For those who prefer the Umnum over the Sebenza, tell us why

CrimsonTideShooter

CrimsonTideShooter

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Oct 23, 2010
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I find myself being torn between the two. I can't decide which I like better, because both have features that I appreciate which are exclusive to one or the other. I know some people here much prefer the Umnum (ahem, Haze :p) so I'd like to hear why that is. It may just help me make up my mind.
 
Having both, I prefer the Large Sebenza. However, I seem to carry the Zann a lot too. What I am about to say may seem odd but I am still trying to figure out why I carry my Zann so much because I greatly prefer the Sebbie. i think it's because, if I lose the Zann it won't hurt as much. I would be really upset if I lost my Sebbie. That is the only conclusion I have come up with. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the Zann too. I just really wish CRK made some other handle scale variations other than the criss across pattern.
 
My vote is for the UMNUM ... you can "flick" it open with your thumb as fast as an assist opening knife...the fact that there is no spring assist is better in some states of our great country...from a legal standpoint.
 
I personally do not feel the need to flick open any knife, wether or not it was built to. I rarely flicked open my Hinderer flippers. I appreciate the smooth hydraulic opening of my knives and I can not feel it by flicking it open. I have probably ticked my Zann 4 times. BUT, it is comforting knowing that I can flick it open without any issues.
I have a Toyota Land Cruiser built for offloading and a Porsche 911. I wouldn't dare slam my 911 doors like the Cruiser, but I don't slam the Cruiser door either.
 
Mainly because my startac umnum looks amazing to me, my startac seb looks good to, but not as good.
 
BBQ BOY said:
I personally do not feel the need to flick open any knife, wether or not it was built to. I rarely flicked open my Hinderer flippers. I appreciate the smooth hydraulic opening of my knives and I can not feel it by flicking it open. I have probably ticked my Zann 4 times. BUT, it is comforting knowing that I can flick it open without any issues.
I have a Toyota Land Cruiser built for offloading and a Porsche 911. I wouldn't dare slam my 911 doors like the Cruiser, but I don't slam the Cruiser door either.
Click to expand...

That is the wonderful thing about living in America, we can all make choices. As for me, my Umnum is just a tool that I use everyday and one that's replaceable ... not something that hides out in a drawer only to see the light of day when it is time to be bragged about. As far as flicking it open, it is kinda like chambering one in a Rem 870 ... the sound will most surly get your attention ... especially in the dark :cool:
 
I use all my CRK's and none of them hide out in a drawer but that doesn't mean that a tool has to be abused. You are right, this is America.
 
It's a toss up for me, but if I had to pick one, i'd pick the umnum. I love the blad shape/overall look/design. It also has less pieces than the sebenza, and the "special tool" needed, is a crutch for some...yeah, you need it, but you also need the Allen wrench for the sebenza.

Btw.. I flick mine too...not hard, but enough to get the blade out...it's not going to hurt it:rolleyes:
 
(1) I have the same struggle, Umnumzaan or Lg Seb?!
(2) Why are we still talking about flicking open knives?
(3) I want both of BBQBoy's cars, and some BBQ
(4) My Sebenza is new and my umnumzaan is not, that's probably why I carry the Umnumzaan a little more.
(5) I sometimes carry both. I have a hair-popping edge on my Sebenza (just in case i need to shave someones chest for a difibulator) and a sharp blade on my umnumzaan (so I can cut steak on a ceramic plate and not cringe).
 
For the longest time I preferred the Sebenza by far. Mostly because of the pivot bushing. I've come to the realization that the Umnumzaan has more features that I prefer over the Sebenza. I love the massive pivot, simplistic/minimalist design with just two screws, blade shape, wear resistant lockup, and overall ergos. I dont miss the pivot bushing either because I just tighten the pivot on my umnumzaan all the way and it still opens easily and smooth with absolutely zero play. I love both though and I will always own a sebenza and umnumzaan.
 
I dont own the seb, but I own the zaan. I like its piercing power, thats why I chose it. Also the swedge i use for tape and ferosrod etc swedge is what i use a lot. I also use it because I can OTP (out the pocket) it like a ziptied spyderco or an emerson
 
Fferrell1 said:
(1) I have the same struggle, Umnumzaan or Lg Seb?!
(2) Why are we still talking about flicking open knives?
(3) I want both of BBQBoy's cars, and some BBQ
(4) My Sebenza is new and my umnumzaan is not, that's probably why I carry the Umnumzaan a little more.
(5) I sometimes carry both. I have a hair-popping edge on my Sebenza (just in case i need to shave someones chest for a difibulator) and a sharp blade on my umnumzaan (so I can cut steak on a ceramic plate and not cringe).
Click to expand...
Anything can be had for a price:)
 
I'm actually thinking about trading my small micarta for an umnum if anybody were to be up for it, but i honestly don't think i would carry it over my large seb. I just got a vecp and i like it just as much if not more than my seb but for some reason i can't keep the seb out of my pocket.
 
It's not actually as clear cut for me as you make it sound. :p

To give you a quick break down. They are both splendid knives but for the same and different reasons, I think at the end of the day they pan out even but there is a but or buts. They both look and feel quite similar but they do feel different, the Sebenza having a slightly wider handle and perhaps not feeling as nimble in the hand as the Umnumzaan. The materials used are of course the same and one would expect the performance to be about the same but it's not. The edge geometry does feel thinner and better for slicing on the Sebenza, while the Umnumzaan with the added swedge feels more like a jack of all trades. The lock set up and hardwear is one point that the differences become larger if you will. The Umnumzaan's ceramic ball frame lock over a Ti frame lock being one of the more obvious ones, the pros and cons of which are much the same really with wear being brought down to next to nothing on the Umnumzaan. The Sebenza has more parts but has the benefit of the bushing system and simple maintenence. The Umnumzaan has fewer parts having the stop pin thumb stud but the pivot needs tuned and a special tool to do that. (one reason I like the Umnumzaan is that it gives me an excuse to make something :D)

All and all it's a very tough one to batter out and the more you think about it the cloudier it becomes as it seems you can always find a counter for ones benefits over the other. The intricacies of which can be kept for another time perhaps. :p:thumbup:

(It's worth noting that when I talk about the Sebenza I am talking about the Regular Sebenza not the Classic/21)

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I love the Umn blade design and the handle over my Sebbie. I find the Sebbie too plain for my taste and I like the way the Umn feels in my hand. I like the new lock disc and the thunk of the lockbar. It just feels more Macho than the Sebie. Also my Umn is s35 while my Sebbie is s30.
 
Traded my small seb for an umnum so looks like i can leave a better look on them both and see which i like better in a couple of days!
 
I went through the "pick one" process 3 years ago , almost came down to a coin toss.

I let my wife pick one and she chose the Umnum , she liked the quiet opening over the Sebs click. I liked the way the back of the blade was finished on the Seb ( radius) over the swedged Umnum. After having the Umnum for 3 years I like swedge and have never felt I need to get a Seb.
 
My preference is the Umnumzaan. The handle is looks classier, really fits my palm. The blade design, swedge strength and large pivot draws me much more than the Sebbie. I'd take the Umnumzaan every time. No wonder it's called "the Boss."
Sonny
 
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