Sebenza or Umnumzaan?

M

mcg4248

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Nov 21, 2012
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So by the end of this week I will be purchasing my first CRK. Now I feel I should get a Sebenza because I have been collecting for a few years and my most expensive knife thus far is a zt 0801cf. I have a lot of other knives between $200-300 but other than the 0801cf which I bought for $400, I haven't crossed over, in what my opinion, is considered to be "high-end". Now I know people have thousands of dollar customs, I don't have that kind of money though so my main price range is between $150-300. I've been saving money for a while (mostly just not buying other knives while returning my CRKT Hi-Jinx), in order to finally buy a CRK.

So my question to you all is large 21 Sebenza (probably the "Glorious" or "Gold Leaf", which would match my guitar), or the Umnumzaan? Is the quality on both models the same or is the Sebenza just more consistent in quality? Which is smoother? I know CRK's aren't meant to be flipped open, at least that what I've heard, but do the blades of either of these models fall like an 0801 or 0560 when you disengage the lockbar?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day.

Max G.
 
In regards to quality, you won't go wrong with either one. They all exhibit amazing tolerances and quality. That being said, the knives you mentioned are in my opinion apples vs. oranges. The Sebenzas are classy while the Umnumzaan is, and I hate to use this word, tactical. I'd say it depends on your uses. If I had to pick, my vote is for one of the Sebenzas. Anyone who is just starting out with CRK should get a Sebenza first. As for blade tightness, the blades on all my CRK's don't fall closed. On the Umnumzaan the pivot is adjustable so I suppose you can make that happen, but you would probably get some blade play in the process.
 
I have both sebenzas and umnums. I think for a first crk the sebenza would be the better choice. The sebenza is a perfect edc knife. It just does everything so well. Umnums has a more aggressive look in my opinion,and while I can flick my sebenza open the umnum just seems that much easier to flick open. So i guess what I'm trying to say is that they are both great knives pick which one looks better to you.
 
...and now the Sebenza 25 is sort of an in-betweener. It has the thicker blade, larger pivot and ceramic detent/lock up of the Umnumzaan...and the rounded spine and simple/elegant lines of the Sebenza.
 
I have both-

I am going to say it really depends on your own personal views.. If you like an unassuming knife that won't typically frighten others when you use it..then by all means..Get the Sebenza. It's a great first CRK. This is what i carry 75% of the time. If you are more into the tactical-type of knives..Including swedge, then go for the Umnumzaan.

I'm good with both..and I will likely switch back to the Umnumzaan soon...It's just not as people friendly working in an office type of environment for me.
 
unit said:
...and now the Sebenza 25 is sort of an in-betweener. It has the thicker blade, larger pivot and ceramic detent/lock up of the Umnumzaan...and the rounded spine and simple/elegant lines of the Sebenza.
Click to expand...

I agree the 25 really does go right down the middle. I think it is best of both worlds, a little more rock and roll than the Sebenza but a little less aggressive looking the Umnumzaan. That said if you want something that will appear more friendly to most people, the 21 would be your best bet.
 
To see what CRK is about, get the Sebenza, namely a 21. My large 21 falls closed and came that way from the factory, else a polish of the washers can generally achieve this. My small 21 is much tighter.
 
I've got both, and it's really a toss up as to which one I prefer. Some days, I carry the Sebenza and think "man, I should just ditch my Umnum because this thing is awesome!" Then, I carry the Umnum for a day or two and think "I don't need the Sebenza, this knife is better.."

I would say to get the Sebenza first, because that is the signature CR knife. But, if you've never owned a Seb before, you may be underwhelmed when you get it. I mean, when I got my first 21 I was like "that's it?" I carried it a few times and sold it, and was pleased that I got the Sebenza bug out of my system. But, I ended up getting a couple more and one day I just "got" it.

I personally think my Umnumzaan opens a little more smoothly than my Sebenza, but that may just be my strange perception. I will say, though, that the grooves on the Umnum scale do offer a great grip - but, to be fair, the only sebenza's I've ever owned were plain scales; I've never owned one with a graphic of any type, so they may have some advantage that I'm not aware of.

The Umnum does have a more "tactical" feel to it... but there isn't anything that the Umnum can do that the Seb can't, in my opinion (well, except breaking glass).

