Should I get an Umnumzaan?

regardless. The fact that the handles are blue doesn't make the knife more functional. No more thought went into that knife other than "hey, lets make this one... blue"
 
frenchmade said:
regardless. The fact that the handles are blue doesn't make the knife more functional. No more thought went into that knife other than "hey, lets make this one... blue"
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probably means the PM2 in general, like the fact that it is a redesign of the original PM, 4-way clip added, larger thong hole, choil and thumb ramp jimping, blade/handle ratio, lock geometry, changed to a pivot bushing, nested liners, etc.
 
hardheart said:
Based on what.
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Does it matter? The lock is already stronger than a basic linerlock based on the fact that the liner is wedged between the blade tang and the stop pin. And unless one has been consistently breaking their linerlock(in which case, said person shouldn't be allowed to own a folding knife), there should be no problem.

These stronger locks should be more of a "just in case" kind of thing when you need to stab something. Other than that, proper use of a knife(for cutting) should never exert enough force in the wrong direction(towards the spine) to cause the lock to fail.
 
Noctis3880 said:
The lock is already stronger than a basic linerlock based on the fact that the liner is wedged between the blade tang and the stop pin.
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Again, based on what.

All the actual test results I've read about say otherwise in both cases. The liner and frame lock cannot be made as strong as the axis, compression, ball bearing, or lock back with liners.

If there is anything other than conjecture to counter that, I would actually like to read about it.

Locks are a just in case thing, as are seatbelts. I would like to drive a vehicle with better seatbelts, and I would like to cut with a folding knife with a better lock. I do not purposefully get into crashes nor close a knife on my fingers, but stuff happens. For some reason, improvements in locks are looked down upon. Better steels, better handle materials, better ergonomics - Yay. Better locks, well that's only for dumbasses who don't know how to use a knife.
 
THIS IS NOT A PM2 VS UMNUMZAAN THREAD ITS AN UMNUMZAAN THREAD

Please do not talk about oranges in a thread about apple.

I own a PM2 M390 with Black G10. I am not looking for a PM2 I am looking into an Umnumzaan.


The info provided on the zaan actually makes it more. I am also taking into account each negative account of the zaan (From people who own it and know what their talking about, that guy who said pm2 doesnt understand thread) How well does it fit in the hand?
 
Tim616 said:
The Umnum is bigger than the Barrage. What exactly are you talking about when you call it a small blade, it's a nearly 3.7'' long blade, compared to the B/M barrage at 3.6''
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Sorry but what I didnt mention is that I carry a LARGER blade 99% of the time.

And the Um. was not as sturdy as the Barrage in my humble opinion.

I dont like the blade grind and the Barrage has a sturdy enough blade to pry and baton with [ and yes,I know a folder is not made to do that ].

Not to mention theprice,the Um was twice that if the B/M.

I like a folder that is at least 5 to 6" in blade length as my HD user.

I do carry 3 folders in the city and of course a fixed blade in woods.

I even have gone to a fixed blade in city,but its hard to take out and not be called a wanna be Rambo.
 
bomber258 said:
Sorry but what I didnt mention is that I carry a LARGER blade 99% of the time.

And the Um. was not as sturdy as the Barrage in my humble opinion.

I dont like the blade grind and the Barrage has a sturdy enough blade to pry and baton with [ and yes,I know a folder is not made to do that ].

Not to mention theprice,the Um was twice that if the B/M.

I like a folder that is at least 5 to 6" in blade length as my HD user.

I do carry 3 folders in the city and of course a fixed blade in woods.

I even have gone to a fixed blade in city,but its hard to take out and not be called a wanna be Rambo.
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I like the barrage, just hate that lock system. I worked at a benchmade dealer and never liked the axis locks feel. I give it props, an amazing inovative strong sturdy lock, but its just not my lock if you know what i mean.
 
The bold red below is really in the 10-ring, IMHO. Fortunately, CRK knives hold their value very well compared to many other knives, so you can try without a lot of economic risk.

