TAD Dauntless Mk4 vs. Umnumzaan Tanto

TruAblePup

TruAblePup

Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
64
Hi all,

I am a bit torn between these two knives. I have never held either of them in person, just watched many reviews on both.

Here are my concerns:

I am leaning heavily towards the Zaan, but I am concerned about the lockbar tab. Many have had issue with the somewhat sharp tab digging into their thumb over time.

Screen Shot 2016-12-24 at 19.31.00.jpg

I flick my knives constantly, and got rid of my Spyderco Domino because its lock bar did the same thing. Damn thing chewed up my thumb badly. Even after the knife breaks in will this hurt my thumb after opening and closing all day long? My knives aren't just tools they are also fidget toys. ;)

Your thoughts? Both Nick Shabbaz and XIUXIU1313 (Carter) said in their videos in was a real issue for them. Any long-term users here who can speak to that?

http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/Dauntless-MK4-G10

http://www.chrisreeve.com/umnumzaan.html


Thanks all!
 
If you want something as a fidget toy and a knife, I would suggest getting a balisong.

But... out of those two I'd get the Zaan
 
I've had my umnumzaan since the tanto version first came out and have never had an issue with the lock bar hurting my thumb. It's a great knife, probably one of my top 3 favorite blades but it isn't a fidget toy.

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unwisefool said:
I've had my umnumzaan since the tanto version first came out and have never had an issue with the lock bar hurting my thumb. It's a great knife, probably one of my top 3 favorite blades but it isn't a fidget toy.

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Click to expand...

Thank you
 
I haven't had a MK4 but I had a Mk3 and didn't care for it. The lock bar on the dauntless actually hurt my thumb more than the Zaan. On the dauntless it's just flat machining with the jumping. It's all sharp corners IIRC. The Zaan is designed to be gripppy but not so much that it's uncomfortable.
 
Having owned a few of each of these knives I would take the Zaan all day long. It's a better all around knife made by arguably the best production company on the face of this planet. The other one is a branded knife made by who knows, good luck getting parts or warranty service for it. The CRK you can send back in 5 years and for $50 you'll have a like new knife again. Don't underestimate the value there...
 
I've owned and used both. Although I no longer have either, I would go with the 'Zaan based on the warranty and customer service alone.
 
Does anyone know who makes the dauntless?

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unwisefool said:
Does anyone know who makes the dauntless?

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Click to expand...

I've heard Pro-Tech in random threads here and there, but no one really knows for sure. TAD keeps that close to the vest, other than to say it's a USA maker. The F&F on both my MK3 and MK4 were quite good.
 
TruAblePup said:
Hi all,

I am a bit torn between these two knives. I have never held either of them in person, just watched many reviews on both.

Here are my concerns:

I am leaning heavily towards the Zaan, but I am concerned about the lockbar tab. Many have had issue with the somewhat sharp tab digging into their thumb over time.

View attachment 678707

I flick my knives constantly, and got rid of my Spyderco Domino because its lock bar did the same thing. Damn thing chewed up my thumb badly. Even after the knife breaks in will this hurt my thumb after opening and closing all day long? My knives aren't just tools they are also fidget toys. ;)

Your thoughts? Both Nick Shabbaz and XIUXIU1313 (Carter) said in their videos in was a real issue for them. Any long-term users here who can speak to that?

http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/Dauntless-MK4-G10

http://www.chrisreeve.com/umnumzaan.html


Thanks all!
Click to expand...

The Umnumzaan is the least flickable CRK made. The 21 is better suited for flicking than the Umnumzaan. As a matter of fact, directions come with the Umnumzaan on how to open the knife. With the O-rings making it a very quiet knife, it's doubtful they would last being flicked for any period of time.
The detent on the Dauntless isn't so strong that it makes it difficult to flick. Of the two, the Dauntless makes for a better knife to flick. The Umnumzaan is a better blade design for cutting things. As cool as the Dauntless is, it wasn't a very good knife for cutting stuff.
I got rid of the Dauntless and kept the Umnumzaan. Bought a ZT for flipping.
 
TruAblePup said:
I am leaning heavily towards the Zaan, but I am concerned about the lockbar tab. Many have had issue with the somewhat sharp tab digging into their thumb over time.
Click to expand...

CRK's are exceptionally well finished, the smooth action and soft radiused and bead blasted parts would make it pretty difficult to harm yourself on the lock tab.

That said, the Umnumzaan has a very hydraulic feel to the pivot, with the humungous washers, fluorinated crease, and massive detent sliding along the side of the blade it is not a very flickable knife. I highly recommend reading this, to better understand the design:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/730951-Some-words-from-Chris
 
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