Umnumzaan: My first CRK knife

miso2

miso2

Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,633
Hi all,

I just got a Umnumzaan as my first Chris Reeve knife.
What a beautiful knife!
I love this guy......

Umnum1.JPG




Quick comparison to Southard Tolk.
The handle lengths are quite similar, but Umnumzaan is a tad thicker, while the blade stock thickness is exactly the same.

Umnum2.JPG




It is also a tad heavier than Tolk, but does not feel as heavy as Spyderco Gayle Bradley.
I really like the rough texture of the handle over that of Tolk.
It gives nice grip.



Mine came in with a good detent strength, such that even I can open it with ease.

[Youtube]-2Psno28g80[/Youtube]



The lockup is about 50%, which is nice.
The lock bar tension is much stronger than that of Tolk, such that my thumb becomes sore a bit from closing it a couple of times.

I am not sure if I like to keep the o-rings.
They are sort of nice, but for me it would be nicer to have a locking sound for a feel for security.

Overall, the fit and quality are fantastic.
It is just a joy to hold and play with Umnumzaan.
I will see how it cuts after reprofiling and sharpening the edge.

Best,



Miso
 
I thought the lockup is about 50%, but I can push it to 70% after opening/closing few tens of times.

Umnum_Lock1.JPG

Umnum_Lock2.JPG



I also see some wears on the blade tang.
Nevertheless, the lock is not sticky, and I guess this is normal for Umnumzaan.

Umnum_wear.JPG



Miso
 
Last edited:
Comparison of similar sized knives with Umnumzaan.


Umnum_Tolk_GB.JPG




Umnumzaan's handle is a little bit thicker than that of Tolk, but much thinner than Spyderco Galye Bradley's.


Umnum_Tolk.JPG

Umnum_GB.JPG





S35VN is new to me.
I reprofiled the edge to 15DPS I believe, and it was not really difficult to do so on EdgePro as compared to M4 or M390.
I initially polished the edge to #2000 but noticed that the edge at #400 seemed quite nice.
I think I am going to stay with this finish for Umnumzaan.


Umnum_Edge.JPG




The receipt paper glides through the edge.

Umnum_test.JPG




Miso
 
The lock bar tension felt very strong, and disengaging the lock really hurt my thumb.
Then I read a thread describing that the pocket clip may be pushing the lock bar.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/447637-Sebenza-Lock-Bar-Tension

Holding the clip away from the spring did make a difference, so I tried to bend the clip to loosen a bit.

Umnum_lock_tension.JPG



After that, it is much easier to disengage the lock, I think.
I don't know if this is a right way to deal with it, but just wanted to share my experience.



Miso
 
marthinus said:
Nice review and comparisons.




Your lockup is perfect. The Umnumzaan uses a Ceramic Ball interface.

Here is a thread where you can see how it works.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/883466-Umnumzaan-Macro-Shots
Click to expand...


Thank you for the info, marthinus.
Very nice thread.
I understand now that is how the ceramic ball interface works and am quite comfortable with it.

I think that I also understand now why CRK knives are that popular.

As compared to Southard Tolk, the fit and finish of Umnumzaan are on par. The blade material is better on Tolk, and Tolk performs better on cutting as well.
However, there is something seductive and addictive in Umnumzaan. It is for sure a simple and beautiful knife and at the same time feels like it is a precision and heavy-duty tool. I don't have this kind of feeling to other knives.

I am glad that I didn't get Sebenza for my first, as I am sure that I would have ordered a Umnum right away.


Miso
 
miso2 said:
However, there is something seductive and addictive in Umnumzaan. It is for sure a simple and beautiful knife and at the same time feels like it is a precision and heavy-duty tool.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It was my first CRK as well.
 
Great score, Miso - and an excellent choice.

I plan on getting an Umnumzaan this year - I had a small Sebenza and wound up selling it, but it was an Excellent knife, just a little small.

Your lockup seems fine to me, and you will see marks on the lockup surface on the tang, just part of the ballgame on a framelock.

Thank you for your pictures, and congratulations on the new CRK!

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
Great score, Miso - and an excellent choice.

I plan on getting an Umnumzaan this year - I had a small Sebenza and wound up selling it, but it was an Excellent knife, just a little small.

Your lockup seems fine to me, and you will see marks on the lockup surface on the tang, just part of the ballgame on a framelock.

Thank you for your pictures, and congratulations on the new CRK!

best

mqqn
Click to expand...



Thank you, mqqn.
I have now opened the knife for more than a hundred times, but the mark on the blade tang has not changed since then.
It is a great knife to have.



Miso
 
miso2 said:
Thank you, mqqn.
I have now opened the knife for more than a hundred times, but the mark on the blade tang has not changed since then.
It is a great knife to have.



Miso
Click to expand...

Indeed it is!

And Chris Reeve is a great man - you might enjoy this picture from the 2015 Blade show, when Mr. Reeve, Mr Craig Green (Director of Manufacturing at Kai USA) and I were havning a nice evening drink.

D71_2781.JPG


That was a great conversation to listen to, when Chris and Craig started talking "shop"!

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
Indeed it is!

And Chris Reeve is a great man - you might enjoy this picture from the 2015 Blade show, when Mr. Reeve, Mr Craig Green (Director of Manufacturing at Kai USA) and I were havning a nice evening drink.

D71_2781.JPG


That was a great conversation to listen to, when Chris and Craig started talking "shop"!

best

mqqn
Click to expand...



Wow, I wish I would have been there to feel their passion in knives.
It is sad that Mr. Reeve is now semi-retired from the daily operation of CRK.


Miso
 
You shouldn't have to reprofile a brand new Zaan. It's a cutter not a slicer for most guys.

I have several and then some CRK's. Don't worry you may become an addict like most of us.

Enjoy your new knife and don't try to keep it looking new. CRK's are made to be Used.
 
clockman said:
You shouldn't have to reprofile a brand new Zaan. It's a cutter not a slicer for most guys.

I have several and then some CRK's. Don't worry you may become an addict like most of us.

Enjoy your new knife and don't try to keep it looking new. CRK's are made to be Used.
Click to expand...


Thank you, clockman, for your nice words.

No, I didn't have to reprofile the edge.
Since I was eventually using Edge Pro for sharpening anyway, I just did it.
Also, the factory edge was not very sharp on mine.

Umnumzaan is a strange knife.
It feels something special but at the same time does not make me hesitant to use hell out of it.
Yes, I will enjoy actually cutting stuff with it.


Miso
 
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