The_Guide said:
The Umnumzaan is my ultimate, and favorite folder for EDC... I have been around the block so to speak, and the umnumzaan is what I ended up with. I have been EDC'ing it for a couple years, and it is just fantastic. Both as a work knife, and a lighter duty EDC. I am so happy with the umnumzaan in fact, that I have since sold off all my other EDC type knives, except for my Murray Carter neck knife.

I no longer feel the need for another folder. I am completely happy with it. The semi sharpened swedge is great for all sorts of things, like opening packages, scraping stuff, striking a firesteel, you name it. It essentially functions like a heavy duty utility edge. I used it with drywall, and I think the swedge is perfect for scoring and shaping it. Also, unless your planning on spine whacking your umnumzaan repeatedly, the lock is plenty strong enough (I can't think of any practical reason for spine whacking a knife, so you'll be fine.)

I have compared this to all the common choices (and many not so common) and just love it. Its not too heavy to actually have with you all the time, but it is big enough to handle most jobs with ease. It is a little rough handled for long term bushcraft usage, but if you want to do that, get the right tool, and get a fixed blade with a good ergonomic contour to the handle.

To sum, the umnumzaan is my absolute favorite folding knife. This is such a hit or miss knife, that the only way to know is to try it yourself. I strongly suggest giving it a go. And dont give up on it just because it feels a little hard to open at first, you can customize the pivot tension and lock it in with lok-tite. That's one of the perks of the design.

So should you get an umnumzaan? Yes :):thumbup:
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unwisefool said:
What little things did they improve on the umnumzaans? The only thing I knew about was the disc on the lockbar side.
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Taking the liberty of quoting this here - seems harmless and good for the thread :) I think the best place for the answers to that question is this thread. :) :thumbup:
 
The umnumzaan is a unique knife. Therefore, there are few middle of the road opinions. People either love it, or don't care for it. All you can do is try one out and find out for yourself which group you belong to.
 
pvicenzi said:
The umnumzaan is a unique knife. Therefore, there are few middle of the road opinions. People either love it, or don't care for it. All you can do is try one out and find out for yourself which group you belong to.
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That's the most intelligent comment in this entire thread. Congratulations, you win.
 
I celebrated my first SS retirement deposit, 9/2010, by spending a large hunk of it on a one time splurge. The choice was down to the Lion Steel SR1, out of stock, and a CR Umnumzaan - which I could buy locally for the list $400 + 9% s/t - $436 - ouch! I went back for the local 'zaan - it was gone! Well, sour grapes - I wasn't fond of the criss-cross handle pattern. Then - on the CR forum here - I read about the Wilson Combat variant - and went there immediately. Loved the 'StarTac' design on the handle. I called them immediately - to be told they had just received a new shipment and would have to fill their backorders first... that was Monday - I had it Wednesday!

To be blunt - I was in shock. It cost over twice what my next most expensive knife had cost me. I was suddenly on a fixed income... that was a bunch of moola. My wife would gift me that Christmas with a CR Nyala fb and I would get myself a birthday present last summer of a new small Sebbie (both in S35VN) - I'm at 3 CRK's - and holding. The 'zaan is still my favorite - clipless like my other knives, so I cannot speak to it's clip-use. I did spring for the clip hole fillers for both CR folders - and the 'zaan maintenance kit. I also got the suede CR pocket sheaths, which I carry them in.

My first reaction was simple... looking at the box and thinking I spent $430 for it gave me significant buyer's remorse - it wouldn't shoot anything - and it cost how much? Then I opened it... and a new phrase came to mind, "I'm not worthy... I'm not worthy!". Seriously - I had a piece of techno-art that would fit in my pocket... and not need a Fed #4473 form to be filled out for it's ownership! It didn't open easily the first few times - but that improved with familiarity and some use - to reportedly spread their grease. It has larger thrust bearings over the Sebbies for a reason - it's .140" thick S30V blade makes it a decent HD knife (The Sebbies are .125" - now S35VN.). To loosen/tighten the pivot, you will need a special tool - a pair of which come in the maintenance kit (... but really should come with the knife!). I've never touched my 'zaan's pivot (or the small Sebbie, either!). The opening push is easily determined and learned - an easy one hand open/close. The lock is significant - very safety-inspiring. It is a well engineered and extremely finely executed knife.

