- Joined
- May 25, 2005
- Messages
- 2,362
Well after searching around and finding a dealer that had one in stock, I just received my new Umnumzaan. Initial impressions are.... meh... so-so. On one hand, it's a brute of a knife, and very well made. On the other hand, a couple minor issues are ruining a lot of the knife for me.
Yes, it has been said and it's true: It's a very large knife. I knew that coming into this. I've carried a small classic Sebenza almost exclusively for a few years now, so going from that to the Umnum was a big step. Still, the Umnum feels great in the hand, and as much as I didn't like the look of the milling in the handles, it works wonderfully. It's also heavy, but not too bad. I've never had the pleasure to carry a large Sebenza, so this may not be too different weight and size wise for those of you that carry a large Sebbie.
The 2 things that bother me (me personally, ymmv), are that it's not to easy to open lefty, and the swedge.
1. Yes, I know it's a right handed knife, but it should be relatively easy to open lefty. Sometimes, you have something in your right hand, or for whatever reason, you need to open the knife with your off-hand. I can open and close my Sebenza with my off-hand quite easily. Actually, it's almost easier to open with my left hand. The Umnum, not so much. While it's not impossible, you really have to work at it.
2. The darn swedge is sharpened! I know this seems to be hit or miss with some, as to how sharp the swedge is, but mine is extremely sharp. Sharp enough to cut me by running my finger over it with light pressure. This, coupled with the fact that the back half of the swedge is exposed when the knife is closed, doesn't bode well. Nevermind the fact, that this also makes this knife illegal for me to carry here in my great state of Massachusetts. (Double edged knives are illegal here, whether it's 1/3 of the knife's spine or the whole thing. You try arguing with a LEO, and it's not going to end in your favor)
I do miss the lockbar cutout that's on my seb's, but I don't find the Umnum's too hard to handle. All in all, the Umnumzaan really is an impressive knife, and I do like it. Will it replace my Sebenza as my favorite knife? I don't know. Time will tell. I will give it a chance, and look forward to carrying it, but I do feel a little let down over those couple minor issues. Kinda takes the wind out of your sails.
I guess I was expecting the kind of perfection you get with a Sebenza, and it really isn't fair to compare the Umnum and the Sebenza. They are 2 distinctly different knives. The Umnumzaan is a great knife in it's own right, and will most assuredly gain a following all it's own. I know I'm looking forward to really getting to know this knife and see what it can do.
To all the folks at CRK: I think you did a great job with the Umnum (Even with my nitpicking
) I hope to create a bond with the Umnum that's as strong as the one I have for the Sebenza. Thank you :thumbup:
-Dan
(I know, Useless without pics!
I'll take some later when I get a chance)
Yes, it has been said and it's true: It's a very large knife. I knew that coming into this. I've carried a small classic Sebenza almost exclusively for a few years now, so going from that to the Umnum was a big step. Still, the Umnum feels great in the hand, and as much as I didn't like the look of the milling in the handles, it works wonderfully. It's also heavy, but not too bad. I've never had the pleasure to carry a large Sebenza, so this may not be too different weight and size wise for those of you that carry a large Sebbie.
The 2 things that bother me (me personally, ymmv), are that it's not to easy to open lefty, and the swedge.
1. Yes, I know it's a right handed knife, but it should be relatively easy to open lefty. Sometimes, you have something in your right hand, or for whatever reason, you need to open the knife with your off-hand. I can open and close my Sebenza with my off-hand quite easily. Actually, it's almost easier to open with my left hand. The Umnum, not so much. While it's not impossible, you really have to work at it.
2. The darn swedge is sharpened! I know this seems to be hit or miss with some, as to how sharp the swedge is, but mine is extremely sharp. Sharp enough to cut me by running my finger over it with light pressure. This, coupled with the fact that the back half of the swedge is exposed when the knife is closed, doesn't bode well. Nevermind the fact, that this also makes this knife illegal for me to carry here in my great state of Massachusetts. (Double edged knives are illegal here, whether it's 1/3 of the knife's spine or the whole thing. You try arguing with a LEO, and it's not going to end in your favor)
I do miss the lockbar cutout that's on my seb's, but I don't find the Umnum's too hard to handle. All in all, the Umnumzaan really is an impressive knife, and I do like it. Will it replace my Sebenza as my favorite knife? I don't know. Time will tell. I will give it a chance, and look forward to carrying it, but I do feel a little let down over those couple minor issues. Kinda takes the wind out of your sails.
I guess I was expecting the kind of perfection you get with a Sebenza, and it really isn't fair to compare the Umnum and the Sebenza. They are 2 distinctly different knives. The Umnumzaan is a great knife in it's own right, and will most assuredly gain a following all it's own. I know I'm looking forward to really getting to know this knife and see what it can do.
To all the folks at CRK: I think you did a great job with the Umnum (Even with my nitpicking
) I hope to create a bond with the Umnum that's as strong as the one I have for the Sebenza. Thank you :thumbup:-Dan
(I know, Useless without pics!
I'll take some later when I get a chance)
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