Umnumzaan popularity

I have both..... There are features I like about each that may give one an edge over the other from time to time. I always prefered the lock of the sebenza to the lock of the zaan, but after having spoke to Mr. Reeve about it and after his very thorough explanation of it, I realize I was wrong in my thinking of the zaan lock-up and its mechanics. The lock-up of the sebenza and umnumzaan are the same. The sebenza can and will be solid as a rock with a 50% lock-up. The umnzaan needs slightly more so the center of the ceramic ball is the lock-up point. The ceramic ball is nearly diamond hard, so its much longer wearing...... The key to keeping a framelock fully functional is keeping it clean. This goes for ANY and ALL folding knives. Pocket lint in a locking mechanism of any kind will wreck havoc. This just goes along with understanding your knife.

I must say I love almost everything about the umnumzaan. The blade shape is great, I like the swedge for scoring cardboard like I have mentioned in the past. It worked great scoring shingles when I was building my shed this summer. The grooves in the scales add grip. I would rank it right up there with the Sebenza, XM's and Striders. You can tell CRK is passionate about his knives because 2 of the greatest folders ever designed are made by them. That says alot !!!. Some companies get lucky and hit a home run once in their history, CRK hits a home run with every knife they make.

As far as popularity, the sebenza has been around for 20+ years, the zaan only a 2-3 years tops. The sebenza is a design that has stood the test of time and has been copied by more than a few companies. The sebenza is still and will always be the King of the framelocks. The zaan has a long way to go as far as years of service goes. But it is CRK quality through and through.

Another big reason the sebbie will always win out over the zaan is simplicity of maintance. You simply unscrew everything, clean it and screw it all back together. The umnumzaan, you need special tools for one ( which should be included and not sold seperatly ) and have to set the pivot.............I will say that I have not taken apart my zaan since I first broke it down for a thorough cleaning after buying the tool set. So its been about a year and its nearly automatic smooth. The pivot does not bother me much as it has shown that it can go for quite some time between cleanings.
 
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I like the look of the Sebenza better. I've never heard of the pivot being broken or damaged on the Sebenza so the larger pivot doesn't seem useful on the Umnum.

The lockup on my Umnum also didn't feel quite as solid, but it may have been something wrong with it. I just know that if I wiggled the blade vertically really hard I could make it move.
 
I am confused re 'zaan lockup - neither that ceramic ball nor that O-ring seems to be in the picture at all, when deployed. It's framelock bar and thumbstuds metal-on-metal contact determined, isn't it? And the bushings differ only in the additional holes in the washers, which hold grease better, in the 'zaan - and, now, in current Sebbies. I know the pivot screw is totally different, too. I can understand a well-broken-in Sebbie being slicker than a new 'zaan, but I can't imagine an equally aged/experienced 'zaan being less slick in operation or secure in lockup - unless that lockbar was damaged.

Of course, I am at a decided disadvantage - as, although I technically 'own' one now, I don't have a CRK 'in hand' yet. I am awaiting that UPS truck from AR... and not anxious at all... where the heck is that truck??

Stainz

PS Is the O-rings' function to aid in the thumb gripping ability and noise reduction upon closing, or is there more to it's existence?
 
Nyefmaker hit the nail on the head. On the 'Zaan, for better or worse, it's merely the contact of the point of the ceramic ball against the tang, as opposed to a fuller ti-to-steel contact during lockup on a Seb. I can make my 'Zaan lockbar "wiggle" back and forth laterally against the tang when gripped/squeezed. However, I don't think this affects integrity when opened and locked, just not a feeling I'm used to with Sebs.

I've got both, and love them for different reasons.

I think the Seb is automatically gonna rule out with 40-50% of CRK EDC'er's since there is the option of the smaller models. Maybe that'll change if/when there's a small 'Zaan.

Professor.
 
Choice and size. If you like a smaller knife, the Sebenza offers an option. If you prefer inlays, the Sebenza has them, if you prefer graphics, the Sebenza line has them. The Sebenza offers so many more choices , which is why it is more popular.
 
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Professor,

I guess I misunderstood - I thought he said the 'zaan locked open with the tang/ceramic ball instead of what looks like a traditional Ti/S30V framelock engagement. Your mention concerns the safety locking of the blade in the closed position. I'll know in a day or two! BTW, the choice wasn't easy for me - I love the large Sebbie, too!

