- Joined
- Mar 27, 2000
- Messages
- 1,821
No pic's yet, but anyhow...
Let’s start with the size - Umnumzaan is a bit longer than Sebenza. But what’s more important it is considerably thicker! The blade is thicker than Sebenza’s blade and washers together. I mean you can’t insert Umnum’s blade between Sebenza slabs even without washers. So – Umnum is THICK! What is nice to see -> it is also implemented in the cutting edge, which is also thicker than Sebenza’s edge. Generally Umnum’s blade and edge is way stronger than on Sebenza. But Umnum’s penetration is still awesome due to the swedge, which could be considered “sharp”. It’s not as sharp as cutting edge, but it is not rounded in any way. It is much sharper than swedge on Pacific or Green Beret. In Poland that is not a problem at all (double edges are perfectly legal) but in some EU countries and in some states… that could at least start a serious discussion with LEO. In my opinion Sebenza’s blade is all about utility, and Umnum’s blade is all_the_way_TACTICAL. Thick, strong, sharp, and penetrates extremely well. But it’s not as good cutter as Sebenza, remember about that.
Handle design offers extremely positive grip. I did full-power thrusts with Sebenza in the past and never had a problem with grip. But Umnumzaan is even more positive here… I can’t imagine my hand slips on Umnum’s handle. It is still thinner than most tactical knives (no scales, of course) but very strong, stout, and gives phenomenal grip! And it’s also pocket friendly (if you EDC Emersons than you know what I mean). The “mechanical system” as such is very simple. Just one screw and overbuilt pivot. It is smooth, even more than Sebenza. And thanks to perforated washers it will stay smooooooth for looooooong. Probably forever. The lanyard attachment it very slick, I like it. You remove lanyard and the “lanyard pivot” can be removed immediately, no need to unscrew anything. That is very cool. Clip is the same as on Sebenza (means good time-proven clip). What else… ah, the lock! It is positive and locks the blade 100%, no sign of blade play (but what else would you expect from Chris, right?). Anyhow, I need more time & use to tell you more. Personally I probably like the “Sebenza lock concept” a bit better. It’s simpler and I like it that way. Thumb stud works great and the silencers make the action & locking VERY silent! There is almost no sound when opening the knife, so I can play with it whole evening and… my wife doesn’t complain about “clicking”
Overall verdict? Sebenza is a great EDC and will stay great EDC, by which other knives will be judged. Umnumzaan is stronger, gripper, heavier – tactical folder. Sebenza’s thinner blade stock and edge cuts better, but Umnumzaan is more “Heavy Duty” kind of knife. I like both of them but I find Sebenza better suited for my everyday uses. However, I will carry Umnumzaan every now and then just for the pleasure of carrying / playing with /using it. But if you need tactical EDC folder – Umnumzaan is the way to go, for sure!
T.B.C. (during weekend)
Let’s start with the size - Umnumzaan is a bit longer than Sebenza. But what’s more important it is considerably thicker! The blade is thicker than Sebenza’s blade and washers together. I mean you can’t insert Umnum’s blade between Sebenza slabs even without washers. So – Umnum is THICK! What is nice to see -> it is also implemented in the cutting edge, which is also thicker than Sebenza’s edge. Generally Umnum’s blade and edge is way stronger than on Sebenza. But Umnum’s penetration is still awesome due to the swedge, which could be considered “sharp”. It’s not as sharp as cutting edge, but it is not rounded in any way. It is much sharper than swedge on Pacific or Green Beret. In Poland that is not a problem at all (double edges are perfectly legal) but in some EU countries and in some states… that could at least start a serious discussion with LEO. In my opinion Sebenza’s blade is all about utility, and Umnum’s blade is all_the_way_TACTICAL. Thick, strong, sharp, and penetrates extremely well. But it’s not as good cutter as Sebenza, remember about that.
Handle design offers extremely positive grip. I did full-power thrusts with Sebenza in the past and never had a problem with grip. But Umnumzaan is even more positive here… I can’t imagine my hand slips on Umnum’s handle. It is still thinner than most tactical knives (no scales, of course) but very strong, stout, and gives phenomenal grip! And it’s also pocket friendly (if you EDC Emersons than you know what I mean). The “mechanical system” as such is very simple. Just one screw and overbuilt pivot. It is smooth, even more than Sebenza. And thanks to perforated washers it will stay smooooooth for looooooong. Probably forever. The lanyard attachment it very slick, I like it. You remove lanyard and the “lanyard pivot” can be removed immediately, no need to unscrew anything. That is very cool. Clip is the same as on Sebenza (means good time-proven clip). What else… ah, the lock! It is positive and locks the blade 100%, no sign of blade play (but what else would you expect from Chris, right?). Anyhow, I need more time & use to tell you more. Personally I probably like the “Sebenza lock concept” a bit better. It’s simpler and I like it that way. Thumb stud works great and the silencers make the action & locking VERY silent! There is almost no sound when opening the knife, so I can play with it whole evening and… my wife doesn’t complain about “clicking”
Overall verdict? Sebenza is a great EDC and will stay great EDC, by which other knives will be judged. Umnumzaan is stronger, gripper, heavier – tactical folder. Sebenza’s thinner blade stock and edge cuts better, but Umnumzaan is more “Heavy Duty” kind of knife. I like both of them but I find Sebenza better suited for my everyday uses. However, I will carry Umnumzaan every now and then just for the pleasure of carrying / playing with /using it. But if you need tactical EDC folder – Umnumzaan is the way to go, for sure!
T.B.C. (during weekend)
Last edited:
Anyway, I like the Umnumzaan and it still wouldn't hurt my feelings to see a XL Umnumzaan with a 4.0" blade!!
