Umnumzaan Just Arrived!

M

merlinus

Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
70
My new umnumzaan just arrived! The feel and look are wonderful -- same experience as when I got my small sebenza classic many years ago.

But not only is it difficult to open one-handed, it is impossible for me to move the locking mechanism and close the knife without using two hands. Is this deliberate on CRK's part, or will it loosen up some with use?
 
I feel the umnumzaan and sebenza have similar if not the same blade tension. With the umnumzaan, you have less of an area to disengage the lock, where as on the classic/21 sebenza, you have the large cutout which makes it seem easier. Its a different design in pretty much all aspects. You will get used to it. I can easily open and close any of my umnumzaans with one hand. Just takes some practice as stated.
Congrats on your umnumzaan purchase. They are great knives.
 
We're use to putting our thumbs up onto the stud or pushing the stud outward to open knives with the thumb stud. I find on my Umnumzaan, I push forward on the stud and it opens with a little practice very easy. Closing, I can close it with one hand but I use two hands because that is what I am use too. Visualize the stud as a clock, push on the 6 o"clock position forward and it will open. Forget about the 3 o'clock position, it does not work well with the Zaan.
 
Thanks for the hints and reassurance. With practice it will become easier.

BTW, The "Idaho Made" stamp is next to invisible on the knife.
 
I too found it very difficult to close my Umnumzaan when I first received it. I don't know if I opened and closed it enough to "break it in" or if I opened and closed enough to train myself the "proper" way to do it, but it isn't a problem now. It still isn't as easy as my Sebenza, but, it isn't hard either. The two just feel different.

All in all, I'm very glad that I resisted my initial urge to sell it right away. I gave it a chance and now I'm very happy with it. I think you will be too!
 
Thanks again to all who responded. My experience so far, however, has been less than positive in terms of opening the knife. My thumb is sore beyond belief!

The only way it works is to move my grip up the handle (similar to choking up on a bat), getting part of my thumb underneath the stud at about a 4:00 o'clock position and pushing upward.

But I certainly am not giving up, yet.
 
Put your finger on the blade behind the thumb stud making contact with your finger nail to open.
 
Love that knife. Mine has a strong detent and will flip open with touch of the thumb, even with gloves.
BAD A** knife.
Enjoy
 
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