Need Help Deciding, umnumzaan new or old pivot!!

[JNewell]

I doubt there's much real world difference, but I wouldn't go so far as to say structurally identical. Since the 'zaan is held together at two points and has no stop bar, the pivot hardware is the main "structure" of the knife. While the pivot diameter is the same, the old "lug" has a wider span and more contact area with the frame, so it follows that pushed to the point of failure, the old setup should be somewhat stronger. Again, this is likely an academic point with little if any real world application, but it helps me to rationalize my (aesthetic) preference for the older style.

I really think that's academic at best. At the point at which that might become relevant, one or more other parts of the knife are likely to have failed. It's sort of a question about how pretty the corpse is.

 

[JNewell]

My sweet spot is new pivot with no LBS.

I'm going by memory here, but I think the LBS was introduced well ahead of the new pivot - if that's right, that configuration doesn't exist. Confirmation/correction definitely welcome on that.

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

Love the look of the old pivot.

I personally don't mind a lb over travel stop, although I think it would have been nice if it could be removed.

Almost seems like a bit of an insult that they made it tamper proof. Plus the lovely aftermarket ti lbs was one of the few things that I really liked about my SnG. I get that CRK would prefer you didn't swap it (if it WAS removable), but even Mick conceded that a Gray Precision lbs was "jewelry" and wouldn't negate their warranty.

Just one man's opinion.

I took mine apart yesterday to bead blast the scales and scotch brite the hardware. The LBS can be removed with the right tools. I just so happen to have those tools. I am real tempted to take mine apart again and press the factory LBS out and tap it for a Pete Gray LBS. As a matter of fact I was on their site last night trying to decide which LBS to buy for this project. I may pick up the flying saucer looking blue polished one and give it a go. I might also press a threaded insert into the hold instead of drilling or tapping the hole so I can always revert to stock. Decisions...decisions...decisions.

 

[AKWILD]

I have the old Umnum and the new Startac. I would for sure keep the old. I personally feel the scales groves should be reworked on the new umnums to integrate better with the new pivot like they are on the startac.

 

[SHKnives]

I prefer old pivot.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I took mine apart yesterday to bead blast the scales and scotch brite the hardware. The LBS can be removed with the right tools. I just so happen to have those tools. I am real tempted to take mine apart again and press the factory LBS out and tap it for a Pete Gray LBS. As a matter of fact I was on their site last night trying to decide which LBS to buy for this project. I may pick up the flying saucer looking blue polished one and give it a go. I might also press a threaded insert into the hold instead of drilling or tapping the hole so I can always revert to stock. Decisions...decisions...decisions.

Do eeet!

Pete makes a nice product. Well priced too.

Personally I dislike bullet casing lbs', but a nice ti piece would look sweet on a 'zaan.

 

[RobertK]

Guess I'm the minority than likes the newer pivot. Matches the umnum profile so well.

 

[1AbominAble1]

I doubt there's much real world difference, but I wouldn't go so far as to say structurally identical. Since the 'zaan is held together at two points and has no stop bar, the pivot hardware is the main "structure" of the knife. While the pivot diameter is the same, the old "lug" has a wider span and more contact area with the frame, so it follows that pushed to the point of failure, the old setup should be somewhat stronger. Again, this is likely an academic point with little if any real world application, but it helps me to rationalize my (aesthetic) preference for the older style.

I couldn't agree more.
I also like how the old pivot makes for a comfortable place to grab the knife in certain grips, its hard to explain in writing but it definitely "feels" better in hand to me.

 

[Officer's Match]

I couldn't agree more.
I also like how the old pivot makes for a comfortable place to grab the knife in certain grips, its hard to explain in writing but it definitely "feels" better in hand to me.

Not sure where, but I've made that point somewhere as well.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I couldn't agree more.
I also like how the old pivot makes for a comfortable place to grab the knife in certain grips, its hard to explain in writing but it definitely "feels" better in hand to me.

That's what I think every time I look at the old pivot. Looks like it would be comfy in certain (pinch) grips.

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

I'm going by memory here, but I think the LBS was introduced well ahead of the new pivot - if that's right, that configuration doesn't exist. Confirmation/correction definitely welcome on that.

You, sir, are correct. You can find the old pivot with/without the LBS but the new pivot is only available with the LBS.

On another note...those who wish the LBS was removable...if it were it would defeat the purpose/reason CRK installs it. CRK has had numerous issues with people taking the Umnumzaan apart and bending the lock bar out to lessen the pressure that is required to unlock it. I believe they finally got sick of this "warranty" issue and this was their resolution to it. If the LBS were removable...they would be back at square one with over-bent lockbars.

 

[1AbominAble1]

That's what I think every time I look at the old pivot. Looks like it would be comfy in certain (pinch) grips.

It absolutely is.
Strange as it is for a knife of this size I find myself holding it by the pivot a lot while doing detailed work with it.
I have 3 Umnum/StarTacs and 2 25's, I've done quite a bit of cutting with both; I find the old Zaan pivot to be much more comfortable in "unorthodox" grips that the new Zaan/25 pivot -FOR MY NEEDS AND USE-.
I'm sure that the new one is fine for most guys who don't mind it's appearance on the "Sir,Master" knife but I prefer the original.