Birthday present rec: CRK Umnumzaan, Lg Seb, or Lionsteel TiSpine?

d.2.the.p

d.2.the.p

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
1,192
My brother's bday is fast approaching, and like every other year when I ask him what he wants, he says "tech stuff, knife stuff, or gun stuff." I split the cost on a new gun safe for Christmas and bought him a few SATA drives for his NAS Server last year, so it looks like it's knife stuff's turn. His favorites are Ti frame locks with 3"+ blades, so I've narrowed it down to the CRK Umnumzaan, CRK Large Sebenza (21 or 25), or Lionsteel TiSpine (grey matte finish). I picked these because, like me, my brother doesn't like anything really tactical in look/nature and more appreciates something both attractive and highly functional. I've never handled any of these knives since I personally prefer smaller blades, so I'm kinda shooting from the hip here. I own a CRK Mnandi and have been creeping around the forums long enough to know that CRK and Lionsteel both put out great products. Any thoughts?
 
I have a problem like this (decision haha) I can't decide between a strider smf, large sebenza, or grayman?
 
TiSpine. Or perhaps the Blackwater Aculus.
It's a bit smaller with a blade just over 3". Integral knives are so sexy.
 
Of those three I'd go Umnumzaan. It's a nice knife, and the name is a fun little spelling adventure (at least, it is for me).
 
I can't speak for the Umnum or TiSpine, but I know that my Micarta Insingo is an amazing blade that can do everything. It has a low profile, opens easy, has great grip and is light for it's size. I find the Insingo blade more attractive than the standard CRK, but I prefer the Sebenza over the looks of the Umnum. The TiSpine does look beautiful, but the handle looks slippery and doesn't seem to open smoothly from videos (but could need breakin). The best think about a CRK.. you know it will be prefect when you get it.
 
sebenza for sure its more comfortable then the zaan and not as tactical looking, and it will stand up to use better than the tispine.
 
I've got all of those knives. I just picked up the Star-tac version of the umnumzaan and I really like it.

Overall i've been pretty disappointed in the tispine. The tolerances just aren't what they are in the CR series of knives. I actually bought one blue/violet tispine and sent it back because the locking bar just didn't sit flush it it. The second one I got was better, but not great. Not at all what I expected out of that level of knife. The reeve knives, however, are perfect. Everything fits and integrates perfectly.

I won't use my tispine as an edc. It's beautiful, for sure - probably the prettiest knife I own - but it's not built like the reeve knives.

Between the Sebenza and the umnumzaan, I'd agree with the poster who suggested the star-tac, the wilson combat version of the umnumzaan. The pattern is awesome and it's a terrific knife. That's not to say that the seb isn't great, because it is. It's a personal preference thing. The umnum is more tactical and tough looking and it feels a little heavier duty. The seb is just plain slick.

Here are some pics I took of the seb and the startac.

http://imgur.com/a/exSAr#4
 
since most people have a CRK in some form so you could be different and go with the TiSpine. I have the SR-1 and if quality is anywhere close to it then its an amazing knife. I love the single solid piece construction, their machining is absolutely incredible, Its practically art. Sure elmax isn't quite as good as S35VN but its still a really great steel.
 
Here's a pic of these three knives together. Let's see if this works through my phone and tapatalk.
 
wArEj6E.jpg
 
d.2.the.p said:
His favorites are Ti frame locks with 3"+ blades, my brother doesn't like anything really tactical in look/nature and more appreciates something both attractive and highly functional.
Click to expand...




These folders, from top to bottom: Three Sisters Forge Beast, small CRK Sebenza, (large size, bloody) Sebenza 25, Grayman DUA, Umnumzaan.

These are all nice folders, titanium, good blade-steels, quite heavy-duty without being terribly heavy at all.
You said he doesn't like tactical...forget the Umnumzaan. It is tactical in appearance and by design.

You said he likes 3"+ blades. Well, the Umnumzaan and the Sebenza 25 are both approx. 3.6" blade-length, and there is a WORLD of difference between a 3" blade and the 3.6" blades.

Closed handle size of the Sebenza 25 and the Umnumzaan is 4.8". Closed size of the small Sebenza is about 3.9". Big difference! I cannot hang onto a small Sebenza, so I carry a large Sebenza or the Umnumzaan. But, I wear a size-Large glove.

