Umnumzaan glass breaker?

Lord_Balkan

Lord_Balkan

Joined
Aug 25, 2016
Messages
600
How do people feel about this? I really want an Umnum but the glass breaker is kinda putting me off. Has anyone removed it or grounded it off at all?
 
If you don't like they way it looks, that's an issue. The glass breaker itself is not all that sharp, and isn't uncomfortable in pocket or anything, so you have no worries there.

Personally, I think it's a useless "feature" and would not be bothered if they deleted it.
 
Interesting post... I EDC a fairly recent UM, and don't know if I'd really remember it was there , in a stress situation. I have used it to leverage the blade open more than once though...... any forumites ever break any glass with it?
 
I already have a glass breaker on my keychain, so for me it is redundant, aesthetically unappealing, and seams like it would be more of a nuisance than anything. I'm wondering if anyone has removed it or anything like that, and how that might effect the resale value of it.
 
Lapedog said:
Is it possible to flip the blade open with it?
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No, but perhaps there is someone that can. I wouldn't think so from what I just tried with mine. Leverage is in the wrong area. As bart1 bart1 said, you could probably use it to leverage the blade open.

Lord_Balkan said:
I already have a glass breaker on my keychain, so for me it is redundant, aesthetically unappealing, and seams like it would be more of a nuisance than anything. I'm wondering if anyone has removed it or anything like that, and how that might effect the resale value of it.
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Any mod affects resale value because the changes that people make are highly personal. Unless you can find someone of similar mind, then it will take a hit on the secondary market. A new blade, if still in production is ~$135.00. That doesn't mean that you will lose that much..it's just one consideration.
Also to note, blades from the same vintage knives do not always have the same features. Early Umnumzaans have a coarse jimping (thumb serrations) than the newer versions as well as steel..so, being period correct is often a little bit of a hit, depending on the potential buyer.
 
When I had my tanto Umnumzaan, I found the glass breaker to be a value-added feature, far from useless. And yes, I did get the chance to use one for real on one occasion. I witnessed a roll over on the highway and used the glass breaker to gain access to the female patient trapped inside the vehicle. I also passed it over to one of the vollie firefighters to use, as his tool of choice was going to be a flat head axe.

It doesn't work as well as a dedicated window punch, but far better than none at all.

As far as mods go concerning resale, I'd say mods might add value to the modder, but not necessarily any future potential buyers.
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
It's so unobtrusive, I forget it's there.
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Yep, this. ^^^ It's very minor - I basically don't notice it. And it's so small that I can't imagine being able to use it to flip the knife open, but maybe, if you're very skilled (and loosen the pivot a lot). If you don't need it, I really don't think you'll notice it. YMMV, of course.
 
bart1 said:
...any forumites ever break any glass with it?
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Right here. No more than two months ago. New construction window with nailing fins, non-returnable item. Tempered window called out, non-tempered window installed. Resolution from above was to refit the 2020 frame with tempered glazing to save on time and cost. Instead of taping the glass and breaking it with the frame held over a refuse container (or removing the frame adhesive before deinstallation with a suction cup lifter), I decided to try out the Zaan glass breaker tip against the frame held vertically. A short, hard tap with gloved hands punched a hole through the first layer of glazing with the immediate formation of a spider web. Nothing spectacular, most of the glass continued to be secured by the frame adhesive with only a few small pieces ejected. I have no doubt that a strike to the middle of a 4060 window would have brought down crashing glass.
 
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I think I recall, maybe five years ago or so, a thread on the glass breaker in which someone reported punching out the driver's door glass on a vehicle with an Umnumzaan. Search here would probably turn it up.
 
As others have said, it's so minor and unobtrusive that I forget it's there. In my opinion definitely not worth modifying the knife over it. If one were for sale like that I would only consider it if was the old pivot (the only Umnumzaans that interest me anyway) and probably wouldn't pay over $250 for it but that's just me.
 
I love the feature. Wish they all had it. I live around a lot of canals and a river. Folks drive into them all the time.
 
I carried a Zaan for several yrs and like everyone else here, never thought about it. I'm sure it will work, and I like the idea of it. There can be times when it's a lifesaver. No doubt about it. The Zaan is the Sebenza for the guy who likes a bit of spice and a "look" that's a bit more aggressive. I prefer the style to the standard Sebbie.
 
A good feature to have on the Zaan or on any folder. Aesthetically it doesn't look out of place on the Zaan IMHO.
 
The 21 works pretty good as a glass breaker too. You just have to do your best overhand pitch, and have reasonable aim.
 
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