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Umnumzaan questions

K

KBar666

Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
351
Well I'm actually more interested in the Wilson Combat and Chris Reeve Star-tac which after some research is basiclly the Umnumzan from my uderstanding.

So my question is what are your thaughts on this as a defensive/tactical blade?
I'm planning to buy a few more knives mainly for this purpose.

My main concern is deploying the knife, specificlly opening the blade. So any knowledge is nice.

Oh I should mention I have no prior experince with Chris Reeve knives at all.

Thanks for any info.
 
I've played with the Umnums before and I can tell you when your adrenaline is pumping and you're trying to open it quickly.... it's probably going to be quite difficult. VERY nice knife though.
 
Own one and love it..its actually in my pocket rite now but honestly just get some pepper spray and save yourself a few hundred bucks and a possible trip to jail
 
I love my startac, but wouldnt really consider it a defensive tool. Although, the blade deploys smooth and pretty quick once you get used to the flick. You may want to trake a look at the emerson karambit if you're interested in fast blade deployment, and a lethal defensive tool. The looks of that blade alone are intimidating, and the wave feature allows it to lock into the open position as you pull it out of your pocket. It doesnt get much faster than that..
 
Yeah I'm more used to Emerson and Spyderco.

Well judging by the fact that all you guys pretty much stated the same I'll look else where. Thanks. Already have plans to get an EKI Super CQC 7.
Really wish I had picked up the package with the Emerson CQC-22 but looks like I missed out.

Anyway thanks.
 
Aside from the obvious (the scales, lanyard) is anything different about these and the regular zaans. I have a large and small sebenza which I love and am wanting to pick up a zaan. I really like the grip pattern on these but am curious to know about the differences. Also, if they are holding their value etc. Thanks.
 
I personally dont like the Wilson Umnumzaans... I prefer the look of the standard one, which is in my pocket right now ;) I love it more than any other knife for EDC...

Its super easy to take apart and put back together, and I just love the attention to detail... if you look at it from the side when the blade is out, you can see a finger groove at the first finger position which is formed by the scale profiles... I love this, as it makes holding it super comfortable... I judge a knife handle by how hard I can squeeze it and I can squeeze really hard without any discomfort.. Its just perfectly designed IMO...
 
Not so fond of the standard 'zaan - but I love my StarTac 'zaan - my first CRK. The pattern looks and feels a lot better in the hand than the standard - to me. Oddly, I couldn't get excited over the small Starbenza! My anticipation is getting to me - somewhere in this house there is a new small plain-Jane Sebenza waiting for my b'day party later today. 'Less' is more - to me - in the small Sebbie. Now, the soon to be available large Starbenza, that looks great. That doesn't address the OP's 'defensive' or 'tactical' questions. While I have opened the belly of many a dastardly bill's envelope, and shredded many a piece of junk mail, too, I could never truthfully recommend one for 'defense'. Your 'zaan money would be far better spent on a new S&W 642, pocket holster, and a box of ammo, likely leaving enough for a Happy Meal, too. Of course, if you want a super pocket knife that will forever spoil you, fit & finish wise, get an Umnumzaan!

I guess the closest example I have to a tactical knife is my ZT-0301... it has attacked - and slaughtered - many a large cardboard box in my hands.

Stainz
 
It seems that there could probably be a thousand or so different scenarios that you could use a knife as a defensive tool. A folding knife seems to be a disadvantage to a fixed blade when you are surprised by the attacker. But, in a scenario where you might predict a possible attack, the umnum would seem to be a sufficient blade to help in your defense. The lock up is tight enough and the framelock style seems to operate well with most grips and techniques. A very simple reverse grip moved in a figure 8 pattern in front of you will do a lot to fend off most frontal attacks. The blade is also long enough to do a lot of damage to main arteries/veins and specific tendons and ligaments that would render an attacker either dead or disabled. In all honesty, any sharpened piece of steel might do you just well if you have had the proper training but if you're looking to pick between the umnum and the wilson combat umnum for defense, you'd be best off saving the difference and buying a used regular umnum on the trade forums. Learn how to keep it sharp and get some proper training. Good luck.
 
The Umnumzaan in general is a great knife. You don't have to open the blade in .0001 of a second for the knife to be useful in self defense. The Umnumzaan is all titanium with a glass breaker nub on one end of it....just use your imagination :p

I EDC mine for every occasion - on duty, at home, out and about - so I practice pulling my Umnumzaan out of my pocket and gripping it in the closed position for use as a kobutan. After pulling my Umnumzaan out in the closed tip up position, I just grip it in hand like a hammer fist with the glass breaker tip facing down. It makes for a great defensive option with less lethal options.

The blade is just an added bonus :D
 
I received my star tac from Wilson just a few days back and it's a real thing of beauty! I have yet to handle a original zaan but I sure do love the star tac. It's gonna replace my small sebie for the next week as my edc and I'll see what I think then. First impression is very high!
 
I own one, and find it quite easy to open.

Unfortunately, everyone may feel differently about this and the only way to know is to try one and practice with it. In the "heat of the moment" any knife can be fumbled and that is why training is critical.

All things considered, I do not believe rapid deployment is nearly as important as a bunch of other factors when considering a defense tool...opinions vary though.
 
True, but for that kind of money I'd rather have more capability than less, however I think I'll try and find somewhere to try one out.
I can't really justify spending that kind of money for something that it turns out I won't use. I'm aware there is a certain collective quality to it and thats fine for people that are into that however when I but a knife like that, just like a firearm I intend to use it.
 
I think we can all agree from the largest to the smallest, the most expensive to the cheapest and regardless of what material is being used to make the knife, all knives can be use to defend or attack. I think my Zaan is not the best fighter but it certainly is it not the worst for defense that is out there, With that being said, if I ran out of ammo I wouldn't feel under matched using my Zaan to defend myself. But I did not buy the Zaan for defense unless of course it had to go into action.
 
I love my StarTac Umnumzaan - definitely a 'tactical' knife here - in the same vein that the original KaBar was a 'Utility Knife' - ideal for breaking open crates of boxed ammo. My 'zaan opens boxed ammo - mailers with reloading components - with aplomb. That was my first CRK folder... followed, finally, recently by a small Sebenza - great pocket knives - hardly 'tactical' - to me!

IMG_4546.jpg


I prefer 'protection' that provides some distance between myself and a perceived lethal threat. I'll be walking for excercise shortly this AM - I'll have a folder - but I'll have a 642 (Airweight .38), too - and a cellphone.

YMMV.

Stainz
 
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