The “terrible” Umnumzaan lockbar

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Peakbagger46

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As a self admitted knife whore, I buy and sell a lot of high end folders. Out of the very few I’ve held onto and use regularly, the Umnumzaan is at the very top.

Lots of folks have issues with disengaging the lock and I did at first too. If I use the meat of my thumb as pictured, it’s entirely comfortable.
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The lockbar is "interesting" I agree, when I first gone my Zaan; it wasn't the unlocking I had to get used to but the feeling on my hand while the blade is open and in use.
 
I just don't understand why they made it sharp like that when the Sebenzas and Inkosi are perfectly fine. And they don't need the lockbar stop either.
 
mongomondo said:
I just don't understand why they made it sharp like that when the Sebenzas and Inkosi are perfectly fine. And they don't need the lockbar stop either.
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Ive heard the only reason the overtravel stop was added was to prevent people from bending the lock bar out trying to tune the disengagement. Makes sense why its not removable and why it doesn't function as a stabilizer.
 
It's different for sure, but I don't find it super uncomfortable or difficult to disengage in normal use. I think it was designed this way for maximum purchase while closing (esp with gloves on) what is intended to be a working knife, rather than for silky-soft thumb comfort during extended "fondling sessions." I also find using the "meat" of my thumb to be much more comfortable than just the tip..
 
motojg said:
Ive heard the only reason the overtravel stop was added was to prevent people from bending the lock bar out trying to tune the disengagement. Makes sense why its not removable and why it doesn't function as a stabilizer.
Click to expand...

But aren't people bending the lock bar because the sharp lock bar makes it hard to disengage? The 31 has the exact same locking mechanism with ceramic ball and nobody has problems with it.
 
Wasn’t the original marketing around the Umnumzaan about it being for covert missions with it’s silent lockup o-rings and high traction scales? Isn’t part of it being a folding ‘combat knife’ the fact that it’s hard to unlock?

Don’t get me wrong…….I don’t think for a second any self-respecting “operator” is going into battle armed with an Umnumzaan, however if we are to believe and/or enjoy the myth of these knives being ninja weapons we should really welcome the lock being difficult to disengage. You wouldn’t want the knife to accidentally unlock and cut your fingers while deep behind enemy lines.
 
Probably the best tanto of the crk offerings. Lock being harder than most is just fine. It’s not a toy.
 
Agreed just don’t use you thumb tip use the meat / middle/ plenty of lock bar Real estate to be had. After time it does get easier
 
More muscle memory then anything. Every knife has its own personality, features, quirks, etc.

Just like opening the knife, is more of a straight up motion with your thumb vs an "Arcing" motion like many other knives.
 
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I just received a new zaan. After a couple drops of KPL on the pivot, and a drop of Heavy on the detent ball, opening it is no problem...but the lockbar is stiff af. Accessing and using it aren't a problem; so I'll give it some time to decide if I like the knife enough to deal with it.
 
My concern is that in pushing the lock bar over I’m stretching out the clip, compromising the retention to my pocket.
 
That’s not going to happen it has a lock bar stop you can only flex it so far. If your worried about the clip take it off and bend it a little it’s not rocket Science
 
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