Good luck!
IMG_20140702_124226_607_zpse5zpiuhk.jpg
 
My entry into CRK was a plain 25 and I'm glad it was. I own them all as well, and I prefer the robustness of the 25s and the Zaans. I also like the ceramic ball interface and the slightly thicker blade stock of the 25 and the Zaans.

Yes, the 21 is certainly a classic, I went micarta when I did pull the trigger on 21s (large regular and large Insingo, both Micarta inlaid) and I do like them but if I could keep only two, I'd keep the micarta 25 and the regular 25 over the 21s.

The Umnumzaan is a different brother. It wrestled in high school and is more aggressive overall.

Zaan Dilemma; old pivot, new pivot or Wilson Combat Edition? I have all of these as well, and in Zaans I prefer the regular Zaan like the Ijumc posted in the photo above.

I like the style of the functional grooving, the thicker blade stock and it has the ceramic ball interface as well, just with a smaller ball than the 25 series sports. You cannot really feel the difference but on the 25 I know it's there. The Zaan has a cool harpoon-style blade though, which the others don't have.

So there. Clear as mud which direction to go! :confused:
 
I would recommend the Sebenza first and save the zaan for a future gift for yourself. I like them both but I was astonished by how much different the zaan felt in my hand, really love the balance, grip and action-but I would still recommend the 21 first, you won't be disappointed!
 
I have a Zaan and several 21's. I wouldn't get a cgg, your choice for your first 21 tho. You're going to be too careful with it, you'll have the it's too pretty to
use feeling about it. It takes a while to be able to use a Glorious or a Gold Leaf.....I'm saying this from experience.
I'd buy a plain jane 21 first and use it. Don't worry about scratches/marks, they add character and a cool look to the knife. You'll know it's been 'used' and not
just carried.
After you get a plain jane, then you might want to get a micarta 21 or a Starbenza, after you get and use one or more of these CRK's then you'll be ready
for a cgg or may not even want 1 anymore.

I have a baker's dozen CRK's and have 2 that I don't use enough.

The Zaan is a really cool different knife than the 21. Better grip and more useful blade.

BTW, I asked the same question as you asked when I started out with CRK's on this forum, and bought an older model Zaan that I really like a lot.
It has scratches and marks, but it's been used, not just carried.
 
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I had a few Sebenzas and one Zaan. I didn't like the Zaan at all to be honest. The lock bar dug into my hand, I didn't like how the swedge stuck out from the handle when the blade was in the closed position, having to replace the rubber O rings is kind of lame, etc etc. But the Sebenza, I love the 21 Sebenza. Everything about the 21 is perfect IMO. Try them both out; you could always trade back and forth between the two if you'd like.
 
21 still has the perfect pivot you can crank down at it doesn't change it's friction. I personally deem that quality construction design and think of pivots you can adjust by tightening / loosening as sort of a compromise in quality. A fad of sorts, moving away from quality to make customers happy.

I understand why some like it though. Just not for me. large 21, PS all the way.
 
clockman said:
I have a Zaan and several 21's. I wouldn't get a cgg, your choice for your first 21 tho. You're going to be too careful with it, you'll have the it's too pretty to
use feeling about it. It takes a while to be able to use a Glorious or a Gold Leaf.....I'm saying this from experience.
I'd buy a plain jane 21 first and use it. Don't worry about scratches/marks, they add character and a cool look to the knife. You'll know it's been 'used' and not
just carried.
After you get a plain jane, then you might want to get a micarta 21 or a Starbenza, after you get and use one or more of these CRK's then you'll be ready
for a cgg or may not even want 1 anymore.

I have a baker's dozen CRK's and have 2 that I don't use enough.

The Zaan is a really cool different knife than the 21. Better grip and more useful blade.

BTW, I asked the same question as you asked when I started out with CRK's on this forum, and bought an older model Zaan that I really like a lot.
It has scratches and marks, but it's been used, not just carried.
Click to expand...

Yea I was thinking about getting a plain Jane, but I really wanted the glorious because my dad is being deployed for the third time to Iraq next month so i guess I was just feeling like i wanted some Stars and Stripes. It seems like everyone thinks I should go with the Sebenza which I will. Now I just need to figure out if I want the machinations in the handle or a plain jane. I'm sure the better choice is the plain jane so I can use it and handle it and see how I feel
About it and once I'm used to the Sebenza maybe get a more unique one.
 
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