Best Option For a Stiff Umnumzaan

SpySmasher

SpySmasher

Lead Guitar
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Messages
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I just bought an Umnumzaan from a fellow forumite. It appears to be in good condition (no scratches or snail trails on the outside, scratches on the blade from the detent ball) but when I got it it was impossible to open one-handed even knowing the particular geometry of the Zaan's opening flick.

I took it apart for a clean and it does seem like it had sat somewhere for a while. There was a little black dirt on the pivot and washers and some brown gunk on one pivot end. I cleaned everything up, polished the washers with some Flitz I had and lubed it with nano oil.

Now I can barely get it open one-handed. If I simultaneously push with my thumb and press with my forefinger on the little bit of protruding tang (as if it was a flipper) I can get it to move out an inch or so. Then I have to finish the opening move with a second long push on the thumb stud. Under no circumstances will it flick open. This is with the pivot screw slightly loosened. It's not dialed down.

At this point I think I have exhausted my capability of tuning this knife.

Do I:

1) Send it to a third-party craftsman for a tuning? If yes, who?

2) Send it back to CRK? If yes, will I get it back in flick-able condition?

Thanks for the help.
 
When you had it apart, did the blade seem tight around the pivot when reassembling?

Does this Zaan have an overtravel stop? I'd try carefully holding the lockbar just off from contact with the blade and see if the blade pivots smoothly without the ceramic ball touching it.
 
It did seem tight around the pivot when reassembling, yes.

It does have an overtravel stop, yes. I'll see after work.
 
Does loosening the pivot help? The pivot tension is set by the owner on the Umnum.
 
if you have cleaned it and lubed it fluorgrease and then set the tension and still have issues then you may need to send it to CRK if the issue continues...
 
Have you tried to take the pocket clip off to see if that helps ?
Have you loosened the pivot screw to the point of it being hand tight and then work the blade?
Is the pivot screw on the presentation side or the lock side? Don't know if it makes a difference about the pivot screw, but you could swap the barrel/pivot screw to see if that helps.
That's all I got, final straw is to send it in.
 
It sounds like one of the washers wasn't seated properly and got pinched when everything was tightened back up. I'll say just send it in. CRK's warranty service is way above average. And usually quick. They'll keep you updated too. Service after the sale is absolutely necessary if you want to keep my business. Chris hand picks his employees and it shows. The company is like a well oiled machine. They'll fix it up. Sounds like an honest mistake.
 
LAG3 said:
It sounds like one of the washers wasn't seated properly and got pinched when everything was tightened back up. I'll say just send it in. CRK's warranty service is way above average. And usually quick. They'll keep you updated too. Service after the sale is absolutely necessary if you want to keep my business. Chris hand picks his employees and it shows. The company is like a well oiled machine. They'll fix it up. Sounds like an honest mistake.
Click to expand...

That is what it sounds like to me too. I had the same issue when I put together my small sebenza, I caught it quick, reassembled everything and everything is now all good. Luckily it didnt cause any damage to the washer.
 
Would really only be possible to miss-align the top washer since the Zaan has no pivot bushing, but certainly worth a look. I would go back in and clean it again, then put it back together using CRK grease, somewhat sparingly.
 
Loosen the pivot and see if that makes it easier to open, I would strip it down again and see how the pivot moves in the blade
 
When I move the lockbar completely out of the way and completely loosen the pivot the blade still won't swing like a guillotine. I've decided to send it to CRK.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice.
 
SpySmasher said:
When I move the lockbar completely out of the way and completely loosen the pivot the blade still won't swing like a guillotine. I've decided to send it to CRK.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your best bet. Sounds like you could tinker till you're blue in the face and still be at square one. Sounds like CRK is the answer.
 
Necroing this baby to report that I got the Zaan back from CRK and it's perfect.
 
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