New Umnumzaan and my bad lube experience!

Big_Red

Big_Red

Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
669
Got my new Umnumzaan today and very excited. I was playing with it in my office and couldn't wait to get home.

Given that it was very tight out of the box, my dumb @ss figures it's a good idea to put a few drops of Breakfree Lube (not CLP) in the pivot area. I didn't disassemble, just dropped in some lube.

FAIL. The action is tougher now and very sticky. It doesn't smoothly deploy any more. Also, the action was very quiet (no clack sound) and now it sounds like a Sebenza at lock up.

After almost a full can of compressed air to get that stuff out of the pivot area it seems to be getting back to normal. Still not quiet though. I called Reeve and ordered the take down tool for future use.

It's no big deal, just thought I'd share my fun for the day. :jerkit:
 
I should have asked the question... why did this happen?

Tight tolerances don't like too much lube gunkin' it up?
 
The less lube the better is a good general rule. The right lube, too. I got a very used Sebenza with black gunk around the pivot. Easily taken down and cleaned, fortunately.

The Umnumzaan especially is designed with those perforated washers so the original lube will do the job even longer. Adding anything just traps the pivot in stuff it doesn't need, maybe attracting dirt.
 
After a couple hundred open/close and blowing it out it's still not right. Guess I'll just wait until the tool comes in and start from scratch. Sux.

The opening motion is real jerky if you know what I mean... I think that pivot needs to be backed off just a hair.
 
Last edited:
Big Red- if you just can't wait, I'm only 5 hours south of you. You can come down and use my take down kit if you need to. It's painful when a new blade just ain't working properly!
 
livingmochila said:
Big Red- if you just can't wait, I'm only 5 hours south of you. You can come down and use my take down kit if you need to. It's painful when a new blade just ain't working properly!
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5 hours :D theres other ways to adjust the pivot. ;)
 
Big_Red said:
I called Reeve and ordered the take down tool for future use.
Click to expand...

Hey Big_Red if you don't mind me asking, what did the take-down tool cost? I've been thinking about ordering one myself. ;)
 
a couple of bucks, not worth the trouble of not getting it. I do feel it should come with the knife by default.

Funny thing is it just came in the box with my umnumzaan (sept 2009) but I hardly hear anyone saying they got one too. Might have been the dealer's thing (myknifedealer.com)
 
vwb563 said:
Hey Big_Red if you don't mind me asking, what did the take-down tool cost? I've been thinking about ordering one myself. ;)
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$10-15 most places (usually around $12) - watch shipping costs, though.

Edit, whoops - see above.
 
If you keep the knife under a jet of warm water for a few minutes it'll take care of the lube on most "unwanted" parts like lock and ceramic ball. Air blow to dry the pivot area.
The perforated washers should keep some lube in.
If all lube gets washed, you ordered the tool anyway.
 
Today she is almost back to normal, albeit tight, but smooth action. I still get the 'clack' sound where it was almost whisper quiet before.

Not sure how a little lube made it louder?????????????????

Oh, and my thumb is beat to hell.
 
haha- Thanks Rick! Was not sure where that reference came from and now I know for sure!


Bill
 
After a weekend the action is smooth now... very nice.

I do caution folks, using the 'zaan to cut open a nephew's buzz lightyear packaging is not recommended.

Those pesky twist ties (looks like thin wire coated with plastic) rolled my perfect edge over with the quickness. I spent probably an hour on the extra fine stones and strop getting that damn flat spot out. The edge was perfect when I got it from CRK, so I was a bit upset to say the least!
 
I dont understand why some zaan users have very little lockup (clack) sound

and have to visually check to make sure their zaan is locked :confused:

Mine has made the usual clack sound after a month of edc use. :D
 
clockman said:
I dont understand why some zaan users have very little lockup (clack) sound

and have to visually check to make sure their zaan is locked :confused:

Mine has made the usual clack sound after a month of edc use. :D
Click to expand...

you don't have the clack if you don't use it often enough. The o-rings will deform when using them, making them non uniform in thickness. after being in the opened position for a time, they deform exactly on the spot that normally absorbs the shock of opening. Thereby allowing a sound/clack when opening it the next time.

when keeping the blade closed for a long time, the clack can be heard better when closing and opening will be silent.
 
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