PXL vs. Sebenza vs. Umnumzaan

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Sep 3, 2006
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Some people have asked about the merits of the Fallkniven PXL and the CRK folders.
Here is my experience.

First, the Fallkniven:

The PXL is a great knife, a bit heavy perhaps, but a really solid and nice looking knife.
The liner lock is typical of Fallkniven overall quality. The lock is very precise and very solid. In fact, it is the best liner lock I’ve ever used. Nothing against ZT liner locks, I have a couple, but they seem rough and not quite as solid as the PXL’s. That’s how good this lock is. The sound it makes is very reassuring.

The 3G laminated blade is great; this is a very good steel. The pivot is extremely smooth.

I wouldn’t hesitate to take this knife out into the wild and get it dirty.

The only complaint I have about this knife is that it is a bit slippery. I have the ivory micarta handles. Perhaps the maroon ones are rougher. This issue is getting better the more I use the knife, so maybe it the handle is getting rougher with use.


The CRK’s:

I don’t own a Sebenza, but have used them. They are also great knives. If you order the $150+ added, decorated versions, they are very attractive also. Of course, wood or bone slabs detract from the ‘hard use’ equation. The plain ones are rugged, but kind of homely, however, that’s the one I would choose for outdoor work.

I bought an Umnumzaan at the same time I bought a PXL.

The ‘zaan is full of added features that put it ahead of many other similar designs.
Thanks to the ceramic ball, the lockbar doesn’t stick, ever.
This alone sets the new standard for framelocks. This is the smoothest framelock release I have ever used.

The blade has two spine indentations. The closest one suits the thumb, for use in woodcraft, etc. The more forward indentation works well for the index finger when skinning or doing other precise work.

The sharpened swedge is perfect for use as a flint striker, scraper, or any other job one may wish to do without rounding your blade edge. One gripe I used to have with the Seb was the rounded spine. You couldn’t throw a spark without using, (and dulling) the cutting edge. I’m sure this is why many folks asked CRK for custom swedges on Sebs.

The ‘zaans handle etching is attractive and girppy. The ergos are an improvement over the Seb IMO.

The pivot is massive and looks very cool. No blade play whatsoever. The bushing less pivot seems to work just fine thank you. In fact, I can flip the ‘zann open using the stud, something I could never do with a Seb.

Either knife, PXL or Umnumzaan, is top tier. You could buy a $200 PXL and never look back, it’s that good.

The Umnumzaan employs features seldom found together in one knife. That alone makes it unique. Is it worth $400? Maybe, maybe not. A nice Strider may not be worth $500 unless it has the special features only a Strider offers, and you need or want some of those features. If you do, then a Strider is worth it.

Any knife mentioned here is a good knife. But you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money to get a really good quality knife. The PXL represents a huge bang for the buck.
 
Thanks for posting this :thumbup:

I have been seriously thinking about picking up an Umnumzaan, and I think this just sold me.

The_Guide :cool:
 
I love the PXL, is a very fine knife and you can buy two for the price of one Umnumzaan...
 
Thanks for the comparison, I found a youtube video of the Fallkniven PXL and it looks like a very nice knife.
 
Great post, thanks.

I agree with everything you have said about the PXL, a superb offering from Fallkniven. I have two, one of which will make it into my rotation one day, the other will remain a collector.

The Maroon scales have the appearance of being rougher because you can see some grain in the material, but thay are just as smooth as the Ivory out of the box.

I have had my eye on a Sebenza or Umnumzaan for some time now, and will likely take the plunge someday. I was already leaning toward the Umnumzaan, and now I'm even more likely to go that direction.

** EDIT **: After posting this morning I pulled my PXL's out and double checked the scales for smoothness, to my caloused, arthritis ridden old mitts both the Ivory and Maroon scales feel equally smooth. I handed them to my daughters, and according to their delicate little princess fingers, they claim the Maroon has a little bit of texture to it. If there is a difference I suspect it is miniscule, and suffice it to say they are both very smooth. To be certain, you will have to try and handle both and make your own determination.


FallknivenPXL-6.jpg


FallknivenPXL-3.jpg


Kevin
 
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Great post, thanks.

