My Umnum is back (pics) from the Spa. Unlock info, please?

Sonnydaze

Sonnydaze

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
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I bought this ANIB, but it needed cleaning and adjusting of the blade to center. They even touched up the blade so that it floats through Yellow Pages better than when I sent it in. That's nice.
CRK received it on May 2 and I got it back on May 11th. Quick service. I truly enjoy the outstanding workmanship and close tolerances involved in making this folder.

I am still unable to unlock the blade one-handed. Perhaps it will get easier with a little breaking in.
For now, I use two hands and use my right fore-fingernail to push the lock over, and then close the blade with my left hand.
The "lock-blade" appears to have a slot for the fingernail to be used..for two hand closing of the knife. Am I wrong on this?

Since the Sebenza allows such easy unlocking of the blade, I am wondering whether the Umnumzaan is actually designed for two-handed closing of the blade.
Does anyone know what CRK recommends?

Would appreciate your help. I feel like a real dummy, since I seem to be the only one who can't operate the blade release with one hand. :)

CRK3.jpg


Umnumlockbar.jpg


CRK6.jpg


Sonny
 
I use one hand to close mine. Just jam your thumb into the lockbar and push it over. I've never seen people use two hands, look them up on youtube.

I don't understand what is stopping you from pushing the lock over with one thumb.
 
the bar on mine is pretty stiff; though i can use a one hand motion, i usually use 2 hands to close it...no big deal to me

...but i know i am in the minority when it comes to this issue.
 
Don't worry about not being able to unlock it one handed yet. When i got my first ever Umnum, i couldn't either. Keep practicing, and give your thumb rest(a few days) in between trying.

The harder the lockbar is to disengage, to me is a good thing. Give it time. Also, DO NOT try to push the lock bar(not saying you will) out with two hands to loosen it up. You will ruin the lock up, which will effect blade play and everything else.

btw...spa trip made it look real good:)
 
lemmuhj said:
Don't worry about not being able to unlock it one handed yet. When i got my first ever Umnum, i couldn't either.

btw...spa trip made it look real good:)
Click to expand...

Thanks to you folks for your nice comments. There is hope for me yet. Yes, it is a great knife. Makes my other folders want to hide. :)
And yes, if I just can't do it, two hands is just fine too. BTW, it flips open just great.
Sonny
 
I had an early one that was difficult to unlock, but no impossible. I sold that one a few years back. I bought a new one at the end of last year and it is much easier to unlock.
 
Because the Umnumzaan uses a ceramic ball as the contact point I think its safe to say the problem is not because of a sticky lockup.
I'm guessing the lock bar is just a little stiff and thats why its harder to push open? On my Startac Umnum I do notice that the lockbar area
where you push on is a little pointy and can dig in the thumb some. The solution is probably just to keep on opening and closing it and the lock bar
will eventually loosen up and be easier to disengage.
 
You kinda have to watch your grip when you close the knife. If any of your fingers are on the lockbar, it'll be very difficult to disengage.
 
snowreaper1 said:
Because the Umnumzaan uses a ceramic ball as the contact point I think its safe to say the problem is not because of a sticky lockup.
I'm guessing the lock bar is just a little stiff and thats why its harder to push open? On my Startac Umnum I do notice that the lockbar area
where you push on is a little pointy and can dig in the thumb some. The solution is probably just to keep on opening and closing it and the lock bar
will eventually loosen up and be easier to disengage.
Click to expand...

There's also been at least one change in the size of the cutout for accessing the lockbar over the knife's production run, which can make a practical difference for some users.
 
I use the meat on the end of my thumb to unlock it. Never had a problem.

I dont think theres anything wrong with your knife. I think you may have to toughen your thumb up/get it use to unlocking the knife. If after a while it still doesn't work for you, you can always sell it for a minimal loss and pick up something else.

Edit to add: Also Jnewell, what is your avatar picture of? I've been wondering for about two months now. :)
 
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OP, I'll make a short video tonight illustrating what I think is going on. If the knife will smoothly operate using two hands, then your technique is somehow putting pressure on the lock bar to stay closed while you are trying to open it. In the video it will make more sense. :)
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
OP, I'll make a short video tonight illustrating what I think is going on. If the knife will smoothly operate using two hands, then your technique is somehow putting pressure on the lock bar to stay closed while you are trying to open it. In the video it will make more sense. :)
Click to expand...

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I have found myself doing exactly that with the Umnu. I wonder how many others are, too, but haven't noticed? It's not hard to "fix" once you notice what you're doing, but until you realize what's going on, you can get very frustrated at how hard it is to open the knife!
 
Have you tried to unlock it the way I described it in your last thread?


Middle finger on the pivot (backside of thr knife).
Index finger on the spine (only light pressure, not to cut yourself)
Fingertip of the thumb on the lockbar.
Build up pressure between middle finger and thumb.
 
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