What's up with this sebenza?

[WuYen]

Just got a BHQ exclusive CF insert Sebenza. I've handled quite a few sebs and always new I'd get one but this one had some issues. The edge has a slightly uneven bevel, centering favors the lock side, and the action is anything but smooth. Also lockup is the farthest I've seen on a Sebenza, it's at around 80%. I think the lock tension is a bit much making the action rough. Another thing to mention is blade play, it's nothing major but it's not as tight as I've felt on others (side to side). I don't have to muscle it to feel the play either, and a huge pet peeve for me in a folder is blade play. I've had bad luck recently as a couple of new Striders that I got had lock issues (I fixed them though) but I can forgive the Striders- they're not know for perfection.

...I'm pretty good getting into knives for tuning so I figured I'd give the Sebenza a tear down and see if I could make it better. First I gave the blade facing side of the washers a slight polish with flitz and a cloth, this made the action smoother but not as good as I expect from a sebbie. I also tried adjusting the pivot for the blade to center but no matter what and how I put the knife back together it would land in the exact same spot, adjusting the pivot and body screws did nothing. I decided to polish the Ti facing side of the washers and during the polish I noticed a tiny piece of the washer (a burr maybe). After that the blade came closer to being centered (still slightly favoring the lock side) and the action was improved but still not where I wanted it to be. Seemed obvious that the detent was pushing on the blade too hard due to the tension of the lock bar. It was making a slight scraping sound during opening. I thought it might wear in with a couple of days of opening and closing but even deliberately opening and closing the blade watching tv (easily a couple of hundred times) didn't help it. I decided to adjust the tension of the lock bar. I slightly over extended the lock bar, and now the lockup is at around 60%, and the action is buttery. Unfortunately I was unable to get rid of the slight side play, and the centering still favors the lock side. I'm convinced the washers are out of spec. I'm thinking of requesting a set from CRK. What do you think? ...long winded post, I know

 

[josephrogers]

I have had this happen a few times when reassembling a sebbie after cleaning it. I found that the culprit is the bushing is not aligned properly on both sides, as in one side is out further than the other. Try getting it to where you cannot feel a difference between the surface of the washer and the bushing on both sides.

 

[WuYen]

I have had this happen a few times when reassembling a sebbie after cleaning it. I found that the culprit is the bushing is not aligned properly on both sides, as in one side is out further than the other. Try getting it to where you cannot feel a difference between the surface of the washer and the bushing on both sides.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm certain that's not the issue.

 

[bhyde]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm certain that's not the issue.

Did you contact BladeHQ to arrange to sent it back for refund/replacement rather than fixing a "new" knife?

That was your best option.

BTW- Sebs need cycling to be broke in..the washers need to wear in the mating surfaces to the blade. They don't generally come nib in this condition from my own experience.

 

[WuYen]

Did you contact BladeHQ to arrange to sent it back for refund/replacement rather than fixing a "new" knife?

That was your best option.

BTW- Sebs need cycling to be broke in..the washers need to wear in the mating surfaces to the blade. They don't generally come nib in this condition from my own experience.

Yes, definitely was the best option. But I figured it's such a simple knife that it had to be something easy to adjust. It isn't the first new knife I've had to fix... I got bit by the Strider bug recently haha. I've handled quite a few different sebs and have yet to see one that wasn't near perfection. This one was a let down, maybe I need to lower my expectations?

 

[bhyde]

Yes, definitely was the best option. But I figured it's such a simple knife that it had to be something easy to adjust. It isn't the first new knife I've had to fix... I got bit by the Strider bug recently haha. I've handled quite a few different sebs and have yet to see one that wasn't near perfection. This one was a let down, maybe I need to lower my expectations?

I hate it when that happens!

I have owned many Sebenzas throughout the years and have had no issues to speak of..Replaced a pocket clip 1 or 2x..A blade or two,..but that was more due to buying on a used market from someone who was a bit overzealous with their new sharpener.
If I ever do have a problem with a new knife, I am resolved to send it either to the distributor 1st if available or the manufacturer. Doesn't mean my expectations have to be lowered,..It just means that throughout this world, we as humans, can and do have faults.

 

[blade man]

Is this the same one you posted about on the USN? Send it in. If it isn't right, let CRK make it right. They won't send out washers.

You say the actions rough, it's not centered, late lock up, and there's play. That's not something I'd try to fix on a new knife. Not sure why you wouldn't let the maker fix this. Time to let the manufacturer step in.

 

[WuYen]

Is this the same one you posted about on the USN? Send it in. If it isn't right, let CRK make it right. They won't send out washers.

You say the actions rough, it's not centered, late lock up, and there's play. That's not something I'd try to fix on a new knife. Not sure why you wouldn't let the maker fix this. Time to let the manufacturer step in.

No doubt, I just really hate sending in a knife and having to wait weeks to get it back (I'm a stubborn fool I guess haha). The only thing off about it now is the centering, and from what I gather CRK doesn't consider centering an issue, I was able to get it squared away and am happy with the results. It is just very slightly off center. It's my current edc so when I feel like it needs some CRK TLC, I'll definitely send it it.