Sebenza ease of opening

Z

Zizworth

Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
126
I just got my first $300+ knife, and went with the Umnumzaan. I was going to pick up a $150~ knife from my ever-growing list, but got some unexpected money and decided to step up to a new price range. I took it apart, cleaned it, greased it, put in some loctite, and then opened and closed it about 200 times. The thumbstud is in an awkward place and is particularly slippery, so I'm just now getting used to it, which I don't mind, as it's also my first lefty frame lock so I was going to have to teach myself something new anyway. Is the Sebenza's design such that the opening requires this 'learning phase'?

Basically, would you say the Sebenza is more comfortable to open than the Umnumzaan, having never used either?

I am positively addicted to buying sharp things, so I will be getting the Sebenza at some point, but it's priority on my list will be determined by how intuitive and comfortable it was to open for all of you lucky people who already have/had one.
 
You would most likely get more answers in the crk subforum.

I have never handled an umnum but when I got my small 21 it was the first knife I had with a thumbstud (always like the opening hole before) and it took some time to master the method to open it smoothly. Once I got the hang of it though the sebenza gets all my pocket time. Hope this helps a bit.
 
My 21 glides open, smoothly, and it takes a bit of effort. If you're forcing it, try a different angle for your thumb. It takes a bit of adjustment from other folders with studs, I've found, but once you've found that magical place, you'll have it.
 
I feel that the Sebenza rivals the vaunted Military for ease of opening--including when wearing gloves in winter.

The Umnunzaan can be a mixed bag, in part, perhaps, because it does require a slightly different technique to open it. Some people like it to be very loose and flickable; I like it to be very stiff. Since it doesn't have a pivot bushing, you can adjust it however you'd like.
 
Yeah my sebenzas took some time to learn one handed.

maybe about a week? (Not overly done like some of you)

But like some have said, once you get the hang of it, its usually the favorite...
 
The 'Zaan looks better, but nothing opens smoother than a Sebenza. I gave my 'Zaan to a friend; I just couldn't hit the stud every time.
 
LVMPDawg said:
The 'Zaan looks better, but nothing opens smoother than a Sebenza. I gave my 'Zaan to a friend; I just couldn't hit the stud every time.
Click to expand...

That was very generous.

I find the Sebenza easier to open. Although I never had an issue with a zaan, the thumbstud is more slippery.
 
You took apart a brand new knife??? Most people just open and close it until it breaks in.

Zizworth said:
I just got my first $300+ knife, and went with the Umnumzaan. I was going to pick up a $150~ knife from my ever-growing list, but got some unexpected money and decided to step up to a new price range. I took it apart, cleaned it, greased it, put in some loctite, and then opened and closed it about 200 times. The thumbstud is in an awkward place and is particularly slippery, so I'm just now getting used to it, which I don't mind, as it's also my first lefty frame lock so I was going to have to teach myself something new anyway. Is the Sebenza's design such that the opening requires this 'learning phase'?

Basically, would you say the Sebenza is more comfortable to open than the Umnumzaan, having never used either?

I am positively addicted to buying sharp things, so I will be getting the Sebenza at some point, but it's priority on my list will be determined by how intuitive and comfortable it was to open for all of you lucky people who already have/had one.
Click to expand...
 
I've found with my zaan that if I just open it the suggested way, I have no issues, and it is just as smooth as any ball bearing system I've used.
 
The older Umnumzaan's with the old detent are the easiest to open. Sebenzas do require a learning phase for someone who has never had one, but you get it eventually. I would say actually that the Insingo sebenza's are the easiest to open because the blade does not sit as low into the handle so the there is more room for your finger by the thumb stud.
 
Took the words right out of my, err, off my keyboard. ;) I agree with all below.

Cynic2701 said:
I feel that the Sebenza rivals the vaunted Military for ease of opening--including when wearing gloves in winter.

The Umnunzaan can be a mixed bag, in part, perhaps, because it does require a slightly different technique to open it. Some people like it to be very loose and flickable; I like it to be very stiff. Since it doesn't have a pivot bushing, you can adjust it however you'd like.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for your responses. When the Umnumzaan first arrived the blade was actually touching the handle, so of course I immediately got nervous thinking that somehow I got a dud from the company that seems to never send out duds. After taking it apart and cleaning it, it was back to centered, so something must have been in there I guess.

I do prefer the pivot to be a little more loose than how it arrived, so my pivot adjustments did move the blade off center a bit. It's not touching the handle so I think I have it set up perfectly for me now. I do still occasionally miss the stud and have to try again, and this is what I'm hoping to avoid with the Sebenza. Maybe a few more days of obsessive opening and closing will get me there.
 
I actually prefer Zaan's round studs over the pointy Sebenza studs. It's just more comfortable for me. Sebenza's pointy thumbstuds would just dig into my thumb as I try to open it. Sure Zaan's could be a little slippery at times, but overall comfort is there. I like the little lip on the lock bar for closing as well.
 
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