Umnumzaan: Bad for Sheeple? How's it Look Beat Up?

I would say if it's legal to carry then fine. :)

Just use it responsibility and with some common since while being aware of people around you...

Legal doesn't mean OK if someone wants to start a problem.
 
dzlvs8 said:
I'm looking to take the plunge into the territory of the forbidden (price point) knives. I really like the profile of the umnum and how it isn't an extremely tall blade. To give you an idea of the type of ?narrow? blade I like, I like the Benchmade Torrent, ZT 0600, Microtech Socom Delta, and the Umnumzaan. At the moment I am very drawn to the Umnum but have two concerns.

1. I purchased a Benchmade 710 a while back and was VERY surprised when I got it that the beautiful swedge and recurve made sheeple freak out. ....I mean, I didn't feel right carrying it. People said that it looked purpose built to be scary. I don't want to carry a knife around that gives off a strong vibe like that. The harpoon tip makes me think that the umnum may surprise me in the same way when I see it in person. So, is the Umnumzaan a very agressive looking knife because of the harpoon tip and cut outs on the top of the blade? Looking at knives online give me a totally different vibe than they do in person sometimes. And half of the time that swedge doesn't show up in pictures. I went about six months before I realized it was there (..when looking at it in videos).

2. If I purchase an Umnum, I play to use the heck out of it. I sort of don't like the idea that the handles get scraped up easily. That's what I don't like about aluminum handled knives. They scratch very easily and look terrible once you scratch them. I know an umnum wont look as bad scratched but does anyone have any pics of their beat up umnum so I can get an idea for what the wear will look like on it. I'd hate to get such a beautiful and expensive knife and then have it look like garbage in a year.

Thanks.
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All CRK plains look great with wear(imho) but the first scratch is the most painful haha.
 
If my Umnumzaan is going to scare folks, then I guess it's best not to lift my t-shirt off of my Glock.
You can cater to everyone else, or you can go about your "legal" business in a responsible manner.
To hell with 'em.
 
dzlvs8 said:
No, I think you are missing my point. I know it's big. I am looking for a big blade and yes that will scare all sheeple. I just don't want a wicked looking knife. I personally don't like wicked looking knives and I dont like sheeple thinking that I am trying to carry a wicked looking knife.

I am a big fan of blades that have the look of a tool to them instead of the look of a stabbin machine. From what I can tell from videos online, the umnum looks like a nice, utility, all around working knife, with some style. I know the sebenza fits this profile perfectly, but I don't like the style of it.
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You might need to get yourself a Quartermaster knife, it fits multiple criteria.
 
Most people that have seen my Umnumzaan thought it looked rather classy.
I'd say that most folks that would be scared of it would be scared of a lot of other knives as well.

Unless you're running up, shoving it in their face and screaming "See my knife?!? Do you like it?!?!"
Don't do that. ;)
 
RevDevil said:
You might need to get yourself a Quartermaster knife, it fits multiple criteria.
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Quartermaster? LOL A few Quartermasters are kinda cool, but they dont exactly seem like practical knives.

In regards to the scratching of ti, I have a Spyderco Techno and I haven't been nervous about scratching that thing at all. Granted, it's not bead blasted like an Umnumzaan, but the ti doesn't seem to be anywhere near as delicate as the Benchmade coated aluminum knives.

In regards to the scariness of the knife, I still don't think I'm getting my exact concern across to everyone. I am currently looking for a large somewhat classy knife, but a user. I am aware that many sheeple naturally get freaked out by any large knife and that's fine by me. Fudge em. What I am concerned about is having something that looks silly-tactical. I know that no one wants to use it as such, the 710 looks like a people stabbin machine. It's pretty, but just too aggressive for my tastes.

Yes, I do like a plain knife. I was most curious about whether the umnumzaans harpoon tip and such looking more elegant and like a subtle added piece of style or whether it looked more like it looked like it was there as more of an intimidation factor. For instance, I own and enjoy a Adamas. Although all the sheeple go running for the hills when I whip that thing out, to me, it doesn't look like it was designed to be an intimidating knife. Granted, it is unnecessarily big for a lot of applications but it mainly just looks like a big knife with nice lines.

