SnG or Umnumzaan

mkelsey6

mkelsey6

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
54
So I am looking for my first $300 - $400 knife. I will prolly be looking to the classifieds here to find one lightly used unless I get tired of waiting for a good one to pop up. I have narrowed my choices to an SnG or an Umnumzaan (would prolly buy a ZT 0560 without a second thought if I come across one for $260ish instead of the silly second hand prices). But at any rate, which of the main two listed would you pick and why? My uses for them will be fairly mild and the only sort of requirement if any I could put on them would be that I would really like a lefty since my right side is reserved for guns but I can make a righty work on the left side to just have to be careful about reaching into my pocket to fast.

If possible lets keep the "my knife is more perfect" or " so and so lied about his past" arguments out of it... a few make for good comic relief but they get old in a hurry and I am looking for good input from owners before I drop a big chunk of cash on a knife.


Please and thanks!
 
The Umnumzaan makes a great EDC, great cutter with that hollow grind too. :)

Don't have an SnG, but I do own 2 SmF's.
 
I don't know if the Umnun is the same, but I can't open my lefty starbenza with my right hand at all. If that is something you want, make sure it has a dual thumbstud. The only other thing I'm not crazy about is how the choil hangs up in stuff like dogfood bags. Other than that I love it. I might get an Umnum someday and I wouldn't mind a Mnandi either.
 
I think the umnum would be the better choice here!
I wont go into the quality discussion, but I think the umnum is a bit less tactical/agressive looking than the strider.
CR makes dedicated right and left hand models, and you might wanna check on a large Sebenza also

Good luck and enjoy choosing

N.
 
The Umnum is going to be the better slicer and have more cutting edge.
I think the SNG is a bit lighter, and the ergos on that are better for me.

Kind of a toss up. Depends on what you value more.
 
As much as I want to say SNG, you missed the best slicing Strider of all. The new Strider SJ75 will slice circles around the SNG and has the same size cutting edge with a better fit and finish and with Mick's new lock face. I have owned a lot of Striders and I can comfortably say the SJ-75 is Striders best EDC. Mick Strider built it that way from the ground up. Look at it wrong and it will cut you.

See review:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/933652-Strider-SJ-75-A-Pictorial-review-quot-Move-over-SNG-CC-the-SJ-75-is-a-better-EDC-quot?highlight=Strider+SJ-75


SJ-75Gun.jpg

SJ-75Grip.jpg

SJclipgun.jpg
 
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I own neither so my opinion can be tossed but, from what i read on the forums, if you want blade play, go for the strider, if you dont want blade play, go for the zaan. Both have a good following and they would both be good choices
 
I only own an Umnum, never had a Strider, but I had basically the same decision you're making now when I bought mine. I think the Umnum is a much better design and I'm incredibly glad I got the Umnum instead.
 
I'm lucky enough to own all four mention, Sebenza, Zaan, SNG and the SJ 75. Since the choice has already been narrowed down to the SNG and Zaan, I'd have to give the nod to the Zaan. Although I do love my Striders and won't give em up, the CRK is just incredibly solid and well built. For an EDC, the blade profile on the Zaan really works for me.
 
If lefty is a requirement then CRK is your only choice. They make left handed models. This is coming from someone who owns more striders than CRK's.

Both are fine blades and will serve you well.
 
Given the two choices (IMO) choice for an EDC of impeccable quality, F&F, Customer service and Reputation, great looks, material quality......is obvious.
The Umnumzaan hands down.
 
I never had the ummn but I had a sebenza and LOVED IT. but I also had the smelly choice to make this last knife buy and went with the SNG CC even though after owning a CRK i said I would never own anything else...I tried the Strider out....I am so glad I did too. its berry light but yet so strong. I believe that CRK & Striders are both the best of their worlds and for the people that live in them should at some point own one of each......now saying that lol I don't have my CRK anymore but I still have my SNG but have to let it go due to a new baby arriving soon....so if u decide on the SNG hit me up. it is a user but its by no means abused. factory edge and its beautiful.
 
I would say Umnum b/c from what I've experienced there fit and finish is much better than the Strider. Also there warranty is better as well There are 20 year old Sebenza's out there:thumbup: and From what CRK says there tolerances smoke about 99% of productions and custums. My lg seb has no blade play with the pivot screws completly removed, for me its all about quality not tacticoolness. That umnum will slice circles around most Striders except maybe the Sj75 and thats what knives where meant for afterall:D
 
Thanks everyone for the great replies! Unless I get tired of waiting for one to pop up I think I am going to go with the Umnumzaan. They do not seem to pop up nearly as often as the Strider's in the exchange and I'm betting the Lefty's are even more rare.
 
I have both and I think the Umnumzaan is much better for EDC. The clip is perfect, the blade shape is perfect, the handles feel and look awesome, and CRK knives are always great. The SnG is a cool knife too, but it's a little wider in the pocket, and has less useable blade length. The lockup on Striders are also somewhat weird and mine does suffer from some lock rock when you really push the knife through hard materials.
 
I own an SnG and many CRK knives but no Umnumzaan. I would go for the CRK Umnumzaan as the edc. It all depends on personal desire. I believe the CRK to be a better all around cutter. So much so that I plan on selling my SnG. Good luck and Best wishes with your knife endeavors
 
Just wait for the 0560 if you want it that much! It's not like it's a limited edition or anything, they'll become cheaper and easier to get once ZT has made enough of them.

Out of the other two, though, definitely the Umnumzaan. Better design (it is, after all, an update of a knife with decades of refinement in it), slicing hollow grind, better quality, won't wobble or wear out in a few months, and that ceramic lock interface and dampened blade stop are pretty neat.
 
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