Got my first CRK...new Unmunzaan! Got some questions....

Joined
Aug 21, 2011
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36
Hey guys,

I finally bit the bullet and got my first CRK. Picked up a tanto Umnumzaan from True North Knives. I have to say I love this knife. The blade shape and finish is amazing. I'm almost afraid to use it lol. I do have to admit opening is taking a little getting used too, that is my only complaint but I can live with it. Its a learning process and I'm sure the knife will loosen up with time. I'm a big Emerson and Spyderco fan so this was a change of pace for me.

I have a couple of questions for you guys have have them already. I am new to CRK knives like I said so keep that in mind here. There are there things that I'm not sure about. One is the o-ring on the non lockbar side doesn't touch the scale in the closed position. The thumb stud itself does and it is 100% metal to metal contact. I thought the o-rings were supposed to be the contact points for the thumb studs, was I wrong assuming that?

The other is that the blade is off center to the non lockbar side. I can't slide a business card in that side at all, but can on the other side. I tried tightening the pivot to center it but it made the blade to tight to function properly. The blade is very close to touching the scale.

Here are some cell phone pics...not the best quality. I forgot to mention the knife was made less than three weeks ago!





 
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Nice Score for your First CRK. Welcome Aboard. I have had the original zaan, the tanto zaan like you and the Wilson Combat zaan. ALL are great, I sold them off and only kept the original.

The "O" rings are only there for a buffer. Though it doesnt silence opening that much, its just there to help soften the opening of the knife. As for the off centered blade, I have encountered that and have always figured as long as its not touching, that its fine. Sometime it has to do with blade grinds and such not being exactly exactly the same, though they are Very close. With the zaan, you dont run into the issue of the "pinched washer" like you do with the sebenzas.
 
Thanks! I'm playing with it so much my thumb is getting sore lol. Is there any benefit from taking it down and cleaning out the grease that is in the washers? The blade feels really gritty much like a new Emerson. I always take them down, clean them up, and use a lighter viscosity oil. Usually makes them feel much smoother. Is it worth it on the CRK or should I just carry it for a while before I do?
 
I only use the CRK grease. The grittiness you feel is the new bronze washers. It takes them some time to break in. I have heard where people take them apart and clean then when new because of the thinking there are metal shavings and such, which is not the case....lol. The lube in the perforated holes in the washers makes taking down and cleaning less often. Even with the regular bronze washers, I have went 7-8 months before cleaning and lubing. All depends on what you do with the knife. I have found if I am using it for food and washing it in the sink often, that I have to re-lube it alot more often.
Also the zaan hand motion to open is different than a sebenza. With the zaan, its more of a push forward on the thumb stud and then swing out and open, while the sebenza is just the swing out and open motion.
 
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