UMNUMZAAN vs. LG SEBENZA (with pics **COMPLETE**)

[Toyz]

Just wanted to make an attempt at comparing / contrasting the two CRK knife models.
I went through a period of indecision a while ago when trying to decide which one to get - I thought this might help a few people who are also in that "decision" mode.

Some general comments - these are typical Chris Reeve knives - superb fit and finish, very tight tolerances, great slicers, lots of "WOW" factor for those that have been collecting for a while and can appreciate all that CRK knives have to offer, great reputation. I've owned 3 large Sebenzas, 2 Umnumzaans, 1 Mnandi, and 1 Nyala - I think I can honestly say CRK delivers a very consistent experience with their products.

They are also expensive - the base model large Sebenza is just shy of $400, and the Umnumzaan is just over $400 (recent CRK price increases). The large Sebenza can climb north of $700 if it is embellished and has a damascus blade.

These knives are NOT sharpened prybars. They were not designed to baton thru wood or to be hammered thru doors and car trunks. They were designed to be cutting tools, and they excel at that. They are not delicate knives - they feel very solid in hand and are designed to be working knives.



In the pictures I show a large Sebenza with S35VN blade steel - made in 2011. I also show an Unmumzaan with S30V blade steel - also made this year. I threw in my Mnandi for scale. The large Sebenza has a polished titanium scale on the front, and a bead blasted scale on the back. The blade is polished.

The Umnumzaan has bead blasted scales front and back, and a stone washed blade.

The pocket clips on both are titanium and are bead blasted.



General Similarities:
- Titanium scales
- Hollow ground blades
- Frame lock
- Tip up carry only
- Pocket clip
- Lanyard pin
- Thumb stud opening
- CRK Fit and finish
- Bead blasted scales (certain models)
- "Idaho Made" stamp (unless you can find earlier models on secondhand market)
- Length (approximate)
- Very solid lockup
- Perforated bronze washers (newer models)



General Differences:
- Price point for entry level model
- Customization
- Pivot
- Ease of disassembly
- Ergonomics
- Texturing on scales
- Thumb studs
- Method of opening
- Contact with tang of blade (ceramic ball with Umnumzaan, titanium frame lock with Sebenza)
- Belly on blade
- Glassbreaker on Umnumzaan only
- Anodizing (Sebenza only)
- Jimping
- Blade Stop pin on Sebenza, Thumb studs contact scales on Umnumzaan



Pros - Large Sebenza
- Reputation / history
- Fit / Finish
- Ease of disassembly / cleaning
- Anodized thumb studs / backspacer / pivot pin
- Customization (computer graphics, inlays, insets, damascus)
- No special takedown tools
- Blade shape - great slicer
- "Wow" factor - especially the embellished models
- Able to carry in calfskin sheath in pocket with clip attached
- Carry without clip (titanium blank available to fill in clip hole)



Pros - Umnumzaan
- Fit / Finish
- Tactical look (for those that are into that)
- Jimping is a little more aggressive
- Blade belly (personal preference thing)
- Quiet opening due to "O" rings
- Texturing on scales adds to "grip"
- Glass breaker design
- Semi-sharpened swedge near knife tip
- "Choke-up" ability (thumb position on blade)
- Pivot appears to be a little more "stout"
- Blade appears to be a little more "vigorous"
- Able to carry in calfskin sheath in pocket with clip attached
- Carry without clip (titanium blank available to fill in clip hole)

 

[Toyz]

Some "In-Hand" Pics:

Sebenza - this knife is a little easier to open due to the cutout around the thumb stud. Worthy of note - the standard Sebenza only comes with one thumbstud - CRK does offer a second thumbstud as an add on. Certain models do come with the dual studs.





Notice how your finger locks into the thumbstud cutout when gripping the knife. If you have big hands this may leave you a little short where the back of the knife makes contact with your palm.
The titanium scales with no insets get a little slick when your hand gets wet - so you might want to consider micarta insets if you work in wet or humid environments. There is also quite a bit of lockbar exposed in the cutout on the Sebenza - so disengaging the lock is not hard to do.

