Reeve Umnumzaan - quality and utility?

N

Naphtali

Joined
May 20, 2002
Messages
150
My brother gave me a pair of left-handed Reeve Umnumzaan knives, one of which is NIB. Our family are all lefties. I've been able to find out that they are "first generation" versions that require a four-prong tool to disassemble and maintain the blade-hinge pin assembly. He included three of these things plus a tube of lubricant.
***
I suspect this is a reaction to my giving my nephew and grand nephews each a built-to-[my] order Cowry X Damascus knife with sambar stag. If so, I wonder what I'll be getting when I ship four Shiloh Sharps Model 1863 rifles to the kids?
***
Where I live this knife is pretty much unknown. Factoring cost, quality of product, and how well it does what it's supposed to do, are these Umnumzaans as wonderful as my brother told me? Will both be able to replace my fixed outdoorsman-hunting laminated Morseth? I do not collect knives or guns or miscellaneous outdoor equipment. The Cowry X and Shilohs I did not collect; I acquired them for the next generations of the family.

I'm curious as to what folding knives are considered its competition and how the Umnumzaan rates among its competition?
 
It is a great knife. The internet (and this site) is full of Zaan testimonials. The CRK subforum would be a really good place for specific info.

One thing I've picked up in my research is that the old version has a smaller pivot. Not sure how that affects performance.
 
I held off buying an Umnumzaan for years but loved my other CRKs finally bought ine and cursed for not having bought one sooner ... I now have 2 and they are my favorite CRK folders ...

definately very capable and quality knife ... I think as folders go it will perform as well as any and with CRK quality it will be something you can pass down.
 
N Naphtali , first generation left handed Umnumzaan’s are rare. I’ve got one and it will stay with me. The quality of the CRK is top notch. Once you get it in hand, you’ll understand what you’ve got. From what you’ve already mentioned, you know quality when you have it in hand. It’s more robust with a thicker blade than the Sebenza. It is a great work knife. The blade design is appealing and the top swedge can be used for scraping/cleaning which saves from having to use the sharpened edge. It’s quiet when it locks up because the O-rings dampen the noise. The cut outs on the slabs give you more grip and are not uncomfortable.
I think you’ll probably like them. WOW, not one but two Umnumzaan’s, no doubt your family thinks highly of you :thumbsup:
 
lieferung said:
It is a great knife. The internet (and this site) is full of Zaan testimonials. The CRK subforum would be a really good place for specific info.

One thing I've picked up in my research is that the old version has a smaller pivot. Not sure how that affects performance.
Click to expand...

Same size pivot in both models- If it wasn't for a shallow pocket in the original pivot scales, they would be interchangeable.
 
I’m assuming this didn’t actually happen since there are no photos;)

Seriously though, we like to see photos. The old pivot Umnumzaans are sought-after so we would definitely like to see them.

I don’t really know what non-CRK would be direct competition to them. There are lots of good Ti framelock knives but I think the ceramic ball interface of the Umnumzaan, Inkosi, and Sebenza 25 make them pretty unique. All great knives.

Until you can post some photos of yours...
i.ashx

i.ashx

i.ashx
 
One of the things that make this forum great - 16 year member with 85 posts asking about his left-handed NIB original umnumzaan.

Yes, it's a great knife. In the $400-$500 range to replace, so still top-tier in terms of production offerings vs current market competition.

Replace your Morseth fixed blade for all-around outdoor utility? Maybe, but why? Not the right tool for the job IMO.

Reeve fans have good reason to support the brand, especially the made in the USA. My personal collection list has an open spot for a tanto umunmzann someday.

In terms of quality of materials, attention to detail, and overall fit and finish in that price range - Koenig, ZT, Reate, Olamic and others are worth a look. S35VN is not best of breed steel among the competition in that price range.
 
The Umnumzaan is a great knife. As others have mentioned, the old pivot models are much sought after, I myself being one of the seekers. My 'Zaan is the Wilson Combat version--the StarTac--with its signature starburst-pattern handle. It took me a while to make it a user as I was initially so struck by its perfection and utilitarian beauty, but it's picking up snail trails now and finding its way into my work and everyday carry more and more.

As far as replacing a fixed blade, folder and fixed applications are two quite different things and each type of knife has its own uses.

In terms of competing knives, the first thing that comes to my mind are my other Chris Reeves, which are all larges, save my Mnandi--Sebenza 21s, Sebenza 25s, and an Inkosi. Of my CRKs, the 'Zaan is the most robust and singular in design.

