Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy_5B6Udmnk
Chris Reeve Sebenza 31, 21 thumb studs - Public Service Announcement: From disappointment and pain to satisfaction and now I *may* be a customer for life (Read UPDATE BELOW)!
While looking for a solution to my thumb opening issues, here is what I found:
"harsh detent help?", "The detent/lock bar tension in the closed position is extremely stiff. I mean thumb hurting stiff." https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/new-sebenza-21-harsh-detent-help.1524882/
"Does the Sebenza Thumb Stud dig into your thumb?" : https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/does-the-sebenza-thumb-stud-dig-into-your-thumb.1384218/
"Sore thumb": https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sore-thumb.467708/
**UPDATE** Please read addt. update below. Just prior to uploading this episode: The pivot screw still keeps comes loose after dozens of openings. NO, the threads are not stripped. YES; I tightened it down just enough, I made sure to remove any oil from the threads, spent a *lot* of time reading forum posts on the subject and tried all of the solutions to no avail.
e.g., https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/pivot-loosening-by-itself.414314/
I really want to be a CRK fan, but I'm getting pretty frustrated. Curious if others are having similar Sebenza 31 experiences?!?
I'll likely reach out to CRK - Stay tuned. **UPDATE update: SOLVED** LOVE my Large Sebenza 31 now!
I switched the pivot screw with a different screw from the handle AND while attempting to break in the knife, like I do with all Benchmade's (see my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFKFRPk-PHo) , I was half opening/closing the blade with 2 hands. Left hand pulling opening the thumb stud then closing it while the right was holding handles. Neither hand touched any screws. After about 20+ half open/close, the screw comes loose. Opening the normal slow and steady one handed method of fully open then close (several hundred times at last count) has no issues with pivot screw loosening. Really curious about the screw dynamics why this happens. ANYONE?!?
Side note: Also found that opening with my thumb nail just over the first lowest ring at a 45 degree angle works great and helps break in the knife rather than my thumb for smooth opening.
Corrections on my misspeaking: "Hardened lock bar" - derp - meant to say "hardened heat treated stop pin"