Umnumzaan - the thumbstud design on this one requires a little practice to get down. You have to push up to open the blade - different from the Sebenza where you push out.





Notice how your finger gets closer to the pivot allowing the knife to sit a little "longer" in your hands. Also notice how the back of the knife near the lanyard pin is "rounded" - I think it makes for a more comfortable grip for extended periods of cutting. I also like the texturing on the titanium - it does help with grip.



The blade is designed to allow for a "choked-up" grip which I also like. It allows for very detailed cutting and control.

Hand size and shape differs from person to person - and I imagine it's a nightmare for knife makers to try to design a model to meet the needs of a large percentage of their buyers. These really need to be held in-hand - ergonomically they are different feeling knives for me. Also - when cutting very hard material requiring a lot of pressure to be exerted on the knife - I like the jimping on the Umnumzaan a little better as it digs in to your thumb a little more securely that the Sebenza. There is much less lockbar exposed in the cutout of the Umnumzaan - CRK mills a tear drop shape that acts as a thumb catch to help with disengaging the lockbar. It's not that difficult to do - it just takes a little practice. **EDIT - per Ankersons recent post - CRK very recently modified the cutout on the Umnumzaan to reveal more of the opposing scale to make disengaging the lockbar easier.**

Both knives carry very nice in the pocket - they disappear, especially for me. I like larger folders, and it's not unusual for me to have 5-8+ ounce knives on me.

 

[Toyz]

Pic of Sebenza lockbar reveal thru cutout:




Pic of Umnumzaan lockbar reveal thru cutout:




Pics of Jimping and thumbstuds:





Notice the glassbreaker on the front of the Umnumzaan, which is actually a piece of the blade that protrudes about 1/8" forward of the titanium scales.


Top down view of jimping:



Wrap-Up

These are both high value knives that will last you a lifetime if cared for properly. CRK customer service is outstanding, and for a fee you can put your knife thru the spa treatment to restore it to "like new" appearance. They are easy to carry, easy to sharpen, and hold a respectable resale value. If you are on the fence, I suggest you start used from the secondhand market. Also check out the limited edition of each offered by Wilson Combat in conjunction with CRK.

My Wish List

Umnumzaan - I wish CRK would texture the entire scale on front and back, and I wish they would include the takedown kit in the box with the knife.

Large Sebenza - I wish double thumb studs were standard on all models.

For both knives - I wish CRK would offer a wider range of blade steels, especially M4, M390, S90V.

You can't go wrong with either knife.

As you can see - I ended up with both.

 

[peppercorn]

Nice write up and pics Toyz, I like the bullet points.

 

[FirNaTine]

Very nice comparison.....awaiting an s35v Umnum to go with my s30v!

 

[cziv]

Hey thanks for sharing Toyz. Nice to get an idea - side by side - along with your take on things. :thumbup:

 

[Ankerson]

Very nice comparison.....awaiting an s35v Umnum to go with my s30v!

That will be a few months down the road yet.

 

[Ankerson]

For both knives - I wish CRK would offer a wider range of blade steels, especially M4, M390, S90V.

It would be nice to see them come out with sprint runs in different steels, like M390, ELMAX or maybe S90V in the future.

 

[kadinh]

WOW! what a thorough review of both! I still won't be satisfied until my Large 21 has an Umnum brother tho.

 

[lisantica]

Thank you for posting your comparison photos and comments.
You said, "You can't go wrong with either knife." Plus one to that!

 

[BRO]

Very nice, a lot of useful information. Appreciate the effort you put into this presentation. Thanks, BRO

 

[lemmuhj]

A pleasure to read....good thoughts.

 

[The Logical One]

Great comparison.... now I want the umnumumumumunomnomnomzaaaaan.

 

[WLJ4163]

Thanks for the post, it was very helpful!

 

[PAZach]

Awesome review!