Large CRK: Large Sebenza 21 or Umnumzaan

NJerzy154 said:
I would say go with the Umnumzaan. The large is great but I like the Umnum a bit more because of its sheer simplicity.
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For sheer simplicity the Sebenza is unbeatable. One simple tool to take down the entire knife, no need for loctite, simpler pivot, and cleaner look. There are probably less overall parts involved in the zaan with the lack of stop pin/screw if thats what you meant and I agree with that.
 
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JNewell said:
S35VN isn't likely to fix your dilemma, either. :(
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What exactly is it you do with a folder that S30V or S35VN are not up to the task? I understand having a preference for different steels but it's not like these two are junk.

In fact the opposite is true they are both premium steels. They both perform at a very high level.
 
TUF said:
What exactly is it you do with a folder that S30V or S35VN are not up to the task? I understand having a preference for different steels but it's not like these two are junk.

In fact the opposite is true they are both premium steels. They both perform at a very high level.
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Please read the post I was responding to - you need to ask Buffalohump, who posted that he won't buy knives with S30V blades (see below). He didn't mention S35VN, but they are so similar that the transition to S35VN won't eliminate the obstacle for him.

S30V and S35VN are fine with me. S30V is actually the Rodney Dangerfield of modern cutlery steel, in my opinion. I started with knives back when there was "stainless" and "carbon." If you dialed me back to ATS-34, I'd honestly never have any regrets or complaints. :)

That said THE major reason that prevents me from adding one to my rotation is the steel. I have unfortunately become ruined to anything that uses S30V. Its terrible because that also includes knives I still very much want to own but there it is...
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kawr said:
For sheer simplicity the Sebenza is unbeatable. One simple tool to take down the entire knife, no need for loctite, simpler pivot, and cleaner look. There are probably less overall parts involved in the zaan with the lack of stop pin/screw if thats what you meant and I agree with that.
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I think we've managed to demonstrate for the OP that there is no objective answer to his question. Regular? 21/Classic? Umnu? Unfortunately he ruled out "all of the above." :D
 
Wow - first, thank you all very much for taking the time to post your opinions and experience with each of these blades! It really sounds like it will be a "win-win" situation regardless of which one I end up going with.

I love the look of the Umnumzaan, and I like that it is quite a bit different from my small Sebenza 21. If I get the large Sebenza I'll have two identical knives but in different sizes. The special tool needed for the zaan isn't a deal breaker for me either - small price to pay.

The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on the zaan over the Sebby is ergonomics. The small Sebby 21 is just perfect in my hand. The shape of the handle is just right. I'd love to have that fit in a bigger blade. Looking at the zaan, it's hard to tell if it will have that "glove-like" fit to it like the Sebby will.

Man, this is going to be hard to decide..
 
Man, this is going to be hard to decide..[/QUOTE]

I know how you feel..Me too, I have the same problem you have, only different is Large or small Sebenza I have to choose, I have few benchmade, most time I carry benchmade 707 for work and carry 635 when not working, so take me 2 week of home work on the internet and youtube, So I put my trigger on the only 1 left Large Sebenza with the S35VN blade from GP knives company, I think you will have no regret for the large Seb 21 with S35VN.
 
Well - an Umnumzaan is on the way! In the end, either knife would have absolutely met my needs (and then some), but the Umnumzaan was quite a bit different than my small Sebby, and if I was going to have a large and small CRK I wanted them to be someone different. Keeps it interesting...

A few things that pushed me over the edge:

  • Slightly more grippy handles with the deep grooved checkering
  • Slightly more grippy jimping
  • Thumbstud closer to pivot making for "short throw" opening
  • Nice and quiet locking due to different design
  • Super smooth action due to ceramic ball
  • More interesting overall looks, both on handles (not simply flat) and on blade

Thanks again for your input and helping me to come to this decision!

-Rich
 
DallasSTB said:
Now if he decided to offer an Umnum with a blade option like M390 at 60-62RC, that might be another story.......
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+1 :thumbup:

if it was the "Star-Benza" Umnumzaan with M390, I would whip out the credit card and prepare for the verbal beating from my wife. It would be SO worth it!
 
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