Umnumzaan lock up failing

BBQ BOY

BBQ BOY

Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
2,820
Hey y'all,
I bought a slightly used Umnumzaan. Last night I was playing with the knife as I watched TV. I opened the knife real gently and noticed the lock bar wasn't engaged all that well. I gave a slight spine wack on the blanket that was on top of me and the lock up gfailed. I'll say it again. it was a SLIGHT spine wack on a cushy blanket. If I open the knife with more authority then there isn't an issue but I've always heard not to flick CRK's. What could be the issue? I know I could send it in but the knife has been modded cosmetically therefore not even sure if the knife will be covered under warranty.
 
Num-nums need to be opened correctly for the lock to engage properly. If you gently ease it into the lock position slowly, the resilient O-rings may cause it to not fully engage and possibly be vulnerable to failure. Open it with authority man!

And spine-whacking in general is not considered a fair test of the locking system and is almost universally frowned upon when used as a gauge of strength.
 
What CRK objects to about "flicking" isn't using your thumb to shove the blade out and into locked position, but full centripetal slamming of the blade into lockup. No CRK knife is delicate. Just treat it with respect. Hit that thumbstud fast enough to click the blade into place.
 
So if it's opened properly there isn't an issue? Opening with some velocity using the thumbstud does not equal flicking.
 
That's right.

I have two large Sebenzas, big heavy blades. Smooth action. Normally, without thinking about it, I shove the thumbstud forward and the blade * clicks * into place, just enough force to reach locked position. (We're a team! :))
 
still think its wierd. my zaan locks up tight even if i open the blade at snail speed.
 
Even with a real slow two hand open, I still get about a 75% lock up on the zaan.

What's not to like.

Thanks again Chris for making one for me. :)
 
Es I called and spoke with Charmaine. Nice lady and was great to deal with. Originally I called her to inquire about a unique that I'm having made.
Anyway, she wasn't sure about the knife and suggested I send it in, which I do not want to do not want to do.
I do know that spine sacks are frowned upon but I hardly call what I did a spine wack.
 
This has been mentioned before and I think happens to Neyfmakers umnum as well. It has to do with the o rings not compressing enough for the lock to engage far enough, maybe others have been worn and that is why as they open theirs now lockup is where it should be even when opening slowly. (Apologies about my sentence construction, its late and English is a second language)

I think its part of the Umnum design and open that baby with a tumbflick! Heck, the o rings are there to absorb shock!
 
My `zaan is well broken in and will go to full lock with even a soft opening. The compression of the o rings do help a little over time.
 
Mine does the same thing. When you open it "very" softly, the lock only engages like 15% if that because the "O" rings are not compressed. I did slightly hit the spine on my hand and it will close sometimes. If you open it normally, it engages a full 60% like its supposed too. Its all about understanding the knife and how it works. I only did this when I first got it and while initially examining it. Its not a sebenza, even though the lock is similar. I do not condone "spine wacks", because doing this solves Nothing and gives people improper information and thoughts about the knife. As you guys know, from my many posts, I have used the zaan Heavily with Never An Issue. I trust the knife completely and have Nothing bad to say about the umnumzaan overall, the lock, swedge, etc. Chris designed a great knife and has tested it thoroughly. Open it with a normal flick and you will Never have an issue. I have talked to Charmaine and she is great. There is no need to send the knife in as there is nothing wrong with it.
 
Mine did that too. I wouldn't worry about it. I flick mine open once and a while. Its the obsessive hard slamming open of the knife that could maybe cause problems.you have to put a lot of stupid effort to make a CRK knife fail.
 
BBQ BOY said:
Es I called and spoke with Charmaine. Nice lady and was great to deal with. Originally I called her to inquire about a unique that I'm having made.
Anyway, she wasn't sure about the knife and suggested I send it in, which I do not want to do not want to do.
I do know that spine sacks are frowned upon but I hardly call what I did a spine wack.
Click to expand...

I definitely understand the annoyance, but if it isn't locking up, it needs attention.

This is especially important since you really don't know that it is still in the same condition as it was when shipped from CRK, since it was a used/pre-owned knife.

Maybe contacting the seller for a refund is the right solution.
 
I have a few quality blades that won't fully lock if I deploy the blade veeeerrrry slowly.
Never had a problem with any of them when I open 'em with even a small degree of authority.
 
A lot of knives opens with a light spine whack when you don't open it normally. If you open a knife that has a liner or a frame lock and you open the knife slowly enough for the lock to kiss the blade, there's a huge chance of a failure.
Open the knife normally and you shouldn't have a problem.
 
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