I just got a new 31 and all of the resistance seems to come from the ball dragging on the blade. If I push the lock bar far enough out to stop contact, the blade falls totally freely. Part of me was tempted to relieve some of the tension but that feels like asking for trouble. I understand that the crks aren’t meant to be flicky knives but making them a little smoother is all I’d wanna change.. smoother isn’t even the right word, because it is smooth.. I just want a little less tension. Otherwise, it’s my ideal edc and I can deal with it.. It does flick open easy enough but it took a little practice, muscle memory and callus.
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 personally would only do this for Inkosi and Umnumzaan, with the adjustable pivot. The washers on a Sebenza are very precise, and you will get side to side play. Just let it break in, lube it. Done. It won't get any more smooth, lockbar pressure it too high.
I have a Chinese that I find great and which suited my budget. Could you tell me if I could obtain genuine washers etc. to improve it, together with your recommended lubricants. I live in France
My sebenza 31 came yesterday and it was garbage out of the box. I think somehow it got dirt or something on the detent ball because I wiped off the ball and the tack where it rides on the blade the best I could without taking it apart and the grit went away and 24 hours later it’s smooth but it is very stiff. Thumb studs are thumb destroyers. My thumb now has a nice indent and is pulsating. Do I quit playing with it, No.
you better first clean the stone because there is metal from earlier use, also dont swirle the washers but do it like you write the number 8, its the CRK way to polish the washers. just sayin....nice vid though
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
the pivot was the best part they had going for them .so the took that out of the 25 .and put in a none replaceable glass ball detent and lock bar face .the 21 pivot is the feature i would want with the triad lock .
I do almost the same thing to all my Ti framelocks. Except rather then use a stone I do a mirror polish on both sides of the washers using a dremel with a polishing wheel on fairly slow speed. then I bring the inside of the actual scales or frame to as nice a polish I can using a buffing wheel. I did this to a strider sng dgg and it's now the smoothest opener I own. literally like glass. I love it. It's amazing what a little tlc can accomplish!
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
TH-camThrow 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.
I’m SO HAPPY my OCD doesn’t apply to my knives. It allows me to just carry a Buck 110 or 112. When I carry my Sebenza or my Norseman I don’t care if it is perfect. 😂 still a great video.
Hi, I'm wondering how does the build quality /tolerances of the CRK and the Norseman compare, I'm trying to decide which one to get,, All the best from England 🇬🇧
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.
So let me get this straight Chris Reeves makes this great perfect 500 dollar knife with the best tolerances around that I hear is very smooth to open and as soon as you get it you start working on it , sorry but I don't get that.
+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.
the washers are bone dry and full of grit wash them and regrease them and you stone cant be flat you didn't flattin it before you started i not so sure you know what you are talking about
Good Question. Nope, absolutely not. I took off just enough material to get everything lined up inside. Not the slightest bit of blade play. That is why it is better to do things in small increments rather than go crazy on the stone and taking too much material off.
This is what not to do to your knife,let it break in naturally,,,when the surfaces wear together,they are a perfect fit,,, especially with bronze on steel,,the bronze is a wear part that will over time thin out a miniscule amount and give you a smooth action....
This just isn't necessary. They are perfect just how they come. I don't see why you need to redo what Chris Reeves has already done, you admitted as much. Are you saying is wasn't perfect from the Chris Reeves factory? Then you...fixed his knife.
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.
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
So people buy these great knives and god forbid if they use them in a real world situation like cary them around in a dirty pocket in the wilds or on a farm it will always crud up the fine working insides of the knife. This knife that your working on has never even been outside of this guy's penthouse and he wants it to work better. And like the guy said I am sure that it was never "broken in". To "Break it in" you must be sitting in your chair talking on the phone and opening and closing it endlessly.
Thanks for taking the time to record this for us! Super helpful, and makes taking the Sebenza apart less intimidating for less-handy folks like me.
Thanks, Keelen! I appreciate you sticking with me all these years.
I just got a new 31 and all of the resistance seems to come from the ball dragging on the blade. If I push the lock bar far enough out to stop contact, the blade falls totally freely. Part of me was tempted to relieve some of the tension but that feels like asking for trouble. I understand that the crks aren’t meant to be flicky knives but making them a little smoother is all I’d wanna change.. smoother isn’t even the right word, because it is smooth.. I just want a little less tension. Otherwise, it’s my ideal edc and I can deal with it.. It does flick open easy enough but it took a little practice, muscle memory and callus.
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 personally would only do this for Inkosi and Umnumzaan, with the adjustable pivot. The washers on a Sebenza are very precise, and you will get side to side play. Just let it break in, lube it. Done. It won't get any more smooth, lockbar pressure it too high.
Where'd you get the large 20g syringe of CRK grease? I need that, tired of going through the small 5g tubes.
why dint you show the side play you created
I have a Chinese that I find great and which suited my budget. Could you tell me if I could obtain genuine washers etc. to improve it, together with your recommended lubricants. I live in France
My sebenza 31 came yesterday and it was garbage out of the box. I think somehow it got dirt or something on the detent ball because I wiped off the ball and the tack where it rides on the blade the best I could without taking it apart and the grit went away and 24 hours later it’s smooth but it is very stiff. Thumb studs are thumb destroyers. My thumb now has a nice indent and is pulsating. Do I quit playing with it, No.
Thanks Christian, Always enjoy seeing and using your work.
Thanks for the video. My large Sebenza 21 should be delivered tomorrow.
