Make me buy an Umnumzaan

jfindon

jfindon

Joined
Dec 12, 2006
Messages
967
So I'm sitting here looking at my Speedform and realizing how much I like titanium handles. I've always wanted to get a Sebenza, but now the Umnumzaan is growing on me. I was looking for another Ti knife that maybe wasn't a lot of money, but I may as well just bite the bullet and get a CR knife.

It's not really that $400 is a lot in general, but for a knife it is. My spending has been slowly going up, but this is quite a jump. My other main issue is I likely won't be able to hold one before I buy it to see how it feels, I really wouldn't want to buy a $400 knife without seeing what it felt like in my hand. Not sure how much of a choil it has for your finger, but I generally don't like the way knives feel unless they have one.

How would I find out if any local places carry CR knives? I don't remember seeing anything on his site with a dealer listing page, and I don't even know of any knife places around here.
 
Why not get one off the exchance? Chances are you can get your money back out of it should you decide you don't like it. I've seen plenty on there for 320-350 practically new...
 
myowngod said:
Why not get one off the exchance? Chances are you can get your money back out of it should you decide you don't like it. I've seen plenty on there for 320-350 practically new...
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Honestly, I don't like buying used things even if they are "like new", and for $80 more I'd rather just get a new one.

Thing is, I'm not really a hard or medium use user, I just carry them for emergencies and because I love the feel of a quality knife.

I do suppose I could sell it without much loss if I don't like it, but I'd still rather find a local place to hold one. Are they still sold out at a lot of places or did he catch up? That would make it even harder to find one in stores.
 
I'll just say that it was the first $400 knife which I did not consider overpriced.:)
It's also the knife which most often is recognized by non-knife people as being high quality when they see mine.
They still feel that $400 is alot of cash to plunk down on a knife, but they generally can understand why it is so pricey.
The quiet opening is nice, the cross hatching gives good "grippiness", it slices VERY well, and has the only execution of a glass breaker on a knife whch didn't make me want to puke.:thumbup:
It also is slim in the pocket, which is nice when you carry a wallet in the same pocket.
If you have the cash, I say go for it. I doubt you'll regret it either.
 
I got to handle both at a local gun show, i picked the Umnumzann. Maybe you can find a show in your area?
But both are very well made and it almost came down to a coin toss.
 
I didn't even think about shows, there's a gun show coming up but I don't see anything about knives. I think there was just a knife show too but I missed out on that, I'll have to keep my eyes open for the next.

Unless I cave and just buy the thing :)
 
Here is where you can find the list of dealers. It's what I used to find dealers when I was looking for a CRK.

http://www.chrisreeve.com/dealers.htm

If you are in the US click on domestic dealers, and it will bring up a PDF. Just look through for your State or whatever one you think would be closest.

Just be aware that they might not have an Umnumzaan in stock. It would probably be best to call around to make sure they have one before you make a trip.

Also, I find the Umnumzaan to be an amazing knife. While the Sebenza comes close by having a heat-treated lockbar face, the ceramic ball and thumbstuds as bladestop pretty much eliminates wear for the framelock, a problem which plagues many of the other knives that implement the RIL.
 
Cynic2701 said:
Here is where you can find the list of dealers. It's what I used to find dealers when I was looking for a CRK.

http://www.chrisreeve.com/dealers.htm

If you are in the US click on domestic dealers, and it will bring up a PDF. Just look through for your State or whatever one you think would be closest.

Just be aware that they might not have an Umnumzaan in stock. It would probably be best to call around to make sure they have one before you make a trip.

Also, I find the Umnumzaan to be an amazing knife. While the Sebenza comes close by having a heat-treated lockbar face, the ceramic ball and thumbstuds as bladestop pretty much eliminates wear for the framelock, a problem which plagues many of the other knives that implement the RIL.
Click to expand...

Thanks, just found that PDF myself. Not much at all around here, only thing I found was this:

http://www.artknives.com/Chris_Reeve_Knives/chris_reeve_knives.html

There are four places, only two actually show CR knives, one had no Umnumzaans listed so I e-mailed them. The place above lists them so I may contact them too, I wish there were more places around PA.
 
I decided I would celebrate my first SS retirement check by buying a CRK - an 'Umnumzaan'. The local dealer finally got a plain 'zaan in - it was marked $460! That's right, they marked it up! Well, I talked it back down to list plus 9% s/t - $436. I went home to ponder it - found some info on the CRK sub-forum, and promptly fell in love with the Wilson Combat 'StarTac' version of the Umnumzaan - at only $29.95 more - with free s/h. I had one in a couple days - perfection - and 'only' $429.95! Here it is with a recent revolver purchase:

IMG_4546.jpg


It fits my hand great - has an appropriate amount of heft - and balances perfectly. Smooth and sure operating, too. They really do make you smile! And - the StarTac version is different - not everyone will have one. I really don't feel worthy of such a fine knife - I am fortunate indeed.

Stainz
 
Owned first a Sebenza and now an Umnumzaam and am not impressed any more than I am with the BM Skirmish that I prefer.
 
jfindon said:
Thanks, just found that PDF myself. Not much at all around here, only thing I found was this:

http://www.artknives.com/Chris_Reeve_Knives/chris_reeve_knives.html

There are four places, only two actually show CR knives, one had no Umnumzaans listed so I e-mailed them. The place above lists them so I may contact them too, I wish there were more places around PA.
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I take it you are from PA? Right now I'm in the Philadelphia area myself. Are you left-handed or right-handed?

