Sebenza 31 Lock Rock?!

A lengthy discussion among the knife community on “Lock Rock” here: www.bladeforum...
Knives shown:
Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 31 Frame Lock Knife Titanium (3.625" Stonewash)
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21 Insingo Knife Carbon Fiber Inlay (2.94" SW)
CRKT Pilar Frame Lock Knife Stainless Steel (2.4" Satin) 5311
Kershaw Misdirect SpeedSafe Assisted Opening Knife Gray (2.9" BlackWash) 1365 Frame Lock

[@CarlosCruz-cu1km]

This is a non-issue for me. I see this on my large and small 31s, and don't see this causing any problem at all in my use of these tools.

[@garrisong]

I have a small inkosi, if I force it there is a tiny bit of flex but in real world everyday use scenarios this is zero issue. I have used knives since I was a kid and I have never been in any situation where I was putting pressure on the spine of a blade like that be it folder or fixed blade. Ima keep using my inkosi like it was meant to be used and not worry about it.

[@fefferofhossen]

without admitting to it they have fixed this issue

[@izulaAlec0369]

it’s just the way frame locks are designed due to there being a cut in the scale the blade needs a release to set the engagement over time

[@dcamnc1]

I have a large 31 and feel the slightest play doing this test. Honestly I would have never noticed it on my own, great knife.

[@JackGHobbies]

+1 I never noticed until someone left me a comment to check it out. side note - I did work through a break-in period with my 31 but it's all good now. Mahalo!

[@thatonegearguy]

I have a small with play all over. CRK didn't do shit to fix it

[@murrayannandale]

@@JackGHobbies so the vertical blade play worked out over time?

[@JackGHobbies]

@@murrayannandale I didn't really experience much on my Large 31. Unfortunately I had to send it back for other reasons I mention in my other video(s). The Small PJ 31 I have now has zero play or flex. Stay well! Mahalo

[@ericlinden472]

I love my 21s, but I can’t wait to get a 31.

[@jmas2190]

If the 31 is brand new it needs to set itself in the engagement over time. The sebenza 21 and 31 are insanely tough knives to appoint were peaple would never believe the amount of pressure to knife. I believe there is a video out of sebenza being hammered into a 2×4 and results are amazing...

[@izulaAlec0369]

Not being hammered but some guy nails a piece of 2x4 into another piece and prys it up with the 31

[@ZgNavigator]

21 all the way

[@wayned3137]

Just tried my large inkosi 2021 with s45vn blade, there’s some play. Tried my socom elite there’s some play as well. I guess frame locks knives all do it.

[@BuffaloNickel9]

My small Inkosi PJ had no play...

[@JohnnyRugged06]

I just got a Sebenza 31 and I haven't put it on a table and really tried to force it but just manipulating it in my hands there is none of the Lock Rock that I'm hearing about.

[@sound-flies]

In real life examples would you ever experience a scenario like putting preasure on it like that way

[@v10climber]

Technically no you wouldn’t. This concern was actually brought up to Tim Reeve and discussed in another KZbin video. That isn’t lock rock it’s user imposed and the lock bar is just relieving pressure slightly like a suspension system on a car. Or at least that’s the metaphor they used.

[@KnifeCursed]

My Sebenza 21 lockbar flexes a little bit if enough pressure is applied. I don’t think it has any bearing on normal use honestly.

[@Mrplacedcookie]

For a while CRK had a Grove in the lock face on the 25 if I remember correctly for the ball to sit in due to flex of the lockbar. Why they stopped idk.

[@grimflipz]

Good video.. As long as you are happy with your knife, that's what matters. I have a custom large 21 on the way... The 31 is back ordered for a while so I just went with the 21. Plus the 21 was the original Chris Reeve way I think. With that said, I think the 31 would handle any task you need it to.. And backed by the warranty why worry!? Enjoy your gorgeous knives and stay safe brother!!

[@nightstalker824]

Why would you do that to a knife in the first place? Just wondering. Try that test on a slip joint. Folders were never meant to have downward pressure on the blade....

[@w.harrison7277]

I bought two large sebenza 31s in the last three weeks and neither of them do this. They're rock solid. When would you apply force like that anyway? If it were force on the cutting edge causing movement then you have a complaint.

