Okay, I Get It

Joined
Nov 22, 2010
Messages
378
This Umnumzaan I acquired exactly one week ago today has made me get it. I get why CRK is so popular, I get why Chris Reeve is recognized as a leader in the knife industry, and I get why once you own one you want more. Now I never really felt any differently, except maybe when I was still at the "way too much for a knife" stage, but I really don't think I GOT it until just now. Because seriously, this Umnumzaan is probably my new favorite knife. Just everything about the way it works and the way it's put together speaks to me. Using the knife at work against cardboard, reinforced packing tape, zipties, and plastic pallet straps has been a dream. The knife has performed all of these tasks flawlessly, and the edge has taken it all in stride.

One of the things that really almost turned me off CRK was all the hype about the S35VN being "too soft" at 58-59 HRC. I'm glad I ignored it. Maybe it's just my uses, or perhaps I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, but I LOVE CRK's S35VN now. The edge holds a shaving edge for a good long time and then just bounces right back on the strop at the end of the day. Using the knife in a manner that might chip out harder blade steels hasn't chipped it out, and it hasn't dulled or rolled in uses that might dull or roll softer blade steels. Somehow, it seems like the steel was made for the way I'm using the knife. It has an excellent balance of edge-holding and toughness and then it gains that edge right back with little effort if it even needs to go to the stone. I just love the way it performs.

So yes Mr. Reeve, you've convinced me that your knives are totally awesome and a bag of chips. So the only question now is which one I want next...
 
This Umnumzaan I acquired exactly one week ago today has made me get it. I get why CRK is so popular, I get why Chris Reeve is recognized as a leader in the knife industry, and I get why once you own one you want more. Now I never really felt any differently, except maybe when I was still at the "way too much for a knife" stage, but I really don't think I GOT it until just now. Because seriously, this Umnumzaan is probably my new favorite knife. Just everything about the way it works and the way it's put together speaks to me. Using the knife at work against cardboard, reinforced packing tape, zipties, and plastic pallet straps has been a dream. The knife has performed all of these tasks flawlessly, and the edge has taken it all in stride.

One of the things that really almost turned me off CRK was all the hype about the S35VN being "too soft" at 58-59 HRC. I'm glad I ignored it. Maybe it's just my uses, or perhaps I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, but I LOVE CRK's S35VN now. The edge holds a shaving edge for a good long time and then just bounces right back on the strop at the end of the day. Using the knife in a manner that might chip out harder blade steels hasn't chipped it out, and it hasn't dulled or rolled in uses that might dull or roll softer blade steels. Somehow, it seems like the steel was made for the way I'm using the knife. It has an excellent balance of edge-holding and toughness and then it gains that edge right back with little effort if it even needs to go to the stone. I just love the way it performs.

So yes Mr. Reeve, you've convinced me that your knives are totally awesome and a bag of chips. So the only question now is which one I want next...
:thumbup:
 
So yes Mr. Reeve, you've convinced me that your knives are totally awesome and a bag of chips. So the only question now is which one I want next...


If I may make a suggestion or two, you could try a 21 insingo, it's a bit different than your Umnumzaan but still just as awesome. For me, the ONE CRK that I need is the 25. I can't say enough good things about it. The 25 is like the Umnumzaan, Large 21 and Large Regular got together and had a bizarre love triangle and BOOM... you know the rest;)
 
If I may make a suggestion or two, you could try a 21 insingo, it's a bit different than your Umnumzaan but still just as awesome. For me, the ONE CRK that I need is the 25. I can't say enough good things about it. The 25 is like the Umnumzaan, Large 21 and Large Regular got together and had a bizarre love triangle and BOOM... you know the rest;)

If that isn't enough to convince someone to get a 25 then nothing will!
 
andAnd of course you will need a mnandi for those times when a big knife isn't appropriate. LOL it goes on and on. Woo Hoo!:cool:
 
andAnd of course you will need a mnandi for those times when a big knife isn't appropriate. LOL it goes on and on. Woo Hoo!:cool:

I started with a cf large Sebenza and wasn't monumentally impressed, but I got my first Mnandi and I was hooked. To me it is the very finest small knife made.....the problem is there are so many combinations of inlays and blade steels that your "collection" will just continue to grow like fornicating rabbits!!
 
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