Comparison between old & new Umnumzaan

Cowboy1629

Cowboy1629

Joined
Dec 6, 2013
Messages
323
All of this talk about how the older Umnumzaan were superior to the new ones, I had to try one. I got the opportunity to get an early NIB Zaan that has all the features most people seem to prefer, larger pivot and no lock bar limiter or LBS.

I must admit, I do like the looks of the larger pivot screw and the cleaner lock side. One difference I wasn't aware of until just recently was the jimping is wider on the older models and I like the looks of this as well. However I did notice the newer jimping catches my thumb better than the old style, maybe because it is slightly sharper and less flat on top than the original style. Another feature that is different, the newer models have a wider lock bar release lever. The newer lever is a little wider making it easier to release the lock especially with gloves on.

I have been carrying my Star-Tac daily since receiving it and can say for me I feel there is a slight improvement in performance but maybe not as eye pleasing as the older style. In my opinion both models are excellent knives and I don't think you could go wrong with either model!

Here are some pictures of the original style Umnumzaan with my Star-Tac Umnumzaan.











 
Nice score on a pristine S30V Zaan, and I enjoyed the comparison. Both my Star Tac and my regular Zaan are pre-OTS/old pivot models with rectangular jimping, but both have the extension on the lockbar like your new-school. My WC is S30V and my reg is S35V. I do prefer the slightly more defined stonewash on my S30V. This thread made me realize I've yet to photograph both of mine together.
 
The original Umnumzaan is the one, I have 3 and all are the 09 vintage. :):thumbup:
 
Oh, and I forgot to mention in the comparison, for those of you who care, no "IM" stamp on the original vs the newer model.
 
As always awesome thread Steve!! That iPhone of yours takes some amazing pictures!! Both knives are beautiful.. But I must admit I have a soft spot in my heart (or is it my head?) for the Old School Original Design of the Umnumzaan! Great Score!!
As always, all the best!!
Dave
AKA Zann Mann


Cowboy1629 said:
All of this talk about how the older Umnumzaan were superior to the new ones, I had to try one. I got the opportunity to get an early NIB Zaan that has all the features most people seem to prefer, larger pivot and no lock bar limiter or LBS.

I must admit, I do like the looks of the larger pivot screw and the cleaner lock side. One difference I wasn't aware of until just recently was the jimping is wider on the older models and I like the looks of this as well. However I did notice the newer jimping catches my thumb better than the old style, maybe because it is slightly sharper and less flat on top than the original style. Another feature that is different, the newer models have a wider lock bar release lever. The newer lever is a little wider making it easier to release the lock especially with gloves on.

I have been carrying my Star-Tac daily since receiving it and can say for me I feel there is a slight improvement in performance but maybe not as eye pleasing as the older style. In my opinion both models are excellent knives and I don't think you could go wrong with either model!

Here are some pictures of the original style Umnumzaan with my Star-Tac Umnumzaan.











Click to expand...
 
I love the umnumzaan! I like the older pivot best for sure, but I don't mind the LBS at all. I actually kind of like it. I also like the higher lock-bar release. It's easier. I own both the non-lbs and the lbs models--both with old pivot. I like the older jimping better. As far as the Idaho stamp. I never understood the big deal with this. It says to me "made in America" which is something I enjoy.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I think maybe the perfect model in my mind would be old style pivot, no LBS, new jimping, and the extended lockbar release.
 
I agree except for the jimping, I LOVE the old rectangular jimping on the Zaan, can't think of any other like it. And that would be this configuration:



 
My favorite overall would be the last set of changes before the LBS was phased in.
 
Bumping up this old thread because I just got one of the newer (new pivot, LBS) Umnumzaans after loving my old model (old pivot, no LBS) for a long time. The first thing I noticed was that the new lockbar cutout (which seems to get barely any attention) is a HUGE improvement. It made the knife 2x easier to close. Those are the tiny unmentioned improvements that CRK really stands out for. The LBS also didn't bother me as much as I had imagined and it actually looks in place on the knife when you see it in person. The internet pictures make it look much more awkward than it is in person. Now, if we could have gotten this new lockbar on the old pivot model, that'd be the biggest win.

Thankfully, both of my Umnumzaans have the old jimping which I very much prefer to the Sebenza-style jimping.
 
Very nice, I much prefer the old pivot as well, but I actually like the look of the LBS. The only things I'd like to see aside that is a bushing pivot and a premium steel but both of those things are pipe dreams.
 
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