[@Cherokie89]

My inkosi doesn't do it, neither did my old 21. I just got a large 31 today and noticed this and I'd be lying if I said it didn't really bother me. It's the slight clicky feeling in the ceramic ball that is getting to me. I'm thinking about returning it.

[@thisiserich]

I personally don’t get why people want to pay so much for these knives. You can get a better knife all around for much less money. Most people I see that buy a CRK never even use it to even open a package. It’s just an accessory that lives in their pocket.

[@JackGHobbies]

Eric, I hope to answer your question in my upcoming videos. I just purchased a small Sebenza 31 PJ dual stud :-)

[@JohnnyRugged06]

I have a small 21 that I've managed not to lose for over a decade. I use it a lot. I use it mostly for cutting open boxes but I keep it in my pocket in case I run into a psycho dog or need to cut a seatbelt. It gets used.

[@robertdowell6966]

@@JohnnyRugged06 hey man how is it holding up how’s the edge retention

[@JohnnyRugged06]

@@robertdowell6966 Generally speaking it's held up beautifully. It's as good as the day that I bought it. Minor scuffs on the titanium from bumping into other things in my pocket but I don't mind that at all. If it did bother me, I'm pretty sure I can send it in to have it refinished (I think they sandblast it, but I'm not certain). I've heard some people say that their Chris Reeve knife isn't sharp when they first purchased it but mine was really sharp. It dulled over time of course but I think the retention is good. When I send it in to Chris Reeve I'll have it sharpened, oiled, and cleaned, but I don't want the titanium refinished. I like the worn look. Great knife.

[@ftlaud911]

All personal taste and budget. Why buy any good IPA vs cheap beer? Why a Ferrari vs a Honda? Why a Rolex vs a G Shock? There is brand recognition and also user experience. There are plenty of great knives that are significantly cheaper. Owning a grail (personal choice) of anything is part of the experience. Hope that helps explain it.

[@KnifeoholicDad]

Yep this is going to be an issue if you ever have to cut with the spine. 🙄

[@JackGHobbies]

Or the spine as a fire striker - hrmmm ;-)

[@rogue6069]

JackG Hobbies the Sebenza is rounded and wouldn’t work as a fire striker anyways...

[@oorcinus]

If it's no big deal, why use an integral lock at all. Slipjoint will work just as well.

[@fullfire0]

I got my 31 in the mail yesterday, and it only has lock rock when the pivot is fully tightened. If I back the pivot off slightly it goes away. Interesting. When the pivot is fully tightened it does require a bit of force to get lock rock. Not enough to bug me tbh

[@JackGHobbies]

Congratulations!

[@fullfire0]

You should get a Cheburkov small Strizh, they're amazing. People call them "Russian Sebenza's". I own one and it's perfect.

[@JackGHobbies]

@@fullfire0 Mahalo. I checked out Nick's review (least I could do for trolling him). Stay well.

[@75thteaster54]

Mine has it as well. And now it’s worse. Here’s the dam problem old man reeves has passed the reign to his sorry ass son that don’t know what he’s doing PERIOD!! The old ones was perfect then his son came in the pic and now there all to hell. But what do I know about knives and engineering!

[@2arrowknives]

Gotta let the locks settle in after that they don’t move from my experience

[@JackGHobbies]

Are you saying things get better after a break in period? Curious if your experience is with the 21 or 31 since they have a couple differences. Mahalo!

[@thestig007]

Good thing the lock bar is only there to keep the knife blade open.

[@byjynydjshsnny2430]

wrong

[@IDontLikeAltRock]

My 21s have the same amount (or more) of “lock rock” but my 31 requires less force.

[@LanningKann]

Tim Reeve explained that this is perfectly normal and doesn’t hurt the performance of the lockup because the ball stays in place better with the flex. It’s inherent to the design and has a purpose.

[@distantport]

stay with 21 people :)

[@robertdowell6966]

What’s the difference between the 21 and 31

[@JackGHobbies]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoe1YoqZp89sb5I

[@willc9235]

The original poster on blade forums posted a video of his 31 and it had very noticeable play up and down with very little force. Did you see that video?

