Vallotton Classic Sebenza makeover *Automatic Content*

[Anarchy84]

My Sebbie is almost 10 years old, with over half of that as an auto. It's been a heavy user most of that time and the lockup is still perfect, I am not convinced a lock bar insert is necessary

~Chip

CRK already has the perfect lockbar insert in my eyes - the ceramic ball. Makes a perfect detent, too. When the ball falls into the groove in the blade tang on my Inkosi it creates the best feeling lockup on a knife I've ever seen.

A flipper would be a cool option, but I pray they never change the ceramic ball lock face. Hoping they put it on the next Sebenza.

 

[robgmn]

CRK already has the perfect lockbar insert in my eyes - the ceramic ball. Makes a perfect detent, too. When the ball falls into the groove in the blade tang on my Inkosi it creates the best feeling lockup on a knife I've ever seen.

A flipper would be a cool option, but I pray they never change the ceramic ball lock face. Hoping they put it on the next Sebenza.

Are you confusing blade lockup with the ability to keep the blade closed tightly (the ceramic ball and detent)?

 

[Anarchy84]

Are you confusing blade lockup with the ability to keep the blade closed tightly (the ceramic ball and detent)?

No. A stainless steel lockbar insert is meant to reduce wear on the lockface. The insert makes contact with the tang of the blade, saving the lockface from becoming worn over time. Even if the insert gets worn, it can be replaced by the end user.

The ceramic ball on the most recent CRK knives (except the Sebenza 21 and Mnandi) works the same way. It makes contact with the blade tang, saving the lock face from wear. Since the ceramic ball has a much higher Rockwell hardness than the tang of the blade, it provides a lifetime of solid lockup with no lockbar travel.

The ceramic ball works exceptionally well, especially on the small / large Inkosi. There's a groove in the blade tang that accepts the ball and makes for a wonderfully secure lockup. The ball doubles as a smooth detent as well when the knife is closed.

Here's a good explaination of the ceramic ball / lockbar inserts:

http://www.knifeart.com/lockbar.html

 

[robgmn]

No. A stainless steel lockbar insert is meant to reduce wear on the lockface. The insert makes contact with the tang of the blade, saving the lockface from becoming worn over time. Even if the insert gets worn, it can be replaced by the end user.

The ceramic ball on the most recent CRK knives (except the Sebenza 21 and Mnandi) works the same way. It makes contact with the blade tang, saving the lock face from wear. Since the ceramic ball has a much higher Rockwell hardness than the tang of the blade, it provides a lifetime of solid lockup with no lockbar travel.

The ceramic ball works exceptionally well, especially on the small / large Inkosi. There's a groove in the blade tang that accepts the ball and makes for a wonderfully secure lockup. The ball doubles as a smooth detent as well when the knife is closed.

Here's a good explaination of the ceramic ball / lockbar inserts:

http://www.knifeart.com/lockbar.html

I think I may be visualizing something different.
I was thinking the ceramic ball was used along with a detent in the side of the blade to keep it closed.
Are they adding a ball to the lockbar face where it meets the blade?


EDIT - OK, I found a pic that answers my question, which leads me to another question:
From an engineering perspective, wouldn't this make for a less secure lockup?
The "contact patch" between blade and lock face is reduced to almost zero, AND the contact point is essentially a ball bearing put there with the intent of keeping the surfaces from "sticking" together (or, does the blade detent allow the lock face and tank to mesh perfectly?).

 

[Anarchy84]

The blade tang has a groove cut into it. When the ball reaches that point in the tang it falls in. Once locked the ball is surrounded on all sides by metal - the blade tang and the titanium lock bar. You can see the groove here on the right hand side of the tang:

When the lock bar is disengaged the ball slides out of the groove, then it rolls along the blade until it reaches the detent hole. It works as both lockface and detent ball.

 

[WValtakis]

Decided to give it a spa treatment...Got some pics while it was apart

Fully disassembled

Button installed

Sear installed

Cover plate installed

Better angle on the sear

Spring installed

All back together, pardon the dark spot around the "dot"...I should have done a better job with the Windex.

~Chip

 

[Iron City]

^^^ A glimpse behind the curtain. Thanks for the the great shots.

 

[KELAMA]

Yup, she's certainly a keeper (the knife, and my wife who sweet talked Butch into a quick turnaround for my birthday). I haven't seen one for sale in years, so it's pretty much irreplaceable.
And it can't be beat for "ease of deployment"
~Chip

 

[bart1]

Jeeze was that tube ride long enough?!!!!!!