First Large CRK

R

redbird063

Joined
Aug 28, 2012
Messages
156
I currently own a small 21, and I'm now thinking about getting something bigger. I'm torn between the Sebenza 25 and the Umnumzaan. I like the thin grind of the Umnumzaan. It won't thicken up with sharpening as much as the 25's large hollow grind will, but I do love the simple design of the 25. I'm not a fan of the unsharpened swedge of the Zaan. What do you guys think? I only plan on using this for edc. I've decided to not consider to the large 21 simply because I already have a 21, and I would like a little more variety in my collection.
 
Well, I EDC between the 25 and the Umnumzaan, I don't see that big of a difference between the two blades as far as thickness of the grinds goes. I also thought I wouldn't like the top swedge of the Umnumzaan, but have found it comes in handy for my line of work. I use it for scraping and de burring plastic. The only drawback of the Umnumzaan is that the o-rings wear out over time. I love the 25, IMO it's the best of both worlds between the 21 and Umnumzaan and it's the newest line of CRK's. Can't really say I prefer one over the other. Either way you go, you'll have a tool that will fit the bill.
 
The swedge on the Zaan isn't so un-sharpened at least the one on my Startac is fairly sharp, that said I don't know if that is consistent with the Umnumzaan. You have a hard choice, I have both and I would say I carry the 25 about 5 to 1 over the Startac. But I love both knives, I like the action a bit on the 25, love the handle shape, love the look of the knife, Pivot the whole package. The point you make about the high hollow grind is fair though, I don't think my 25 takes as keen an edge as either my 21's or my Startac but that could just be my sharpening skills. If I really had to choose I would be down for the 25 there has been times lately when I have thought if I could only have one knife to carry (perish the thought) the 25 would probably be that knife.
 
My 25 is on me every day on the farm. Living and working on a farm calls for a tough kanife and the 25 is THE knife. No bling, just plain knife. It definitely thickens up quicker but don't let that scare you away because the normal person wouldn't sharpen often enough to wear it back enough to notice for several years. Mine sees hard use and I'll admit it, some abuse. It gets stropped 2-3 times a week and sharpened once a week. Opens easily one handed with leather work gloves on and I love the lockup with the ceramic detent. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414722464.889500.jpg
 
When I was researching, consideration was narrowed down to - if I could have only one large folder, among the current CRK offerings. Few strong points stood out.

"O" ring with shelf life for cushioning stop pins is not among my preferences. Most important of all: I can not get comfortable with CRK 25's and the likes with ceramic ball, peen at both side of an 90* angle for captivation, along with blade lock up based on a mere single tangent point contact on the ceramic ball's circumference.

Most people considered the simple, yet refined 21 as the bench mark. Even newer current CRK's model such as 25, Umnumzaan and even customs from other makers are comparing with the 21's few, but solid attributes.

The above reasoning lead me to my current, butter smooth large Insingo with double thumblug, to enable ambidextrous opening.

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Future plan will include replacement of lanyard/pin, with floating shouldered titanium spacer. On both presentation/lock bar side with strategically milled finger dimples, localized polishing, then, flame anodize, to personalize, for my personal enjoyment. :)
 
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victorf said:
then, flame anodize, to personalize, for my personal enjoyment. :)
Click to expand...

Can't wait to see it, post it in my Anodized CRK thread when you do it! I stay on the electro-anodizing side but I started off doing heat ano flame jobs a few years back.

OP: If I had to choose one between the 25 and Zaan, I'd take the Zaan. Plus when you post your Zaan here, you might here a chant that goes something like...

"UM-NUM-ZAAN UM-NUM-ZAAN ONE-OF-US UM-NUM-ZAAN" LOL.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your new blade and please post it when you get it!
 
I prefer flame, it is more durable than with chemical in terms of wear factor. As seen on my 1990 crotch rocket's titanium headers and muffler bracket, with over 24 years wear and tear:

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My most recent project with titanium shift knob. First mirror polish, flame to watch patina went thru different stages, stopped at blue. Decided I didn't like singular color. Remove/polish back to mirror, wet/dry, started w/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000, various grit compound buff and finished with Semichrome. Followed with control flame to get the rainbow patina effect, masked off then polish grooves for high light:

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Insingo will go thru similar personalized ritual, along with milled dimples to enhance grip. Since my high speed cobalt ball mills are a little old, I just ordered Altin coated solid carbide ball mills yesterday for this project. :)

Sorry OP, for the Hijack! I can't stop talking when comes to hobbies! :)
 
Whichever you choose, enjoy your new blade and please post it when you get it!
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I just ordered my new blade. I'll post pics of it when it arrives. You'll have to wait and see which one I decided on.
 
Zeta33 said:
Can't wait to see it, post it in my Anodized CRK thread when you do it! I stay on the electro-anodizing side but I started off doing heat ano flame jobs a few years back.

OP: If I had to choose one between the 25 and Zaan, I'd take the Zaan. Plus when you post your Zaan here, you might here a chant that goes something like...

"UM-NUM-ZAAN UM-NUM-ZAAN ONE-OF-US UM-NUM-ZAAN" LOL.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your new blade and please post it when you get it!
Click to expand...

http://s1344.photobucket.com/user/redbird963/media/10615550_10203781743117823_3772388635236789963_n_zps5fff357b.jpg.html?filters[user]=135381459&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

"UM-NUM-ZAAN UM-NUM-ZAAN ONE-OF-US UM-NUM-ZAAN" LOL.

10615550_10203781743117823_3772388635236789963_n_zps5fff357b.jpg.html
 
Very nice congrats. I keep meaning to pick one up, but 21's keep getting in the way lol. One day!
 
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