I love my pair of ZT-0551s - and the 0561 I added last weekend. Then there are my myriad of Benchmades and Bucks. The 'zaan is alone as my example of folder finesse, however... okay, the little Sebbie is pretty nice, too. Oddly, the $229 CR Nyala isn't my finest fb example - that was designed by another S. African - Arno Bernard - and built there, too - a hand made 'Wild Dog' of N690 steel, giraffe bone handle, and Cape buffalo sheath - for less than the CR - beautiful - but another story. Don't expect a lot of writing on a CRK. The 'zaan blade is blank... one handle side states politely 'IDAHO MADE' , while the other side has the CR logo - and that's it! My WC 'StarTac' 'zaan has a clip on the lanyard with the CR logo and 'WILSON COMBAT' on it. Reportedly, they come in S35VN now - but the Wilson Combat and CR sites still state S30V. Below, for scale size, are, top down, my StarTac 'zaan, Buck 172 Mayo TNT (Ti & S30V), small Sebbie (S35VN), and Benchmade 480-1 Shoki (Ti/CF & m390).

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Good luck!

Stainz
 
Really, really nice collection their Stainz! Good report on the Zaan also. I will probably have to add a Sebbie or Zaan at some point. Please make it stop!!! :)
 
Great feedback so far. I am currently at the same turn as the op. I think I am ready to go 400+, jumping over the 200 and 300 mark. So either a Large Seb or a Zaan. I like the false edge of the zaan, scraping, using it on a firesteel, and I like the self lubricating as well as the O-rings. On the other hand it doesn`t look as good as the sebenza, an is probably not as sheeple friendly, I also don`t like the thumb ramp on top of the blade. It ruins it for me imo. Mhhh so hard to decide until you had one in hand :D. But that`s part of the fun.

If I will get a Zaan, I will get a small seb, and if I get a large seb, I will get a mnandi. Until then I have my Para 2s which for me is THE perfect edc knife. I can`t wait for the 204p model. I preordered 2 of them, and I plan on trading into a orange one.
 
Its a sweet knife just like all CRK stuff (love the handle and blade design) but I still love the Seb more. It looks a bit aggressive IMO, still a great knife to have in the collection. Honestly though, I think the Para 2 is the better edc because of the weight and blade shape.
 
I'll say this: The Umnum is a grail knife for many. I say purchase it. If you hate, sell it and make your money back, no problem. If you're able to find one without the lockbar stabilizer, your odds of getting your money back are probably even greater.
 
The Umnumzaan is a very cool looking knife and feels great in hand but after using one I think there are better options out there for the money.

My main gripe with the Zaan was that its very difficult to open. This is not an issue of me being inexperienced, uneducated on framelocks, ignorant, or lacking skill. Its a very difficult knife to deploy due to slippery thumb studs and a strong indent. I couldn't open the knife left handed and if your hands are sweaty you'll likely have to use two hands to open it.

That said its a cool knife and very comfortable to use. I would buy another one myself but only if I got a steal on it.
 
David_Parker03 said:
I'll say this: The Umnum is a grail knife for many. I say purchase it. If you hate, sell it and make your money back, no problem. If you're able to find one without the lockbar stabilizer, your odds of getting your money back are probably even greater.
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That is entertaining as I put my 'Zaan' up for sale at a knife meet and was told I was asking WAY too little for it [ 250.00 ].

I did not sell it and had NO bites.

The group are very knife savvy and I guess they were not as impressed as many here are.

I am selling it to a friend ,if he still wants it.

If not I will see how well it is recieved at other sale venues.
 
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