I've only been to two stores in the area:

Fred Eisen Leather (which is were artknives.com is located) which is in New Hope PA. That is where I bought my left-handed Umnumzaan. When I was there I was only really looking for left-handed knives, so I don't really remember if he had any right-handed Umnumzaans. I do know that he had several RH Sebenzas.

The other store was Sharp Unique Gifts for Men (the online site is classiccustomknives.com) out in Skippack PA. When I was there about a month and a half ago he had no LH CRK's in stock at the time, but had a few on order which were expected to be delivered any day. He also had a RH Umnumzaan when I was there, but that may have changed by now. He also had some extremely rare Sebenzas in stock.

Both Fred and Jack (the owner of Sharp Unique Gifts for Men) are really friendly and just all around great guys. Your best bet would be to call them rather than email them.
 
jfindon said:
Not sure how much of a choil it has for your finger, but I generally don't like the way knives feel unless they have one.
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When I hear finger choil I think more of the Spyderco Sage 2 (in terms of Ti folders). The Zaan has nothing close to that.

My history over the past month-

Purchased a Sage 2
Purchased a Umnumzaan
Sold Sage 2
Purchased another CRK (Large 21 Micarta)

Step up and buy the Zaan, you hear it calling, you have no choice in the matter :D
 
bomber258 said:
Owned first a Sebenza and now an Umnumzaam and am not impressed any more than I am with the BM Skirmish that I prefer.
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I actually like the look of the Skirmish more, but when I got a chance to hold a Skirmish and compared it directly to my Sm Seb, it felt like a knife of lower value. Same materials, but not the same quality, IMO.
 
Cynic2701 said:
I take it you are from PA? Right now I'm in the Philadelphia area myself. Are you left-handed or right-handed?

I've only been to two stores in the area:

Fred Eisen Leather (which is were artknives.com is located) which is in New Hope PA. That is where I bought my left-handed Umnumzaan. When I was there I was only really looking for left-handed knives, so I don't really remember if he had any right-handed Umnumzaans. I do know that he had several RH Sebenzas.

The other store was Sharp Unique Gifts for Men (the online site is classiccustomknives.com) out in Skippack PA. When I was there about a month and a half ago he had no LH CRK's in stock at the time, but had a few on order which were expected to be delivered any day. He also had a RH Umnumzaan when I was there, but that may have changed by now. He also had some extremely rare Sebenzas in stock.

Both Fred and Jack (the owner of Sharp Unique Gifts for Men) are really friendly and just all around great guys. Your best bet would be to call them rather than email them.
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ClassicCustomKnives was the site I checked that said it had no CR knives, but I know that doesn't mean much. I only e-mailed them because it's late and I don't know if they're there on weekends anyway. If I don't hear back, I'll give them a call.


But yeah, I'm from PA, outside of Allentown. Both the places are an hour away, so I'd definitely find out for sure before driving all that way.


n2wilderness said:
When I hear finger choil I think more of the Spyderco Sage 2 (in terms of Ti folders). The Zaan has nothing close to that.

My history over the past month-

Purchased a Sage 2
Purchased a Umnumzaan
Sold Sage 2
Purchased another CRK (Large 21 Micarta)

Step up and buy the Zaan, you hear it calling, you have no choice in the matter :D
Click to expand...


I think it mainly depends on where my index finger falls. I have a Gayle Bradley and don't really like the way it feels in my hand because of where my index finger rests. My 710 has no choil and feels fine, so I don't need one like the Speedform or a CQC-8 has, just need someone that my index finger feels "at home" :)
 
I've pondered getting a zaan and wondered how it would stack up against my BM 630 Skirmish which I love and would probably the last knife I'd sell.

Can anyone go into a more in-depth explanation of why the prefer one over the other?
I understand the CR's tight tolerance QC but does it give you that feeling of being an extension of you hand the way the skirmish does for my self?
 
I had the chance to hadle a umn for a short time and must say it is a very fine knife. I liked it even more when I found out it came in lefty too but.......

While getting a feel for it I found the things I didn't like. The first issue I had was the lock bar when trying to close the knife. Your fingers rest on the opposing side and when you press with your thumb to release the lock you end up fighting the opposing finger pressure near the end of the lock bar travel. Next was the thumb studs, nice but because of possition and size it was difficult to get a positive "grip" for deployment. lastly I didn't like one bit the ceramic ball on the lock, to me it said fail.

I've also come to the decision I don't like all Ti handles but that's just me. Excellent knife overall but I'm picky.....
 
knifenut1013 said:
I had the chance to hadle a umn for a short time and must say it is a very fine knife. I liked it even more when I found out it came in lefty too but.......

While getting a feel for it I found the things I didn't like. The first issue I had was the lock bar when trying to close the knife. Your fingers rest on the opposing side and when you press with your thumb to release the lock you end up fighting the opposing finger pressure near the end of the lock bar travel. Next was the thumb studs, nice but because of position and size it was difficult to get a positive "grip" for deployment. lastly I didn't like one bit the ceramic ball on the lock, to me it said fail.

I've also come to the decision I don't like all Ti handles but that's just me. Excellent knife overall but I'm picky.....
Click to expand...

Is it just the posts causing it or is it that the post is far from the blades pivot point making it hard to flip open? I had a Seb that I sold because of that.
 
IIRC it was because the posts were small, smooth, and too close to the handle not allowing much area to "grip" them with my thumb.
 
I was worried about the studs too, seems like they'd be a little slippery.

Honestly, the more I think of it, the more I'd rather go for a custom at those prices. I have my eye on some WDZ knives, I guess we'll see.
 
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