Cannot unlock new Umnum with one-hand

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Sonnydaze

Sonnydaze

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Jul 6, 2009
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Hi folks,
I guess that describes it. As you know, the Umnumzaan has a "depression" or recess in the integral lock "blade" which is just about right for a finger-nail on the forefinger of my right hand...while closing the blade with my left hand, and that's how I usually unlock the blade to close it. It is almost impossible for me to unlock the blade using my right thumb for a one-handed technique.

I know the knife is new. I've exercised this unlocking probably 150 times at least. Should I just be patient, use two hands, or develop some more muscles? Thanks for suggestions. The knife is a beaut, and I see YouTube videos where guys are opening and closing their Sebenzas VERY quickly and easily. Wondering if that's possible with the Umnum...

Here's a pic contrasting CRK with BM and Emerson styles.. Closing the blade surely is easier with these other knives!
Sonny

CRKandotherlocks.jpg
 
Has it been disassembled and cleaned? That may help... Other than that, I'm not sure what to do. Wish I could help more.
 
i have one of the older versions, where the lock bar isn't as pronounced, and while it was a little tougher than the sebenza to open, it's not something that requires a body builder to open. Not wanting to untie my laces before slipping them on hurts my fingers more than opening a knife( i refuse the existence of shoe horns)
 
Not a new model. It is basically NIB, though, with bd 12/27/2010. I got it with box and bd-card, but no tools. Will have to buy tools from CRK. The blade opens now fairly easily, much easier than it did last week when I received the knife. I can't complain about opening it. It takes some pressure from my thumb, but is okay with me. But unlocking the blade is a tough go, and I use two hands.
Because there is no "cut-out" on the scale like you see on the other knives, I don't have much to push against. The lock is a little sticky when I try to unlock it the first time with my right forefinger nail, but once I snap it free from the blade, and then try it again...it is still too tough for me to push with right thumb.
As a matter of interest, I did have the same problem with my NIB BM 755 MPR (on far right in pix) but sent it back and BM customer service/repair did a good deed and now it operates (unlocks) very easily, while still locking up solidly.
Thanks. If necessary, I'll just send it in. I'm NOT an experienced knife mechanic; don't want to mess up this great knife.
Sonny
 
if you're actually using any part of your nail, i can see where that would be difficult. There have been quite a few threads on opening/closing the umnumzaan. Just please try not to over extend the lockbar(too many people were doing that and it's why they put the ugly, not slightly not as ugly, lock stop pin).

you'll get it though, maybe it's just getting the technique down
 
Thanks for hints. Yes, I will remember to NOT overtend the lockbar. Have heard of that one before...
I'll keep trying, and if I can't do it in the next month, I'll give up and send it in.
G'day.
Sonny
 
Sonny,
Mine took a while to loosen up too ... the "flick open" technique (like shooting a marble) works fantastic ... and once the technique is acquired, it is as fast as any assist opening knife I own. You are correct that the lock bar is stiff, but on the up side, it does lock up as tight as a bank vault...and no chance it will close on (as in remove) your fingers while you are using it.
IMO, this is one fine piece of engineering in all ways and I am VERY satisfied with the knife...this will not be my last CRK.
 
I've always used the meat around the tip of my thumb to close it, and have never had a problem.

I doubt sending it in will fix anything as the lock bar was most likely in spec before it left the shop.
And bending it out on your own will void the warranty. Hence the reason for the lock stop on the new Umnumzaans.

I also doubt that CRK will bend the lock bar out to make it easier. As doing so would make the knife unsafe for use.

I think you may need to change the way you unlock the knife a bit, and maybe wait for it to break in a little more.
Once it breaks in and your thumb gets use to the technique it takes to unlock the knife, you should be able to close it one handed.

Edited to add:Quote from Anne Reeve, taken from this thread, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-get-a-quickie-education-on-the-new-Umnumzaan
The disc has been added to the Umnumzaan to prevent the reduction of tension on the lock. Because the shape of the Umnumzaan handle is a little different than that of the Sebenza, it takes a different technique to open and close. We have found some customers are not willing to learn the difference or perhaps they don’t recognize the difference but, whatever the reason, they think it is necessary to modify the lock tension, thinking the knife will open more easily. This simply makes the knife unsafe. We have had several Umnumzaans returned to us because of lock issues – almost always the customer denies having modified the lock. We can see what has been done, and are put between a rock and a hard place as we don’t want to call out the customer for not telling the truth. The disc is a solution to prevent potentially unsafe modifications.
Click to expand...
 
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Does the lock feel sticky, or is it just difficult to unlock? My new Umnum isn't nearly as easy as my Sebenza, but I can still easily do it one-handed.
 
I think you are holding it "wrong".
I remember my first framelock (I know it's not your first, but because yours is hard to open you may make the same mistake; may also happen if you normally use the clip as a support position for your finges and you have none on a new knife).
If you need more power to unlock the knife you tend to make a firm grip with your hand. By doing this you squeeze the lockbar into a locking position. So you sabotage yourself.
Try concentrating on correct handposture.
Middle finger on the pivot.
Index finger on the spine (only light pressure, not to cut yourself; by doing so you can never overbend the lock because you realize when you have enough pressure on the lockbar as the blade moves)
Fingertip of the thumb on the lockbar.
Build up pressure between middle finger and thumb.
 
Thanks again, friends. I'll continue to work on it. And I won't bend out the lockbar. I'm well aware of that potential problem.
best regards from Sonny
 
It does take some getting use to as the lock-bar doesn't provide much surface contact area for the thumb. For me, I press down on the lock-bar with 3/4 right, front section of my thumb, either rolling the thumb over or pressing down on the nail nick; of course all the while folding the blade over with the index finger over the jimping. Hang in there, you'll eventually find what works for you. Good luck.
 
I have a brand new one and it was really tight. (with hinderer stabilizer) 2 things...try to filp it open left handed, when using your left hand you won't be adding pressure to the lock bar...if it is much easier left handed you may need to adjust your grip when using your right hand. As others have mentioned incorrect tension on the lock bar will affect one handed opening. #2. Mine was "sticky". I purchased the tool kit and loosened the pivot very slightly. After making that adjustment it was much easier. I love this knife...it's so solid it feels like a fixed blade when opened.
LL
 
I have many framelocks (striders, ZTs, spydies, sebenzas) however the Umnum is the hardest to unlock imho. Its just part of the design and the fact that the umnum is so slim. Takes some getting used to but don't expect it to be extremely comfortable because the design just doesn't allow for it.
 
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