I hagree with everything you have said about the PXL, a superb offering from Fallkniven. I have two, one of which will make it into my rotation one day, the other will remain a collector.

The Maroon scales have the appearance of being rougher because you can see some grain in the material, but thay are just as smooth as the Ivory out of the box.

I have had my eye on a Sebenza or Umnumzaan for some time now, and will likely take the plunge someday. I was already leaning toward the Umnumzaan, and now I'm even more likely to go that direction.


Kevin

I really like the ivory micarta, my birthday is coming up, that might be a nice present to myself.
 
This is an interesting comparison among the most refined knives on the market. I continue to be amazed at the quality and smooth function of the PXL. It is a little big for pocket carry, and I don't really like the clip. It's too strong and too short. It's difficult to draw the knife from my pocket because there are only smooth surfaces to grab. But otherwise, it's a great knife.

And the Sebbenza has obviously stood the test of time.

I am interested in the Umnumzaan, but I worry that the ceramic ball will wear into the steel, creating slop. I also don't like the polyurethane o-ring. It may work fine when the knife is new, but it seems like it would degrade over time. Probably cheap to put on a new one, but I like knives that are all metal.
 
I would probably buy the PXL if they would launch it with wood or horn tip handle scales.

BTW is the ivory micarta easy to clean?
 
I am interested in the Umnumzaan, but I worry that the ceramic ball will wear into the steel, creating slop. QUOTE]

If its not sticking, its not wearing.
Its a BALL. Those things tend to roll...

The angled cut on virtually all blade tangs used in framelocks and linerlocks is there to provide continuous lockup in the event of lock interface wear. This is why most quality locks are initially off center, they allow for more movement to the inside as the parts wear on each other, thus continuing the tightness of the lock interface.They are designed to stay tight as wear occurs.


Since the ‘zann appears to have little to no friction when engaging/ disengaging at the interface anyway, the ‘wear’ issue is moot.

BTW, I believe CRK heat treats, (hardens), the end of the lockbar on Sebs to prevent the ‘wear and slop’ problems on that knife. Seems to work just fine eh? I never heard any complaints about sloppiness in Seb. You?

I have heard complaints about sticky lockbars on Sebs. I have experienced the problem myself with Sebs. The ceramic ball on ’zaans seems to have solved that problem. That’s why CRK uses it.

21 years ago Chris Reeve decided to build the best knife he could. He succeeded.

21 years later Chris Reeve decided to re-build the best knife he could. He succeeded.

As far as the O-rings go, they barely touch the frame. At the rate they are wearing, I’m afraid I might have to replace them in about 10 years. Hopefully I can save enough money for a couple by then. I hear they retail for around 20cents a piece….
 
I love my PXL. I have had it for some time, and have used it as an EDC off and on. i have on complaints whatsoever.

I just got a small sebenza last week or so. some inital impressions are given below. sorry if they sound naive...

i did not do much with it yet but i did notice a few small things. so far the PXL is much smoother, so much so that its almost funny. the PXL is much heavier but i prefer that to some degree.

the sebenza has absolutely no blade play at all. this was the first thing that grabbed my attention. its incredible. the PXL is good too in that respect but the sebenza seems better.

i ordered the double thumb studs for the sebenza. its a but tricky to open with my left hand but i am getting used to it. the thumb studs on the PXL are longer than on other knives i have and are easier on me. the sebenza may improve with the left hand over time.

i showed the sebenza to my girlfriend. her response was that 'it looks cheap'. for my first impression i noticed some small things like the rounded edges that seem to point to quality. the lack of blade play is a big signal along the lines of good quality, at least in my opinion.

so far the shape of the sebenza blade seems to make cutting small food items easier than with the PXL. it seems more ready to cut for some reason.

the light feel of the sebenza makes me a bit nervous since it seems delicate but the handle postion in my had is very good. for my hands the smaller size is not an issue. the PXL fits better though.

it may be a strange thing to notice but the sounds the PXL makes is more satisfying. when it clicks its 'nice'. the sebenza sounds 'solid'.

i hoe that tells you something.

anyway, i may post more as time passes and i get more experience with the sebenza, and as the work-life balance improves for me.

so far i like both.
 