Stainz
 
I don't think you'll be disappointed in the least. Not to sound like a total Chris fanboy, but in talking with him extensively about locking interfaces in years past, I am VERY confident that he would never allow anything less than safe, reliable, and long-lasting leave CRK.

For me, it's totally about size and blade profile, which makes the small regular Seb my go-to for EDC (and since 2002!).

Professor.
 
To me the Umnum just fills the duty better as a larger folder. I'm not sure what blade play issues/or lockup probs the rest of you are experiencing, but the one I have feels like a tank. Even though its the same size, the large sebenza feels flimy in comparison IMO.

If I didn't have an office job, I would probably ditch my small sebenza and EDC this Umnum.
 
Stainz said:
Professor,

I guess I misunderstood - I thought he said the 'zaan locked open with the tang/ceramic ball instead of what looks like a traditional Ti/S30V framelock engagement. Your mention concerns the safety locking of the blade in the closed position. I'll know in a day or two! BTW, the choice wasn't easy for me - I love the large Sebbie, too!

Stainz
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Unless I am misunderstanding what's written here :D you had it right the first time. The lockup is not the traditional interface of the face of the lockbar and the rear of the tang. The contact between the tang and the lockbar occurs solely where the ceramic ball touches the surface of the tang.

I am not qualified to say whether this is better, worse or indifferent relative to the "traditional" RIL mechanics, and I didn't want to say this earlier but since it's come up, I will add that at the end of the day the lockup of the Umnu made me a little nervous. I would have kept it if the ergos worked for me, however.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
you think the umnum is simpler than the sebenza?

simplicity is one of the reasons i like the sebenza series so much.
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It's far simpler. No pivot bushing, stop pin, screw, sleeve. It's (as JNewell put it) brutal in it's simplicity.

The Sebenza is a very simple knife, but the Umnumzaan is even simpler. You don't even have to worry about the lockbar because the ceramic ball (IMO) is more consistent then a straight RIL.
 
thx, obviously i know very little about the umnuum.

anyone have any pics of one disassembled?
 
freq18hz said:
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.
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stating that to you it would seem like a better large folder is answering your own question. Maybe you want a thicker blade as the blade gets longer, but maybe the next guy wants the blade to be a little thinner than that with a longer blade. There are so many freaking different scenarios and tasks that call for different types of blade shapes, steels, grinds, hardnesses, ect......
 
MORIMOTOM said:
thx, obviously i know very little about the umnuum.

anyone have any pics of one disassembled?
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Ask and you shall receive !!!.........Here is a pic of mine that I took apart for a thorough cleaning when I got it about a year or so ago. Hasn't been apart since.

IMG_2959.jpg
 
I think if Chris ever decides to offer decorated and inlaid Zaans with polished blades then they'll go up in popularity. The two he did that were sold through Plaza Cutlery and TNK were stunning.

I know I'd buy a regular production variant in a heartbeat.
 
softrockrenegade said:
I'm waiting for the small umnumzaan !!! :D
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I was thinking this just today. I love/loved my Small Regular, I can still find one, but a Small Umnum.....I think it might just be the ultimate!

Great thread. I like the Umnum, I am sure I will get one in future. I still like the Sebenza's construction of using the pivot bushing. I know I know, there is a reason for the Umnum not having it, but it is a feature I like. Both have their place. The Umnum is a aggressive. The Sebenza more elegant in my view.
 
nyefmaker said:
Ask and you shall receive !!!.........Here is a pic of mine that I took apart for a thorough cleaning when I got it about a year or so ago. Hasn't been apart since.

IMG_2959.jpg
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thx!

what's the little peice that looks like a bushing?



disregard, figured it out. i'm smart.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
thx!

what's the little peice that looks like a bushing?



disregard, figured it out. i'm smart.
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The screw is for the clip, the long cylinder piece with the hole in is the lanyard pin. The pivot bushing is big and heavy duty and I love the new bronze bushing with the holes in. Cant wait to try a sebenza with them. The only other pieces is the male and female screw and the back spacer. Very few parts. Overall a great design. My regular EDC.
 
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