Also, the laws in my state say any knife is legal to carry. However, many cities have ordinances against carrying anything over 3" unless it is "currently" being used for a hobby or work related purposes. I'm not going to get into the muddy interpretations of knife laws, but if I'm going to carry something well over 3" I definitely don't want it to look like something that I am carrying for self defense. Hence, at this point, I am thinking, no Umnumzaan for me. :(
 
I've never really had anyone freak out about any of my knives either, but here in the UP I'm sure most guys probably carry a pocket knife of some sort. Back in school they didn't allow knives but I remember one or two teachers saying that if you accidentally brought one you could leave it with them for the day and pick it up after class so you wouldn't get in trouble. In high school I think we were allowed up to two inches supposedly but I didn't risk it except my little utilikey knife on my keychain. I say just buy the knife you want. If you don't flip it out really quick all the time most people probably won't notice or care. On the off chance you do get shit from people, carry a SAK or something too to use when you're around their kind. I also agree with the used knife idea. I do find it easier to carry and use a knife if its already got a couple of marks on it.
 
dzlvs8 said:
Quartermaster? LOL A few Quartermasters are kinda cool, but they dont exactly seem like practical knives.

In regards to the scratching of ti, I have a Spyderco Techno and I haven't been nervous about scratching that thing at all. Granted, it's not bead blasted like an Umnumzaan, but the ti doesn't seem to be anywhere near as delicate as the Benchmade coated aluminum knives.

In regards to the scariness of the knife, I still don't think I'm getting my exact concern across to everyone. I am currently looking for a large somewhat classy knife, but a user. I am aware that many sheeple naturally get freaked out by any large knife and that's fine by me. Fudge em. What I am concerned about is having something that looks silly-tactical. I know that no one wants to use it as such, the 710 looks like a people stabbin machine. It's pretty, but just too aggressive for my tastes.

Yes, I do like a plain knife. I was most curious about whether the umnumzaans harpoon tip and such looking more elegant and like a subtle added piece of style or whether it looked more like it looked like it was there as more of an intimidation factor. For instance, I own and enjoy a Adamas. Although all the sheeple go running for the hills when I whip that thing out, to me, it doesn't look like it was designed to be an intimidating knife. Granted, it is unnecessarily big for a lot of applications but it mainly just looks like a big knife with nice lines.

Also, the laws in my state say any knife is legal to carry. However, many cities have ordinances against carrying anything over 3" unless it is "currently" being used for a hobby or work related purposes. I'm not going to get into the muddy interpretations of knife laws, but if I'm going to carry something well over 3" I definitely don't want it to look like something that I am carrying for self defense. Hence, at this point, I am thinking, no Umnumzaan for me. :(
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Wood inlayed large Sebenza? Nothing about it screams stabbing machine or self defense. Stick one of those fancy lanyard fobs on it, and you'd probably get a ton of comments on how friggin nice it looks. If you're wanting a big blade in a classy and elegant package, I don't know if you can do much better in a production knife.
 
uofaengr said:
Wood inlayed large Sebenza? Nothing about it screams stabbing machine or self defense. Stick one of those fancy lanyard fobs on it, and you'd probably get a ton of comments on how friggin nice it looks. If you're wanting a big blade in a classy and elegant package, I don't know if you can do much better in a production knife.
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I agree. I don't like the plain handles or blue thumb stud though. I am leaning towards an inlayed Sebenza, but there's a lot more character in the Umnum and for SOME REASON, the Umnum seems like it's meant to be used harder and would wear better than a pretty sebenza.
 
Sebenzas are much stouter than what they get credit for, but me thinks you really want a Zaan so I say just go for it. You'll know in a week or two if it's right for you.
 
JPD1998 said:
I've told this story before, but it's funny.

I few years ago I stopped in a western boot shop in North Carolina with my wife and daughter. Of course they found something to buy and my daughter wanted to wear her new boots.
Being from the north and paranoid about flashing knives, I was struggling with the string holding the hang tags.

The young woman behind the counter handed me a pocket knife and told me " if you were a southern boy , you'd have a pocket knife".
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I just read this twice and laughed out loud in my room.. haha! Good story man.. thats halarious...
 
Maybe you should buy one used off the exchange and try it out for yourself. Worse case scenario, you could trade or sell it later if it's not for you.
 
