Question for Star-Tac Umnumzaan Owners -- Got One!!!! (Pics)

[LightGuy]

This is one of the sweetest looking CRK knives I've seen, but have heard a couple of comments about sharp ridges and discomfort with the handle due to the starburst design, specifically on the Umnumzaan due to the narrower slabs.

I'm curious if this is a common opinion, or if most of you find that the knife is comfortable enough to use. I know Eros and handle comfort varies greatly by individual, and was wondering what the majority of you felt about the Star-Tac.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[lemmuhj]

I think it is ultra comfortable! I love the starburst pattern on it. Makes it alot easier (to me) to grab it out the pocket.

 

[LightGuy]

I think it is ultra comfortable! I love the starburst pattern on it. Makes it alot easier (to me) to grab it out the pocket.

That's great to hear, thanks. Do you notice any issue after prolonged use?

 

[coelacanth]

I see absolutely no problem with the ergo. (I have small hands) I much prefer starburst Star-Tac over regular Umnumzaan personally. Go for it!

 

[lemmuhj]

I'm not a huge "user" of my knives, but the pattern on the knife wouldn't bother me if i was really getting into something

 

[snowreaper1]

The ridge are a tad sharper than the star-benza but for me it offers great traction. A lot more than the normal umnumzan pattern. And I agree with you that its one of the best looking CRKs.

 

[LightGuy]

Thanks for the input. I have a non-LBS Star-Tac on the way and I am pumped!! It's gonna be a long few days waiting for the mailman....

 

[Tim616]

Thanks for the input. I have a non-LBS Star-Tac on the way and I am pumped!! It's gonna be a long few days waiting for the mailman....

I just ordered one and I don't know what version its gonna be but I am super excited.

 

[LightGuy]

Doesn't look like there is a lot of feedback on these...looks like I'll need to see for myself when mine arrives tomorrow.

So do most prefer the stock CRK Umnumzaan vs the Wilson Combat edition? Has anyone sold their Startac to get the standard version?

 

[Tim616]

Doesn't look like there is a lot of feedback on these...looks like I'll need to see for myself when mine arrives tomorrow.

So do most prefer the stock CRK Umnumzaan vs the Wilson Combat edition? Has anyone sold their Startac to get the standard version?

Not a ton of people have them, they are limited runs and only come in batches here and there.

 

[tgomav]

I have two of the Startacs, and I prefer the starburst pattern over the regular Umnumzaan. I would take a non-LBS Startac any day over the regular Umnumzaan.

 

[lemmuhj]

I'm on the fence about which one i like more....I think the startac design is friggin awesome, and very unique. You don't see many knives, custom or production with such a bold look. I've seen a few comments on this forum saying that they wished the pattern on the regular umnum would extend further down the handle. I would def agree.

 

[nyefmaker]

I had a stat-tac umnumzaan and it was indeed uncomfortable to hold when you held it tightly. Thats the ONLY reason I sold it. I absolutely loved the design and the overall look, but when you squeezed it tightly, like when you would be using it, when you opened your hands, the star-tac groove imprints would be imprinted into your palm and finger tips. The original umnumzaan is completely comfortable and I have used it beyond heavily with never an issue.

It is sharp overall, like I said, thats the only reason I sold it. I used mine for whittling sticks and after about a 10 minute session, my finger tips were super sore. Most that say this is not true probably haven't used theirs and they are safe queens. The star-benza is completely different as there is more of a gap between the grooves, while the star-tac basically has the groves on top of one another making the sharp edges. If CRK would make the groves on the star-tac like the star-benza has, I would buy another.

If you want a zaan to admire that looks pretty, get the star-tac. If you want a zaan that you can use heavily, get the standard zaan with either the regular blade profile or the tanto.

This comes from someone that has owned and used BOTH.

 

[dinokay]

I can certainly understand where it would be uncomfortable for some but I love the look and feel of the stat-tac enough to want to own more than one. The heft and feel of the knife reminds me of the older sebenza's and that for me is a good thing.

 

[dark impaler]

Thanks for the info, that's a game changer for me. I was looking for a Star-tac, will now look for a regular zaan with the beveled lock bar. Unless of course I find a Star-tac at a bargain, would like to feel it in hand for myself.

I had a stat-tac umnumzaan and it was indeed uncomfortable to hold when you held it tightly. Thats the ONLY reason I sold it. I absolutely loved the design and the overall look, but when you squeezed it tightly, like when you would be using it, when you opened your hands, the star-tac groove imprints would be imprinted into your palm and finger tips. The original umnumzaan is completely comfortable and I have used it beyond heavily with never an issue.

It is sharp overall, like I said, thats the only reason I sold it. I used mine for whittling sticks and after about a 10 minute session, my finger tips were super sore. Most that say this is not true probably haven't used theirs and they are safe queens. The star-benza is completely different as there is more of a gap between the grooves, while the star-tac basically has the groves on top of one another making the sharp edges. If CRK would make the groves on the star-tac like the star-benza has, I would buy another.

If you want a zaan to admire that looks pretty, get the star-tac. If you want a zaan that you can use heavily, get the standard zaan with either the regular blade profile or the tanto.

This comes from someone that has owned and used BOTH.

 

[nyefmaker]

Here are some pics of the trio I had. As you always get people that say pics or it didn't happen or pics or you don't own one.

Enjoy...!!!

 

[Reeek]

I used to think the Wilson iteration was very pretty and I still do but being a three time regular Zaan owner, the original has grown on me and I'm very pleased with the aesthetics of the standard fare. In fact, I personally find that the CRK iteration Zaan looks better when it develops that hand and pocket worn look to the blast finish and it looks better on the Scotchbrite'ed handles too, I think. I had a nice Zaan that had that beautiful pocket worn look to it and it was very beautiful to look at in that state. Any Wilson version "users" I've seen (never owned one) didn't age as beautifully, IMHO. Like nyfemaker's tanto in the pics above - that is a very nicely use-worn Zaan finish on the handle as far as I'm concerned

 

[dinokay]

I'm sorry, I don't mean anything by it but I would have a Very Hard time letting those three Go. It's interesting how you caught the 3 different shades of Ti. in the picture, Beautiful.

Here are some pics of the trio I had. As you always get people that say pics or it didn't happen or pics or you don't own one.

Enjoy...!!!

 

[tgomav]

If you want a zaan to admire that looks pretty, get the star-tac. If you want a zaan that you can use heavily, get the standard zaan with either the regular blade profile or the tanto.

Or you could buy two. One to look pretty, and the other endure hard use (that is why I have two).

I have experienced the imprints that you talk about, and yes, they will dig into your hands and fingers. However, it has never bothered me. It is just something that I never think about.

 

[nyefmaker]

I'm sorry, I don't mean anything by it but I would have a Very Hard time letting those three Go. It's interesting how you caught the 3 different shades of Ti. in the picture, Beautiful.

I still have the bottom 2, I only sold the star-tac because if the sharp grooves. I loved the look of it and if CRK made it like the star-benza, where there actual gaps in between the grooves, I would buy one in a second. I thought about smoothing it with scotchbrite or a very high grit sandpaper, but then CRK will not reblast it because you voided the warranty.

I have thought about doing a spanto type deal at the end on the tanto as there is a nick in the blade at the end. Just haven't had the balls to do it....lol.