I love my PXL. I have had it for some time, and have used it as an EDC off and on. i have on complaints whatsoever.

I just got a small sebenza last week or so. some inital impressions are given below. sorry if they sound naive...

i did not do much with it yet but i did notice a few small things. so far the PXL is much smoother, so much so that its almost funny. the PXL is much heavier but i prefer that to some degree.

the sebenza has absolutely no blade play at all. this was the first thing that grabbed my attention. its incredible. the PXL is good too in that respect but the sebenza seems better.

i ordered the double thumb studs for the sebenza. its a but tricky to open with my left hand but i am getting used to it. the thumb studs on the PXL are longer than on other knives i have and are easier on me. the sebenza may improve with the left hand over time.

i showed the sebenza to my girlfriend. her response was that 'it looks cheap'. for my first impression i noticed some small things like the rounded edges that seem to point to quality. the lack of blade play is a big signal along the lines of good quality, at least in my opinion.

so far the shape of the sebenza blade seems to make cutting small food items easier than with the PXL. it seems more ready to cut for some reason.

the light feel of the sebenza makes me a bit nervous since it seems delicate but the handle postion in my had is very good. for my hands the smaller size is not an issue. the PXL fits better though.

it may be a strange thing to notice but the sounds the PXL makes is more satisfying. when it clicks its 'nice'. the sebenza sounds 'solid'.

i hoe that tells you something.

anyway, i may post more as time passes and i get more experience with the sebenza, and as the work-life balance improves for me.

so far i like both.
 
bearcut

I don't own a Umnumzaan, but do own a couple of Sebenzas. I don't know what "rolling" ceramic ball you are talking about on the 'zaan.

The ceramic ball on the Sebenzas is for retention of the blade in the closed position and has nothing to do with lock up. When closed, the ball resides in the small spherical dimple in the blade. Lesser Knives use hardened steel balls that eventually get a flat spot. These balls are pressed into a hole and don't rotate.

I've owned and sold Striders that don't even come close to the precision lock up of a Sebenza. Strider will tell you to rub the end of the lock bar with a pencil to eliminate stickiness and to keep lock bar face clean of lube.They will also tell you that warranty is voided if you disassemble the knife. CRK includes a wrench and encourages disassembly for cleaning and lubing.

ipm

The zero blade play and no tweaking of pivot screws... just tighten the large hex socket screws. Perfect !

The Sebenza will always hold the spot of best locking framelock. Brilliant design and precision manufacturing is what it's all about.

Sebenza uses two slabs of titanium for ridgidity instead of the now popular G10 and ti. The long throw lock bar adds to lock up and release.
 
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i found that stainless steel is very heavy for a folder, & scratches easily. how are the bolsters holding up as far as scratches go on the pxl ? i had a stainless atr & just from pocket carry , the finely finished stainless started to show marks,thats the two things i dont like about stainless steel in a knife; weight & scratching...
 
bearcut

I don't own a Umnumzaan, but do own a couple of Sebenzas. I don't know what "rolling" ceramic ball you are talking about on the 'zaan.

The ceramic ball on the Sebenzas is for retention of the blade in the closed position and has nothing to do with lock up. When closed, the ball resides in the small spherical dimple in the blade. Lesser Knives use hardened steel balls that eventually get a flat spot. These balls are pressed into a hole and don't rotate.

The Umnumzaan's ball is positioned relative to the lockbar such that in the closed position, the ball provides blade retention, and in the opened position, it participates in the lock function as the interface between the lockbar and the back of the blade. Ingenious evolution of the Sebenza Integral Lock (or framelock, as it is popularly called), for sure.
 
How thick is the PXL compared to the Seb & Um?
I missed this one somehow. They look good, but I am not too fond of extremely thick knives.
 
Hello ipm, what's your experience of carrying PXL on a daily basis? Does it feel too heavy for comfort?
 
Fooj...Thanks for the explanation of the ball interface on the Umnumzaan.

Didn't think that Chris Reeve could improve on the Sebenza lock up.
 
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