The Umnumzaan, with words and pictures

I found the Umnumzaan blade blunt at a certain angle - i.e. if you applied pressure with the blade laid straight on a normal photocopy paper rested on a flat surface, it doesn't cut (a cheap box cutter would've made a clean slice through the paper).

Also, is it normal for one side of the polished edge to be larger than the other side?

I also found my Umnumzaan tends to pit/nick fairly easily (see the micro nicks as shown): I stropped the knife to get rid of the scratches on the polished edge. It has only seen light duty cutting fruits and bait fish, opening letters and boxes etc.

P1120386.jpg
 
The blade geometry is very different on a box cutter blade than on an Umnumzaan blade, try dragging both of them across you hand and see if you think there is much if any of difference then. They will both cut you. :)

An uneven bevel while pehaps not normal is not unusual and makes no difference to the fucnction of a knife, especially so on a knife that will be used as it will be sharpened out in no time at all.

The chips you show in your picture were similar to the the small chips I got in my blade from trimming some ply wood. Again not normal but not unusual when cutting dirty or abrasive matrials. This seems to be much less of an issue for me after sharpening the knife several times and having used it for a good while.

marblegoby said:
I found the Umnumzaan blade blunt at a certain angle - i.e. if you applied pressure with the blade laid straight on a normal photocopy paper rested on a flat surface, it doesn't cut (a cheap box cutter would've made a clean slice through the paper).

Also, is it normal for one side of the polished edge to be larger than the other side?

I also found my Umnumzaan tends to pit/nick fairly easily (see the micro nicks as shown): I stropped the knife to get rid of the scratches on the polished edge. It has only seen light duty cutting fruits and bait fish, opening letters and boxes etc.

P1120386.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Haze. Good to know my knife is performing as per normal. I've just ordered a bunch of luminous o-rings (I measured them and they came at 6mm) to replace the current ones which are now loose. Will post some pics when they reach me (I'm in Melbourne, Australia). :)
 
As others have said, great review. It's refreshing to see a tough, but expensive knife being put through some real tasks.

I have a question that may seem odd: how well does the knife stay closed? I do a fair amount of climbing and, for some reason, the knife that I thought was going to be my go-to climbing knife opened up in my pocket on two occasions. It's actually a really good knife from a reputable manufacturer; in fact, it's my EDC most days and I have no problems with it. When I climb, however, the thing just won't stay shut!

The Zaan's description talks about a ball that goes into the detent and keeps the blade closed. Is this unique to the Zaan? Does it actually help keep the blade from accidentally opening.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Thanks again for the review.

Eric G.
 
eginder,

There is absolutely zero play with the Umnumzaan and it will never open by accident. Good thing is it opens easily with one hand with the thumb studs. Excellent design. And yes, I carry and use the Umnumzaan every day.
 
I've always liked the look of the Umnumzaan. I think this thread pushed me over the edge. I got one on the way.
 
Haze said:
The blade geometry is very different on a box cutter blade than on an Umnumzaan blade, try dragging both of them across you hand and see if you think there is much if any of difference then. They will both cut you. :)

An uneven bevel while pehaps not normal is not unusual and makes no difference to the fucnction of a knife, especially so on a knife that will be used as it will be sharpened out in no time at all.

The chips you show in your picture were similar to the the small chips I got in my blade from trimming some ply wood. Again not normal but not unusual when cutting dirty or abrasive matrials. This seems to be much less of an issue for me after sharpening the knife several times and having used it for a good while.
Click to expand...

Is this chipping any less common in S35VN blades, since it supposedly has a higher toughness than S30V?
Thanx,
Jim
 
Thanks for the review Haze...
In addition to the glow ring which is a great idea, you should get some glow cord for a short lanyard. (http://www.sterlingrope.com/products/455695)
Any light that catches the reflective bits on the cord will reflect back making it easy to find if its been dropped of left somewhere around the campsite.
 
James Y said:
Is this chipping any less common in S35VN blades, since it supposedly has a higher toughness than S30V?
Thanx,
Jim
Click to expand...

James, there's a school of thought and it makes sense, that the factory edge can sometimes be a bit more brittle than the steel right behind it and all the way up, for that matter. I think that's what Haze is referring to.

Nice review of the Umnumzaan Haze! :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top