Large Sebenza vs. Umnumzaan

unwisefool said:
Hey toyz, have you handled either one of them yet? That can be somewhat important too.
Click to expand...

Sebbie a while ago at a knife show, never handled the Umnum.

Know any good local places? Unfortunately I end up buying most my stuff off the web.
 
JTR357 said:
I have both.They're both excellent tools.

If I had to choose between the two,it would be the Lrg. Sebenza.The only reason being is the ease of taking it apart & reassembling.You really can't go wrong with either.
Click to expand...

+1

The Sebbie has developed a cult following and those of a different "religion" (eg Axis lock) often don't get it, but I'm a great believer in KISS and if I had to give up all my folding knives bar one I would choose the large Sebbie.

The Seb and Um are both great knives and as far as performance and reliability go I don't see a significant difference between the 2. On my examples the Um is a trifle smoother in operation, and really I like the way it locks almost silently, but I find the more "tacticool" looking blade shape a bit of a turnoff. I prefer the large Sebenza for it's blade shape, the finer jimbing on the spine and also the fact that I don't need a special tool to strip and re-assemble it.
 
You should compare both. I have a large Sebenza and an Umnumzaan. The Sebenza Classic does create a small hot-spot on my palm over time due to the not to smooth transition to the butt of the handle. Near perfect knife otherwise but I do EDC my `Zaan much more.
 
I am 1 hr 15 to 1 hr 30 away w/o traffic.

I think I found a place close to work that may carry CRK - a gun store. If not I may take you up on offer. I think I really need to see one.

Very generous of you - thanks.

Question - is the harpoon swedge on top of the blade sharp? I saw a vid review that said it will cut or tear up a pocket as it was chisel like.
 
Toyz said:
The earlier post about detent not being strong has me a little concerned for loose in-pocket carry.

It looks like CR sells a pocket case for Sebbie but not for Umnum.

I recently sliced a finger open on a knife that was in my pocket that opened partially due to a weak detent. Don't want to do that again.

Can anyone speak to the detent strength on each model?
Click to expand...

I can only talk about the Seb but it isn't going to open in your pocket. This is one of the best thought out designs, period.
 
Toyz said:
I am 1 hr 15 to 1 hr 30 away w/o traffic.

I think I found a place close to work that may carry CRK - a gun store. If not I may take you up on offer. I think I really need to see one.

Very generous of you - thanks.

Question - is the harpoon swedge on top of the blade sharp? I saw a vid review that said it will cut or tear up a pocket as it was chisel like.
Click to expand...

Ok cool. Just let me know.

The swedge on mine is not sharp at all, but then again I have one of the special run tanto versions so it might be different.
 
GA/\/\/\/\A said:
Question: How strong is either model's blade detent in closed position?

If carrying loose in pocket, one wouldn't want to have the blade jiggle open and make some unwanted ventilation : )
Click to expand...

for what one pays for a Sebenza or an Umnumzaan, i would personally expect that neither of them would ever accidently open.

personally, i'd prefer a spyderco or kershaw or similar. i'm not spending Sebenza or Umnumzaan kind of money on a folding blade.
 
I have all there knives..Zaan,seb and millie.The zaan kind of snaps in with

authority,the seb not quite as strong and the millie not as stong as the seb.

The Zaan is not quiet once is broken in just a little quieter than the seb.

The zaan handle is more comfortable than the seb imo.The tarpoon swedge

can be sharpened a bit(I did) and is good for scraping...The zaan blade is

Not Going to come out of the knife and bite you.:D

The tarpoon is Not Like A Chisel and Will Not Tear Up Your Pocket..vid is wrong.
 
Last edited:
FYI I had a large seb open in my pocket and cut my pants last year. It was purchased new by me and was about 2 weeks old when it happened. I sold it that week because I felt it wasn't the safest knife, although looking back I probably could have just sent it to CRK to have the detent strengthened. I have handled a few Sebs since then and both have had much stronger detents.

Currently I EDC an Umnum most days. There is no way it will open in my pocket, the detent is firmer and the action has a bit more resistance so it stays closed just fine :thumbup:

I much prefer the Umnum and not just for the detent. The feature combination is very well thought out and I like the added robustness of the Umnum with thicker blade, bigger pivot, etc.
 
What's your hand size? I don't own either but have handled both. I found that the large Seb was somewhat uncomfortable but the Um fit quite well. I also like that the Umnumzaan comes standard with double thumb studs since ambidextrous opening is very important to me.
 
Toyz there is another thing to consider, you can get the Seby in a small version which will work much better in a pocket than the large model. The Umnum only comes in the large size.
 
I too couldn't decide between the two, but I went for the zaan.

You must have huge pockets, I couldn't imagine carrying mine loose...anyway, the top swedge isn't sharp, only partially sticks up when closed, and could easily be dulled if you wanted.

The detent is very strong. I didn't care for the criss crossings too much until I felt them in hand, love em now.

Its been said, but you really can't go wrong with either.
 
unwisefool said:
Ok cool. Just let me know.

The swedge on mine is not sharp at all, but then again I have one of the special run tanto versions so it might be different.
Click to expand...

This is why i love thsi forum a great sense of community, My family lives in the bethesda area. do you mind if i ask where you guys shop for high end cutlery in that area?
 
Not to threadjack or anything, but the specs on the 'Zaan are very similar to the microtech mini-socom. Similar build qualities, but the discontinued mini-socom went for < $200.
 
Locust said:
What's your hand size? I don't own either but have handled both. I found that the large Seb was somewhat uncomfortable but the Um fit quite well. I also like that the Umnumzaan comes standard with double thumb studs since ambidextrous opening is very important to me.
Click to expand...

Hands are around 4 1/4"-4 1/2" across the palm, and I wear XL gloves. The smaller knives tend to create a hotspot where the back of the scales digs into my palm.

I tend to like the larger knives, like the Military, where the scales somewhat clear the hand.

I was worreid that the small sebbie would be uncomfortable and I would end up selling it after a while.
 
Toyz said:
I tend to like the larger knives, like the Military, where the scales somewhat clear the hand.

I was worreid that the small sebbie would be uncomfortable and I would end up selling it after a while.
Click to expand...

Those were my thoughts.

When I was pondering the same question that you are now I ended up going with the Sebenza but only because I was able to find a good deal on a used one.

Later on I picked up an Umnumzaan.

Like others have said the Sebenza is defiantly easier to take apart, though admittedly that’s not a huge deal.

The Umnumzaan feels better in my hand, I like the increased grip it offers.

The Sebenza is in my mind a more useful blade all things considered.

If I could only have one…god I don’t know. it’s a coin flip between two of the best knives on the market.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top