Umnumzaan 2008 vs. 2012 - Differences?

Gunsnknives

Gunsnknives

Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
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Good day CRK experts,

I recently got hooked on CRK knives. I acquired 2 Umnumzaans off the forums, a 2008 and a 2012. I bought used because I like the look of the old pivot. Both are from reputable forumites with excellent feedback and both knives are well built so I am not suspecting Chinese clones (I am an engineer with machining experience so I'd like to believe I have a good idea of what good vs. bad manufacturing looks like). However, I have noticed some differences between the blade grinds and finish. The handles, clips, pivots, fasteners, etc. are all what I expect, excellent. The blades are S30V for the 2008 and S35VN for the 2012 and I believe that also means slightly different stonewash finishes.

20130722_203204.jpg

So...in your experiences, have you noticed slightly different blade grinds between the 2008 and 2012 models? The 2008 (the upper blade) seems to curve downwards a bit more than the 2012. Finish is different, where the 2012 is slightly shinier and more polished of a stonewash - but I think that is normal.

Thanks for the inputs.
 
The old school umnumzaans I've had (no lbs, no stamp) had blade grinds similar to the top knife. Haven't had any of the newer ones though...
 
The plunges are slightly different as well. I own a first generation so I'm not much help with your question.
 
Your Zaans are legit. I've got a few from the oldest style to the new, and there are slight grind differences over time. Chris isn't one to put out a knife and stop looking for ways to improve on it, to include changes in grind as well as handle shape, etc.

Congrats and welcome to the addiction!
 
S30V and S35VN definitely do not finish the same. The grinds are mostly hand work, so they will vary from knife to knife.
 
JNewell said:
S30V and S35VN definitely do not finish the same. The grinds are mostly hand work, so they will vary from knife to knife.
Click to expand...

I thought the primary bevels were ground by a specially designed, automated grinding machine, not by hand. (According to the two part, BladeHQ "Meet you maker" video on CRK.)
I believe they are sharpened by hand though.
In the video Mr. Reeve also mentions that they are constantly evolving the capabilities of the grinding machine, so a slowly changing grind geometry makes sense.
 
Thanks for the inputs folks. I'm happy to hear this is normal.

I love these forums, but my wallet hates most all of you :-)!
 
Nullity said:
I thought the primary bevels were ground by a specially designed, automated grinding machine, not by hand. (According to the two part, BladeHQ "Meet you maker" video on CRK.)
I believe they are sharpened by hand though.
In the video Mr. Reeve also mentions that they are constantly evolving the capabilities of the grinding machine, so a slowly changing grind geometry makes sense.
Click to expand...

I will go with your memory on the grinds - I was visualizing the old video rather than remembering a specific comment in the new one. :)
 
Here's some posts I made a while ago listing the changes I've noticed:

BLADE_SICKness said:
BLADE_SICKness said:
Man you're not lying, I've got an OG Umnum, which I love, but I almost feel like I need a new one because it's pretty much an entirely new knife!

Here's the ones I can think of:

1) Steel upgrade to S35vn
2) easier access to lockbar
3) easier access to offside thumb stud
4) lock bar stabilizer
5) different jimping
6) Idaho stamp (not really an improvement, but anyway)
7) new pivot

I'd like to get all of that in a Wilson Starbust frame.

Damn, so many knives... so many knives, and so little time.
Click to expand...

Here's a list I posted a while ago aswell. You can now add the new pivot of course.
Click to expand...
 
I wonder if it's at all possible that the changes are due more from the machines evolving over time due to maintenance and such more than intentional design changes.

Is that feasible or not a chance?
 
I doubt that it's feasible, given the nature of the process and the product, but in any event I think I recall posts here by the Reeve folks that indicate that these changes were all intentional changes, addressing specific issues that CRK wanted to fix.
 
I think that Blade Sickness got them all! I was actually looking at the differences with both knives in hand not too long ago, they are subtle but add up to a very different overall feel.
 
Ernie1980 said:
I think that Blade Sickness got them all! I was actually looking at the differences with both knives in hand not too long ago, they are subtle but add up to a very different overall feel.
Click to expand...

I noticed that myself. I've had about a dozens Zaans, right now have 6 or 7. I took one with the new LBS and old pivot in a trade several months ago, with every intention of using it as trade fodder. It's a dupe of a dupe. As soon as I took it out of the box and opened it, that changed. This one just felt 'right' in a way that none of the others have. All the others are great knives, but some small subtle something about this one makes it stand out.
 
If we are looking at differences, the detente features on the 2008 blade is a countersink, the 2012 is a thru hole.
 
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