Ok, I posted this in another thread originally, but I think it got buried, so I figured maybe I should start a new thread....
My Lefty Umnumzaan came in the mail yesterday, and I must say, it's an extremely interesting knife!! I got a great deal on it brand new and it was totally worth it. I'm really enjoying it, although I do have a lot of positive and a few negative opinions.
First off - The action is nice and smooth, but my pivot is a little too tight.... and right off the bat, that's when you notice that you are not supplied with a wrench to adjust it. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely annoying. Of course, I've had this same revelation with both Microtech and Strider's proprietary hardware, but it will always be a nuisance. However, the pivot parts are great looking and nice and beefy.
Nonetheless, it's a brand new knife and it will most likely loosen up and continue to smooth out with time. It is very smooth to operate and I love how smoothly the lockbar releases. Using the large ceramic detent ball as the locking surface as well as for detent is a fantastic idea. Both my Sebenzas have a bit of stick to their locks, but the Umnumzaan unlocks smoothly every single time!! For those who have not handled one, the detent ball hangs out of the front of the lockbar and contacts the tang of the blade. Since the hard ceramic doesn't gall or deform like Titanium, it glides cleanly across the blade tang while still providing a solid lockup.
However, as you go to unlock the knife, you notice issue number two - the sharp edged lock bar is a freaking travesty!! It hurts your thumb plain and simple and there is just no other way to say it. Of course it's an easy fix for someone with access to a belt sander and a bead blaster, but this is probably my largest issue with the knife - make a scoop or round the edge or something, but the sharp edge has to go!!
I love the slightly thicker blade stock - .140" versus the Sebenza's .120". I think this blade thickness is just about optimal for this knife.
I also like the checkering on the titanium. I wish it was a bit deeper, but it adds something to the appearance and provides some much appreciated grip texture. It makes the knife feel a little less "Plain Jane" than a Sebenza. As aesthetics are concerned, I also like the oversized pivot fasteners - just provide me with a wrench to turn 'em and they'll be good to go.
The silent opening and closing is an interesting phenomenon. I kind of like the quiet whoosh that it opens with - it reminds me of an Air Shock being compressed. I was also pleased to see that the rubbery O-rings squish when they hit the frame, so the metal stop pin can come in contact with the titanium. It appears that the knife will function just fine without the O-rings, which should appease those who might be concerned that the lockup could be affected if an O-ring breaks or falls off. I know he thought crossed my mind at one point.
It is also worth noting that despite the dual thumbstuds/stop pins, the knife cannot be opened with either hand. It can only be opened with the right or left hand depending on which model you buy.
Overall, I really like the knife and will be keeping mine. I have really enjoyed it thus far. It really is a knife that must be handled to be fully understood. Once you get it, it's really cool to see the new ideas that have been incorporated into it. I highly recommend getting one, and I have seen some decent prices on the secondary market already.
I'll try to get some pics up soon, but mine is no differnet from the ones you have already seen, except that it is a lefty.
- Jim
My Lefty Umnumzaan came in the mail yesterday, and I must say, it's an extremely interesting knife!! I got a great deal on it brand new and it was totally worth it. I'm really enjoying it, although I do have a lot of positive and a few negative opinions.
First off - The action is nice and smooth, but my pivot is a little too tight.... and right off the bat, that's when you notice that you are not supplied with a wrench to adjust it. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely annoying. Of course, I've had this same revelation with both Microtech and Strider's proprietary hardware, but it will always be a nuisance. However, the pivot parts are great looking and nice and beefy.
Nonetheless, it's a brand new knife and it will most likely loosen up and continue to smooth out with time. It is very smooth to operate and I love how smoothly the lockbar releases. Using the large ceramic detent ball as the locking surface as well as for detent is a fantastic idea. Both my Sebenzas have a bit of stick to their locks, but the Umnumzaan unlocks smoothly every single time!! For those who have not handled one, the detent ball hangs out of the front of the lockbar and contacts the tang of the blade. Since the hard ceramic doesn't gall or deform like Titanium, it glides cleanly across the blade tang while still providing a solid lockup.
However, as you go to unlock the knife, you notice issue number two - the sharp edged lock bar is a freaking travesty!! It hurts your thumb plain and simple and there is just no other way to say it. Of course it's an easy fix for someone with access to a belt sander and a bead blaster, but this is probably my largest issue with the knife - make a scoop or round the edge or something, but the sharp edge has to go!!
I love the slightly thicker blade stock - .140" versus the Sebenza's .120". I think this blade thickness is just about optimal for this knife.
I also like the checkering on the titanium. I wish it was a bit deeper, but it adds something to the appearance and provides some much appreciated grip texture. It makes the knife feel a little less "Plain Jane" than a Sebenza. As aesthetics are concerned, I also like the oversized pivot fasteners - just provide me with a wrench to turn 'em and they'll be good to go.
The silent opening and closing is an interesting phenomenon. I kind of like the quiet whoosh that it opens with - it reminds me of an Air Shock being compressed. I was also pleased to see that the rubbery O-rings squish when they hit the frame, so the metal stop pin can come in contact with the titanium. It appears that the knife will function just fine without the O-rings, which should appease those who might be concerned that the lockup could be affected if an O-ring breaks or falls off. I know he thought crossed my mind at one point.
It is also worth noting that despite the dual thumbstuds/stop pins, the knife cannot be opened with either hand. It can only be opened with the right or left hand depending on which model you buy.
Overall, I really like the knife and will be keeping mine. I have really enjoyed it thus far. It really is a knife that must be handled to be fully understood. Once you get it, it's really cool to see the new ideas that have been incorporated into it. I highly recommend getting one, and I have seen some decent prices on the secondary market already.
I'll try to get some pics up soon, but mine is no differnet from the ones you have already seen, except that it is a lefty.
- Jim
