Question about Umnumzaan

OnionPoptarts

OnionPoptarts

Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
249
First off Ill say I tried searching the net, and I tried searching the forums before asking this so I'm sorry if this has been asked before.

Is the top part of the umnumzaan sharp? I'm also looking for some top down photos of the blade to help determine tip thickness if anyone has any pics they could post that'd be great.
 
I assume you are referring to the swedge on the blade, correct? It is not sharpened.

Except on the prototypes.
 
It's not meant to be sharp, but it's ground to a fairly acute angle. The tip on the Umnumzaan is not what I would call delicate, I wouldn't be worried about breaking it. I wish I could post pics, but I traded my Zaan off. Mikepapa1 it's the resident Umnumzaan expert, maybe he will chime in.
 
The swedges were all sharp at the start but were made blunt after a short time. I actually prefer to keep the first 10mm or so of my swedge sharp, it comes in pretty handy. :)

The tanto blade has no raised swedge and, as mentioned, a much stouter tip than the standard blade shape. Here are a few pics.....

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I have an older model, and the swedge is sharp enough to scrape fingernail shavings off.
I debate dulling it, but it does make a good bark scraper. :)
 
Haze said:
The swedges were all sharp at the start but were made blunt after a short time. I actually prefer to keep the first 10mm or so of my swedge sharp, it comes in pretty handy. :)

The tanto blade has no raised swedge and, as mentioned, a much stouter tip than the standard blade shape. Here are a few pics.....

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Click to expand...

Those are awesome Haze...:thumbup:
 
Silvanus said:
It's not meant to be sharp, but it's ground to a fairly acute angle. The tip on the Umnumzaan is not what I would call delicate, I wouldn't be worried about breaking it. I wish I could post pics, but I traded my Zaan off. Mikepapa1 it's the resident Umnumzaan expert, maybe he will chime in.
Click to expand...
Ok, I will chime in.. Great photos by our friend Haze!!:thumbup: Always Great information from DallasSTB!! Thanks again Steve for reminding me about the one... with the sharpened swedge that is. ;) My good friend amike5757575 as always it is a pleasure to here from you .. you lose the bet Andre.. Steve is of course correct.. the swedge is not sharpened.. on any of the production models of the Umnumzaan and most certainly not on the Tanto.. and stabman is also correct although not "sharpened" it is ground to a very nice edge.. and if you wanted to do so it could easily be sharpened. Thanks to all for your interest and continued support of what is my favorite Chris Reeve Knife.. the amazingly beautiful Umnumzaan!!
And as always.. All the best!!
Dave
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[/url]2014-04-11 19.08.06 by mikepapa1crk, on Flickr[/img]
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[/url]2014-04-11 19.07.43 by mikepapa1crk, on Flickr[/IMG]
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[/url]2014-04-11 19.06.30 by mikepapa1crk, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
Haze said:
I see an interesting difference in grind at the tip on the top knife there.
Click to expand...
I think it's just the angle of my very poor quality photos Haze, they are identical in person, of course the blade on the bottom is a an early (2009)Tanto.
I have neither the skill or camera quality (cell phone) to take photos as nice as yours. :thumbup:
 
Ah well very nice. Thanks allot gentleman. I don't suppose any of you could tell me why exactly the umnumzaan has such an odd blade shape on its top ride could you? Its not so you can grip it and use the glass breaker is it?
 
OnionPoptarts said:
Ah well very nice. Thanks allot gentleman. I don't suppose any of you could tell me why exactly the umnumzaan has such an odd blade shape on its top ride could you? Its not so you can grip it and use the glass breaker is it?
Click to expand...

I don't quite understand your question Onion.. but I do not think the unique shape of the blade on the Umnumzaan has anything to do with the use of the glass breaker. Just more of a tactical blade shape..
All the best, Dave
 
I have sharpened the swedge on my older Zaan with the fine stones of my SM. It's a little sharper, but not a lot.
 
Haze and mikepapa1 thanks for the awesome pictures!

I'll have to keep my eye out for a tanto umnum now!
 
stabman said:
I have an older model, and the swedge is sharp enough to scrape fingernail shavings off.
I debate dulling it, but it does make a good bark scraper. :)
Click to expand...

I have two from 2011 and had one from the initial run. All three are/were "scraper" sharp.
 
The glass breaker is on the other end if the blade. It is a projection that protrudes from the handle when the blade is closed, so it is not visible when the blade is open.

The tip is unique, I call mine "Harpoon" because it reminds me of one. The top of the tip area as you can see in the Mikepapa1's photos is really pointed, would make an excellent scraper if I could bring myself to use it like it was intended. Mine's less than a week old...
 
I would think the shape on the spine of the blade is more for comfort through a range of grips than for anything else. The dip after the thumbstud accepts the thumb or index figer very nicely. The second dip is no doubt there for the raised swedge but it also gives a place for the index finger when one is doing very fine work with the tip. The glass breaker on the tang would work just as well with any blade style, the shape of the blade spine makes so little difference it is basically nothing. :)
 
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