The Amazing Umfaan...

Mellow Chaos

Mellow Chaos

Joined
Feb 2, 2002
Messages
2,286
...I just marvel over this knife, and it's very short and happy run. I love them just for the sake of owning them. The collectability aspect puzzles me a bit, as a few months ago they would be gone hours after posting. The gent I purchased my unique graphic/Damascus from posted a nice graphic for $400 several days ago, but hasn't had any bites that I know of. I think he owns or owned about six of them.

From a practicality standpoint, they are not very. Quite smal, unassuming, and no clip. However, there is just something about an encapsulated version of the Sebbie bank vault feel that is just very captivating. My money is on Chris not producing anymore of them. Even if the Umfaan club stays very small, I am proud to be a member of its "fanboy" base. In the mean time, send me all your Umfaans!
 
I would respectfully disagree about practicality. I carry mine in a William Henry clip pouch and its very accessable.
RE: 400.00 Umfaan, I only paid 285 for the same thing last Sept. That is a lot of appreciation in 5 months.
 
Today I saw not one but two Umfaans at the C&E gun/knife show in Charlotte. :eek: One was plain w/no graphics at all with an asking price of $300.00. The other one was a 2001 version w/an asking price of $200.00. Unfortunately neither came with a "Birth Certificate" so I could not bring myself to buy either one of them. :( Oh well, I prefer the Mnandi any way. :D ;)
 
trane fan said:
Today I saw not one but two Umfaans at the C&E gun/knife show in Charlotte. :eek: One was plain w/no graphics at all with an asking price of $300.00. The other one was a 2001 version w/an asking price of $200.00. Unfortunately neither came with a "Birth Certificate" so I could not bring myself to buy either one of them. :( Oh well, I prefer the Mnandi any way. :D ;)
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Trane...I will not buy a CRK without at least a birth certificate and the original box. We are both discerning buyers.
 
Mellow Chaos said:
Trane...I will not buy a CRK without at least a birth certificate and the original box. We are both discerning buyers.
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This may be a dumb question but, why not buy without the birth certificate? Just so you have valid info on the knife? I'm fairly new to Chris Reeve knives and was wondering. :confused:
 
I was wondering the same thing myself. Especially if you want it to be a user. I have seen more than one dealer at a knife show pick up Sebenzas to show people and put them down next to a different box. Oops, somebody switched babies at the hospital. ;)
 
I have an Umfaan. I think it's the 1999 version with the spear and the tall grasses. It's one of my favorite knives and I wouldn't sell it for anything. OK, maybe I'd cave eventually.....but it would take alot! :) Does anyone know how many of these are produced annually?
 
Paul Davidson said:
I was wondering the same thing myself. Especially if you want it to be a user. I have seen more than one dealer at a knife show pick up Sebenzas to show people and put them down next to a different box. Oops, somebody switched babies at the hospital. ;)
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To answer both of you guy’s question, it all gets down to the fact that the lack of a "Birth Certificate" diminishes the value of the knife both economically and intrinsically. Any time I purchase a discontinued knife that is so highly sought after it is with the intention of "putting it away" or to re-sale it. The knife would never be a “user“. Therefore, the lack of the BC would make it more difficult to re-sale (face it, an Umfaan or any knife of it's ilk is only going to appeal to educated/experienced buyers and the first thing they, or me if the situation was reversed, is going to ask is: "Do you have the papers and box?". When I have to say no to one or both of those questions I've probably lost a buyer or at least hurt my profit margin. Secondly, if I have bought it for myself I would always think "I wish I had the BC". Therefore, I would not enjoy owning it nearly as much. I hope that makes sense. ;) ;)
 
Peter Atwood said:
I have an Umfaan. I think it's the 1999 version with the spear and the tall grasses. It's one of my favorite knives and I wouldn't sell it for anything. OK, maybe I'd cave eventually.....but it would take alot! :) Does anyone know how many of these are produced annually?
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I'm not sure how many CRK produced a year but they were, unfortunately, discontinued a few years back. So they have become fairly rare. ;)
 
I would buy one, if it was decently priced, even if it had no box or papers.....

My enjoyment would come from knowing I have a high quality folder in my pocket, ready to open that envelope, cut that thread, or whatever I need a small, sharp blade to do....


I already know what a great knife it is.....I don't need a pedigree to tell me that.

