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Umnumzaan: Modifying and Customizing

D

David_Parker03

Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
264
Yo' guys. So, my daily carry item has switch from a Microtech Socom (from '98) to a CRK Umnumzaan, specifically for the glass breaker option since I've decide to become a paramedic, and am currently in school for.

Anyways, so I love the Umnumzaan. But I've got my critiques:

1. Tip-Down Carry.
Not a fan. Why? Just because I'm used to a Microtech Tip-up. And with that, I'm not really into low profile carry knives. I had...4 years of carrying my Socom, and am used to deploying and opening the blade.

2. Thumbstuds.
Again, not fan. I mean, they're great looking. But for some reason, they are tearing my thumb up. Its just their angle I guess. I prefer something like the tapered studs you see on MOD, or Microtechs. Even Benchmade.

The knifes ergonomics are great. Jimping is awesome, and the cross-hatch design on the titanium frame provide great traction. But when closing the knife, my fingers naturally go above the pocket clip, into the 'danger zone' of the blade and frame. I also expected the Umnumzaan to be much easier to open, something along the lines of the Sebenza. Don't get me wrong, I like a nice, tight, snug fit on my knife pivot. Most of my knives other people cannot open. They all try the 'wrist-flick' and I believe its strong dexterity, not some loose blade that gets her open. But the Umnumzaan is always somewhat of a toughie.

So my questions are: Can the pocket-clip be modified to provide a tip-up carry? And can the thumbstuds be removed to have other ones put in? I know there were some issues with the early ones, and mine is a Dec. 23, 2010, so I think I've got the single-bar kind.

What are your thoughts on my options? Find a new knife?

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I think you have that backwards.

Stock is tip up.

The way you have it in your pic is tip down.

I wouldn't recommend any modifying. It will cause problems for everyone.......
 
David_Parker03 said:
So my questions are: Can the pocket-clip be modified to provide a tip-up carry? And can the thumbstuds be removed to have other ones put in?
Click to expand...

No and No again. The clip also acts to protect against over extension of the lock-bar by keeping pressure on it. Secondly, tip-up carry may take some getting use to, but you'll appreciate it later.
 
Last edited:
Find a new knife.

If you feel you have to modify the Umnum the ways youve mentioned as well as altering the the original specs to make it easier to open, then it seems like its not the blade for you. All it takes is repetition and practice. My Umnum and Startac is smoother and faster in deployment (no wrist, caveman flicking) than any of my Sebenzas. My thumbs beg to deploy it because it feels so good. My fingers know exactly where to go when closing.

No offense intended, but the ORIGINAL Umnum is as perfect as it gets.
 
You can modigy the pivot tension to wherever you like. Just have to break the loc tite and adjust accodingly.
With the right opening technique it should fly open with ease.
 
David_Parker03 said:
So my questions are: Can the pocket-clip be modified to provide a tip-up carry? And can the thumbstuds be removed to have other ones put in? I know there were some issues with the early ones, and mine is a Dec. 23, 2010, so I think I've got the single-bar kind.

What are your thoughts on my options? Find a new knife?
Click to expand...

The clip can be modified to tip down but you had better know what you're doing and have the right tools and taps for the thread etc. It would be tricky to do a good job of it IMO. You would not just be able to fire a hole in the handle, tap it and expect that to work. You need to mill out a recess for the clip body as CRK do or find another way to hold the clip.
Even if you can and have all the things needed I would have to ask why though ? Tip up is the way forward and (for me any way) makes for a much smoother transition from "closed in pocket to open in hand" than tip down. Tip up also keeps the clip out of the way when you use the knife, having a clip up next to my indexfinger and thumb is quite anoying for me.

The Umnumzaan thumb studs have to be the softest and easy on the hand of any knife I have owned so I'm not sure how thay are tearing up your thumbs ? :confused: The thumb stud will be a bear to get out no matter if you have the two or single piece stud. There is a good/great chance you will damage the stud trying to remove it, you may even destroy it all together as far as reusing goes. You will also probably have to make or have made new custom studs as I don't know of any that will fit the Umnumzaan "off the shelf". So again it is a lot of work for a small problem IMO.

