CR Umnumzaan & Sebenza questions

[einsteinjon]

So I've been slightly toying with the idea of buying an Umnumzaan, and in researching it I got confused. On CR's site (and elsewhere) there seem to be two different blade shapes. See here: http://chrisreeve.com/umnumzaan.htm. The first knife on the page shows one groove at the top, which I would think may be for choking up or something. The bottom knife on the page (knife is closed) you can see the groove and sort of a second groove leading to a pronounced swedge. I have seen various other pics on the web and on dealer sites showing both. Sooo...are there two versions? Is one a prototype and the other is the production model, and which is which? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Personally I'm not a fan of the swedge, but I'm just saying.

Far as the Sebenza goes, the only question I have is does it (specifically the Sebenza 21) have thumb notches on the spine? I am a fan of these and it may be a factor in my decision, if I even buy one or the other. Can't really tell in any pics I've seen.

Thanks in advance! :thumbup:

 

[H0B0J0]

I think your eyes are playing tricks on you.

My umnum has the swedge, I was unaware of any different versions.

You can kind of see it in these pics... but you'll noticed its not pronounced because of the angle

There are two blade shapes though. A tanto version exists



edit: Here, snapped some good views of open vs. closed (sorry, it was done w/ my phone)

 

[hlc]

Great knife, but too expensive to me. Sad

 

[RyanMM]

It's just the lighting and the angle.

All versions of the Sebenza that I know of have notches on the thumb ramp. Large, small, regular, 21.

 

[Bucky]

All the Umnums save the Tanto version from TNK have the two "ramps" before the swedge. The pictures are just a bit deceiving.

And all CRK folding knives including the Umnum, large and small Sebenza, and Mnandi have the notches/jimping on the thumb ramp.

 

[einsteinjon]

Thanks for the info guys. I see it now in that pic RyanMM. One other question...does the swedge come sharpened, or is it just there to "look pretty" and leave it up to the owner to sharpen it if they want?

 

[Charlie Mike]

A sharpened swedge is not a good idea if the blade sits above the handle.

 

[H0B0J0]

Thanks for the info guys. I see it now in that pic RyanMM. One other question...does the swedge come sharpened, or is it just there to "look pretty" and leave it up to the owner to sharpen it if they want?

It isn't sharpened, but it's relatively close. It works nice as a scraping tool, for something you wouldnt want to dull your edge doing. It wouldn't be hard to sharpen, but like CM said...probably a bad idea.

 

[einsteinjon]

Thanks guys. I realize my post was a little unclear...I didn't want a sharpened swedge. I don't really like the looks of swedges to begin with, but I may overlook it on this knife. I thought it would be silly also to have a sharpened swedge on a folder, but I'm not real familiar with CR, so I didn't know.

Again, thanks for the info :thumbup:

 

[Charlie Mike]

Here's a sharpened swedge for you