A New Folder from CRK

Thanks for the pics! :)

What I like:
- the general shape and size
- the bigger pivot
- the double thumbstuds with shock absorber rings :thumbup::thumbup:

What I don't like:
- the glass breaker; I hate pointy things on knives I carry clipped in the pocket, they are a pain when you sit down or drive
- the wavy spine of the blade; unless there is an ergonomic reason behind the shape, for me it messes with the general flow of the knife

All in all, I'll buy one when they hit the street. Even if it has the glass breaker, I have a Dremel :D
 
It looks like its trying to get into the military/tactical folder market by being bigger and thicker to try to compete with Strider. This would seem consistent with its fixed blades with military ties such as the GB and NR.

I don't know how big this market sector but I assume CRK has done the research to show there is sufficient demand for them to make a new folder for it.

I would have preferred a smaller, slimmer knife like a Tom Mayo but built by CRK so more affordable without any compromise in quality.
 
I dont like it and I am in the military/tactical group

I think it will be tough to get this past the benchmades and microtechs...they have nsn so the unit can order without dipping into joes pockets

unless of course the price is a lot lower(maybe under $200)

the aesthetics of big disk and handle grooves ruin it
 
I dont like it and I am in the military/tactical group

I think it will be tough to get this past the benchmades and microtechs...they have nsn so the unit can order without dipping into joes pockets

unless of course the price is a lot lower(maybe under $200)

the aesthetics of big disk and handle grooves ruin it
 
Thank's for the pics!

Great new knife - I love it :thumbup:
Especially the glass breaker and the new shaped blade *yummie*
Can't await to get my hands on it...
 
i'am with voodoo, if it was 100.00 it just don't reach out to me. very,very sad. i think it's to big,blade shape is odd for a chris reeve knife. i just don't get it.
 
Not a fan of the shape. Looks far too "tactical" now. I much prefer the more classic styling of the Sebenza.

I do like the integrated glass breaker in the blade when closed.
 
As long as it's got a pivot bearing and the handle is available in a less busy form, then I will most certainly buy one. If there is no pivot bearing, then I will not pay Sebenza prices. I already have a Sebenza, so I won't pay the same price for something inferior.
 
On the plus side, the lock refinements sound cool, the thicker blade is nice, lanyard attachment is good, and the slightly more pronounced finger guard is good. Blade profile and thumb lug placement seems like it gives maximum length for stabbing cuts.

I think I'd need to wear a thin pair of gloves to fully appreciate this one - particularly the grip pattern (or detect weaknesses, like ease of opening/closing). I'm wondering if something other than hollow grind would perform better under "hard use". Also, I don't like the looks of all the scoops on the spine - particularly the weird swedge at the tip. Might be OK - I do have some knives with similar scoops to let you rest your fingers in various positions. I'm wondering about the long-term durability of the o-rings, and how the knife functions with one or both missing - since you're likely to break one at the least convenient possible time.

From the pictures, I prefer the clean lines of the large Sebbie - everything you need and nothing fancy. In the store, it would depend on how they actually felt in hand. I predict the typical "Should I buy..." thread will go from Classic vs. Regular to "Sebbie vs. Umnumzaam"
 
I'm looking at my new Umnumzaan and my new small Sebenza 21 this evening in my hotel room and thinking about the Umnumzaan and it is made to be a rugged knife. I will say the window breaker is subtle; I don't feel it in my pocket when I sit down. Along with the thicker steel blade and the texturing I think it's a good knife for what it's intended for. I doubt they will make a version without the checkering since it wouldn't make sense to have a rugged knife but then a smooth handle that is less grippy.

To me what makes it really unique compared to the Sebenza are the two ceramic balls, one in the lock bar and one in handle. You'll remember CRK has to temper the Ti lockbar to make it harder to stand up against the steel blade. With the Umnumzaan the blade locks up against the ceramic bar inlaid into the Ti lockbar instead of the lockbar itself. I think this will make it last longer other knife. What does take some time to get used to is the sound the knife makes when it locks up, it's quieter than a Sebenza due to this arrangement.

-Troy
 
Last edited:
Thanks for for posting your early thoughts on it. This one is starting to appeal more and more to me.

Mind if I ask how much you paid?

Is it one of those early edition ones that are going for $1020?
 
What it really looks like is the Lone Wolf T2 Ranger, which is a Harsey design.

http://lonewolfknives.com/store/pages/products-harsey-lc14600.shtml

The glass breaker is really a poor idea. It is something to poke your leg when sitting down, and does nothing for the looks. I would never break glass with that, your hand would get cut to pieces.

Overall, I think the knife looks really, really good. I hope it does have the pivot bushing.
 
Your hand would not get cut if you knew what you were doing. Edit: (My apologies: I don't mean to make you seem like a dummy! :) -- To break the glass, hit the side window in the lower corners, not with a full swing in the middle of the pane.)

It is not a unique placement: the CQD Mark I has a forward glassbreaker also. It does not sit very high on the Umnumzaan and would probably be easy to blunt or remove.
 
Last edited:
Wait, wait. This is a prototype, or is it the final production model?

Earlier I stated the good, now the bad.

I'll jump on the glass-breaker hater bandwagon. I really don't think it fits the smooth, clean design of CRK. I see it has a gimmick. I questioned the O-ring earlier and I have been thinking about it. I see it as something to replace/deal with/clean/etc. The grooves I can deal with. The big pivot screw that needs (assume, I have not seen the other side) a special tool to remove is not a great idea. The size is great but I don't need to carry around a special tool, if I need to clean and I don't have that tool I'm done in for. And to add to all that if this doesn't have a pivot bushing, I don't see it standing up to the quality, ease of use, and feel of what a CRK product is. Basically, with the pivot bushing I don't want to be adjusting my screw......this is not a Benchmade, Spyderco, or Strider. Not to say bad about any of the three but be realistic. The pivot bushing is a great thing. It adds to the solid feel of the knife.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top