2ND CRK Purchase, Umnum New VS Old?

S

staysharp^

Joined
May 27, 2015
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175
Hello folks,

I currently am a proud owner of a CRK Small 21 Sebenza plane clip point. I LOVE this knife! Its Christmas time and I am looking to gift myself and say a prayer for being able to do that. :)
I have looked at the current CRK lineup and I am very interested in buying a Umnumzaan model. What are the differences between the old Umnumzaan and the new model. I know the pivot was larger on the old model and looked cool but needed a special tool to remove but I kinda like the idea of that feature. Please advise!

Thank you,

Lance
 
There is no difference other than the pivot. The first models did not have a lock bar stabilizer. Either choice will work just fine.

 
I've never been a fan of knives requiring propriety tools for disassembly. I suppose that is the reason why Striders and Hinderers just come and go while Chris Reeve's creations keep finding their way into my collection/rotation.

My vote is for a new Umnumzaan.
 
I like that the new pivot doesn't require a special tool but don't like that they didn't change the pattern machined into the scales. To my eye they were clearly designed around the larger pivot and so the new one looks like an after thought, like it doesn't fit.

It's also worth noting that some older Umnumzaans had a different style of jimping on the spine. Some of the very oldest ones also lack the Idaho Made stamp.

There are a very few in-between models that have a lock bar stabilizer with no CRK stamp. Super ugly IMO but maybe collectible?

There are many that prefer the less busy aesthetic of the old jimping, no stamp, no lock bar stabilizer.

In fact, I have for sale in the CRK sale forum an example of the oldest variation...
 
I like that the newer ones don't require a special tool, and also the lock is easier to access. While you are looking, I would recommend checking out the the star-tac version!
 
I've had (or still have) most iterations. I'm most fond of the old school large-pivot no-OTS versions in in "regular" Zaan, and actually prefer the small pivot in the StarTac Wilson Combat version.
 
Umnumzaan with a tanto blade really looks the part. I have the standard new umnum with the standard blade. Its a joy to use and edc. Best is the sound it makes when it locks. :)
 
I like the newer pivot better. The internal size of both pivots is the same, so the only difference would be aesthetics. My favorite thing about the Umnumzaan is how simple it is (one stand off and the pivot are the only things connecting the knife, and the thumb studs are also the blade stop for both opened and closed positions.)
 
Ccc said:
I like the newer pivot better. The internal size of both pivots is the same, so the only difference would be aesthetics. My favorite thing about the Umnumzaan is how simple it is (one stand off and the pivot are the only things connecting the knife, and the thumb studs are also the blade stop for both opened and closed positions.)
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While this is true for the pivot's I.D., the old has a wider shoulder (O.D.) and so theoretically has more area or leverage to brace the titanium frame. My partiality for the old pivot has as much to do with how it feels in a pinch grip as it does the aesthetic. I do wish the old pivot had a hex center - then it would be perfection.
 
I vote for the new pivot. I never really liked the old pivot, especially since it required a special tool. The new pivot design seems cleaner to me. I like how the new pivot compliments the body screw as well, instead of being two different designs.
 
I'm a new pivot fan as well though I sold mine. Great knife, but I just didn't have a place for it.
 
Well, I guess I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I love the old pivot, no LBS, especially the Star Tac version. Just love the way that pivot looks. I also really like the blade shape.
 
Ajack60 said:
There is no difference other than the pivot. The first models did not have a lock bar stabilizer. Either choice will work just fine.

Click to expand...

Man I love the tanto version, so awesome. Here is one with the old pivot and plain LBS, I like the jimping in the old style but it's not as functional as the new one:
f40583d781558374d826b136de783365.jpg

Picture sucks, so here's a better one
23c99fac0bec3c5e8a495ece2bdd28b8.jpg
 
I have the new pivot Startac.. and trying to find an old style pivot Startac now... so in short, get both... lol
 
makariotes said:
Man I love the tanto version, so awesome. Here is one with the old pivot and plain LBS, I like the jimping in the old style but it's not as functional as the new one:
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Could not disagree more - I find the old square jimping MUCH more effective and comfortable at the same time. The newer jimping is slippery to my thumb, yet feels "pointier". If I could only have back the old jimping or old pivot, I'd take back the old jimping.
 
Dang, the human body is a marvel in how we are made so differently; the old jimping doesn't give much traction for me, weird.
 
Officer's Match said:
Could not disagree more - I find the old square jimping MUCH more effective and comfortable at the same time. The newer jimping is slippery to my thumb, yet feels "pointier". If I could only have back the old jimping or old pivot, I'd take back the old jimping.
Click to expand...

makariotes said:
Dang, the human body is a marvel in how we are made so differently; the old jimping doesn't give much traction for me, weird.
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My 2012 Star-Tac has the newer style jimping but is heavily stone washed and slightly rounded. My 2014 Umnum has the newer style jimping also but it is left sharp cut, like a Sebenza, this has an obvious advantage in traction and may be the difference you guys are noticing with the new style jimping.
 
Jimbo75 said:
My 2012 Star-Tac has the newer style jimping but is heavily stone washed and slightly rounded. My 2014 Umnum has the newer style jimping also but it is left sharp cut, like a Sebenza, this has an obvious advantage in traction and may be the difference you guys are noticing with the new style jimping.
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That certainly makes sense.
 
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