Of knives by other makers that I possess, Rick Hinderers come to mind as "competition". Rick's knives are quite different in terms of style and are more particularly to the "hard use" end of the scale, though CRKs are in no way delicate. CRKs are better cutter/slicers. RHKs have, like CRKs, great attention to detail in their design and construction, superb fit and finish, have great feel in hand, are easily dis- and re-assemblable for cleaning/lubrication, and I have a very palpable sense that there's something of Rick and Chris in each of their knives.

In response to a comment regarding steel above, I have no issue with S35VN as a steel choice. All my CRKs and RHKs are S35VN, save my older pre-Idaho Sebenza 21 which is S30V. I have lots of knives with more modern super steels that offer greater edge retention, but S35VN when properly done takes a great edge, is easily sharpened, and holds that edge reasonably well.

Congrats on your acquisitions, OP. It sounds like you've got a great family, however, as photoman12001 photoman12001 said--without pictures, it didn't happen....

Wilson Combat StarTac (Umnumzaan) top and WC large StarBenza 25 bottom.
gRWCndc.jpg


Hinderer MP1, maybe my favorite RHK.
5v38RYr.jpg
 
Last edited:
If you have 2, one of which is NIB, why don't you just use the other one for a bit to see how you like it? How wonderful it is (to you) really is going to be decided by how well you like it. No one can tell you if it will be able to replace your fixed blade, only you will be able to make that determination.
 
Naphtali said:
Will both be able to replace my fixed outdoorsman-hunting laminated Morseth?
Click to expand...

Having never owned a CRK, I can't speak to the Zaan, or any other CRK specifically.

Generally, however, I would say that it's usually unwise to use a folder to do the job of a fixed blade.
 
19-3ben said:
Having never owned a CRK, I can't speak to the Zaan, or any other CRK specifically.

Generally, however, I would say that it's usually unwise to use a folder to do the job of a fixed blade.
Click to expand...

People have been using folders, locking or otherwise, as hunting knives successfully for over 150 years.

The biggest problem with the Zaan is his other requirement, "Will both be able to replace my fixed outdoorsman-hunting laminated Morseth?" The Morseth and the Zaan are very different. The Morseth is a classic outdoor/hunting knife and the Zaan is more of a hard use utility knife, which may not have the edge geometry to meet the man's needs.
 
Naphtali said:
My brother gave me a pair of left-handed Reeve Umnumzaan knives, one of which is NIB. Our family are all lefties. I've been able to find out that they are "first generation" versions that require a four-prong tool to disassemble and maintain the blade-hinge pin assembly. He included three of these things plus a tube of lubricant.
***
I suspect this is a reaction to my giving my nephew and grand nephews each a built-to-[my] order Cowry X Damascus knife with sambar stag. If so, I wonder what I'll be getting when I ship four Shiloh Sharps Model 1863 rifles to the kids?
***
Where I live this knife is pretty much unknown. Factoring cost, quality of product, and how well it does what it's supposed to do, are these Umnumzaans as wonderful as my brother told me? Will both be able to replace my fixed outdoorsman-hunting laminated Morseth? I do not collect knives or guns or miscellaneous outdoor equipment. The Cowry X and Shilohs I did not collect; I acquired them for the next generations of the family.

I'm curious as to what folding knives are considered its competition and how the Umnumzaan rates among its competition?
Click to expand...

They are truly wonderful knives.

But no they will not replace your fixed blade in function. No folding knife will ever do what a fixed blade can do and it should not be tried. The Umnumzaan is among the finest folding knives, yet that doesn’t make it a fixed blade.

Best to leave harder tasks to your fixed blade and use the Umnumzaan for lighter tasks appropriate to a folder.
 
I don't believe it would replace a fixed blade for me but it's pretty hard to beat those Zaans you got.;):thumbsup:
 
The Zaan is far and away my favorite CRK. Some of it seemed a little gimmicky on paper (especially compared to most of his other folders), but as soon as I had one in my hand I realized it was a keeper. I just love cutting with it!

Fixed blade replacement? Probably not.
 
The replacing the fixed blade ? is a matter of what tasks he uses his fixed blade for. A folder will not do all the tasks a fixed blade is capable of well or at all(not a good/best tool for batoning), but can do some better. So without the proper data that one is impossible to answer. Many find all the knife they need for their outdoor activities is a folder(even a SAK). He certainly has a very capable folder. Worst case scenario-great companion knife to his fixed blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top