I can see how collectors might want it, but I am a user, and I'd probably loose 'em anyway. :D
 
DJ...you'd be amazed at how easy they are to lose. All the knife forums are littered with sad tales of Umfaans lost.
 
trane fan said:
To answer both of you guy’s question, it all gets down to the fact that the lack of a "Birth Certificate" diminishes the value of the knife both economically and intrinsically. Any time I purchase a discontinued knife that is so highly sought after it is with the intention of "putting it away" or to re-sale it. The knife would never be a “user“. Therefore, the lack of the BC would make it more difficult to re-sale (face it, an Umfaan or any knife of it's ilk is only going to appeal to educated/experienced buyers and the first thing they, or me if the situation was reversed, is going to ask is: "Do you have the papers and box?". When I have to say no to one or both of those questions I've probably lost a buyer or at least hurt my profit margin. Secondly, if I have bought it for myself I would always think "I wish I had the BC". Therefore, I would not enjoy owning it nearly as much. I hope that makes sense. ;) ;)
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That makes perfect sense. :cool: Thanks! For collectability I agree, if I was buying for carry only I guess i wouldn't mind buying without a BC.
 
Here is a good way to make it harder to lose that Umfaan, compliments of Gary Graley. Back when I was a worker bee in a large office this was my EDC most of the time. The knifeless masses did not seem to even notice.
 
Thomason said:
Here is a good way to make it harder to lose that Umfaan, compliments of Gary Graley. Back when I was a worker bee in a large office this was my EDC most of the time. The knifeless masses did not seem to even notice.
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Hey...I've seen that Umfaan somewhere! ;)
 
So is the umfaan honestly not going to be produced again? Their seems to be a large enough demand for them (myself included).
 
In all reality, no birth certificate really only matters to the anally oriented. It's still the same knife no matter if it comes with a little piece of paper or not.
 
la_goata said:
So is the umfaan honestly not going to be produced again? Their seems to be a large enough demand for them (myself included).
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There is talk that a redesigned Umfaan is a "back burner" idea/project with those good folks in Boise. Only time will tell and while we are on that subject, boy a wharncliffe blade would certainly be nice. ;)
 
trane fan said:
To answer both of you guy’s question, it all gets down to the fact that the lack of a "Birth Certificate" diminishes the value of the knife both economically and intrinsically. Any time I purchase a discontinued knife that is so highly sought after it is with the intention of "putting it away" or to re-sale it. The knife would never be a “user“. Therefore, the lack of the BC would make it more difficult to re-sale (face it, an Umfaan or any knife of it's ilk is only going to appeal to educated/experienced buyers and the first thing they, or me if the situation was reversed, is going to ask is: "Do you have the papers and box?". When I have to say no to one or both of those questions I've probably lost a buyer or at least hurt my profit margin. Secondly, if I have bought it for myself I would always think "I wish I had the BC". Therefore, I would not enjoy owning it nearly as much. I hope that makes sense. ;) ;)
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If you like the BC there is nothing wrong in that. My point was that unless you buy directly from the CRK shop, the certificate may not even be the original one.

My "P" marked Large Sebnza, my very first, will be celebrating its 10th birthday in a few days BTW. :( They grow up so fast. :D
 
guy g said:
I would respectfully disagree about practicality. I carry mine in a William Henry clip pouch and its very accessable.
RE: 400.00 Umfaan, I only paid 285 for the same thing last Sept. That is a lot of appreciation in 5 months.
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I suppose the market sets the value. I just sold an umfaan that showed wear on the handle, blade pristine for $347 shipped (started bidding at $239 w/$7 shipping and wondered where it would end up). I've been offered $400 a pop for three remaining styles, by very motivated CRK dudes--but I just like these puppies sooo much!! Yep, I paid just under $300 for 1 of 6 Umfaans bought in the past 6 months, but the others were more and one was quite a bit more. So, please email me the moment you spot an Umfaan for under $300 AND even more, no sarcasm meant and not intending to belittle you, sir-this is a sincere request-Should you ever choose to sell your umfaan at say, $325--please let me know the design and you'll likely have yourself a deal!! Thanks! :-)))
 
Hi..

does anyone have a pic, or link to a pic that would compare the size of the
Umfaan to the Sebenza, or Small Sebenza or even an Mnandi?


thanks!
 
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