[@JackGHobbies]

I saw a video on the forum, but the one that I saw is hard to tell how much force was used but it had more vertical blade movement. I couldn’t see lock flex. We need the myth busters to scientifically test a variety:-) At the moment I have other more concerning issues with mine than lock flex. Thanks for the comment. Stay well!

[@willc9235]

The lock wasn’t flexing. There was 1-2mm up and down with what looked to be very little force used. Now I am sure this may be a anomaly but it is a new model and if I was the OP I would want to see if anyone else had the problem. I don’t know if his video is still up or if he received any resolution to the problem cause I stopped reading because of the CRK white knights.

[@JackGHobbies]

@@willc9235 The discussion continues. Others are checking their models. Check out this last message: www.bladeforums.com/threads/sebenza-31-lock-rock.1718273/page-15#post-19668487 Take care. Mahalo

[@Torqd_Off]

You don't use a knife like that anyway... when you're using it the pressure would be on the cutting edge. Not the spine of the blade. I don't know what that has to do with anything. The lock's not made to lock it in that direction. I believe it to be just a hyped up issue and to me, I'll keep using mine without worry!!!

[@thrashingjustin]

Lol are you really saying a pilar has no movement? I have 5 and they all have movement. I think you just dont the understand that the 31s and inkosis have a ceramic ball that acts like an insert/detent. Im sure theres some play in the ball because if there isnt, the action would be nasty and rough. Shit let me buy your crks!

[@miked6367]

Ridiculous design choice for a lock. Tiny microscopic contact area of a ceramic ball against slippery steel, all on a frame lock which is already a lock design prone to slipping under impact or force. Absolute fail of a lock design. Flame all you want, im an engineer, facts are facts when it comes to design for structural integrity.

[@Mrplacedcookie]

21 is tried and true, 31 will allso be eventually

[@robertdowell6966]

Can you still get 21 new what’s all the difference

[@Mrplacedcookie]

@@robertdowell6966 ceramic ball as detent and it allso pushes against the lock face instead of the Ti on the lockbar as in the 21. Inkosi has the ball as well.

[@brians5415]

Not a fan of the ceramic ball. It's machined in. If that ever loses integrity your knife is junk. It also cuts into the interface on the blade. There was no need to add that to the lock bar of the 31.

[@JackGHobbies]

I suspect it was a design decision to address any concerns of the Ti wear over time against the blade tang.

[@brians5415]

@@JackGHobbies yup but it actually cuts into the blade steel and though the titanium does wear out over time the ceramic ball cuts into the blade right away. I barely use my Inkosi and its at 75% lock up and counting. Also adding a machined in piece that can pop out and render your knife useless isn't the best way they could have evolved the knife. That is the knifes major stress point. Machine pressing in a piece of ceramic will stop the titanium wear but just replaces that with blade steel wear and a new weaked lock bar.

[@anthonyb2990]

@@brians5415 ceramic is supposed to settle in and last forever like on the Zaan but tbh the Ti last so long if done right which they are by CRK. Even if something did happen like the ball fell out or the lockup got to 100% you can just send it in and have it fixed under warranty, although I've never seen either one of those

[@brians5415]

exactly, and I have seen some Inkosi's where this happened.

[@brians5415]

@@anthonyb2990 the thing is its a $400 knife and this was a questionable change, I love all of the other changes they were subtle. But this changes the whole lock face that was already tried and true. If this is just going to be pocket candy and it breaks, sure you can just send it in. It's not a knife I would take off into the woods or use to rely on for any means with that lock face. For me it went from 1st place to a novelty knife.

[@TheReligiousLeft]

Just tried with my large inkosi which also has a ceramic bearing. Has a touch of lock rock to it as well. It’s likely the bearing moving against the titanium I’m guessing. My Sebenza 21 has no rock to it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmqQmqhtqteba9k

[@JackGHobbies]

Hey AR-MD, Just saw your comment. No idea why KZbin keeps having issues with comments on my episodes. I think it's your URL. I'll leave it/Approved. Stay well. Mahalo

[@TheReligiousLeft]

raptor81000 agreed

[@zackinblack]

Overpriced knife. Why a production knife needs to cost this much is beyond me

[@tomsmyth5138]

“Loan me money” please stop e-begging it’s cringeworthy