Opening Umnumzaan with Wet Hands

C

C3X

Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
14
First post, please be kind.

Own a lot of different knives for EDC, camping and hunting. I have 2 other CRKs- a small 21 with insingo blade and a standard large 21. I am aware of the different motions to open the 21 and the Umnum. For normal everyday uses, no problems, I typically carry a CRK for EDC.

Had the Umnum with me while bow hunting a few days ago. Had a need to use it, but my hands were a bit wet from rain/blood. I couldn’t open the Umnum to save my life with one hand. Kind of freaked me out. Thumb was slipping right off the rubber o-rings. I have since adjusted the pivot (I’m not a flicker) and still have challenges opening it with wet hands. Not really a big deal, I can leave it home in the future, but I really like the knife.

Anyone else experience this? Any suggestions?
 
Stick your finger nail in there and flick it.

Go over to your sink and practice.
 
No problems with Large or Small 21-there is a little grab. It’s that o-ring that gets slippery- my nail doesn’t even touch it. Not a big deal, will just leave it at home next time.
 
C3X said:
No problems with Large or Small 21-there is a little grab. It’s that o-ring that gets slippery- my nail doesn’t even touch it. Not a big deal, will just leave it at home next time.
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Or just take off the O rings. I would.
 
C3X said:
Any suggestions?
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Interesting problem.
I'm a big fan of modding knives that are almost perfect for me. Knives that are heavily used EDCs and that I would never attempt to sell.
So . . . even if this is a Chris Reeve . . . personally I would :

1. Take off the thumb stud and put it away with the box in case you decide to sell the knife some day.
2. Put on a thumb stud that sticks up further off the side of the blade so you can get your thumb on it.

alternatively you could file a flat on the side of the existing stock stud that your thumb pushes against but that ruins the stud for resale.

PS: I'm surprised I haven't heard someone chanting quietly: Chris Reeve fixed blade, Chris Reeve fixed blade, Chris Reeve fixed blade,
 
Wowbagger said:
Interesting problem.
I'm a big fan of modding knives that are almost perfect for me. Knives that are heavily used EDCs and that I would never attempt to sell.
So . . . even if this is a Chris Reeve . . . personally I would :

1. Take off the thumb stud and put it away with the box in case you decide to sell the knife some day.
2. Put on a thumb stud that sticks up further off the side of the blade so you can get your thumb on it.

alternatively you could file a flat on the side of the existing stock stud that your thumb pushes against but that ruins the stud for resale.

PS: I'm surprised I haven't heard someone chanting quietly: Chris Reeve fixed blade, Chris Reeve fixed blade, Chris Reeve fixed blade,
Click to expand...

Doesn't the diameter of the thumb stud act as the blade stop. The knife would rotate past the detent with a smaller pin, yes?
 
BellaBlades said:
Doesn't the diameter of the thumb stud act as the blade stop. The knife would rotate past the detent with a smaller pin, yes?
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Better get the right size. I was thinking it might be worth getting a custom pin made by one of the fine Pros here in the forum. Piece of pie on a lathe. Cut grooves for the O-rings. :thumbsup:
 
Wowbagger said:
Better get the right size. I was thinking it might be worth getting a custom pin made by one of the fine Pros here in the forum. Piece of pie on a lathe. Cut grooves for the O-rings. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

There you go. Same width just a bit taller.
 
What I've done before and basically do most every time now is to follow the contour of the frame with the side of my thumb, then push straight up on the thumb stud trying not to arc the method. That gives me enough pressure to depress the O-ring and actually use the edges of the O-ring slot for successfully opening the blade. The only time I've had issues is when my hands were oily. I've learned to wipe my hands if they are greasy/oily. I looked like a babbling fool trying to open it o_O
 
Wowbagger said:
PS: I'm surprised I haven't heard someone chanting quietly: Chris Reeve fixed blade, Chris Reeve fixed blade, Chris Reeve fixed blade,
Click to expand...

While I have more than a few fixed blades, I like this idea the best.

So I tried the above suggestions with wet (water) hands. I can make it work. Of course I got the eyeroll from my wife while I was standing at the sink flipping open my knife. Not going to take it to the next level and practice with blood on my hands...

Thanks all for the replies. Lessons learned.
 
C3X said:
While I have more than a few fixed blades, I like this idea the best.

So I tried the above suggestions with wet (water) hands. I can make it work. Of course I got the eyeroll from my wife while I was standing at the sink flipping open my knife. Not going to take it to the next level and practice with blood on my hands...

Thanks all for the replies. Lessons learned.
Click to expand...

Most of us know that "Really?" wife look .
 
I believe this is more of a technique issue than a knife issue, and here's all you need to do in order to correct it...

1. Squeeze the BOTTOM of the knife, NOT the top. The biggest problem with opening a Zaan is that when you are squeezing the knife with your index and middle finger you are putting pressure on the clip/lockbar. The trick is to grip it more with your ring and pinky fingers, as that takes the majority of the pressure off the lockbar. You don't need to crush the knife to open it; just hold it in your last two fingers with enough pressure that it doesn't drop to the ground, and...

2. Push the thumb stud in a straight line along the frame. The Zaan does NOT open like a Sebenza, where you push out and around in an arc. In order to open (or flick it), you need to follow the line along the frame and push in that straight line.

If you do those two things, your Zaan should never be a problem to open regardless of the shape or size of your thumbs.:thumbsup:

Good luck!
 
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