Umnumzaan deployment???

Jfoster99

Jfoster99

Joined
Nov 11, 2012
Messages
87
Going on close to a month with the zaan and loving it more every day..

Just a few questions about deployment...

Can you flip it open with zero wrist action?.. I can do it but only 3-4 times with getting very soar.. And not every time..

Does your blade swing free when removing lock bar tension.. Mine does not... Is this easily resolved adjusting pivot and lubing?

Can you deploy with your weak hand. Both sides are radiused. Seems 90% ambidextrous..
 
All of that can be resolved by adjusting the pivot. That's just another perk of the Zaan.
 
I have never tried, actually I haven't even put my Umnumzaan tools to use yet! I think my Zaan came about perfect:thumbup:, it might need the pivot backed off a little but I haven't needed to clean it yet. I can tell you my Zaan's blade won't free swing like my Seb's but I think thats partly or mostly b/c of the stabilizer, great knife by the way enjoy:D
 
Both of my Umnumzaans have freely swinging blades when I push back the lockbar. Better than my Large Sebenza 21 even though the Seb is more worn in than either of my Zaans. I suggest you take it apart and apply minimal grease which makes the action smoother. It comes with way too much grease straight from the factory and it makes the action a bit tight. Make sure to grease up the ceramic ball as well because I think thats the real key to having a smooth action on the Sebenza and especially the Zaan.

I can easily thumb flicked open with my right thumb with zero wrist flick every single time. The left thumb can easily flick it out but I have a hard time opening it slowly which doesnt really make sense. I think the slower you try to open it with your left hand, the more pressure you apply to the lockbar, making it extremely difficult to open. Especially since you cant get full purchase beneath the thumbstud with your left thumb.
 
RiverRat84 said:
All of that can be resolved by adjusting the pivot. That's just another perk of the Zaan.
Click to expand...

As stated above, most concerns can be addressed by adjusting the pivot.

As I'm sure you are aware...the Zaan does have a slightly different opening 'method' you almost want to push the stud directly forward, in the direction you want the blade to end up at, not out away from the handle as with many other knives. The reason I mention this is many people I let use a Zaan, are puzzled as to how to open the knife easily.

FWIW both of my Umnumzaan's open very easily and quickly without 'wrist action', I have an '08 version and a '12 version. The '12 seems to take a little more pressure to get the blade out, but both open easily.
 
kawr said:
I can easily thumb flicked open with my right thumb with zero wrist flick every single time.
Click to expand...

I have NEVER thumb-flicked any knife....because I can't. And I am unable to close my Zaan one-handed. I fear for early onset of OldTimer's disease. What was I saying?? :)
Sonnydaze
 
I got my umnumzaan (new pivot version) about 3days ago and man was that blade hard to open. After destroying my thumb for about 2 days I Finally Decided to back off the pivot just a bit and boy what a Difference! Now it opens with just a thumb flick. I love this knife.
 
My blade doesn't swing freely when I take off the lock pressure...but I can still flick it open without wrist action. It doesn't come out particularly quickly, but it will open. I don't do that very often though since it just doesn't work particularly well. I just use the thumbstud slowly most of the time.
 
Well thanks to all for this. Just took apart my Zann and am now am able to thumb flick it 100% of the time. Took a little bit of time to get the pressure right on the pivot using tooth picks as a tool, but the time spent was well worth it. Thanks guys!
 
Jfoster99 said:
Are we "allowed" to flick our umnumzaan? ( unlike the Sebenza)
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I think your safe to flick everything. Chris reeve even proved it by forcibly flicking open a Sebenza thousands of times without any damage to the knife.

To the OP. on the 1st generation Zaans the lock side was not chamfered like the non locking side for better access to the thumb stub. I had no problem flicking mine with either hand. It was very smooth
 
Sonnydaze said:
I have NEVER thumb-flicked any knife....because I can't. And I am unable to close my Zaan one-handed. I fear for early onset of OldTimer's disease. What was I saying?? :)
Sonnydaze
Click to expand...

I have pretty much the same problem, weak hands. Because of that, I can't open any of my 'Zaans one handed. I've tried on 4 different ones, and tried all kinds of adjustment. I just can't push hard enough with the thumb to open it. Oh well, there's going to be some old style Zaans on the exchange after the first of the year. :o
 
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