umnumzaan criticism

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misterjuiceman

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Sep 19, 2009
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it seems strange that CRK didn't use the non-locking slab design for the locking slab. it seems if they had done that, the knife would be able to be opened using both hands. does anyone know if there's a particular reason for not doing this?
 
tf8s said:
it seems strange that CRK didn't use the non-locking slab design for the locking slab. it seems if they had done that, the knife would be able to be opened using both hands. does anyone know if there's a particular reason for not doing this?
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LorenzoL said:
I am with you, I do not understand the question...
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I'm pretty sure I don't understand the question either but I'm a betting man, so I'll take a gamble on an answer. ;)

The reason is that the thumb lugs serve not only as the stop pins when the blade locks open but as the stops when it is closed. At least one of them has to be in physical contact with something and given the realities of serial production, you design something like this so they both contact the frame(s).
 
I haven't a clue what your speaking of but i can open and close mine right or left handed with no problem at all...just like :jerkit: :D :thumbup:
 
The umnumzaan was never meant to copy the sebenza. CRK felt there was improvments that could be made and he incorporated those changes in designing the umnumzaan.
 
bigmark408 said:
I haven't a clue what your speaking of but i can open and close mine right or left handed with no problem at all...just like :jerkit: :D :thumbup:
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Now thats funny, You are the "KING" Mark :thumbup::D:D:D
 
bigmark408 said:
I haven't a clue what your speaking of but i can open and close mine right or left handed with no problem at all...just like :jerkit: :D :thumbup:
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The last time I tried left handed I gave myself a black eye ;)
 
sorry I phrased that question very poorly. take a look at each slab on the Umnumzaan, the two titanium slabs are slightly different, other than the lockbar cutout of course. there's a big bevel on the locking-side-slab that isn't on the other slab. the beveled edge allows you to use the thumb stud. if the beveled edge were on both sides, then it would be possible to use both thumb studs. i'm wondering why CRK doesn't put the same beveled edge on the other slab
 
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The opposite ( lock side ) protrudes up. That is what you depress to close the knife. Its more of design and function of the umnumzaan. If that does not stick up ( you can see its hollowed out a little on the inside for a better grip ), how are you going to unlock the knife ? CRK makes a left version if your left handed. There are features the sebenza has that the umnumzaan does not have. Its a different knife.
 
tf8s said:
sorry I phrased that question very poorly. take a look at each slab on the Umnumzaan, the two titanium slabs are slightly different, other than the lockbar cutout of course. there's a big bevel on the locking-side-slab that isn't on the other slab. the beveled edge allows you to use the thumb stud. if the beveled edge were on both sides, then it would be possible to use both thumb studs. i'm wondering why CRK doesn't put the same beveled edge on the other slab
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If they were identical/symmetric, you would have nothing to get pressure onto to unlock the knife.
 
nyefmaker said:
The opposite ( lock side ) protrudes up. That is what you depress to close the knife. Its more of design and function of the umnumzaan. If that does not stick up ( you can see its hollowed out a little on the inside for a better grip ), how are you going to unlock the knife ? CRK makes a left version if your left handed. There are features the sebenza has that the umnumzaan does not have. Its a different knife.
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I never handled a Sebenza (I own a left-handed Umnumzaan), so I assumed the Sebenza was the same way. I think you could still put a large bevel on the edge and keep the protruding part. on my XM-18, there's no protrusion or hole to access the lockbar, but the blade is thicker so I think there's more room to get to the lockbar. I don't think anything drastic has to be done to the umnumzaan, it seems lke someone could mill out a bevel just so you could get some grip on the thumb stud.
 
These studs are .060 longer and work awesome for me...opening with either hand is a breeze.

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I was wondering how you were getting yours open with both hands! did you end up using a single piece or did you press fit one stud into the other?
 
tf8s said:
I was wondering how you were getting yours open with both hands! did you end up using a single piece or did you press fit one stud into the other?
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These studs are 2 piece....one side is a press fit and the other fits the hole precisely and they are joined by a threaded stud.

The original 2 piece design by Chris isn't as simple as folks would assume....the hole in the blade is not the same dimension on both side....the first stud is pressed in and when the second half is pressed into the first it expands the first to create a flare ....in the event that one stud did come off the other is still press fit with a sort of flare to it.

People gotta understand that Chris don't just throw stuff together,,,the guys super sharp !! ;)

Folks should really think twice before they challenge this guy....he's put me in my place a couple times...it takes alot to make me a fan boy. :D
 
I can open the Umnum with both hands, although it is easier using the right hand obviously. For the left hand
I find it easier to press on the glass breaker to start the blade then finish the opening with the thumb stud.:):thumbup:
 
bigmark408 said:
Folks should really think twice before they challenge this guy....he's put me in my place a couple times...it takes alot to make me a fan boy. :D
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sorry, I probably should have picked a better title for the thread, I figured "umnumzaan criticism" would bring more people than "umnumzaan question." :o I figured there was a reason for not having an ambidextrous opening, but I just wasnt sure what, so I posted here. I'm a huge fan of Chris Reeve and the whole philosophy of CRK.

BTW, how exactly does the single piece thumbstud for the Umnumzaan work. I kind of figured the two piece one would be designed as you described, but I can't really imagine how the one piece would work.

edit: I was just playing with my Umnumzaan now, and am now able to open it reliably, and easily, with my right-hand, and without using the glass breaker. it might have had something to do with breaking in the knife (it's still fairly new). now I really feel like an idiot
 
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