How to Perfect a Sebenza 

Same boat. Had my 31 about a month. Opened/closed thousands of times, but still stiff. I agree; it’s the lock bar tension. Not sure best solution.

Did you ever find a solution to the stiffness just got a 31 amd love the knife but don't use it cause it's so stiff it's just not enjoyable

Ever find a solution? Having the same issue right now

unfortunately nah. I just kind of accepted that the CRK's are as they are. Still love em but currently I daily a microtech utx-70. Single edge Bronzed ;-) @@z28k1d

I tune most of my knives, because the action can usually be improved. I use lapping film and Japanese honing lube on a flat, hard surface. My CRK is going to go into my daily rotation as a hard use knife.

Should have polished a little more

General734 yep that circular motion is super uneven

No. It should have value that reflects the price. Value is (to an extent) subjective, but you will not get superior build quality and refinement from any other knife at a price equal or lower. Choosing words carefully here, there are companies and makers who will incorporate higher end steels or more exotic materials, but the fitment of individual parts, machining, grind, usability, universal ergonomics, heat treatment, and attention to detail are unmatched at this price point.

@@maksszmyd1913 this video demonstrates exactly the opposite of what you're saying. You're a cultist.

@@youtubethrowaway9324 Does it? It demonstrates the knife can run slightly smoother if the washers are more polished, and only that, I never mention smoothness because everyone likes it slightly different (to an extent of course). CRK knives cannot be perfect, because perfection is subjective, but in the dimensions in which knives can be objectively better or worse, they are unbeatable at the price point. This isn't being a cultist it's just coming to fairly straightforward conclusions. If you find anything at this price that is better in the dimensions I mentioned in my previous comment, then just prove me wrong dude :/

@@maksszmyd1913 no, he says that the washers are not the correct sizes. Stop twisting the facts. A knife priced this high and of such basic design and materials and that is lauded for its "perfect tolerances!!!" Should not require that its washers be ground to proper thickness by the customer . The video doesn't show "polishing" it shows grinding down the washers THEN polishing them up. Give me a break . And about that? Why don't they come polished already? Need to pay 200 more dollars or something? "Some people don't like that a knife is as smooth as possible " HAHAHAH yeah right, that explain the ball bearings craze that has stormed the knife industry, I guess ! I know some of you will NEVER stop sucking reeves penis and never accept any legitimate criticisms. His knives sell on mythology and reputation and are overpriced. Period.

RU-vidThrow Away Well, thanks for your time, but you haven’t really proved me wrong. Read my comment carefully. I’m saying that it isn’t perfect, I’m saying that for the price that it’s at you won’t find a better made knife. Also the way people like action is definitely subjective. Some individuals like a tighter action, either because they think it’s more secure, easier for them to operate, or they just got used to it. And what I said was tighter, not grittier. What you said is like thinking there is no way for men to be attracted to fat women because of the rising demand for women to be skinny. I do accept criticism, CRK knives are far from perfect. All I ever said is that FOR THE PRICE they don’t have competition in the dimensions I mentioned. If you want to argue, prove this statement wrong because you’re trying to cover a field that’s too wide. By the way a basic design isn’t a bad thing, these knives were meant to fit as many people and as many uses as possible, it is basic because that is its purpose and people buy It because it is so basic.

The lock bar would hit the washer

bigbubba5037 I actually meant if I replaced the washer on the correct side, but with the wrong side touching the blade. I've done some research and found that people seem to say you need to replace them with the correct side touching the blade or you'll have to break the surface in again.

+Silver Seto it won't mess anything up, it just won't be as smooth..but as far as needing new washers no you won't. In fact if you polish both sides of the washer it'll make it very smooth. Just don't use sandpaper unless it's very fine, I use 3600, 4000, 6000, 8000, 10000 and 12000 grits. Literally only 5 or so figure 8s on each

bigbubba5037 take a sharpie and put a dot on one side of each to note the difference

+Ronnie Boardman Chris Reeve knives are hand fit. What I showed in this video is part of what they do at the factory. The only part I didn't show that they also do is doing the same thing to the pivot bushing. Sometimes the knives they send out are a tiny bit stiff, and sometimes they aren't smooth as glass. Hence why some people do this. This was a knife someone sent me to work on and I did just that.

Thats incorrect. CRK purposely leave the washers just slightly oversized from the factory so that the knife will break in, and all the pivot components will mate properly. When you manufacture something (especially with moving parts) to tolerances as small as + or - 0.0005", then you have to allow the bearing surfaces some extra material to maintain the tolerances as the washers begin to work harden, and mate with the blade. This break in period is typically over within the first two weeks of owning the knife. After that, the knife will be silky smooth for the rest of its lifetime. It is not necessary to polish the washers, unless you don't want to wait for the break in period to occur naturally.

Has it ever freed up anymore?

How about now? Any looser?

I certainly *could* sharpen blades for people, and I have done it in the past. However, I would have to charge for it.

i have three knives that i am willing to pay to get sharpened. how much will it cost?

As much as I would like to do it for you, I don't think I am quite sure what I am confortable charging, and plus the fact that there are likely better people out there for the job (sharpening other people's blades). I know jdavis882 used to do a lot of sharpening for people. . . does an excellent job.

Buy unselfish a wicked edge and do it urself. The only way to sharpen knives.

the letters and numbers dictate the date of manufacture. The "v" on the blade I'm not sure of exactly. I know every sebenza I have owned has had it. But the 13 means made in 2013 and the C has something do do with what quarter of the year I believe.

otto man yea, he's one of the most well known knife maker in the world!

Benjamin Cates Chris himself isn't. He is no longer part of CRK.

J D What are you talking about? I work at a cutlery store and talked to Chris and Anne just last week about getting more Sebenza's in.

Yes that's what he saying. If you compare the 21 & 25 you will see that CRRK themselves fixed the stiffness and also made it so that you could adjust the pivot so you can dial in the action that you like. So I guess he right considering that CRK fixed the issue themselves

If Reeve would use ceramic washers, the blade would wear out. Result of that would cause bladeplay over time. I don´t know any manufacturer who uses cermanic washers.

+TheAnvil1971 ceramic bearings not washers. A few higher end knife companies use them. They are not round little bearings but shaped like little tubes and captured in a race. Virtually frictionless.

+Michael Demers I see, thanks for the information.

Chris Reeve doesn't use the bearings due to the fact that people all over the world use his folding knives ... Bearings can get dirt and gritty material stuck in between the bearings , therefore locking it up , which in turn will fail at the time you need it the most . His knife will work whether you're in a swamp , jungle or desert land . Knives with bearings are recommended for your every day tasks , but not really dirty tasks . I have had a bearing washer knife (Brous Mini Division) get gritty and had to open , clean it , then put grease or heavy oil inside to lubricate .

Bearings VS Washers has been debated endlessly on the internet. I have some washer knives that free swing with no play, it's just more common for bearings to be smooth. HOWEVER, this is not the issue with the Sebenza. If one holds the lock bar back the blade is totally smooth and free swinging. The friction comes from the lock bar detent on the stonewash blade. It will smooth out over a few weeks of use. The knife gets great after some use, much like how a paramilitary 2 smooths out over time. Both have great bushing systems for the pivots. The Sebenza has a strong lock and takes a little more time than the little compression lock. Your comment overlooks much and was made in angry haste. Finally, Hillbilly Knife Nut hit the nail on the head. Well said Hillbilly