral Sebenza on the other hand …
 
MissesMeow said:
The Sebenza (and all other CRK folders) deserves a better lock.
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I won't debate you on this; I suppose it's a reasonable opinion to have, if you feel you need a stronger lock than a frame lock on a folding knife.

I do not use folders for fixed blade work, and gravitate to fixed blades anyway whenever possible.

As someone who also uses slip joint knives on occasion and within their limitations, I have never felt the locks on my Sebenzas to be lacking - I cannot think of anything I would do with them that would make the lock fail.
 
Every company that builds things manages a turd on occasion. CRK has faaaar less than most, IMHO.

I like CRK because they actually deliver on their warranties, and most authorized reseller (like Knife Art) do the same.

A true bummer on yours not being up to par, but as you and others have said, CRK makes it right for people - it's part of the premium you are paying when you buy one.
 
TC said:
I won't debate you on this; I suppose it's a reasonable opinion to have, if you feel you need a stronger lock than a frame lock on a folding knife.

I do not use folders for fixed blade work, and gravitate to fixed blades anyway whenever possible.

As someone who also uses slip joint knives on occasion and within their limitations, I have never felt the locks on my Sebenzas to be lacking - I cannot think of anything I would do with them that would make the lock fail.
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Again, I’m only half serious about all this. Frame locks are fine. I obviously don’t have too much of a problem with them, otherwise I wouldn’t own a large and small Sebenza and will likely sell all my other folders — including ones with back locks — now that I have them. Basically, I just dream of an integral Sebenza with a back lock or Shark lock. I’d probably sell my current Sebenzas to buy that bad boy.

And I hear you on fixed blades. I’m a fixed blade guy. I have a bunch of small ones I use for EDC purposes. In fact, I bought myself a CRK backpacker for Christmas! So I definitely don’t *need* a Sebenza with a stronger lock, I just want one! And if knives were only about needs instead of wants, this whole hobby would look very different! Let’s hear it for superfluous wants! [Crowd goes wild!]
 
I'm sorry the OP got one that slipped thought QC. I own a handful of knives from CRK and I've have never had a bad one, but I'm sure it happens from time to time for all manufacturers.

I agree that returning it to the dealer you purchased it from for an exchange is probably the best/fastest remedy and I hope the replacement you get lives up to the CRK high standards.

To address some other posts ... I probably would chose a backlock as my favorite type of lock for several reasons. I like and appreciate frame locks, Axis type locks, Triad lock, or any other type of lock for what they offer on a given knife, but I can't say I'd want to change the lock or much of anything else on my CRKs. I guess and if I feel the lock on any knife isn't strong enough I'm reaching for a fixed blade anyway ... that's why I EDC at least one fixed blade along with whatever folder/s I may have on me. But then again I've never felt a slip joint was anymore dangerous than a lock blade if common sense is used.

Of course all this means nothing when the zombies come ...
 
Sergeua said:
They cut a corner of the lock face to make a detent ramp, this and other lack of attention makes the lock slip out at the very end. None of my other cheap frame or liner lock folders have this unsafe unlocking feature.
You can push that lock in OP, but with hard enough pressure it will move the bar to the edge and close with a snap.
I benched my sebenza.

This is the type of stuff nobody wants to hear about in this forum. I'm like a 3M scientist bringing up the chemicals in water supply.
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JJ_Colt45 said:
I'm sorry the OP got one that slipped thought QC. I own a handful of knives from CRK and I've have never had a bad one, but I'm sure it happens from time to time for all manufacturers.

I agree that returning it to the dealer you purchased it from for an exchange is probably the best/fastest remedy and I hope the replacement you get lives up to the CRK high standards.

To address some other posts ... I probably would chose a backlock as my favorite type of lock for several reasons. I like and appreciate frame locks, Axis type locks, Triad lock, or any other type of lock for what they offer on a given knife, but I can't say I'd want to change the lock or much of anything else on my CRKs. I guess and if I feel the lock on any knife isn't strong enough I'm reaching for a fixed blade anyway ... that's why I EDC at least one fixed blade along with whatever folder/s I may have on me. But then again I've never felt a slip joint was anymore dangerous than a lock blade if common sense is used.

Of course all this means nothing when the zombies come ...
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I get it. I’m not pissed, well, not very. I understand stuff happens and sometimes stuff slips through QA. Who knows. I’m 100% certain CRK would have made the repair, but as said, the dealer should handle the legwork and replace it. Which is exactly what Knifeart is doing. Unfortunately the timing stinks, with Christmas and new years upon us and 8 billion packages getting sent. So I’m not dropping it off to USPS until Thursday with my fingers crossed…
 
Quick update: I ended up sending it on Tuesday. KnifeArt got it yesterday. Larry (one of the owners) called me and said he has never seen this before, and for sure mine is defective. I agreed as I have and have had many CRK’s. He asked me what I wanted, a refund or a replacement. “I want the knife” I said. A replacement was shipped about an hour later. Should be here New Years Eve.
 
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