An Umnumzaan! Thanks to you guys on the this forum I was finally convinced to buy one. I probably read every review and saw 90% of all the pictures out on the net before I took the plunge.
Here are some of my thoughts: It's not as big (to me) as everyone says. I guess I'm used to the big knives I carry around (Skirmish, Strider XL, ZT 300). It is substantial though. If a Strider is a tank, this is a big SUV. But more importantly it feels substantial. Ever close the door of a fine luxury or sports car? It's heavy and the lock-up is solid and it closes with a thud. It resonates quality. Well handling the Umnumzaan is like this - it's a well-engineered precision machine. Fit, finish, tolerances are all flawless and remind me of the microtech folders I had in the early days.
While the Umnumzaan is a highly practical knife I like it most as a defensive tool. It conceals easily. It is very well balanced. In fact, once open, it's almost like a full-tang boot knife. It flips fluidly in the hand and is comfortable in every grip style, including, reverse grip, edge in, edge out, thumb capped, etc. This is due to the straight-forward ergonomics. While many knives these days have handles with heavy grooving, curves, or cants, the knife handle is fairly straight. It keeps things simple and elegant.
Finally, it opens fast. The knife has a long scallop/ramp along the handle. Rather than putting your thumb exactly behind the thumbstud, just follow your thumb along this scallop/ramp to the thumbstud and keep moving forward. The blade will be pushed/flicked open very naturally by your thumb in a single motion. This allows opening of the knife more easily in times of stress/darkness/wet conditions.
Everything else that I have to say that is positive about this knife has been said before, many times. My only gripe is the late lock-up on my particular knife - more than 75%. I am almost worried that the lockbar would touch the other side of the handle soon. However, I have confidence in the CRK warranty that should the functionality of the knife be impeded by this that CRK would remedy the problem.
In summary, no regrets! Thanks to you all for the much better reviews that led me to my first CRK. Now I have the urge for a fixed CRK and a Sebenza 21 with inserts.
-Wrangler
Here are some of my thoughts: It's not as big (to me) as everyone says. I guess I'm used to the big knives I carry around (Skirmish, Strider XL, ZT 300). It is substantial though. If a Strider is a tank, this is a big SUV. But more importantly it feels substantial. Ever close the door of a fine luxury or sports car? It's heavy and the lock-up is solid and it closes with a thud. It resonates quality. Well handling the Umnumzaan is like this - it's a well-engineered precision machine. Fit, finish, tolerances are all flawless and remind me of the microtech folders I had in the early days.
While the Umnumzaan is a highly practical knife I like it most as a defensive tool. It conceals easily. It is very well balanced. In fact, once open, it's almost like a full-tang boot knife. It flips fluidly in the hand and is comfortable in every grip style, including, reverse grip, edge in, edge out, thumb capped, etc. This is due to the straight-forward ergonomics. While many knives these days have handles with heavy grooving, curves, or cants, the knife handle is fairly straight. It keeps things simple and elegant.
Finally, it opens fast. The knife has a long scallop/ramp along the handle. Rather than putting your thumb exactly behind the thumbstud, just follow your thumb along this scallop/ramp to the thumbstud and keep moving forward. The blade will be pushed/flicked open very naturally by your thumb in a single motion. This allows opening of the knife more easily in times of stress/darkness/wet conditions.
Everything else that I have to say that is positive about this knife has been said before, many times. My only gripe is the late lock-up on my particular knife - more than 75%. I am almost worried that the lockbar would touch the other side of the handle soon. However, I have confidence in the CRK warranty that should the functionality of the knife be impeded by this that CRK would remedy the problem.
In summary, no regrets! Thanks to you all for the much better reviews that led me to my first CRK. Now I have the urge for a fixed CRK and a Sebenza 21 with inserts.
-Wrangler
I am still doing a happy dance. Now when will they make a small version? then I can get rid of my mini-griptilians (even though I am re-handling them).