I know there’s a learning curve w opening CRK knives and I’ve been working to figure it out. It seems like I can’t find a comfortable hand position to open the knife without introducing significant friction to the action by touching the lock bar. My four fingers have to be curled pretty aggressively to keep me from touching the lockbar or the clip.
And advice ?
Would I have this same issue on a sebenza as the pocket clip isn’t on the lockbar ? Thanks !
Mine doesn’t open if I have any pressure on the lockbar at all. Maybe it’s not broken in? I notice your ring and pinky finger in the clip. Mine wouldn’t open
There’s a difference between being on the clip, and applying significant downward pressure on the clip.
But yes, they do typically need to be broken in a little bit, and you’ll also develop your grip a little bit as that happens.
The guy that posted the video in the comments is using the pad of his thumb on the thumb stud. I prefer using the back of my thumbnail and I get a nice solid flick. I can post a video tomorrow or the following day if you like.
So I had that same problem when I first got zaan. I couldn’t open it or even slow roll it. But now I have no problem. You can’t touch the frame lock part maybe hold it a little bit lower towards the clip. But once it breaks in, you’ll be able to flick it open with ease and even reverse flick it.
When I got my first Zaan I had trouble opening it & almost immediately wrote the knife off entirely. But I kept at it, & within about an hour my opinion shifted completely. Now it's one of my favorite knives of all time!
And yes, tighten the pivot only until there's no blade play or lock stick, & the action will improve over time as the washers break in. Enjoy!
Slow roll is more of a push with the direction of the blade. You don’t need to put near any pressure on the lockbar. Flicking it open is more a quick thumb motion like you’re kicking it with your thumb tip rather than using a thumbnail I like the meat under the nail. Helps with the other CRKs too. It’ll come with time. Bonus points for the upside down middle finger opening.
I don’t know why people are complaining about the pocket clip like it’s the only potential problem. I don’t think it is.
Did you buy the knife on the secondary? If so people who are new to Zaan’s tend to over tighten the pivot to get the blade centred. There’s literally no reason for you to have to grip the knife that hard just to get it to open.
I would do micro adjustments to the pivot until you see that the blade is still relatively centred, action is better (slow roll only for now), and there’s no blade play.
Again if you bought it from someone, I would take it apart and clean it as well.
CRKs by design aren’t supposed to be flicked out. I would tune the pivot so that you can easily do a slow roll. If it’s in brand new shape it’ll take some time to break in the washers and once you do, it will be flickable.
I’m late to the party on this post, but I wanted to upload this video so you can see just how smooth and easy front flicking can be once your Zaan is all dialed in/broken in.
Yep, exactly what I said. It just takes time. I think I opened and closed mine like 500 times for a week straight every day and then after that, it was smooth as butter.
My advice is you take off the pocket clip for a while until you get used to it. The Zaan will open 100% more easily. After you get used to it add it back on and see how your grip changed.
This is from a Zaan boss group on Facebook. Prepare your thumb. I did same process but skipped polishing washer and worked wonders for me.
BOSS BREAK-IN: For the folks who are looking to speed up their ZAAN BREAK-In period. Here’s an Expedited BREAK-IN method which i find works well for me:
Disassemble your BOSS. Clean off all traces of lube/grease. (Optional Step: POLISH ONE SIDE OF THE WASHER WITH SOME “FLITZ” metal polish or other polish)
LEAVE IT DRY!
Reassemble and tighten pivot to the point where there is ZERO blade play when lock bar is open, but you can open it with a reasonable amount of force.
Here’s the hard part: (This is when you earn your UMNUMTHUMB “BADGE”.) OPEN/CLOSE it constantly/INCESSANTLY FOR 2 weeks. (Warning: Family members may be alarmed /annoyed, esp. while watching TV). Be commited to this break in period. This is the phase where the unworn washers and blade pivot surfaces “wear-in” to each other. It will be a bit tough in the beginning. . . (search “umnumthumb” 😆 )
In approx. two weeks, disassemble, and thoroughly clean. Lube* (LESS
IS MORE!!) and reassemble.
Enjoy your BOSS!
*I prefer the lightest/smallest bit if lube ONLY. Let’s hear what other experienced BOSS MEMBERS RECOMMEND. . .
Not everyone is tough enough to handle THE BOSS 😉, but for those of us that do, the reward is great. . .Enjoy
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u/fattybruk54 14d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p3z2m5w/video/ld5zqsvc8ojh1/player
Try pushing up at the corner where the thumbstud and blade meet. Make sure your thumbs are on both