There are at least two alternatives to consider; both of which are, IMO, excellent choices. Both folders have handles long enough, about 4.2"-4.3", for even a larger hand (like mine) and yet a smaller blade around 3", which is plenty long for most casual EDC.

The first one is the Three Sisters Forge Beast, available in a number of excellent blade-steels, including M390 (one of the best). The Three Sisters Forge Beast is a blade-length just barely less than 3", making it legal blade-length in MOST (not all) states. The blade-top does NOT have jimping. I would much prefer to have jimping.

The Grayman DUA, tip to handle, has a length of 3.15" and is normally found with a S30V blade-steel, an excellent steel found even in older "traditional" Chris Reeve knives. The DUA finger cut-out is shaped well, but is set further back than I like for comfort. Some folks use the cutout for the fore-finger; some for the middle finger. Not perfectly content with that.

With my large hands, I can easily carry ANY of the above folders, EXCEPT for the small Sebenza. So be careful; consider the size of his hand.

All of these folders in the above photo are light enough to carry EDC comfortably. All are heavy-duty enough for daily carry, and will likely last a lifetime. Customer Service on all five pictured knives is excellent.
The Beast and the DUA are both hand-made, one at a time, by a one-man shop. Both knives are quality-built. The DUA uses the same pivot as the Sebenza, and is licensed from Chris Reeve. Both of these gentlemen are nice fellows; eager to please and will offer GREAT customer service. The prices of these two knives are approx. $300 each.

I highly recommend either one, in addition, of course, to a properly-chosen SIZE of Sebenza. The "Sebbie" IS THE STANDARD by which all other folders are compared, IMO. Most folks will probably agree.

Good luck on finding a knife for your brother. I've had very limited experience with Lionsteel and cannot speak to that company.
Sonnydaze
 
Last edited:
Blade-fiend said:
Sure elmax isn't quite as good as S35VN but its still a really great steel.
Click to expand...

Elmax, in my opinion and probably many others is better than s35vn. Elmax is a super steel for a reason. It holds a better edge, is more wear resistant, more corrosion resistant, and it's just plain tougher.
There's a whole bunch of threads on blade steels if you'd be interested in reading through some of them. They have some really good information and comparisons.

Anyways, if he doesn't want something "Tactical" looking, then I would nix the Umnumzaan, while it doesn't look super tactical to me it is a little thicker and has a more tactical look than the other two.
The Sebenza is an amazing knife. Perfect fit and finish, great materials, perfect edc, and can handle anything you throw at it. You can even get the Wilson Combat Starbenza, same handle design as the Startac Umnumzaan, but a Sebenza and the handle looks awesome.
The TiSpine is a beautiful knife and Lionsteel seems to make great knives. It's a bit smaller than the Sebenza, and is probably more of a gentleman's knife. However, I think it would stand up to regular every day uses perfectly. It's light, has some grip on it. I think it'd make a perfect all around EDC, honestly. I would pick up the Blue or Bronze over the grey though. They have a nicer and more unique look.

Between the two, it's really a hard decision and would depend on which one you think your brother would like best.
 
BladeChick777 said:
The Sebenza is an amazing knife. Perfect fit and finish, great materials, perfect edc, and can handle anything you throw at it. You can even get the Wilson Combat Starbenza, same handle design as the Startac Umnumzaan, but a Sebenza and the handle looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Ooooo. I had totally forgotten about the Starbenza. The Large is pretty freaking sweet. This is definitely worth considering.
 
Thank you, everyone for all the great comments & suggestions so far. I've managed to narrow it down some more. I've decided against the TiSpine. There are just too many mixed opinions about it, and at that price range, I think I'd want to get my brother something more unanimously loved. Don't get me wrong - it's beautiful, but I don't like the idea of something that isn't all that easy to open. I've also dropped the Zaan. Though a truly amazing knife, I think the Sebenza is more his style.

I went to pull the trigger on a 25 yesterday, but I can't seem to find any available. So the 21 it is. However, I now need to figure out which one. I had considered something with an inlay, but I know that my brother appreciates the feel of straight Ti (I, on the other hand have now become smitten by the Small Micarta Insingo, but that's a whole other story). So now I'm trying to decide between the plain jane Large 21 Seb or the WC Lg Starbenza. SO MANY DECISIONS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top