Umnumzaan popularity

freq18hz

freq18hz

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
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Just something I have been thinking about for a little while, does anyone have any ideas why the Umnumzaan seems to be less popular than the Sebenza?

To me it would seem, the Umnumzaan is a better large folder. Sure the Sebenza has been around longer, and I suppose it is lighter etc, but the Umnumzaan just seems to be more stout in feel, and overall seems to fulfill the mission of a larger knife better than the Sebenza.

Of course I think the Small Sebenza is the perfect EDC, but I'm wondering since it appears to be a stronger lock etc. why the Umnum has not eclipsed the large Sebenza in terms of popularity yet. Maybe it's just too new?
 
The "Changes" are the key.
different tip geometry design, different lock-up engagement design, different handle shape, slightly different "overall feeling".

I love 'em both, but i think i can understand why the Um may get less love for the time being.

I think time will tell.
 
I have 4 sebenzas, yet no Zaan yet. I really need to start putting some pennies away for a Zaan. I simply love this knife! I've handled one yet haven't pulled the trigger on one. Although I already want 2, the original and the Wilson Colab...Dang I need a raise!
 
freq18hz said:
but I'm wondering since it appears to be a stronger lock etc.
Click to expand...

I've owned two Umnums and felt the lock bar had much more "play" than did any of my Sebs. I could move the blade while in the locked position with relative ease, while I simply couldn't do the same with my Sebs. The only thig I liked on the Umnum over the Seb was the pivot. Just my opinion, though.
 
I have had a Tanto Umn that was sold so i could buy a Proto Umn and just recently paid for a Decorated S35VN Umn thats on the way here.

I think it's popular enough, but that's just me :D

I think the future bodes well for this model :cool: but that's just me
 
My first CRK will be here Friday - I hope - and it's a 'zaan. Actually, it's a Wilson StarTac variant.

Just like the 'zaan better - after fondling all three - repeatedly.

Stainz
 
The Umnum used to be a folder I lusted for...but after I got one, I was immediately put off by the swedge and semi-harpoon tip. I've had a Sebenza all along and it feels better in-hand than the Umnum. My Seb feels like a better folder so naturally I sold the one that didn't feel right with me.
 
Owned one, sent it away. I didn't like the ergos at all, compared to the Sebenza. The rest of the changes were unpersuasive to me for my needs.
 
The Umnumzaan uses (IMO) a superior lock and simplifies the Sebenza design even further. The blade and pivot assembly are more robust, and I like the ergos more then the Classic / 21 line, though I still have a pair of Regular's I enjoy very much.

Another common misconception is that the Umnumzaan is supposed to replace the Sebenza. It's not. They are two fundamentally different knives, with different design goals and intended purpose. I happen to like the Umnumzaan better. :)
 
See I feel similarly. I bought an umnum, and I like it much better than the large sebenza. After checking the umnum out though, I decided to put it up for sale in the exchange, just because it is too big for me to EDC. My small sebenza is so nice, i just don't need another knife. But were I to have a larger folder, to me the umnum seems to fit the bill better in every single way compared to the large sebenza. I guess I asked because I put one of my small sebenza's and the umnum up for sale at the same time, the small sebenza sold in about 2 hours, and the umnum is still up there, even though its discounted by 80 bucks after tax/shipping. Just seems that the sebenzas are much much more popular. The small sebenza makes sense, but the umnum I juist don't get. It seems to be better in every way to the large sebenza.
 
Might take people longer to warm up the Umnumzaan. How long before the Sebenza became truly popular?
 
I was put off by the Umnunzaan's blade shape until I got one of the TNK tanto LE's. I love this knife and it has replaced my large Sebenza and SnG as my favorite edc.
 
Josh K said:
Might take people longer to warm up the Umnumzaan. How long before the Sebenza became truly popular?
Click to expand...

Eventhough I had two tanto Umnums, they just didn't quite "do it" for me, but I will offer both were the two sharpest knives I ever owned. Funny thing is if I hadn't sold my Sm Regular, I think the Sm. Reg/Umnum might have been my nearly ideal combo. Who knows, maybe third time around might be different?;)
 
I love my Sebenzas way more than my Umnumzaan ND I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN WHY. I'M ON MY SECOND ONE AND I AM THINKING OF PARTING WITH IT.
 
I just got my Umnum on Saturday, I like the overall knife, but it hasn't clicked with me yet. I've only handled it a little bit so far, but something about it hasn't grown on me yet. I got to handle a Lg. Sebenza (not sure as to whether it was a classic or a 21, don't know the difference), and it was a well-worn but solid knife, I liked the overall design. As far as the Umnum is concerned, I think I'm just not quite used to the thumbstud placement so close to the handle, I've found it difficult to reliably deploy the blade. I want to give it some pocket time before condemning it, so we'll see how it serves as an EDC before I get too critical.
 
I own a small classic, a large 21, and an Umnumzaan. I prefer the Sebenzas, and the reason why can be summed up in two words: Pivot. Bushing.
The fact that the pivot/action of the Sebenza requires no tweaking is what makes it my favorite. My Striders, Hinderers, Spydercos, etc. all require that I find a balance between horizontal blade play and ease of opening. The pivot bushing in the Sebenza, in my opinion, is the most significant advancement in folding knife technology over the past many years. Its a no brainer...you just snug down the pivot screw with a simple allen wrench and you are good to go. No adjustments necessary....no blade play, and a silky smooth opening. That is why the Sebenza still wears the crown.
 
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