I personally like my 'zaan and do not think it is that big or scary looking at all

DSC_0260.jpg
 
Quiet said:
I always enjoy the logic that people who aren't into knives must be "sheep" or "sheeple".
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Two hugely different things IMHO, most people aren't "into knives" but they don't make a huge scene everytime you open a package or cut an apple.
They might not care about construction or blade steel, but they see a pocketknife as the useful tool that it is, even if they don't carry one themselves.
Those aren't sheeple, they are simply NKP, people who aren't interested in knives. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Sheeple are the ones who think a SAK is a weapon of mass destruction, video games cause shooting sprees and that inanimate objects are inherently dangerous.
No independent thinking, no common sense, just following the herd. Baaah.
 
C_Becker said:
Two hugely different things IMHO, most people aren't "into knives" but they don't make a huge scene everytime you open a package or cut an apple.
They might not care about construction or blade steel, but they see a pocketknife as the useful tool that it is, even if they don't carry one themselves.
Those aren't sheeple, they are simply NKP, people who aren't interested in knives. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Sheeple are the ones who think a SAK is a weapon of mass destruction, video games cause shooting sprees and that inanimate objects are inherently dangerous.
No independent thinking, no common sense, just following the herd. Baaah.
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Look, let's be honest about something. Pocket knives can be used as weapons. They ARE inherently dangerous. Knife people (which I am one) like to gloss over that fact, because it's not something that we spend time thinking about. But the fact is, people in public, coworkers, etc., when confronted by someone they only passingly know suddenly whipping out a knife, MAY have a poor reaction. That doesn't mean they are "sheep" or that they lack independent thinking, or that they're just "following the herd". Frankly, calling people sheep shows a lack of empathy on your (and everyone else who does it's) part.

Plenty of people have been stabbed with knives, so let's not act like people have no call for being uncomfortable around people they don't know very well suddenly displaying a tool that can also be used as a weapon.

I have coworkers I don't know very well, and if one of them suddenly deployed a large folder, I would take a small step back. Does that make me a sheep too? Just "following the herd"? Of course not. So let's start doing more thinking, and stop acting like people are idiots or herd thinkers just because they are uncomfortable with a passing acquaintance suddenly revealing possession of a tool that can be used as a weapon.
 
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Quiet said:
Look, let's be honest about something. Pocket knives can be used as weapons. They ARE inherently dangerous. Knife people (which I am one) like to gloss over that fact, because it's not something that we spend time thinking about. But the fact is, people in public, coworkers, etc., when confronted by someone they only passingly know suddenly whipping out a knife, MAY have a poor reaction. That doesn't mean they are "sheep" or that they lack independent thinking, or that they're just "following the herd". Frankly, calling people sheep shows a lack of empathy on your (and everyone else who does it's) part.

Plenty of people have been stabbed with knives, so let's not act like people have no call for being uncomfortable around people they don't know very well suddenly displaying a tool that can also be used as a weapon.

I have coworkers I don't know very well, and if one of them suddenly deployed a large folder, I would take a small step back. Does that make me a sheep too? Just "following the herd"? Of course not. So let's start doing more thinking, and stop acting like people are idiots or herd thinkers just because they are uncomfortable with a passing acquaintance suddenly revealing possession of a tool that can be used as a weapon.
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Good point. If the person with the knife doesn't have anything to cut, or have any other useful reason to be waving a knife around for, it makes me somewhat uncomfortable if I don't know them.
As for the original post, I think it looks more threatening than a slipjoint but not as threatening as most gas station knives.
 
Am I missing something here :confused:

Under what circumstance would your knife "freak people out"?

Are you cutting a hang-nail at a library?
Doing paper cut tests during church?
Tightening your pivot at a gas station?
Stroping during your kids little league game?

I understand if you need to abide by your local law you question blade length or locking mechanism, but buying a knife based on "scare-factor" is just down right ridiculous. Maybe you should consider where you're gonna be using the knife, then decide if it's an appropriate time to use it.
 
Get it. As long as its legal. Anyone that doesn't like it is just gonna have to get over it. Its your knife, your hobby, and as long as it is legal then you have no reason not to carry what you want. The last thing I think of when I get a knife is what anyone else will think of it. I buy it because I like it :thumbup:
 
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