Does anyone carry a Umnumzaan WITHOUT the o-rings?

U

UmnumMAN

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Mar 21, 2020
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I did some searching in previous threads, but all I could really find was hearsay and rumors.

I see people say that Chris reeves said if you operate the knife without o-rings, the blade will crack. Is this really a thing? Has this happened to any of you with similar designed knives?

So many knives out there are similar to the Umnumzaan in that the thumbstuds double as the stop pin against the frame. Some of these are even FLIPPER knives, which produce alot more force I would certainly think then a slow, controlled opening or even a wristless thumb flick.

If those knives can withstand it, you'd certainly think this knife can.

Will removing the o-rings void the warranty?

Are they really on the knife JUST to dampen the sound? On Chris reeves youtube page, in the Umnumzaan cleaning video, Tim Reeves says the O-rings are for noise suppression. He makes no mention of blade cracking or other catastrophic damages

Yet....the rumors persist, with seemingly nothing to back it up. No First hand knowledge.

I'm wondering if anyone here has any concrete insight, or even better: first hand experience with this

I'm really curious. I love the knife with the orings, but I REALLY love an earth shattering CLACK when locked open

Thanks so much
 
Call CRK directly and ask. They are very responsive to these types of questions. Personally I always run the o rings.
 
UmnumMAN said:
Lol its cool man, I dont want to trouble you


For the ear piercing SNAP of steel against ti
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Gotcha, then get a 21. If the o-ring is removed or flattens, you’ll get that snap. I noticed on mine that the o-ring was flat, that it arrested the lock up position. It made it a later lock up. Don’t know if that’s a bad thing. I replaced the o-rings.
 
Ajack60 said:
Gotcha, then get a 21. If the o-ring is removed or flattens, you’ll get that snap. I noticed on mine that the o-ring was flat, that it arrested the lock up position. It made it a later lock up. Don’t know if that’s a bad thing. I replaced the o-rings.
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I've been buying my chris reeve knives in reverse, saving the best for last

February: bought a plain inkosi
March: Umnumzaan
Next: Sebenza 21 micarta (maybe insingo)

Never handled the sebenza before. People always seem to say the Sebenza is the best of the bunch. Surprises me because my two CRK knives are absolutely flawless. After disassembling, fresh lubing, reassembling, and then spending a month breaking in the inkosi, and 2 weeks on the umnumzaan, the smoothness level is off the charts.

And my right thumb is so strong now LOL. The side and top of my thumb is a big callous
 
My lockup with the rings is dead center 50% (center of ceramic ball on blade tang when opened)

Would bare thumbstuds wear the ti I wonder? Causing lockup % to increase

Maybe that's another good reason to use rings
 
Best is totally subjective. The Sebenza is the knife the company was built on and a very fine knife. Many more have owned the Sebenza than any other model. Not arguing against it being best, but there is a bias.
 
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Gentlemen,
Just purchased my first Umnumzaan. Where can the o rings be purchased. Also do they come in colors other than black?
 
CRK has stated that the Umnumzaan will function perfectly without the o-rings. I have no reason to doubt them, but love the silent opening of this knife with the o-rings in place.
 
Alrighty then...

So I have the orings off of the Umnumzaan. Not as cool as I'd imagined

The thumbstuds dont look good with the groove. Plus honestly, it isn't all that much louder when bare.

Lockup is exactly the same as it was

Anyways, yeah.... Orings are going back on. PERMANENTLY

Thanks to all who replied!

The end.
 
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