Considering an umnumzaan...

freq18hz

freq18hz

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
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I had an umnum on hold, but I wasn't able to get down to the dealer for it.

Looking to possibly pick one up before the end of the week.

This is probably a pointless email, given how many people either love the umnum, or still prefer the seb.


Realistically I will never carry this knife, and I don't really care much for tactical folders. So why am I attracted to this one over the large Sebenza so much? I have no idea...


Anyone have any unique experiences with the umnum they would care to share? If not, I guess I'll just post pics if I take the plunge. :)
 
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I have both and will carry my Sebenza over the Umnumzaan allots every time. Can't help you anymore than that.
 
I think you'll like it, I prefer my Lg. Sebenza personally but still like the Umnumzaan a lot.

If you're not happy once you get it just sell at a minimal loss, at least your curiosity will
be satisfied.
 
I'd like to ask those who prefer the Sebenza over the Umnumzaan for specific reasons. I own both, along with a few other high end knives, and I still hold the Umnumzaan as the perfect folding knife.
 
One preference for the Sebenza over the Umnumzaan is the ease of field-stripping it. The Umnumzaan requires a special tool and you need hard-to-find loc-tite on the pivot. (the only place I've been able to find the low-strenght loc-tite is online)

Another is that some people don't care for the ergonomics on the Umnumzaan's lock-bar.
 
chanwahyaoh said:
One preference for the Sebenza over the Umnumzaan is the ease of field-stripping it. The Umnumzaan requires a special tool and you need hard-to-find loc-tite on the pivot. (the only place I've been able to find the low-strenght loc-tite is online)

Another is that some people don't care for the ergonomics on the Umnumzaan's lock-bar.
Click to expand...

it's not too hard to find purple or blue loctite. the take-down kit from CRK comes with purple loctite anyway.
 
according to CRK, the Umnum needs to be taken down less than a sebenza.

Anyone find this to be true?


-Freq
 
Taking an umnum apart is really easy with the CRK toolkit. The Umnumzaan and Sebenza both have the perforated washers now so they should be identical on maintenance needs. You can go for over a year without taking them apart without any problems.
 
freq18hz said:
according to CRK, the Umnum needs to be taken down less than a sebenza.

Anyone find this to be true?


-Freq
Click to expand...

mongomondo said:
Taking an umnum apart is really easy with the CRK toolkit. The Umnumzaan and Sebenza both have the perforated washers now so they should be identical on maintenance needs. You can go for over a year without taking them apart without any problems.
Click to expand...

The Seb I take apart whenever I feel the need to tinker, if it needs cleaning or not. I just love to see it's meticulous construction and high quality machined parts. It's the only folding knife that I've ever found enjoyable to dismantle and put back together. It was designed for it, and pretty much nothing else is.

I haven't taken apart an Umnumzaan mostly because of the Loctite factor. But it's probably easier for the sake of having fewer parts.
 
I never used loctite on mine. After I took mine apart the blue loctite was cleaned off with just come q-tips. I just put some teflon/plumbers tape on there and the pivot has worked perfectly fine. It only takes 5-10 minutes to completely take down the umnumzaan to clean it and put back together.
 
The 'zaan is easy to detail strip and assemble, but the loctite needs some cure time. The Sebs just need to be bolted up and they're good to go - if that matters in real life.

YMMV and I think I am a minority, but I did not like the ergos on the 'zaan and sold mine.
 
sjhong said:
I'd like to ask those who prefer the Sebenza over the Umnumzaan for specific reasons. I own both, along with a few other high end knives, and I still hold the Umnumzaan as the perfect folding knife.
Click to expand...

+1. I love mine.

chanwahyaoh said:
One preference for the Sebenza over the Umnumzaan is the ease of field-stripping it. The Umnumzaan requires a special tool and you need hard-to-find loc-tite on the pivot. (the only place I've been able to find the low-strenght loc-tite is online)

Another is that some people don't care for the ergonomics on the Umnumzaan's lock-bar.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why I would be "field-stripping" the knife. Open construction, rinse and blow dry.

I put mine back together without Loc-Tite, had no issues. The Loc-Tite is just a bit more security.
 
sjhong said:
I'd like to ask those who prefer the Sebenza over the Umnumzaan for specific reasons. I own both, along with a few other high end knives, and I still hold the Umnumzaan as the perfect folding knife.
Click to expand...

I prefer the cutout access on the classic and 21 Sebs for both unlocking and opening to the Umnuzaan (and ditto, to a lesser extent, on the "regular" Seb). It made enough difference to me that I sold the 'zaan. Great knife - but didn't suit me. YMMV, of course.
 
I have both (Seb Classic) and carry the Umnumzaan more. The back of the Sebenza handle creates a hot spot that makes it not as hand friendly.
 
JNewell said:
I prefer the cutout access on the classic and 21 Sebs for both unlocking and opening to the Umnuzaan (and ditto, to a lesser extent, on the "regular" Seb). It made enough difference to me that I sold the 'zaan. Great knife - but didn't suit me. YMMV, of course.
Click to expand...

Funny thing is that the lack of the cutout used to bother me on the Umnumzaan. But then I realized that it allowed for a more comfortable grip on the handle than on the Sebenza 21.
 
You could wait on a small one. Less 'tactical'. I'm getting one for sure
 
sjhong said:
Funny thing is that the lack of the cutout used to bother me on the Umnumzaan. But then I realized that it allowed for a more comfortable grip on the handle than on the Sebenza 21.
Click to expand...

Only after it's open...if you can get it open... ;)
 
I just got a TNK Umnumzaan LE and I love it! It has kicked my large classic Sebenza and Strider SnG out of the top spot in the edc rotation.

I put off buying a Um for a long time, I finally broke down and got it. Now I'm glad I did, you won't be disappointed with the Umnumzaan.
 
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