UMNUMZAAN appeal

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fivesense

Joined
Jun 5, 2017
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I've held a handful of Umnumzaan and it is without a doubt a beefy, confidence inspiring tank of a folder. In fact, open, it feels like a fixed blade.

I'm in no hurry to acquire one and the reason is lame. The little o-rings on the thumb stud. I understand their purpose, having been informed at the factory. Replacements are probably zero cents. But for some reason, the concept of needing a replacement after time rubs me slightly the wrong way. They can probably be easily lost too.

All CRK are absolutely works of art, science, and precision manufacturing. And I fully acknowledge how fortunate it is to have Sebenza and Inkosi options.

Just conversation; not trying to flame anyone's decision to own a phenomenal Zoom. And I welcome anyone helping me see the light...!
 
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I have never tried myself but read here that it works fine without the o-rings.
You just loose the distinct feel of Umnumzaan in the deployment.
 
Come to think of it, I wonder if those rings would fit on the Sebenza or Inkosi thumb stud? It might actually enhance the thumb purchase upon deployment. That would appeal to me somewhat, rather than having them act as a buffer as the stud/lock stop sets on the frame of the knife.
 
fivesense said:
Come to think of it, I wonder if those rings would fit on the Sebenza or Inkosi thumb stud? It might actually enhance the thumb purchase upon deployment. That would appeal to me somewhat, rather than having them act as a buffer as the stud/lock stop sets on the frame of the knife.
Click to expand...

They won’t fit on Sebenza or Inkosi thumb studs. They lack the slots in the Umnumzaan studs which hold the orings in place.

In truth the Zaan works 100% fine without the Orings. The folder is designed to work without them. All they do is soften and quiet the opening.

But they are also a great way to customize your Zaan.

Orange flavoured Umnumzaan?
1078484.jpg


Glow in the dark Orings anyone?
035-9.jpg
 
Lapedog said:
They won’t fit on Sebenza or Inkosi thumb studs. They lack the slots in the Umnumzaan studs which hold the orings in place.

In truth the Zaan works 100% fine without the Orings. The folder is designed to work without them. All they do is soften and quiet the opening.

But they are also a great way to customize your Zaan.

Orange flavoured Umnumzaan?
1078484.jpg


Glow in the dark Orings anyone?
035-9.jpg
Click to expand...
Growing on me immediately.

That's good to know they aren't necessary. I don't mind the click of the vault in the open position.
 
I went nearly a year Zaanless (way too long). My latest arrived yesterday, and the deadly quiet deployment has me thrilled (all over again - I've had over a half dozen Umnumzaan's). I too enjoy an auditorally pleasing lockup, but there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING that is like a fresh Zaan covertly locking into battery. I know an Inkosi is functionally equivalent, but there is a style and personality of the Umnumzaan that makes it HANDS DOWN my favorite CRK folder.
 
I picked up my zaan on secondary and can't say how many times the previous owner flipped it, but I've flipped the crap out of it and I dont see any wear on the o-rings. I wouldn't worry about them wearing and if they do.. probably get a ton for cheap.

And I love the ability of that deadly silent deployment.

And I just learned from this thread you can customize them lol
 
You won’t have to worry about the O-rings slipping off. With the groove on the thumb studs, it won’t go anywhere. I like the quietness of the O-rings as much as the thunk of the Sebenza. In all of knifedom, how many other knives utilize O-rings. I haven’t seen any any, which makes the Umnumzaan a unique knife. The O-rings will last several years before they need to be changed out. There’s various types of the harpoon blade, but only one has O-rings
 
I have original o-rings on a 2008 umnumzaan. They are still fine and the knife is carried reasonably often. They are not part of the ultimate lock-Up of the knife, they only quiet the final click, but do not actually form part of the lock-up mechanism.
 
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I'm on the fence on this.... I have upgraded the O rings on a couple of my UM's... one was a free offer here on the forum for blue ones, and another set was purchased at a hardware store in Cali while on vacation with my UM ... I'm sure there is an O ring made of something that will last forever. I think one set of mine failed because of oil, or solvent used on the knife...IE: WD40, tri-flo, teflon synthetic lubes... not a chemist.... Thoughts???
 
You won't lose them ... they eventually do wear but the knife functions perfectly without them ... they just make it a silent lockup ... and as shown above you can customize them and they aren't expensive.

I actually found I like them after using my Zaans.

And it's just the Zaans they fit on the thumb lugs on other CRKs aren't made to hold them.
 
Ajack60 said:
You won’t have to worry about the O-rings slipping off. With the groove on the thumb studs, it won’t go anywhere. I like the quietness of the O-rings as much as the thunk of the Sebenza. In all of knifedom, how many other knives utilize O-rings. I haven’t seen any any, which makes the Umnumzaan a unique knife. The O-rings will last several years before they need to be changed out. There’s various types of the harpoon blade, but only one has O-rings
Click to expand...

After five years I changed out mine. Only because it developed just a barely audible ‘clink’. At least add one um to your collection and use it hard.
 
Betcha(?) those studs on a Seb/Inkosi could be replaced by Unmum studs. Then add rings?

Most anything can be done. If you really want to do it. With enough time and money.
 
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