umnumzaan or sebenza

Own both but I carry my Zaan more then my large Sebenza. The Sebenza is very nice, no complaints, but the Zaan just melts in my hand. I like the handle, the blade including the more robust point on the Umnum. I know the Sebenza can handle all I would throw at it, but the Umnum just inspires more confidence to me.

With that said, I do sometime carry my large Sebenza and I don't really have a big issue against it, it is a nice knife.
 
I had an Umnumzaan at one point and ended up trading it I believe. I didn't like the how the blade rests on a ceramic ball instead of the Ti lockbar when opened. I wasn't a big fan of the thumbstuds as they are too close to the pivot and I don't like how you need the rubber buffers there for perfect lockup. The lockbar is almost sharp when you push your thumb on it to release it. I just wasn't a fan of th knife.

I still own four Sebenzas though, 2 Large Regulars, a Large Classic, and a Small 21.

So my vote would be for the Sebenza.

I know you didn't ask for other suggestions, but I'm going to suggest also looking into the AG Russell Acies.
 
The polyurethane O-rings have no affect on lock-up, unless you open the Umnum extremely slowly, and even then, just using the knife sets it to the correct lock-up.

They are removable if you don't want them on there, and the lock-up on my Umnum isn't affected by their removal or addition.

Next time you are feeling squirrelly about ceramic balls :) take a beater knife and try to break a piece of tile with the blade. And tiles are usually made out of cheap ceramics. There are thousands of different types of ceramic, and engineers deem some of them good enough to replace steel armor on tanks.
 
When I removed the rubber O-rings on mine I had the slightest bit of wiggle that wasn't there when they were in place.
 
The grind on the Sebenza is a bit thinner, so it lends itself better to EDC type tasks than the Zaan, not to say that the Umnumzaan wont perform ggreat, it's just a hair better, unless the stout blade is what your after.Both are great, but the Sebb comes in so many flavors that you could find one you really connect to.

P6200011-1.jpg


P6200010-1.jpg


P6200013.jpg


P6200014-1.jpg
 
Paradiggum said:
I tend to carry the Sebenza more than the Umnumzaan. I actually prefer the ergos of the Umnum but the Sebenza is easier to take apart and clean when needed. No special tool and you just tighten the screws and you're good to go. The Sebenza also has more space for thumb purchase to close it. So I prefer the Sebenza but not by much. I've carried both and in my daily use they fill the same roll so you're right, it really is opinion instead of which is better.
Click to expand...


This pretty much mimics my experiences exactly. I SLIGHTLY prefer the Sebenza for an EDC. If I expect any use beyond the most mundane EDC tasks though, I'll grab the Umnum. Not that the Sebenza isn't up to it. It is. But the Umnum inspires a bit more confidence. The Sebenza is more rounded, smooth, refined. The Umnum is more in your face, I dare you to try to break me and when you're done trying, I'll be here laughing at you.
 
Tony8179 said:
When I removed the rubber O-rings on mine I had the slightest bit of wiggle that wasn't there when they were in place.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Did you try tightening the pivot screw a bit? I'll admit that adjusting the pivot tightness is a pain on the Umnumzaan compared the Sebenza. Though, once it's set you can loctite it down. Even with the lock dis-engaged, there is zero side-to-side play throughout the whole opening arc on mine.
 
I have both and I prefer to carry the Umnumzaan. I like the sturdier tip a little better and, for whatever reason, I'm less afraid to actually cut stuff with it. Don't get me wrong I will never sell my Sebenza but for use the Umnum stays in the EDC rotation.

Zaanand755007.jpg
 
Cynic2701 said:
Fair enough. Did you try tightening the pivot screw a bit? I'll admit that adjusting the pivot tightness is a pain on the Umnumzaan compared the Sebenza. Though, once it's set you can loctite it down. Even with the lock dis-engaged, there is zero side-to-side play throughout the whole opening arc on mine.
Click to expand...

I must admit that I did not try to tighten the pivot. I felt no play when locked in the open position when the O-rings were on, but when I removed them there was just the slightest bit of wiggle.
 
While I like the design overall (though it is a little small for my standards), the name itself is the primary reason that I want one.

"Umnumzaan"

It reminds me of caramel candy every time I say it, and has got to be one of the most disarming knife names out there (as long as you don't know it's actual meaning).
 
Like others have said, you can't go wrong with either BUT to me the Umnumzaan is just one sexy looking piece or art :)
 
I like the feel of the umnum better than the sebenza, but i'm going to give the sebenza another shot. If I could only own one, it would be the umnum.
 
230grains said:
I like the feel of the umnum better than the sebenza, but i'm going to give the sebenza another shot. If I could only own one, it would be the umnum.
Click to expand...

I think the Zaan is a more balanced all around use knife and more comfortable to use.
 
I've handled but haven't purchased a Sebenza. I own an Umnumzaan and it gets most of my standard EDC since I recieved it. Months now. By standard, I mean when I don't need a specific knife for a specific task such as a Spyderco Pacific Salt when flyfishing or a fixed blade for hard outdoors use, etc.
 
Murdamook said:
It's all opinion based, but I'd like to hear some feedback regarding the umnum vs. the sebbie. I'm going to start saving up for one of these knives, it will take a bit of time so I'll have plenty of opportunity for reflection. I'd like to hear pros and cons of both. Like where does one excell and the other fall short, etc. etc. Thanks in advance. A heads up, I'm leaning toward the umnum.
Click to expand...

Had an Umnum, but sold it. Kept the three Sebenzas. The Unum is a little too mall ninja for me and a little overkill for what I need. From time to time, I think I might by an Unum again, but never do.
 
lava_lamp said:
Had an Umnum, but sold it. Kept the three Sebenzas. The Unum is a little too mall ninja for me and a little overkill for what I need. From time to time, I think I might by an Unum again, but never do.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call the Zaan a Mall Ninja knife at all...
 
It all depends on what you lean towards. The Sebenza, while maybe a little plain jane, is a classic shape, IMHO. The Umnum's CRK's answer to other "tactical" like folders. Interesting comments about the Umnum's supposed longer blade. IIRC, blades on both are about 3 5/8", but the Umnum's blade is slightly thicker (By .015", which is just under 1/64"...not much). The Seb's handle is just under 4.75" & the Umnum's is just over 4.75". The Seb's also slightly lighter, by .3 oz (Which admittedly isn't much).

The Seb has a rounded spine, pivot bushing, & hardened Ti end of the lock-bar, FWIW. The Umnum has a contoured spine (To put your thumb at different locations), a large pivot, & ceramic bar at the end of the lock-bar. It also has the glass breaker, but I'd rather use a different tool for that (& have).

On the Umnum I like the grooving on the Ti on both scales. On the Seb, I had a couple different scales made for it instead (A fluted CF one & a corrugated G10 one).

As others have said, you can't really go wrong with either, but having said that, I no longer have my Umnums, but have a lg. reg. Sebenza.

good luck on your choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top