If it isn't smooth, I'll use your method.
I like the polishing idea, very good idea, great vid !
you better first clean the stone because there is metal from earlier use, also dont swirle the washers but do it like you write the number 8, its the CRK way to polish the washers.
just sayin....nice vid though
Definitely doing this to mine it's pretty stiff even for new takes a lot of force to open
Yes, you can polish any knife with bronze washers to make it smoother. Absolutely
Would this work on the 31 since it has the ceramic ball?
I really appreciate that you are still watching, Shaun!
Great video! What grit is your stone that you used for the washers?
I polished my washers on a Inkosi. I never got this action b4 or after. Sold the knife.
Should have polished a little more
Really easy, and I've always gotten awesome results.
Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you taking the time to watch.
What would happen if I replaced the washers on the wrong side?
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
Thank you for watching it!
With the lock bar held off the blade is there any slight side to side play now?
the pivot was the best part they had going for them .so the took that out of the 25 .and put in a none replaceable glass ball detent and lock bar face .the 21 pivot is the feature i would want with the triad lock .
After polishing the washers on a stone, PLEASE pay careful attention to CLEANING the washers to remove any possible bit of stone grit!
I do almost the same thing to all my Ti framelocks. Except rather then use a stone I do a mirror polish on both sides of the washers using a dremel with a polishing wheel on fairly slow speed. then I bring the inside of the actual scales or frame to as nice a polish I can using a buffing wheel. I did this to a strider sng dgg and it's now the smoothest opener I own. literally like glass. I love it. It's amazing what a little tlc can accomplish!
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.
Nice Job! Thanks for the video.
Please make a vid of the Sebe/Wallet combo when done. Great vid as usual thanks.
Will this work with any knife that has bronze washers?
Do you still do this?
Its great to see you post another video, Christian. Keep up the great work and thanks for this tutorial.
so do you do sharpening? cause i would love to send a couple of my blades there super dull.
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.
awesome video!
Do Sebenzas ever loosen up with use? I can't perform that treatment, yet mine is not easy to open. :(
Has it ever freed up anymore?
How about now? Any looser?
At this price it should come perfect.
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.
TH-camThrow 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.
You know what's strange? My Umnum and inkosi run smoother dry vs using grease or nano oil
Great video, thanks for making it!
That spyderco UF stone works amazing for this stuff... Why not use it!
I wish you could do both of mine
Excellent!
You should def make a video on the making of the wallet and/or sheath :)
nice vid..thanks
I’m SO HAPPY my OCD doesn’t apply to my knives. It allows me to just carry a Buck 110 or 112. When I carry my Sebenza or my Norseman I don’t care if it is perfect. 😂 still a great video.
Hi, I'm wondering how does the build quality /tolerances of the CRK and the Norseman compare, I'm trying to decide which one to get,,
All the best from England 🇬🇧
Do you really think that knife needed those few swirls on a stone? It didn’t! Why did you do it then?
you have to move like a figure 8 when u polish, only way to get it as even as possible
General734 yep that circular motion is super uneven
what do the number and letter on the butt of the scale mean? mine reads c 13 and has a v on the blade does this mean it is not fake?
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.
WIll do Glenn! Just as a clarification, the Sebenza is getting it's own sheath while the wallet is getting a pocket for an ALOX Classic :)
Just did my sage 2, holy sh$t it's smooth now!
It is on the to-do list :)
So let me get this straight Chris Reeves makes this great perfect 500 dollar knife with the best tolerances around that I hear is very smooth to open and as soon as you get it you start working on it , sorry but I don't get that.
+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.
Is Chris Reeve still making knives?
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.
sweet
So basically your just creating excessive wear why not just use it until it wears in naturally
Gosh seems like it's been so long since I've last had my Sebenza :(
I’ve got a brand new Zaan I’d like to send you for this.
the washers are bone dry and full of grit wash them and regrease them and you stone cant be flat you didn't flattin it before you started i not so sure you know what you are talking about
Good Question. Nope, absolutely not. I took off just enough material to get everything lined up inside. Not the slightest bit of blade play. That is why it is better to do things in small increments rather than go crazy on the stone and taking too much material off.
This is what not to do to your knife,let it break in naturally,,,when the surfaces wear together,they are a perfect fit,,, especially with bronze on steel,,the bronze is a wear part that will over time thin out a miniscule amount and give you a smooth action....
This just isn't necessary. They are perfect just how they come. I don't see why you need to redo what Chris Reeves has already done, you admitted as much. Are you saying is wasn't perfect from the Chris Reeves factory? Then you...fixed his knife.
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
Is it just me or if you pause at 618 the outline of the oil on the far right looks like Trump 😂
If Chris were to upgrade to ceramic bearings we wouldn't have this 'problem' on his knives. I guess the fit and finish isn't so perfect.
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
haha works like a charm ;)
☆☆☆☆☆☆
if it aint perfect after paying 400 dollars, i dont want it.
For the money it should come perfect, and should be able perform sex.
So people buy these great knives and god forbid if they use them in a real world situation like cary them around in a dirty pocket in the wilds or on a farm it will always crud up the fine working insides of the knife. This knife that your working on has never even been outside of this guy's penthouse and he wants it to work better. And like the guy said I am sure that it was never "broken in". To "Break it in" you must be sitting in your chair talking on the phone and opening and closing it endlessly.
A 500 dollar knife with a 25 cent Alan wrench.