To be brutaly honest the problems you have are not with the knife, they are your habits of knife use. Old habits die hard as they say so pehaps a different knife is the answer or perhaps you will warm up to the Umnumzaan and get to know and like a great knife. :):thumbup:
 
I can't believe I've been misusing the 'tip-up'/'tip-down' phrase this entire time. I guess, after looking at the Sebenzas and Socoms, that I would rather have a little more access to the thumbstud, as there appears to be a gap between the thumbstud and the frame of the knife. Obviously this is not possible as the Umnum's act as a blade stop, to prevent over travel.

As for the clip, @Haze, thats what I was looking for, someone to mill out a replacement spot for the clip, while I would fill in the other with a cover plate.

Let me clarify: the action is SMOOTH on my Umnumzaan. However, when opening it, especially in a quick fashion, my thumb comes dangerously close to the blades edge, with the handle rotating in towards my palm. This is hard to explain without a video, which I lack the means to produce.

I guess if I could get a sebenza with a glass break and a tip-down carry, my day would be complete. I love the Umnumzaan and the grip and lines. I will say, that most people have a very, very hard time getting it started to open it, and most do not have the dexterity to manipulate the frame lock, and just end up handing me an open knife, blade deployed. Am I the only one who experiences this issue?

Anyways, thanks for your input.
 
This has nothing to do with your question, but what are those cool tools the zippered pouch in your third photo?
 
Keep in mind that the Umnum's deployment is very different from the socoms due to the closeness of the studs to the pivot. It's a much shorter stroke so you have to actually push in the direction of the pivot as opposed to pushing out and away with the socom. As far as the clip is concerned I actually depend on it for additional traction when deploying. I think if you give it a little time and training you'll save yourself some money and appreciate how much thought went into it's current design.
 
I believe the thumb studs are also the blade stop. If so, I wouldn't mess with them
 
pvicenzi said:
I believe the thumb studs are also the blade stop. If so, I wouldn't mess with them
Click to expand...

Absolutley correct! The thumb studs are the blade stop. Though the O rings used on the stud can be removed and won't hamper the operation of the knife; they only act as a buffer for the studs if you "flick" your knife open. Maybe with the O rings removed, you can get a better purchase on studs! Just a thought!

Stay sharp!
 
If the glass breaker is the reason you got the Umnum that was your first mistake, while it would work in a pinch, there are youtube videos showing that it didnt work very well. That being said tip up carry allows for the fastest deployment as you dont have to rotate the knife in hand. As others have said also a short push in the direction of the pivot should cause the knife to just snap open. The Umnumzaan is a near perfect knife and if you have to do the kinda mods that you are talking to it, get a diffrent knife.
 
The thumb studs are pushed differently than the ones on your socom. You push straight forward using the o ring as a grip. As for closing you don't push the frame open with the tip of your thumb, instead you use the side of your thumb in a sweeping motion. As for the glass breaker it is meant for auto glass; the side windows of your car. Give the Umnumzaan a chance and once you figure it out you will be very pleased.
 
I suppose I'll chime in. I love my Umnumzaan just the way it is, and I think it is technique that is giving you difficulties.

With that said, I have been a Fireman in a busy department for 14 years and can count on one hand the number of times I have HAD to rely on a knife to break a window. I only say that I had to because I didn't look for random objects like rocks etc. Thats why the firetrucks carry all those bright shiny tools, most of which are far better suited and safer for that task.
 
@Lisantica: those are lockpicks on the table. I also happen to be a locksmith. Just another hobby I pursue at this point.

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Again, tip-down is just my preferred way of carrying it. I've been carrying the Umnum everyday since February 24. So I'd say I've definitely gotten it 'broken-in' so to speak.

I love Chris Reeve Knives. I bought this because I knew it was going to be a robust, stout, hard-use knife. These are just critiques thats all. Does it still out-perform most knives? Absolutely. I just find opening the Sebenza's easier, with the initial action more smooth than the Umnum. I still love this knife, and will still use it as my EDC.

Thankfully, the blade has never been used, as I always carry a Leatherman Wave (original) as my utility knife.

And as a far as the glass-breaker goes, there are a number of video's I've seen where people are just trying to break plate glass, not tempered or annealed glass, which is actually what the pointed tip should be directed towards. I have full faith that it should bust open a car window, as CRK is well thought out in their designs.
 
@4Truck: I fully believe that. A halligan can get through anything! Its not that I'm looking for windows to break with the Umnumzaan. I just like having the option with me.
 
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